Science week 2022

On the 11th and 17th of November, students from Colegio Sagrado Corazón Rosales and Colegio Salesianos El Pilar visited the laboratories of the Elastomers Group of the Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), carrying out 3 activities in a collection of up to 12 in which many members of the Institute of Polymer Science and Technology participated.

The activities were structured in small groups to maximise the use of each activity, starting with a welcome and organisation of the groups. The activities that could be carried out are detailed below:

  • Recognition of polymeric materials by infrared.
  • Characterisation of polymeric surfaces at the nanometric level: scanning electron microscopy.
  • Polymeric fuel cells powered by hydrogen from renewable energies
  • Polyurethanes and their foams
  • Exhibition: “Polymers have changed our lives”.
  • Electrospining
  • Organoleptic properties: texture, odour and colours of polymers
  • Spherification of alginate
  • Tyres and their properties
  • Energy-plastics
  • Self-repairing rubbers: science fiction or reality?
  • Non-stick surfaces

All the activities were led by top researchers from the Institute of Polymer Science and Technology, who were able to bring the most cutting-edge and complex research topics closer to the students in a fun and entertaining way, encouraging student participation at all times. In addition, each group had another researcher as a guide, so that in the period between visits to laboratories and exhibitions they had the possibility of resolving more general doubts or doubts about some of the topics they had already been able to deal with.

The Elastomers Group and the Institute of Polymer Science and Technology are aware of the importance of science communication and the dissemination of scientific knowledge. Their commitment to top level research also includes an important part, which is the responsibility to inform the general public about the scientific activity that takes place in the research centres, which is why they participate year after year in initiatives such as Science Week.