Donostia International Physics Center (DIPC) is a singular research center born in 2000 devoted to research at the cutting edge in the fields of Condensed Matter Physics and Materials Science. Since its conception DIPC has stood for the promotion of excellence in research, which demands a flexible space where creativity is stimulated by diversity of perspectives. Its dynamic research community integrates local host scientists and a constant flow of international visiting researchers.
Positron Emission Tomography, or PET, is one of medicine’s most powerful tools for looking inside the human body, revealing not only anatomy but also how tissues are functioning. In a PET scan, a patient receives a tiny dose of a radioactive tracer that emits positrons, the antimatter counterparts of electrons. When a positron encounters an […]
Biochemistry • Chemistry • DIPC Biochemistry • Medicine • Nanotechnology
When you hear the word nanoparticle, it might sound like something futuristic or abstract. In reality, nanoparticles—tiny structures tens of thousands of times smaller than the width of a human hair—are already part of modern medicine. Some are used to deliver drugs more effectively, while others help doctors see inside the body by acting as […]
Condensed matter • DIPC Advanced materials • Materials • Quantum physics
Imagine a material where electrons glide through without any resistance, moving like a perfectly synchronized dance troupe. This phenomenon, known as superconductivity, allows electricity to flow with zero energy loss, holding immense promise for everything from ultra-efficient power lines to advanced quantum computers. A a team of researchers dives into this fascinating world, focusing on […]
Imagine a lattice shaped like a network of interconnected triangles, called a kagome lattice, where atoms or particles struggle to find a comfortable arrangement. This unique structure creates a situation known as geometric frustration, where the particles can’t settle into a simple, orderly pattern because of the lattice’s shape. In a magnetic metal called FeGe […]
Astrophysics • DIPC Astrophysics • DIPC Particle Physics • Particle physics
Deep in the heart of exploding stars and colliding neutron stars lies a hidden light we’ve barely glimpsed — gamma rays in the mega-electron-volt (MeV) range. These elusive rays, carrying clues about cosmic explosions and mysterious phenomena like dark matter, have been hard to study due to technological limits. Enter COCOA , a compact, innovative […]
Each year, millions of people experience an ischaemic stroke, a condition where a blood clot blocks the flow of oxygen and nutrients to part of the brain. Even when doctors act quickly to remove the clot, many survivors struggle with long-term challenges like difficulty moving, remembering, or managing emotions. While treatments like clot-dissolving drugs or […]
Graphene, a single layer of carbon atoms arranged in a honeycomb pattern, is renowned for its ability to conduct electricity with ease. When two graphene sheets are stacked and twisted at a “magic angle” of about one degree, something remarkable happens: the electrons slow down dramatically, creating “flat bands” where they interact strongly. A new […]
When scientists place a single molecule on a surface and move electrons in or out one at a time, quantum mechanics comes to life in vivid detail. A team of researchers used a specialized microscope to study a copper-phthalocyanine (CuPc) molecule resting on a thin layer of salt. They discovered that the salt, far from […]
Biochemistry • DIPC Biochemistry • Materials • Nanotechnology • Pharmacy
Nanoparticles, those minuscule marvels measured in billionths of a metre, hold immense promise for revolutionizing cancer treatment. Their ability to deliver drugs directly to tumours could transform therapies, but only if they can navigate the dense, complex environment of tumour tissue. A new review , that includes a new experimental data set, explores this challenge […]
Organic electronics in the form of organic solar cells — thin, flexible, and printable on everyday surfaces — promise a sustainable future in renewable energy. Unlike traditional silicon-based solar panels, organic photovoltaic (OPV) devices rely on carbon-based polymers, a class of molecules more commonly associated with plastic bags than power generation. Among these, a family […]