On 16 June, the first workshop of the FotoArt5.0-CM project, coordinated by IMDEA Energy, was held at the Autonomus University of Madrid. The event brought together the research teams forming part of the consortium and served as a starting point for face-to-face collaboration between the groups.

During the morning session, a total of 17 brief scientific presentations were delivered, covering key topics such as photocatalysis, electrochemical CO₂ reduction, nanomaterials synthesis, solar catalysis, the development of multifunctional materials, and new applications of robotics and optical sensors in laboratories. The presentations highlighted the interdisciplinary nature of the project and the diversity of technological approaches converging on a common sustainability-focused agenda.

The meeting concluded with an internal coordination session involving the management and scientific committees, where the next steps for the project were outlined. This inaugural workshop not only provided a platform to share progress but also strengthened synergies among the different groups and laid the groundwork for continued collaboration.

The FotoArt5.0-CM project addresses one of the major scientific challenges of our time: the development of technologies to reduce or valorise greenhouse gases. Its main aim is to advance a new generation of materials and devices for artificial photosynthesis, capable of harnessing solar energy to convert CO₂, water or biomass into sustainable fuels and chemical products. To achieve this, the project combines experimental and theoretical approaches in the design of nanocatalysts, the development of advanced photoelectrodes, and the optimisation of photo- and photoelectrocatalytic processes. Additionally, it incorporates sustainability analyses, energy performance assessments, and technological viability studies, with the goal of promoting scalable solutions within the context of a cleaner, more efficient energy transition.