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Innovative Advanced Materials · IAMS

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Conventional materials have addressed many of the industrial challenges of recent decades: strength, lightness, cost and processability. However, sectors such as energy, defence, electronics and healthcare increasingly require materials with functionalities that go beyond what a standard material can offer. In this field, the possibilities for innovation in advanced materials are extraordinary and virtually limitless.

At AIMPLAS, we develop innovative advanced materials capable of delivering new functionalities, enhancing performance and addressing the new technological, industrial and environmental challenges we face today and will face in the future, across high-value-added sectors.

We combine our specialised knowledge of polymeric materials with synthesis and functionalisation technologies, nanomaterials, hybrid materials, composites, coatings, porous materials, functional electronics and biomaterials, among other areas. We support companies throughout the entire process, from conceptual design and development through to characterisation, scale-up and validation, both of the advanced material itself and its integration into formulations, as well as the development of end products in the form of demonstrators.

Our goal is not simply to develop a new material, but to ensure that it can be manufactured, perform the function for which it was designed, be integrated into a product and reach industrial scale safely and sustainably.

IAMs are conceived as a group of technological solutions that support multiple technology areas: advanced remediation, sustainable electronics, energy and hydrogen, biomaterials and other high-value-added markets.

What advanced materials do we develop at AIMPLAS?

Functional materials and nanocomposites

We design materials capable of incorporating properties that go beyond conventional structural functions through formulation, additive incorporation, compounding and dispersion of fillers and nanomaterials (MXenes, MOFs, zeolites, silicas, hydrotalcites, nanoclays, metal oxides, etc.) in high-performance polymers.

Electrical and thermal conductivity.
Electromagnetic interference shielding (EMI shielding).
Antimicrobial and biocidal properties.
Fire resistance and flame-retardant systems.
Optical, photoluminescent or magnetic properties.
Stimuli-responsive properties and active materials.
Enhanced thermal, mechanical or surface resistance.
Controlled-release systems and bulk-incorporated functionalities.

Advanced hybrid, porous and adsorbent materials

We develop and functionalise materials for capture, separation, purification, decontamination and storage applications, combining polymeric and non-polymeric materials.

These include MOFs, zeolites, carbon-based materials, biochar, 2D materials, catalysts and photocatalysts, hybrid polymers and porous organic materials, as well as supported systems, membranes, aerogels, foams and other porous structures.

These solutions can be applied to the removal of contaminants from water and air, gas capture and separation, CO₂ capture, hydrogen storage and the selective recovery of substances of interest.

Functional coatings and surfaces

We modify the surface of a material to provide new performance properties without the need to modify the entire bulk of the product.

Hydrophobic and oleophobic surfaces.
Anti-icing, antifouling and antimicrobial coatings.
Barrier, flame-retardant, abrasion-resistant and scratch-resistant properties.
Conductive, thermal or functional coatings.
Bio-based systems and systems based on natural polymers.
Alternatives to PFAS-based treatments and coatings or those based on other substances of concern.
Dynamic covalent networks (vitrimers) and self-healing systems.

High-performance composites and lightweight structures

We develop composite materials to achieve lighter, stronger, more durable and functional structures, including thermoplastic and thermoset composites, biocomposites and hybrid systems.

Selection of resins, fibres, fillers and additives.
RTM, infusion, pultrusion, SMC and prepreg technologies.
Continuous and long fibres, organosheets and structural reinforcements.
Curing using alternative technologies and process optimisation.
Sensing and structural health monitoring.
Recovery and reuse of carbon and glass fibres.

Materials for functional, smart electronics and sensing

We develop materials that enable electronic functions to be integrated directly into surfaces, films and plastic components.

Conductive, semiconductive and dielectric inks.
Sensors, electrodes, RFID antennas and printed circuits.
Flexible electronics and integration into surfaces.
In-Mould Electronics and plastronics.
Smart structures and monitoring.
Alternative materials to reduce the use of substances of concern.

Advanced materials for defence and dual-use technologies

Defence is a strategic application vertical where numerous AIMPLAS capabilities in Innovative Advanced Materials converge. We develop and adapt lightweight, multifunctional and smart materials for protection, signature reduction, detection, sensing, autonomy and operation under demanding conditions, with clear dual-use potential.

2D materials and conductive nanomaterials, including MXenes and other carbon-based systems, for electromagnetic interference shielding (EMI shielding), ESD protection, electromagnetic signature reduction and functional electronics.
MOFs, COFs, POPs, zeolites, carbon-based materials and other advanced adsorbents for the capture, separation and detection of hazardous substances, filtration, decontamination and CBRN applications.
Optical and electrochemical sensors, pressure and temperature sensors, printed electronics and sensorised surfaces for monitoring, detection and alert systems.
Smart and chromogenic materials—including photochromic, thermochromic, photoluminescent and other stimuli-responsive systems—for signalling, detection, authentication and adaptive surfaces.
Multispectral camouflage coatings, materials for radar signature reduction and functional solutions for managing interactions with electromagnetic radiation.
High-performance coatings and matrices: self-healing systems based on vitrimers, abrasion-resistant, anticorrosion, flame-retardant and antimicrobial systems, and systems resistant to severe environmental conditions.
Multifunctional technical textiles with flame-retardant, antimicrobial, repellent and other advanced properties for personal protection and equipment.
Lightweight composites and additive manufacturing for structural components, housings, protection, repair and the manufacture of high-performance parts, including in-situ manufacturing scenarios.
Materials for autonomous energy systems, batteries, hydrogen storage and components resistant to extreme conditions.
Circularity of defence materials, including the recovery and recycling of technical textiles, composites and PPE at the end of their service life.

