Discovery News – HG-energy https://hg-energy.eu Thu, 23 Apr 2026 07:37:50 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0 https://hg-energy.eu/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/HG-Final-favicon1-36x36.png Discovery News – HG-energy https://hg-energy.eu 32 32 Recognised Across Europe: Professor Hermenegildo from HG Energy (ITQ CSIC-UPV) Elected to Academia Europaea https://hg-energy.eu/recognised-across-europe-professor-hermenegildo-from-hg-energy-itq-csic-upv-elected-to-academia-europaea/ Thu, 23 Apr 2026 07:37:50 +0000 https://hg-energy.eu/?p=5450

Recognised Across Europe: Professor Hermenegildo from HG Energy (ITQ CSIC-UPV) Elected to Academia Europaea

April 23, 2026
Professor Hermenegildo from HG Energy at Instituto de Tecnología Química (CSIC-UPV) has been elected as a member of Academia Europaea following a competitive selection process based on peer review and the recommendation of the relevant academic section.
Founded in 1988, Academia Europaea is one of the most respected scientific institutions in Europe, bringing together leading researchers and scholars from across the continent and beyond. With around 6,000 members, the Academy covers a wide range of disciplines and contributes to scientific collaboration, policy advice, and the advancement of knowledge.
Among its activities, Academia Europaea organises scientific meetings and workshops, publishes the international journal European Review, and contributes to science advice initiatives such as SAPEA (Science Advice for Policy by European Academies), supporting European institutions in evidence-based decision-making.
As a newly elected member in 2026, Professor Hermenegildo will take part in the Academy’s annual conference, where new members are invited to present their research and engage with the wider academic community.
This recognition reflects the international relevance of the research carried out at HG Energy and its contribution to the scientific community.

https://www.ae-info.org/ae/Member/Garcia_Hermenegildo

]]> HG Energy Advances Global Collaboration at IWSF3 and Prepares Three New Strategic Projects https://hg-energy.eu/hg-energy-advances-global-collaboration-at-iwsf3-and-prepares-three-new-strategic-projects/ Fri, 17 Apr 2026 09:39:15 +0000 https://hg-energy.eu/?p=5433

HG Energy Advances Global Collaboration at IWSF3 and Prepares Three New Strategic Projects

April, 17, 2026

HG Energy was actively represented at the 3rd International Workshop on Solar Fuels (IWSF3), a leading global forum dedicated to advancing solar-driven fuel technologies. The event, held with strong international participation, brought together more than 400 researchers and experts from across the world, reflecting both the scale and the scientific depth of the field.
Professor Hermenegildo García, leader of HG Energy, acted as co-chair of the organizing committee. In addition he contributed to the programme with a presentation entitled “MXenes as Electro- and Photocatalysts.” His talk addressed the growing relevance of advanced materials in accelerating electro- and photocatalytic processes, an area that is central to the transition towards sustainable energy systems. The presentation generated strong engagement, with extensive discussion, questions, and scientific exchange among participants.
Beyond the technical sessions, the workshop stood out for the quality of its discussions and the opportunities it created for collaboration. The exchange of ideas between academia, research centres, and industry reinforced the importance of multidisciplinary approaches in tackling current energy challenges. The networking environment fostered new connections and opened pathways for future joint initiatives.
As a direct outcome of the interactions and insights gained during IWSF3, HG Energy is preparing the launch of three new strategic projects. These initiatives will build on the knowledge shared during the workshop and aim to further strengthen the group’s position in advanced energy research.
Further details on each of these projects will be shared soon. Stay tuned.
Thanks to the organisers for the invitation and for delivering an excellent event.
]]> Sara Goberna Ferrón awarded Ramón y Cajal position at HG energy ITQ (CSIC–UPV) https://hg-energy.eu/sara-goberna-ferron-awarded-ramon-y-cajal-position-at-hg-energy-itq-csic-upv/ Fri, 20 Feb 2026 09:52:19 +0000 https://hg-energy.eu/?p=5364

Sara Goberna Ferrón awarded Ramón y Cajal position at HG energy ITQ (CSIC–UPV)

13 Feb 2026

Sara Goberna Ferrón, researcher at HG Energy, has been awarded a prestigious Ramón y Cajal position at the Instituto de Tecnología Química (ITQ, CSIC–UPV). This national programme supports outstanding researchers and promotes their long-term integration into Spain’s research system.

