About us
The HyPVCar-CM project brings together two leading research groups in their respective fields, with the aim of developing innovative technologies that integrate solar cells into metal vehicle structures. The action has been funded through the R&D Activities Program for Research Groups in the Synergistic modality, under reference SYG-2024/ECO-1016 and acronym HyPVCar-CM, awarded by the Community of Madrid through the Directorate-General for Research and Technological Innovation under Order 5022/2025, dated October 19.
The Synergistic call promotes collaboration between research groups with complementary expertise, with the aim of fostering disruptive research projects at the frontier of knowledge. In our project, through the combination of expertise in photovoltaics and materials science, we promote the creation of sustainable solutions that enable the use of solar energy in the mobility sector, contributing to the green transition and transport decarbonization.
The following sections describe the entities that make up the consortium, as well as the different groups involved:
TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY OF MADRID — UPM
The Technical University of Madrid (UPM) is a higher education institution recognized for its academic and research excellence. Founded in 1971, building upon the history and experience of Spain’s Technical Schools, UPM today plays a key role in education in engineering, architecture, and sports sciences.
Its outstanding research capacity is reflected in more than 200 research groups, 16 technical schools, and 5 thematic institutes, among which the Solar Energy Institute (IES-UPM) stands out as the oldest. IES-UPM is one of the pioneering centers in photovoltaic (PV) research worldwide, and a leader in developing cutting-edge ideas that have helped consolidate photovoltaics as the most important source of electricity in today’s energy system.
Instruments and Systems Integration Group
- The Instruments and Systems Integration (ISI) research group has focused its activity since its origins on developing photovoltaic applications that integrate high-efficiency solar cells. The group was a pioneer in the design and implementation of concentrator photovoltaic systems (CPV), which include optical stages to concentrate light onto high-efficiency multijunction solar cells, aimed at reducing the cost of solar electricity. These internationally pioneering works led to its founder, Professor Gabriel Sala, being awarded the Becquerel Prize by the European Commission.
IMDEA MATERIALES
IMDEA Materials Institute (IMDEA) is a research center founded in 2007 by the Regional Government of Madrid as part of the IMDEA initiative (seven research centers in the areas of water, food, energy, materials, nanoscience, networks, and software). The goal of IMDEA Materials is threefold: (1) perform research at the forefront of Materials Science and Engineering; (2) attract talented researchers from around the world to work in Madrid in an international and interdisciplinary environment; and (3) transfer technology to industry to increase competitiveness and maintain technological leadership.
Physical Simulation and Characterization Group
- Active since 2009, with new members joining over the past five years, this multidisciplinary group focuses its research on three key areas that support this proposal:
1 – Design, processing, and development of metallic alloys and composite materials.
2 – Computational materials engineering.
3 – Multiscale characterization of materials and processes.
- The group has extensive experience in internal collaboration for the design, development, and characterization of novel metallic materials, including hybrid structures made of dissimilar materials and complex hierarchical structures, achieving notable success in attracting research projects.
