Science and talent join forces at the ALBA Synchrotron to solve tech problems in 48 hours
On 16 and 17 October 2025, the UAB Parc de Recerca, the ALBA Synchrotron and the Cerdanyola del Vallès City Council, with the support of the Barcelona Provincial Council, will be organising the ALBA Hackathon. This pioneering initiative connects science, talent and businesses with the aim of solving technological challenges found in the water, plastics and energy sectors.
For two intense days, teams made up of students, researchers, and professionals will work together to find innovative solutions to real challenges posed by partner companies: Acciona, Applus+, Dentaid, Ercros. The three winning projects will have the opportunity to receive advice from researchers at the ALBA Synchrotron, conduct a subsequent feasibility study, and, finally, implement their project at the particle accelerator facilities.
"The Alba Hackathon is a unique opportunity to bring scientific knowledge closer to the real challenges facing industry and to promote open innovation from a research environment of excellence," says Júlia Palma, coordinator of the Entrepreneurship and Territory Unit at the Parc de Recerca UAB. It is precisely the UAB Parc de Recerca that is leading the dynamics and resolution of the proposed challenges.
The event is designed as a two-day immersive experience in which participants will solve real industry challenges by incorporating the use of synchrotron light into their proposed solutions and developing an implementation plan for the business environment. It is open to students from all over Spain enrolled in vocational training, bachelor's, master's, and PhD programmes; as well as to researchers from all disciplines, and to the citizens of Cerdanyola del Vallès. Diversity of profiles will be valued, but priority will be given to teams with scientific and technical knowledge.
The hackathon is divided into two days. On the first day, companies will present the challenges, teams will be assigned, and each team will be assigned a project. The companies will hold meetings with each team to provide more information about the challenge in question, followed by a visit to the ALBA Synchrotron facilities, and finally, participants will take part in a Speed Innovation Dating (SID) activity, in which companies from Cerdanyola del Vallès will hold 5-minute meetings with students and professionals with the main objectives of establishing synergies and attracting talent. The second day will be dedicated to solving the challenges. Participants will begin solving the challenges at 8:30 a.m. and will have until 4:00 p.m. to complete them, at which time the final project presentations will begin, followed by an awards ceremony.
Registration to participate will be open until 19 September and can be done on the following page: https://indico.cells.es/event/1660/overview