At HG energy, her work focuses on the design of atomically defined metal catalysts, including single-atom catalysts (SACs) and supported nanoclusters on advanced materials such as MXenes. Her research aims to better understand and control metal–support interfaces to develop efficient, selective and stable materials for key electrochemical reactions in the energy transition, including CO₂ reduction and the conversion of small molecules into sustainable energy carriers.

]]> HG Energy leader Hermenegildo García awarded a second ERC grant for sustainable MXene synthesis https://hg-energy.eu/hg-energy-leader-hermenegildo-garcia-awarded-a-second-erc-grant-for-sustainable-mxene-synthesis/ Fri, 30 Jan 2026 12:09:32 +0000 https://hg-energy.eu/?p=5286

HG Energy leader Hermenegildo García awarded a second ERC grant for sustainable MXene synthesis

30 Jan, 2025

Hermenegildo García, scientific leader of HG Energy, has been awarded a new Proof of Concept Grant from the European Research Council (ERC) for the project MXClean – Green Bottom-Up Synthesis of MXenes. This is the second ERC grant awarded to Prof. García, following the ERC Advanced Grant he received in 2024 for the Discovery project.

MXClean will explore a more sustainable and scalable synthesis route for MXenes—nanostructured materials with wide-ranging potential applications in energy storage, hydrogen production, and biomedicine. Unlike current processes, the proposed method avoids the use of hazardous and polluting agents, offering an environmentally responsible alternative.

This recognition further highlights the strength of HG Energy, which continues to grow steadily and attract attention within leading scientific communities. The group’s development is built on the solid foundations of scientific quality, collaboration, and a shared focus on advancing clean energy technologies.

]]> Explore the DISCOVERY ERC Project Website: Advancing MXene-Based Thermal Catalysis https://hg-energy.eu/explore-the-discovery-erc-project-website-advancing-mxene-based-thermal-catalysis/ Thu, 03 Jul 2025 09:20:40 +0000 https://hg-energy.eu/?p=4759

Explore the DISCOVERY ERC Project Website: Advancing MXene-Based Thermal Catalysis

We are pleased to introduce the official webpage for the DISCOVERY ERC project, a five-year research initiative funded by the European Research Council (ERC Advanced Grant 2023, Project ID: 101141466). Led by Prof. Hermenegildo García at the Instituto de Tecnología Química (ITQ), DISCOVERY aims to explore the potential of MXenes—two-dimensional materials known for their electrical conductivity and unique surface chemistry—in thermal catalytic applications.

The DISCOVERY project seeks to design, synthesize, and test new MXene-based materials for key chemical reactions, including CO₂ hydrogenation to methanol, methane oxidation to methanol, nitrogen reduction to ammonia, and alkane dehydrogenation. The project also integrates advanced characterization methods and AI-based predictive tools to understand fundamental reaction mechanisms and guide experimental efforts.

Website Features:

  • Project Overview: Gain insights into the objectives, methodologies, and significance of the DISCOVERY project.
  • Research Team: Meet the multidisciplinary team of scientists and researchers driving the project forward.
  • Latest News: Stay updated with recent developments, including breakthroughs in MXene catalyst performance and participation in international conferences.
  • Publications: Access a curated list of scientific publications related to the project’s findings and advancements.
  • Data Repository: Explore datasets, models, and supplementary research materials made available for public access and reuse.

Visit the DISCOVERY  webpage to learn more about our efforts to revolutionize thermal catalysis using MXenes: https://hg-energy.eu/discovery/

]]> MedPore 2025: Aicha Anouar Unveils High-Performance TiC MXene Catalyst for Greener Chemistry https://hg-energy.eu/medpore-2025-aicha-anouar-unveils-high-performance-tic-mxene-catalyst-for-greener-chemistry/ Sun, 18 May 2025 10:38:57 +0000 https://hg-energy.eu/?p=4667

MedPore 2025: Aicha Anouar Unveils High-Performance TiC MXene Catalyst for Greener Chemistry

12

May 18

📍 At MedPore 2025 — the Mediterranean Conference on Porous Materials held at UM6P in Morocco medpore2 — Aicha Anouar, researcher at HG energy – ITQ (UPV-CSIC) Instituto de Tecnología Química (UPV-CSIC), gave an oral presentation titled:
“Multilayered TiC, MXene as heterogeneous catalyst for the guanylation of carbodiimides with high turnover frequency.”

