Unique Scientific and Technical Infrastructures (ICTS) are unique and exceptional facilities of their kind.They carry out cutting-edge and high-quality research and act as centres for the transmission, exchange and preservation of knowledge, the transfer of technology and the promotion of innovation.
ICTS have three fundamental characteristics: they are publicly owned infrastructures, they are unique and they are open to competitive access.
The infrastructures of this thematic area focus on the scientific areas of prehistory, human paleontology and archaeology. The development of scientific-technological infrastructures in these disciplines is considered key to shorten the existing distances between the world of humanities and enhance their interaction for mutual benefit.
This thematic area has significantly increased its representation on the current ICTS Map. Under the concept of distributed ICTS, infrastructure networks have been established in the field of image, nanotechnology and omics sciences.In addition, high biosafety laboratories are also strengthened, expanding the infrastructures of this type offered by their services.
The ICTS included in this area of knowledge are necessary infrastructures to facilitate the access of scientists to natural environments that present unique characteristics for research. All of them, mostly, focused on the promotion of sustainable management of the natural environment.
The availability of sustainable and economically competitive energy sources is a key factor for the progress and development of any country, so it is essential to have infrastructures that facilitate scientific and technological progress in this area. Thus, the current ICTS Map includes infrastructures that research and offer their facilities in the field of solar energy and fusion energy.
The thematic area of engineering is represented on the ICTS Map by hydraulic and maritime engineering.Scientific and technological activity in the marine environment is of great interest to Spain. Having this type of infrastructure has allowed us to carry out cutting-edge research in this field, which was previously carried out abroad, thus enhancing the competitiveness of our R+D+I system.
It can be considered that the science of materials has as its ultimate purpose to investigate, synthesize and develop new substances according to desired properties for specific purposes and applications in any type of field (engineering, computing, biotechnology, etc. ).To do this, we need instrumentation that allows us to get closer and closer to the basic structure of matter. To this end, the ICTS Map includes infrastructures offering state-of-the-art facilities in electron microscopy, synchrotron light, micro/nano fabrication, ultra-fast ultra-short lasers and complex particle accelerators.
Information and communication technologies are essential for the advancement of science in all areas of knowledge.Distributed throughout the national territory, RedIRIS and the Spanish Supercomputing Network (RES) are the greatest exponents of this area, offering the scientific community a great capacity for better and safer computing and communications.
Astronomy is a unique discipline in Spanish science that has undergone an exponential development in recent decades, acquiring a prominent position at an international level. The Astronomy Infrastructure Network (RIA) coordinates the national observation infrastructures recognized as ICTS with two large areas represented: radioastronomy and optical and infrared astronomy. In addition, in the field of astrophysics, the Canfranc Underground Laboratory has consolidated its strategic position in this discipline.
