The Institute of Cosmos Sciences of the University of Barcelona (ICCUB) is an interdisciplinary center devoted to fundamental research in cosmology, astrophysics and particle physics. It was created in 2006 as the instrument of the University of Barcelona for the active support of research in these fields, to promote experimental physics and instrument development, enable a significant participation of the University of Barcelona in large international collaborations, and attract highly qualified scientific personnel.
Research at ICCUB is conducted with the aim of answering some of the most intriguing and fundamental questions in Cosmology:
- What are the origin and fate of the Universe?
- Which are the ultimate constituents of the Universe?
- Why does the Universe have its present appearance?
These questions reveal the intimate connection between particle physics and astrophysics and therefore demand a multidisciplinary approach. Research at ICCUB intends to tackle them from the theoretical, observational and experimental viewpoints.
In addition, the institute has a strong technology program aimed at fostering its participation in observational astronomy and particle physics international collaborations. ICCUB research also generates products and technologies transferable to industry and society.