Designing Novel Materials for Energy Applications by Leading an Open-Minded and Diverse Research Group

The design of novel materials for energy applications, is a fascinating field that combines in equal parts knowledge in materials science, imagination, risk, and open mind to accept and adapt non-conventional ideas. In the first part of this work, a complete novel family of van der Waals materials based on pnictogen chalco-halides ((Sb,Bi)(S,Se)(Br,I)) will be presented, as an example of out-of-the-box compounds that in principle, does not fulfil the requisites to be excellent semiconductors for energy applications, but that in real are being revealed as very promising compounds. The most relevant non-standard properties of these materials will be presented for the first time, showing that non-conventional ideas can be widely accepted with the right approach. The versatility and adaptability of this family of materials will be described, as an example of how the diversity in materials science is very relevant for progressing in this field.<br/>In the second part of this work, the development of these new family of materials will be compared, as an example, with my career in the materials science world, where being different has been always an extra motivation. I will explain how to be part of the LGBTQIA+ community has impacting in my research career from the very beginning, starting with my PhD, my postdoctoral experience abroad, and my consolidation as independent researcher, giving me an open mind character that I have also applied in my day-to-day work through the development of new materials. Currently, I’m leading a group of 20 very diverse scientists in Barcelona, working in the development of materials and devices for energy applications, from where I’m always very committed and proactive with the visibility of the LGBTQIA+ community, and where I have created a very safe space for the diversity. I will explain how I manage my visibility as LGBTQIA+ community member, considering that I have coordinated several big European Projects with consortiums including the most relevant academic institutions, and I’m granted with a European Research Council (ERC) Consolidator Grant, which has help me to consolidate my position as Group Leader. I will also explain my interaction with my students, my colleagues in my Institution, and with collaborators worldwide, and how I apply my commitment with the diversity and visibility of the LGBTQIA+ community in my life, helping me to progress as researcher, but more important, as human being.