Media Spotlights

Navigating the path to decarbonisation with electrochemical solutions

October 2023

The social challenge

adopt a carbon-neutral futureAs global consciousness sharpens on the impending climate crisis, the global community must act swiftly and decisively to adopt a carbon-neutral future. Decarbonisation is more than a buzzword - it's an essential shift in our economic and industrial processes and, most importantly, our way of life.

A scientific vanguard: icrea prof. maria escudero escribano

A respected figure in this paradigm shift, ICREA Prof. Maria Escudero Escribano brings her expertise in electrocatalysis and sustainable chemistry to the fore. Since joining the ICN2 in September 2022, Prof. Escudero has helmed the NanoElectrocatalysis and Sustainable Chemistry Group, an innovation hub for decarbonisation solutions. Their mission is not a simple one: to develop electrocatalyst nanomaterials for renewable energy conversion, storage, and sustainable fuels and chemicals production.

Prof. Escudero Escribano's impressive scientific pedigree speaks for itself - over 65 articles published in revered journals such as Science, Nature Chemistry, and Nature Materials; a litany of editorial roles; and a host of awards including the European Young Chemist Award (Gold Medal) 2016, the Princess of Girona Scientific Research Award 2018, the Electrochemical Society (ECS) Energy Technology Division Young Investigator Award 2018, the Spanish Royal Society of Chemistry Young Researchers Award 2019, and the Clara Immerwahr Award 2019. In 2022, she was elected new member of the Young Academy of Spain. Now, she's spearheading an advanced electrochemistry lab being built at ICN2, a unique European establishment pooling state-of-the-art equipment for research on reactions and gas conversions crucial for a sustainable future.

Ongoing Research Efforts

ICREA Prof. Escudero Escribano is pursuing various research lines investigating different solutions, thanks to the funding she secured through outstanding competitive projects and related grants. Commencing in 2023, these innovative initiatives, some already underway, promise to significantly advance decarbonisation research:

  • First and foremost is ATOMISTIC (Atomic-Scale Tailored Materials for Electrochemical Methane Activation and Production of Valuable Chemicals). This project, a prestigious ERC Consolidator Grant funded by the European Research Council, tackles methane gas emissions - the second largest climate change contributor. Prof. Escudero aims to convert methane into renewable fuels and value-added chemicals, including green methanol, a promising liquid fuel for maritime and aviation decarbonisation. Methane to methanol conversion is a ‘dream reaction’ that would convert a greenhouse gas into a sustainable fuel in a ‘dream device’, and powered by renewable electricity.
    ERC - EU Atomistic
  • ICONIC (Integrated COnversion of Nitrate and Carbonate streams). Addressing pollution in water ecosystems caused by agriculture and CO2 emissions, ICONIC uses electrolysis to remediate pollution while simultaneously producing globally used chemicals. Prof. Escudero is involved in this EIC Pathfinder Challenges project led from ICFO, another CERCA center and member of BIST, designing a process to transform nitrates and carbonates, responsible for biomass growth and ocean acidification, into urea, a widely produced chemical.
    EIC
  • CAPeX (Pioneer Centre for Accelerating P2X Materials Discovery). A collaboration of Danish and international universities creating a pioneering Materials Acceleration Platform (MAP) for rapid sustainable materials development and Power-to-X technologies for the green transition. CAPeX focuses from Denmark on developing new materials for efficient and sustainable production of renewable fuels and chemicals, with a particular emphasis on discovering sustainable materials for renewable energy conversion and storage, and on training the next generation of leaders in the green transformation. Prof. Escudero is member of the Steering Committee leading this initiative. She leads the Sustainable Commodity and Specialty Chemicals work package, aimed to revolutionise and decarbonise chemicals production using environmentally friendly materials and electrochemical processes.

ICREA Prof. Escudero Escribano's work transcends the confines of academic research, permeating the practical realms of industry and economy to catalyse our journey towards a sustainable future.

Please reach out to the ICN2 Marketing and Communication department at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to facilitate your engagement with our researchers.