IMDEA Water was present in the latest edition of the Researchers' Night with the two activities carried out in the Juan Carlos I Royal Botanic Gardens of the University of Alcalá: "Science and water in emergency situations" and "Bacteria producing electricity: an old and new form of energy ". Furthermore, IMDEA Water collaborated the other IMDEA Institutes in the activity "The science of your living room," which took place at the Espacio Fundación Telefónica in Madrid.

IMDEA Water was present in the latest edition of the Researchers' Night with the two activities carried out in the Juan Carlos I Royal Botanic Gardens of the University of Alcalá: "Science and water in emergency situations" and "Bacteria producing electricity: an old and new form of energy ". Furthermore, IMDEA Water collaborated the other IMDEA Institutes in the activity "The science of your living room," which took place at the Espacio Fundación Telefónica in Madrid.

The Researchers' Night is a popular science event held simultaneously in 300 European cities since 2005. The purpose of this call was to bring science and research to the public and its impact on everyday life.

In the edition for 2013, which was held on September 27, IMDEA Water participated organizing two activities.

In the first of these activities, entitled "Science and water in emergency situations" researchers from IMDEA Water belonging to the Emergency Response Unit – Water and Sanitation (ERU WATSAN) of Red Cross, recreated a disaster situation and the production of drinking water through a mobile treatment plant. Attendees learned how to make water analysis using simple and portable kits that determine water quality.

In the second activity, "Bacteria producing electricity: an old and new form of energy", the audience was able to learn a new type of renewable energy based on the metabolic activity of microorganisms in natural environments. During the session, conducted by researchers of the IMDEA Water Bioelectrogenesis Group, attendees contacted environmental biotechnology in the context of the current energy crisis. Using a renewable energy station, the public put into practice the concept of microbial electrogenesis, experiencing how bacteria are able to convert resources (such as vinegar or sugar) in electricity or fuels like hydrogen or methane through Microbial Fuel Cells (MFC, Microbial Fuel Cells).

On the other hand, in the Espacio Fundación Telefónica, all the IMDEA Institutes participated in the activity "Science of your living room." Researchers showed scientific bowels of some common objects in our lives, for example, a TV, a computer, a cellphone, a bottle of water, a snack, sneakers, etc.. The aim was to show that in almost everything around us there are a lot of science and technology, highlighting how important they are for social welfare, and how interesting and rewarding it is to work in cience and technology. In addition, the audience had the opportunity to ask questions to the researchers.