The lunch-debates at the RACAB
What is it?
The lunch-debates at the Royal Academy of Sciences and Arts of Barcelona (RACAB) are public gatherings that combine gastronomy with scientific and cultural outreach. These sessions are designed as a space for dialogue and reflection where experts and attendees share ideas on current issues in science and knowledge. It is a unique initiative to debate topics of academic interest in a relaxed and historic environment in the heart of Barcelona.
Tuesday, October 6, 2026
Schedule: 1:30 PM
Price: €30 per person, VAT included
Speaker: Xavier Obradors
Institute of Materials Science of Barcelona (ICMAB – CSIC)
Campus Univ. Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Catalonia
Royal Academy of Sciences and Arts of Barcelona (RACAB)
Title: "High-Temperature Superconductivity: History of a Modern Odyssey"
Language of debate: Catalan
Abstract:
Superconductivity is a quantum phenomenon that manifests at a macroscopic scale and possesses extraordinary potential for multiple applications. Its discovery will soon be 115 years old, and it has already provided us with many joys and unique services. However, 40 years ago, Bednorz and Müller (IBM Zurich, 1986) initiated the fascinating revolution of "High-Temperature Superconductivity" (HTS), which previewed multiple unprecedented and extraordinary applications. In this talk, I will describe the progress and developments achieved with HTS during these 40 years, which can be described as a modern Odyssey. The scientific and technological challenges that had to be faced have been colossal and multidisciplinary (physics, chemistry, materials science, various engineering fields). Titanic efforts have been required, along with the maintenance of intense resilience, keeping course, and finding ingenious and bold solutions. Today we have reached Ithaca, where a powerful HTS materials industry allows us to tackle technological challenges of great significance, such as a decarbonized electrification to reverse climate change, the achievement of elusive nuclear fusion, etc. Now it is about governing a technological and sustainable Ithaca with intelligence and success.
Where is it?
Royal Academy of Sciences and Arts of Barcelona (RACAB)
La Rambla, 115, Ciutat Vella, 08001 Barcelona
How to get thereTo attend at the "THE LUNCH DEBATES" you must first make a reservation and pay.
RESERVATIONS:
1) Telephone bookings:
a) Offices: (+34) 93 170 17 97
Monday to Thursday from 9 AM to 5 PM / Friday from 9 AM to 5 PM.
Once the telephone booking is made, an email regarding the payment method will be sent, where you will have 72 hours to make the payment via:
b) Bank transfer: indicate the booking code + name and surname.
2) Online bookings:
Fill out the form through the website by selecting the desired day for the meal.
3) Bookings by e-mail:
a) Individuals: info@sternalia.comIndicate name, surname, telephone number, email, activity, day, menus, and number of people.
To make changes to the reservation, you must inform with more than 72 labor hours in advance of the day that the activity will be done, either to change the day or modify the menu or cancel it.
Is possible to change data of the booking. The two first changes will be without extra cost. The third and the following changes will have a 5€ extra cost per person.
For groups of 10 people or more, they must notify more than 10 days in advance.
The cancellation of the reservation with refund of the amount paid, can be made within the maximum period of 30 days from the date of acquisition and will incur a cost of € 5 per person. If you cancel after 30 days you will lose the entire amount. The changes and cancellations of the reservation can not be made via e-mail, you must call:
- Offices: (+34) 93 170 17 97 from Monday to Friday from 9 am to 5 pm.
Sternalia agrees to return the amount within a maximum period of 10 calendar days from the moment the person has facilitated Your account number for the return.
The organization reserves the right to cancel because it does not achieve the minimum required capacity.
For this activity, the company does not have gift vouchers.
To attend at the "THE LUNCH DEBATES" you must first make a reservation and pay.
RESERVATIONS:
1) Telephone bookings:
a) Offices: (+34) 93 170 17 97
Monday to Thursday from 9 AM to 5 PM / Friday from 9 AM to 5 PM.
Once the telephone booking is made, an email regarding the payment method will be sent, where you will have 72 hours to make the payment via:
b) Bank transfer: indicate the booking code + name and surname.
2) Online bookings:
Fill out the form through the website by selecting the desired day for the meal.
3) Bookings by e-mail:
a) Individuals: info@sternalia.comIndicate name, surname, telephone number, email, activity, day, menus, and number of people.
To make changes to the reservation, you must inform with more than 72 labor hours in advance of the day that the activity will be done, either to change the day or modify the menu or cancel it.
Is possible to change data of the booking. The two first changes will be without extra cost. The third and the following changes will have a 5€ extra cost per person.
For groups of 10 people or more, they must notify more than 10 days in advance.
The cancellation of the reservation with refund of the amount paid, can be made within the maximum period of 30 days from the date of acquisition and will incur a cost of € 5 per person. If you cancel after 30 days you will lose the entire amount. The changes and cancellations of the reservation can not be made via e-mail, you must call:
- Offices: (+34) 93 170 17 97 from Monday to Friday from 9 am to 5 pm.
Sternalia agrees to return the amount within a maximum period of 10 calendar days from the moment the person has facilitated Your account number for the return.
The organization reserves the right to cancel because it does not achieve the minimum required capacity.
For this activity, the company does not have gift vouchers.