Thursday, 23 November 2023
ICREA Prof. Daniel Maspoch awarded the Jaume I Prize in New Technologies
The outstanding advancements of ICREA Prof. Daniel Maspoch in the field of new technologies have earned him the prestigious Rei Jaume I Prize in New Technologies, alongside 5 more awardees in different categories. His innovative research and successful translation of academic concepts into industrial applications have propelled considerable progress in the domain of material science. This prestigious recognition serves as a testament to his seminal work and its promising implications for societal impact.
Renowned chemist ICREA Prof. Daniel Maspoch, leader of the ICN2 Supramolecular NanoChemistry and Materials Group, is gearing up for the upcoming Rei Jaume I Awards ceremony, where he will be honored with the prize in the New Technologies category. This award, to be presented on November 28 at the Lonja de los Mercaderes in Valencia, acknowledges Prof. Maspoch's exceptional contributions in the field of new technologies, especially in the synthesis of porous reticular materials. We also heartily congratulate the other 5 awardees in their respective categories.
The ceremony, which this year anticipates the presence of His Majesty the King of Spain, will be the culmination of a series of events related to the awards, including colloquiums and presentations of his research work and that of the other awardees. Prof. Maspoch will receive a gold medal and diploma, in addition to a contribution of €100,000, which he will partly reinvest in the research and entrepreneurship he promotes in Catalonia, Spain, and internationally.
Prof. Maspoch's work in synthesizing materials such as metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), covalent organic frameworks (COFs), and metal-organic polyhedra (MOPs) has revolutionized material science. These nanometric materials, comparable to high-tech sponges, are efficient building blocks that can be designed and assembled like Lego bricks. With customizable electronic properties, large surface areas for reactions, exceptional resistance to light and heat, and relatively economical and easy production, these materials are opening new frontiers in various applications.
Prof. Maspoch has also led developments in selective drug delivery systems, collaborating with hospitals and research institutes to treat diseases like diabetes and multiple sclerosis. This work was key in the co-founding of Ahead Therapeutics, a company dedicated to developing treatments for autoimmune diseases.
His current ERC-funded project, 'Clip-Off Chemistry', introduces an innovative synthesis strategy, creating new materials or molecules by selectively breaking specific bonds in known reticular materials. This pioneering approach promises to revolutionize the way advanced materials with extraordinary properties are designed.
Prof. Maspoch's contributions have transcended areas such as nanomedicine, impacting also fields like chemistry, materials, sustainability, and food technology. His research projects have led to four products licensed by the ICN2, which are sold globally, exemplifying his ability to transform research into practical products.
In anticipation of the award ceremony and to provide more information about Prof. Maspoch and his Group's work and achievements, we have compiled relevant information for the media:
https://icn2.cat/en/outreach/media-spotlights-en/rei-jaume-i-award-for-exceptional-contributions-to-new-technologies-en