Two international leaders in quantum physics visit Zaragoza as part of the “Quantum Autumn” activities in Aragon
José Manuel Sánchez Ron and Rosario González Férez will give two lectures tomorrow at the Paraninfo, as part of a session organised by the Royal Academy of Sciences of Zaragoza together with INMA (a joint centre of the Spanish National Research Council and the University of Zaragoza).
Activities to celebrate the centenary of the first works in quantum physics continue with a film series at the Film Library from 13 to 16 November, featuring films such as “Copenhagen” and “Coherence”.
Zaragoza, 10 November 2025. The Royal Academy of Sciences, in collaboration with the Aragon Nanoscience and Materials Institute (INMA, a joint centre of the Spanish National Research Council and the University of Zaragoza), will bring together two of the most renowned voices in the field of international quantum physics tomorrow, 11 November, in the Aula Magna of the Paraninfo Building. The event is part of the “Aragón en Estado Cuántico” (Aragon in a Quantum State) series, with which INMA is commemorating the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology (IYQ 2025) and the centenary of quantum mechanics. The aim is to bring this essential branch of physics closer to society and highlight Aragon’s position as a scientific leader in this emerging field.
At 5.45 pm there will be a presentation of the talks with the participation of the Vice-Chancellor for Culture and Heritage, Eliseo Serrano; the institutional representative of the CSIC in Aragon, María Jesús Lázaro; and Antonio Elipe, President of the Royal Academy of Sciences of Zaragoza. The conferences will be introduced by the organiser of the series, Fernando Luis, CSIC research professor at INMA and member of the RACZ.
At 6:00 p.m., José Manuel Sánchez Ron, professor emeritus at the Autonomous University of Madrid, member of the Royal Spanish Academy (letter G), National Essay Prize winner and Menéndez Pelayo International Prize winner, will speak. Considered an authority on the history of science, he will present the lecture ‘The classical roots of quantum physics: Niels Bohr, Paul Dirac and Richard Feynman’, in which he will explore the historical and intellectual foundations that gave rise to the quantum revolution.
At 7:00 p.m., Rosario González Férez, professor at the University of Granada and president of the Physics area of the State Research Agency, one of Spain’s leading experts on ultra-cold atoms and molecules, will take over. Her talk, ‘From Bose-Einstein Condensate to Quantum Technologies,’ will show how advances in the control of quantum systems are ushering in a new technological era: from quantum computing to the sensors and communications of the future.
At the same time, since last Friday, visitors can see the exhibition “Miguel Catalán. Tras la huella luminosa de los átomos” (Miguel Catalán. Following the luminous trail of atoms) in the Paraninfo, dedicated to the Zaragoza-born scientist who was a pioneer in quantum physics and a key figure in the history of Spanish science.
INMA: Severo Ochoa Centre of Excellence
In 2024, the Aragon Institute of Nanoscience and Materials (INMA), a joint institute of the CSIC and the University of Zaragoza, became the first research centre in the region to receive Severo Ochoa Centre of Excellence accreditation. This recognition entails funding of €4,500,000 and the awarding of five pre-doctoral contracts for the period 2024–2028, in addition to the ten that were awarded in the previous call.
INMA has an integrative approach that translates research into nanomaterials into solutions for societal challenges. Currently, the institute has around 300 members and more than 40 European projects underway. It publishes an average of 300 papers per year and has obtained €7 million in competitive public funding.
In addition to having created numerous technology-based companies, four of which are active, it has 15 valid patents, five of which are licensed. INMA works closely with industry. All this provides around one million euros in annual revenue.
For further information and interviews: 699 49 80 89
10-11-2025