🧪 MedPore brings together scientists working on porous materials for applications in catalysis, energy, and environment.

💡 Aicha shared new insights into the catalytic potential of MXenes — a promising path toward more efficient and sustainable chemical processes.

👏 Congratulations to Aicha for her contribution and active participation in the international research community. 🔗 https://medpore.um6p.ma
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]]> New Research: MXenes as Efficient Thermal Catalysts for Hydroamination https://hg-energy.eu/new-research-mxenes-as-efficient-thermal-catalysts-for-hydroamination/ Mon, 03 Feb 2025 10:37:56 +0000 https://hg-energy.eu/?p=4314

New Research: MXenes as Efficient Thermal Catalysts for Hydroamination

🔬 Unlocking the Catalytic Potential of MXenes

MXenes have gained attention for their electrocatalytic and energy storage capabilities, but their role in thermal catalysis remains largely unexplored. Our latest study, published on January 20, 2025, demonstrates the exceptional catalytic activity of Ti₃C₂ MXene for the regioselective anti-Markovnikov hydroamination of terminal alkynes—an essential transformation in organic synthesis.

🔹 Unparalleled Selectivity & Efficiency
Unlike traditional solid catalysts, Ti₃C₂ MXene exhibits near-complete selectivity for the anti-Markovnikov product, efficiently catalyzing hydroamination for both aliphatic and aromatic amines. Additionally, it facilitates intramolecular hydroamination, leading to the formation of indole heterocycles.

🔹 Remarkable Turnover Frequencies
Ti₃C₂ delivers high turnover frequencies (TOF) of up to 350 h⁻¹, making it one of the most effective heterogeneous hydroamination catalysts studied to date.

🔹 A Step Toward Broader Applications
By leveraging MXenes’ compositional and structural versatility, this work opens new opportunities for their use in organic synthesis beyond electrocatalysis.

📖 Read the full study here:  https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/jacs.4c13481

#Catalysis #MXenes #Hydroamination #OrganicChemistry #MaterialsScience

]]> Hermenegildo García awarded prestigious ERC Advanced Grant https://hg-energy.eu/hermenegildo-garcia-awarded-prestigious-erc-advanced-grant/ Mon, 16 Sep 2024 13:32:05 +0000 https://hg-energy.eu/?p=3931

Hermenegildo García awarded prestigious ERC Advanced Grant

Hermenegildo García, a researcher at HG Energy from the Instituto de Tecnología Química (ITQ-UPV-CSIC), and professor at UPV, has been awarded an ERC Advanced Grant, the most prestigious funding offered annually by the European Research Council (ERC).

The grant will support the development of the “Discovery” project over the next five years.

The project, led by Hermenegildo García, aims to develop catalysts based on MXenes, nanomaterials just 1 nanometer thick (one million times thinner than a human hair) and composed of metals. These materials have numerous applications in areas such as biomedicine (for tissue repair), large-scale electric energy storage, or hydrogen production from water with maximum efficiency, among others.

The goal of the Discovery project is to obtain results from a series of reactions that have been studied previously but have not yet been scaled for industrial use due to the lack of suitable catalysts.

Some examples of reactions to be explored include converting carbon dioxide into methanol and methane decomposition for hydrogen production. Discovery also aims to activate reactions using sunlight as the primary energy source with MXenes. This could replace conventional energy sources responsible for CO2 emissions, such as fossil fuel combustion, and even other renewable energies that require more costly infrastructure like electricity. By utilizing natural sunlight, the process would become more sustainable and economically attractive.

“Receiving this ERC will allow me to explore materials with great potential and apply them to reactions that could be highly relevant in the current decarbonization process. Together with Dr. Ana Primo and the rest of the research team, we began working on MXenes six years ago. In June, we brought together the top researchers in the field at the EUROMXENE2024 congress, held at UPV. Now, this ERC award will enhance the international visibility of our group in this globally promising field,” says Hermenegildo García.

