The awards, created to promote the transfer of scientific knowledge and sustainability, recognized projects from various disciplines. The Vice-Rector for Technology and Sustainability, Jorge Gómez, and Deans Mayte Villalba and Carlos Rivero, highlighted that these awards represent an "interdisciplinary catalyst" for addressing current challenges.
In the TFM category, seven projects were awarded. These include research on hotel food waste management using AI, natural processes for sensitive knowledge, reverse electrodialysis for wastewater treatment, valorization of residual brewer's yeast in pork burgers, metal recovery in the super-recycling of photovoltaic cells, and electrochemical treatment of effluents contaminated with pharmaceuticals.
The Faculty of Chemical Sciences had a significant presence with two awarded TFMs and the majority in the TFG category. Recognized TFGs include the design of a plant for graphene production from waste, expression and immobilization of enzymes for industrial processing of vegetable oils, design of a biomethanol purification unit, environmental policy in decentralized agricultural systems, and identification of fiber sources for the food industry.
During the ceremony, the awardees presented their projects. Jesús Vallés, Deputy Director General of Coordination and Circular Economy of the Community of Madrid, noted that these projects could be the "beginning of a research career" with real impact on businesses.
The directors of the chair, Carmen Abril and Ángeles Blanco, reported that the twelve awardees were selected from fifty-two submitted projects. Vice-Rector Jorge Gómez emphasized the "abundant talent" at the Complutense University and expressed confidence that these projects will lead to future achievements.
