Researchers from eight countries meet in Zaragoza through the MolCal network to advance new sustainable cooling technologies

The Paraninfo of the University of Zaragoza will host the third international meeting of MolCal from 10 to 12 November. MolCal is a European doctoral network coordinated by the Aragon Nanoscience and Materials Institute (INMA, CSIC–University of Zaragoza), which is investigating materials capable of transforming cooling and heating systems.

The event will take place in the Pilar Sinués Hall at the Paraninfo and will bring together around 35 researchers, including doctoral candidates and scientists from various European institutions, to share the latest progress in their research, take part in training activities, and attend scientific lectures delivered by international experts.

MolCal is a European project coordinated at INMA by researcher Marco Evangelisti, involving thirteen institutions from eight countries. The initiative has secured funding of €2.6 million from the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) under the Horizon Europe programme and from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). The network has recruited ten doctoral candidates, who are carrying out their PhD research at different European institutions and working on complementary research topics.

New materials for more sustainable cooling

The scientific objective of MolCal is to investigate more sustainable alternatives for cooling and heating through the study of so-called molecular caloric materials.

These materials are capable of undergoing temperature changes when subjected to specific external stimuli, such as magnetic fields, electric fields, or mechanical pressure. Understanding and harnessing these properties could open up new avenues for the development of more efficient and environmentally friendly thermal management technologies.

In addition, MolCal aims to train a new generation of researchers specialising in molecular caloric materials.

Four in-person meetings are planned over the four-year duration of the project. The Zaragoza meeting will be the third and will provide a further opportunity to share results, exchange knowledge, and strengthen collaboration among the various teams involved.

Event information

Dates: 10, 11 and 12 November 2026
Venue: Pilar Sinués Hall, Paraninfo, University of Zaragoza
Funding: Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (Horizon Europe) and UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)

The detailed programme of the meeting will be available shortly on the MolCal project website.