]]> Prof. Hermenegildo Garcia’s Leadership at the MXene Conference 🌟 https://hg-energy.eu/prof-hermenegildo-garcias-leadership-at-the-mxene-conference/ Thu, 08 Aug 2024 10:03:28 +0000 https://hg-energy.eu/?p=3897 #top .av-special-heading.av-lzl4029y-6fe8a7f19370195cc7bb12d61447d2ed{ padding-bottom:10px; } body .av-special-heading.av-lzl4029y-6fe8a7f19370195cc7bb12d61447d2ed .av-special-heading-tag .heading-char{ font-size:25px; } .av-special-heading.av-lzl4029y-6fe8a7f19370195cc7bb12d61447d2ed .av-subheading{ font-size:15px; }

Prof. Hermenegildo Garcia’s Leadership at the MXene Conference 🌟

At the 3rd International MXene Conference at Drexel University, August 5-7, 2024, Prof. Hermenegildo Garcia Gómez, one of the leaders of the HG-energy group, served as chair for the session titled “Environmental Applications: Water & Catalysis”. Prof. Garcia guided the session, facilitating insightful discussions on the latest advancements in MXene research.

The session featured the following presentations:

  • Kiandokht Pakravan from Auburn University, USA: “The Effect of MXene Microstructure on the Mass Transport Through MXene Membranes” 🔬
  • Hesam Jafarian from The University of Alabama, USA: “MXene Membranes for Water Treatment: From State of the Art Lab-scale to Large Scale Fabrications” 💧
  • Joshua Little from the University of Maryland, College Park, USA: “Morphology Controlled Synthesis of Catalytic Metal Nanocrystals within 2D Material Nanoconfinements” 🔍
  • Shiba Adhikari from Argonne National Laboratory, USA: “Cu-based MXene Electrocatalysts for Selective CO2 Reduction” 🌱
  • Yuan Zhang from Drexel University, USA: “Mechanical Suppression of Electron Transfer in Subnanometer Confinement between MXene Layers” ⚙️

HG-energy is grateful to Drexel University and the organizers for the opportunity to participate in the conference. We appreciate Prof. Garcia’s leadership and the valuable contributions of these esteemed speakers, which enriched the event and advanced the field of MXene research. 🙏🌍

#MXene2024 #Innovation #ResearchExcellence #EnvironmentalApplications #WaterTreatment #Catalysis

]]> Highlighting Innovation in MXenes: Ana Primo Led the Way 🌟 https://hg-energy.eu/highlighting-innovation-in-mxenes-ana-primo-led-the-way-%f0%9f%8c%9f/ Wed, 07 Aug 2024 08:59:46 +0000 https://hg-energy.eu/?p=3892 #top .av-special-heading.av-lzjm9qoa-0064783c398dcf3d019492b03a0b3a07{ padding-bottom:10px; } body .av-special-heading.av-lzjm9qoa-0064783c398dcf3d019492b03a0b3a07 .av-special-heading-tag .heading-char{ font-size:25px; } .av-special-heading.av-lzjm9qoa-0064783c398dcf3d019492b03a0b3a07 .av-subheading{ font-size:15px; }

Highlighting Innovation in MXenes: Ana Primo Led the Way 🌟

“The 3rd International MXene Conference at Drexel University, August 5-7, 2024, featured the innovative work of Dr. Ana Primo from the Institute of Chemical Technology (UPV-CSIC) – Polytechnic University of Valencia, Spain. As one of the leaders of the HG-energy group, Dr. Primo presented her research, ‘MXenes Dots as Photocatalysts for CO2 Hydrogenations,’ showcasing the potential of MXenes in sustainable energy solutions. 🌍🔬”

This session, titled “Energy & Catalysis”, was chaired by Dr. Michael Naguib and included other notable speakers:

  • Majid Beidaghi from the University of Arizona, USA: “Tailoring Mechanical and Electrochemical Properties of MXenes through Defect Engineering and Assembly”
  • Zdenek Sofer from the University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, Czech Republic: “MXene Chemistry and Topochemical Conversion for Energy Storage Applications”

We are grateful for the participation of Ana Primo and the contributions of the other experts, who pushed the boundaries of MXene research and fostered international collaboration. 🚀💡

#MXenes #Innovation #SustainableEnergy #Catalysis #ResearchExcellence

MORE INFO: https://mxeneconference.coe.drexel.edu

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