The IzotzaLab is BC3’s low-temperature laboratory for testing and analysing the physics and chemistry of cold samples and prototypes, including ice, snow, permafrost, microorganisms, porous polymers, liquid crystals, mecatronic components, etc. It is a unique laboratory in the Iberian Peninsula for low-temperature science and technology.

The prefix “izotz” is the Basque word for “ice”. As the name suggests, the facilities of the IzotzaLab are set up to operate at freezing temperatures down to ‑30 °C. All tests and experiments can be carried out inside its state-of-the-art cold room, which features a wide variety of analytical instruments and data ports, offering full remote control through an exterior computer, mobile device, or the network.

Mission:

To offer researchers the opportunity to investigate the physics and chemistry of geological, biological, and engineering materials and samples at freezing temperatures, without the need of cumbersome cryostages or environmental chambers.

Vision:

To attract leading experts in low-temperature sciences, including glaciology, cryobiology, Earth and planetary sciences, materials science, engineering, and other disciplines, to perform cutting-edge research in the Basque Country, therefore enhancing international collaboration among top-rank scientists and laboratories.

Se ha obtenido financiación para dotar al laboratorio de un microscopio bajo el proyecto:

EXPEDIENTE DEL PROYECTO: EQC2019-005426-P

TÍTULO DEL PROYECTO: SISTEMA COMPLETAMENTE AUTOMATIZADO DE MICROSCOPÍA ÓPTICA DE ALTO RENDIMIENTO A BAJAS TEMPERATURAS

PERÍODO DE EJECUCIÓN: 01/01/2019 – 31/03/2022