A high school student wins the UB's first prize in Physics with a project on microscopic motion.

Student Eulàlia Feliú Foraster has won first prize in the Physics category of the 2026 UB High School Research Project Awards for her work titled Atrapat en xarop: la paradoxa del moviment microscòpic. The project was carried out under the supervision of Juan Torres-Rincon, researcher at the Institute of Cosmos Sciences of the University of Barcelona (ICCUB), and Maria Guix, researcher at the Institute of Theoretical and Computational Chemistry (IQTC).

The study explores a phenomenon that, at first glance, seems contradictory: how extremely small particles can move within highly viscous substances—that is, thick fluids offering significant resistance to motion, such as syrup or honey. This apparent contradiction gives rise to the "paradox" that inspired the research's title.

The award jury recognized the project's scientific quality, as well as the author's ability to tackle a complex issue and explain it rigorously. The work highlights the value of pre-university research and the potential of young people to contribute to the dissemination and understanding of advanced scientific concepts.

The initiative also exemplifies the importance of collaboration between high school students and university research centers. Thanks to mentorship programs and support for research projects, high school students can engage with cutting-edge research and develop their own projects under the guidance of specialized scientific staff.

The UB High School Research Project Awards annually recognize the best projects produced by high school students across various fields of knowledge. With this award, the University of Barcelona highlights academic excellence and fosters an interest in science among new generations.

You can watch the award ceremony held on July 7th at the following UBTV link—you’ll find Eulàlia at the 1:11:00 mark!