More than 20,000 people attended the event over the four days

IMDEA Water participated at 'Madrid is Science Fair' 2022 on 4 and 5 March, organized by the Fundación para el Conocimiento madri+d, promoted by the Madrid Regional Government. The event, held at IFEMA Madrid, received more than 20,000 visitors, surpassing previous figures.

Alongside the rest of the institutes of the network, IMDEA Water's research groups showcased their scientific advances. Under the title 'The science of water', researchers interacted with the public of all ages to show how to use laboratory and field instruments, electron microscopes or a greenhouse to grow plants.

Attendees learned how nature can reduce pollutants produced in our homes. They also discovered how membranes are used to remove harmful compounds or how aquatic microorganisms provide information on water quality. Thanks to a water cycle model, they found how it is possible to purify water sustainably using electroactive bacteria from the METland® technology.

On his tour around the fair, the Regional Minister of Education, Universities and Science, and Presidency, Enrique Ossorio, visited the IMDEAs stands together with the Deputy Regional Minister of Universities, Science and Innovation, Fidel Rodríguez-Batalla; the Deputy Regional Minister of Educational Policy of the Regional Ministry of Education, Rocío Albert; and the General Director of Research and Technological Innovation, Ana Isabel Cremades. The delegation was received by the directors and general managers of the seven IMDEA institutes. Altogether they visited each stand to learn about the activities presented by the researchers.

IMDEA Water participated in the fair with the following activities:

Friday 4 march

• Electroactive bacteria for water treatment (Bioe Group)
• Eliminating contaminants from water with membranes (MEMTech Group)

Saturday 5 March

• Can nature reduce the pollutants produced in our homes? (SWQ Group)
• Exploring the aquatic world 2.0 (Ecotox Group)

Additionally, on Saturday, researcher Paula Redondo Hasselerharm talked about the impacts of plastic on aquatic ecosystems at the Ágora space of madri+d.

'Madrid is Science' Fair is an annual science dissemination event aimed at schools and the general public. It aims to promote science careers by eliminating gender barriers, increasing the interest and curiosity of young people in science, and showing how research plays a crucial role in economic development and society's wellbeing.