Researchers from the ICIQ took part in the 2026 edition of the Pint of Science Festival in Tarragona, contributing the institute’s largest participation in recent years. Although five talks from members of the centre had initially been scheduled, the final programme featured four ICIQ researchers sharing their work with more than 600 attendees across local venues in the city.
On 18 May, Anthony Martínez presented “¡A grandes problemas, pequeñas soluciones!” at Sala Zero, introducing the world of micromotors and microscopic particles designed for applications ranging from medicine to environmental remediation. The same evening, Marta Llorens Fons spoke at Totem Café with “La regla dels 5 segons”, examining the science behind one of the most widespread everyday food myths.
The programme continued on 20 May with Hilario D. Huerta-Zerón’s talk “Fotosíntesi artificial: Aprenent de les plantes” at Totem Café, focused on artificial photosynthesis and current challenges in water oxidation for carbon dioxide conversion. Santiago Capelo Avilés also participated that evening at 12 Topos with “MOFs: Esponjas inteligentes”, exploring porous crystalline materials capable of selectively capturing greenhouse gases such as CO₂.
“Pint of Science caught my attention when I first attended in 2024, and I continue to be surprised by how well science is received in Catalonia. Events like this are a valuable opportunity to share knowledge, connect with people from different disciplines and spark the same curiosity that inspired me to pursue research in the first place,” shared Anthony Martínez.
A fifth talk, “Los cristales también se visten de fallera” by María Vicent Morales, had also been planned as part of the programme. The session proposed a comparison between crystallography and traditional fallera fabrics to illustrate concepts such as symmetry, patterns, and structure, but could not ultimately take place.
Pint of Science is an international science communication festival that brings researchers into cafés, bars, and other informal venues to share their work with the public through accessible talks and discussions. The festival also relies on the work of local volunteer organisers, whose efforts over several months make it possible to bring researchers and audiences together in cafés and bars across Tarragona. From the ICIQ, Joan Guillem Mayans and Laura P. Hernández Eguía, from the Communications and Outreach Unit, are part of the local organising team.
“This year ICIQ has taken part every day of the festival, and it’s great to see more and more researchers getting involved. We encourage even more to join next year. This format creates a very natural and engaging dialogue between scientists and the audience in informal settings, which is enriching for everyone. For those of us volunteering as organisers and session moderators, it’s very rewarding to see this connection happen,” added Laura P. Hernández Eguía.
This year’s Tarragona edition was supported by Fundación Pfizer, Labbox, Vadillo Asesores Grupo +75, Miltenyi Biotec, VHIO, CESIF, Jóvenes Nucleares, Ajuntament de Tarragona, Celler Masroig and the ICIQ.
La entrada ICIQ brews up its largest Pint of Science line-up to date se publicó primero en ICIQ.