Advanced materials for additive manufacturing

We formulate specific materials for additive manufacturing technologies when conventional materials do not deliver the required performance.

High-performance materials and reinforced composites.
Conductive, magnetic or functional materials.
Flexible, bio-based and recycled materials.
Biocompatible materials and systems for healthcare applications.
Development of filament, pellet or powder for printing.
4D materials and structures with programmed responses.

Advanced materials for energy and hydrogen

We develop and characterise materials for energy generation, storage, transport and utilisation, with a particular focus on hydrogen, batteries and renewable energy.

PEM and AEM membranes and polymer electrolytes.
Electrodes and functional materials for electrochemical storage.
Adsorbent and porous materials for gases.
Composites for tanks and structures exposed to hydrogen.
Tapes, reinforcements and structural energy materials.
Thermal insulation and solutions for demanding operating conditions.
Materials designed to improve battery safety, durability and circularity.

Biomaterials and advanced materials for healthcare

We research biocompatible and bioabsorbable polymeric materials, biopolymers and functional materials for medical, healthcare and wellbeing applications.

Biomaterials and functional hydrogels.
Controlled-release systems.
Nano- and microparticles and encapsulation technologies.
Biosensors and materials for diagnostics.
Antimicrobial coatings.
Conductive materials for monitoring.
Systems capable of incorporating active ingredients or specific functionalities.

What AIMPLAS can offer

Design, selection and formulation of materials with tailored properties.
Synthesis, chemical modification and functionalisation of polymers, surfaces and nano/microparticles, nano/microcapsules, aerogels, catalysts, nanomaterials, foams, membranes, etc.
Processing and conversion at laboratory and pilot-plant scale.
Advanced characterisation, functional validation and durability assessment.
Integration of sustainability, circularity, safety and regulatory requirements.
Scale-up and transfer towards industrial processes.

From material design to industrialisation

One of AIMPLAS’s main strengths is its ability to address the entire development cycle of an advanced material, integrating chemistry, formulation, processing, characterisation, validation and scale-up.

Challenge

Design

Synthesis

Functionalisation

Processing

Characterisation

Validation

Scale-up

The capabilities include, among others, chemical synthesis and polymerisation, reactive extrusion, mechanochemistry, (photo)catalysis, membranes, compounding, encapsulation, coatings, functional printing, additive manufacturing, injection moulding, extrusion, composites and recycling. This combination makes it possible to evaluate a technology not only in the laboratory, but also in environments relevant to industrial manufacturing.

Advanced characterisation and validation

The development of an Innovative Advanced Material requires demonstrating that the designed functionalities are maintained during processing and throughout the product’s service life.

Mechanical, thermal and rheological properties.
Electrical, optical and surface properties.
Chemical composition and morphological characterisation.
Permeability and behaviour towards gases.
Ageing, durability and environmental resistance.
Coating properties and adhesion.
Fire behaviour.
Safety, toxicity and ecotoxicity assessment.

Development + validation: The combination of materials development, pilot plants and laboratory capabilities helps reduce the gap between a promising formulation and a technically validated solution.

Safe and sustainable by design from the outset

The technical performance of advanced materials must be accompanied by safety, sustainability and circularity. For this reason, the Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) criteria can be integrated from the earliest stages of development.

Selection of substances and substitution of substances of concern.
Hazard and material safety assessment.
Renewable or recycled content.
Durability, repairability and reuse.
Recyclability and design for end of life.
Environmental impact and circularity.
Regulatory requirements and regulatory anticipation.

Materials Informatics: accelerating development with data and AI

Combining experimentation, simulation and data analysis makes it possible to reduce the number of iterations required to develop a new material.

Predictive models for polymer and composite properties.
Machine Learning applied to formulation design.
Materials and process simulation.
Optimisation of processing parameters.
Accelerated design of alternative materials.
Predictive validation and decision-making support.

Applications of our advanced materials

IAMs developed at AIMPLAS have cross-sector applications in high-value-added industries. Among these, defence and dual-use technologies constitute a particularly relevant vertical, as they bring together functional materials, nanomaterials, sensing, electronics, coatings, composites, energy and advanced manufacturing within a single technological platform.

Energy and hydrogen

Membranes, storage, composites, porous materials, batteries and durability.

Electrical and electronics

Alternative materials, functional electronics, sensing, EMI and circularity.

Defence and dual-use technologies

EMI shielding and signature reduction, MXenes and 2D materials, MOFs and adsorbents, CBRN, sensing, smart materials, multispectral camouflage, lightweight composites and advanced manufacturing.

Automotive and mobility

Lightweighting, recycled content, integrated electronics, durability and validation.

Construction

Composites, additive manufacturing, reinforcement, coatings and functional materials.

Healthcare

Biomaterials, encapsulation, controlled release, biosensors and functional surfaces.

Water and the environment

Adsorbents, membranes, remediation, emerging contaminants and monitoring.

Packaging

Barrier, functional, reusable and recyclable materials, and healthcare packaging.

What properties do you need your next material to have?

Tell us about your challenge. We can help you select, design, synthesise, functionalise, process, characterise and scale up the material until it becomes an industrial solution.

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Por qué AIMPLAS

Cross-sector knowledge and expertise

From molecule to product

We integrate chemistry, materials, processing, characterisation and validation.

Multimaterial capabilities

Polymers, composites, hybrid materials, nanomaterials, porous materials, coatings, biomaterials and carbon-based materials.

From laboratory to pilot plant

Prototype and demonstrator development, small series and pre-industrial processes.

Performance + sustainability

We integrate functionality, safety, circularity and SSbD from the earliest stages.

Data-driven development