Training and knowledge dissemination

We offer several services such as tours of the materials library, customized training, both in-person and online, reports on trends, curating exhibitions and editing publications.

Aula MATERFAD classroom

This encompasses different modalities of training and interaction with materials, from tours of our materials library, guided or on one’s own, to knowledge capsules or customized training sessions. These services, which require a prior appointment, are available to schools, universities or students as well as professionals, businesses or professional associations.

The training service can cover a broad spectrum of subjects, such as alternative materials to plastic, advanced plant materials, taboo materials, nanomaterials, wearables, wood-based materials, DIY materials, intelligent, antibacterial, biological materials, sustainable eco-materials for fashion, packaging and construction that contribute to the circular economy, etc.

Aula MATERFAD integrates the following training formats:

• Tour of the materials library:

We offer different consultation and interaction options, with more than 3,500 innovative materials and projects that are constantly being updated.

A tour on your own means you can interact freely in the materials library, without the support of technical staff, with the MATERFAD materials and projects. You can also consult the online database.

The guided tour of the showroom can take place online or in person and includes explanations by Robert Thompson, the scientific director of the materials centre, for groups from 4 to 20 people. The session presents the most relevant materials held in the materials library, followed by a discussion with the materials expert to more deeply examine them and their applications. There is also the option of adapting the tour to a particular, previously agreed topic. During the tour, participants can interact with the materials and consult the online database.

• Knowledge capsule:

Designed for a maximum of 2 people and focusing on a specific field relating to the materials, tailored to the needs of those who hire the service. Lasting 90 minutes, it can be online or in person. In the in-person format, the session consists of the first 30 minutes of touring the showroom, where participants can interact freely with the materials, followed by 60 minutes of discussion with the centre’s scientific director for an in-depth examination of the materials and their applications. The online database can also be consulted.

• Customized training with tour of the materials library:

Tailored training programme in any materials field, in an online or in-person format. Designed to meet the specific needs of a professional, business or professional association, it is devised for updating knowledge on advanced materials and their associated technologies. Agreements can also be established with university and professional school programmes. They are designed for groups.

Customized reports on trends

Exploration of markets associated with materials from different sectors as well as detection of future opportunities through materials and communication.

Curating exhibitions, events and forums

As a result of the ongoing technological surveillance of new materials and their innovation potential in sectors such as design, architecture and engineering, we curate and produce different exhibitions, events forums and conferences, with advanced materials as their linchpin, disseminating knowledge on the materials and associated technologies for institutions and businesses. The content of these activities is tailored to the sector of activity in which they occur or are imparted. See examples here.

Publications and catalogues

The publications and catalogues of exhibitions published by MATERFAD can be consulted by following this link.