Catalan Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (ICN2)
 | |
| Established | 2013 |
|---|---|
Field of research | Nanoscience and Nanotechnology |
| Director | Prof. Pablo Ordejón |
| Staff | 220 |
| Location | Barcelona, Spain |
| Website | http://www.icn2.cat/en/ |
The Catalan Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (ICN2) is a foundation located on the campus of the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB) whose mission is to promote interdisciplinary research in nanoscience and nanotechnology. In addition to research activities, the ICN2 provides training for researchers, education programs and services to industry and the scientific community.
The ICN2 is part of the Catalan Government's organisation for research centres (CERCA) [1] which aims to encourage and maximise synergies and strategic cooperation between research centres in Catalonia. The Institute is also a founding member of The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology which was established in collaboration with five other research centres in Catalonia to achieve greater international competitiveness by promoting multidisciplinary scientific collaboration in the fields of genomic regulation, chemical research nanoscience and nanotechnology, photonic sciences, high energy physic and biomedicine.[2]
History
The ICN2 was initially established as the `Catalan Institute of Nanotechnology (ICN) in 2003, at the initiative of the Catalan government and the UAB with the aim of attracting international research talent to create a world renowned centre for nanoscience and nanotechnology research. Following collaborations between the ICN and the Spanish government's Centre for Research in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (CIN2), the ICN and the Spanish Research Council (CSIC) agreed to put their collaboration on an official footing and signed a memorandum of understanding to this effect in 2006.
This agreement was formalised in 2011, when CSIC representatives joined the ICN's board of patrons and then in 2013, when the ICN changed its name to the Catalan Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (ICN2). In addition to research, management and financial synergies, an important outcome of this agreement was the construction of a new building on the UAB campus containing state-of-the-art equipment and purpose-built research facilities. The building was inaugurated in 2014 and provides facilities for 180 researchers and 40 technical and support staff.
Research
Research at the ICN2 is carried out by the following multi-disciplinary research groups:
| Research Group | Main research lines | Group Leader |
|---|---|---|
| Advanced Electron Nanoscopy | Advanced techniques and related spectroscopies (EELS, EDX and CL) for nanotechnology and materials science. | Jordi Arbiol |
| Advanced Electronic Materials & Devices | Fundamental electronic and electrochemical phenomena of novel materials, such as graphene and other 2D’s. Preparation (CVD) of high quality films of 2D materials. | Jose Antonio Garrido |
| Atomic manipulation and spectroscopy | Hybrid interfaces for spintronics including metalorganic networks on metals and topological insulators. Graphene-based nanostructures | Aitor Mugarza |
| Force probe microscopy and surface nanoengineering | Fundamental physical phenomena of state variables, i.e. electrons, phonons, photons, plasmons. Investigating new properties derived from tailored nanostructures | Jordi Fraxedas |
| Inorganic Nanoparticles | Synthetic strategies for the production of complex nanoparticles.Functionalisation with specific relevant (bio)molecules. Study of their physicochemical and fundamental properties | Víctor F. Puntes |
| Magnetic nanostructures | Exchange coupling in bi-magnetic core/shell nanoparticles and nanostructures. Magnetoplasmonic effects. Novel magnetic and structural characterisation tools for nanoparticles. | Josep Nogués |
| Nanobioelectronics and biosensors | Innovative sensing technologies. Development of novel nanostructured, nanochannel flexible platforms based on nanoimprinting and ink-jet printing technologies. | Arben Merkoçi |
| Nanobiosensors and bioanalytical applications | Plasmonic and nanoplasmonic biosensors. Silicon photonic biosensors. Nanomechanical biosensors. Bioanalytical applications. | Laura M. Lechuga |
| Nanostructured functional materials | Future and emerging technologies. Biomaterials. Sustainability | Daniel Ruiz-Molina |
| Nanostructured materials for photovoltaic energy | Organic, Hybrid, Dye-sensitised, Halide Perovskite and All-oxide Solar Cells: materials synthesis and characterisation and complete device fabrication. Synthesis of metal oxides | Mónica Lira-Cantú |
| Novel energy-oriented materials | Hybrid electrode materials for supercapacitors and hybrid energy storage devices. Cathode materials with fractal granularity for Li-ion batteries based on LiFePO4. Nanofluids. | Pedro Gómez-Romero |
| Oxide nanoelectronics | Flexoelectricity and Piezoelectricity. Fundamentals and devices. Electronic and electromechanical properties of oxide thin films. Domain wall nanoelectronics. Ferroelectrics, multiferroics, metal-insulator transitions. | Gustau Catalán (ICREA) |
| Phononic and photonic nanostructures | Nanophononics and Nanophotonics. Nanofabrication. Nanometrology. Oxide-based Nanostructures. | Clivia M. Sotomayor Torres (ICREA) |
| Physics and engineering of nanodevices | Novel nanodevice structures and nanofabrication methods. Physical properties of materials at the nanoscale and their technological relevance. Spin and thermal transport. | Sergio Valenzuela |
| Supramolecular nanochemistry and materials | Nanoporous Metal-Organic Frameworks and related nanoparticles. Micro- and nano-encapsulation tecnologies towards the design of new multifunctional nanocarriers | Daniel Maspoch |
| Theoretical and computational nanoscience | Quantum transport phenomena in Graphene. Spin dynamics in Dirac Matter . Thermal properties and Thermoelectricity . Predictive Modelling and Multiscale numerical simulation | Stephan Roche |
| Theory and simulation | Development of theoretical methods, numerical algorithms and simulation tools. SIESTA & TRANSIESTA codes. First Principles of nanoscale simulations . Novel physical properties in 2D materials. | Pablo Ordejón |
Scientific-Technical Research Support
The ICN2 provides the following research support divisions and core facilities to allow internal and external researchers shared access to state-of-the-art instruments, technologies and specialised expertise:
| Division/Service | Provides help & support in: | Division Leader |
|---|---|---|
| Nanoscience Instrument Development Division. | Design, development and improvement of advanced precision instrumentation in respect of scientific computing, signal processing, data acquisition and 3D-CAD design of precision devices | Gustavo Ceballos |
| Electron Microscopy Division | Use of electron microscopy techniques in the study of functional carbon nanotubes, grapheme and exploration of 2-D layered inorganic nanotube systems. | Belén Ballesteros |
| Nanomaterials Growth Division | Research in epitaxial thin film deposition and the interplay between strain and relaxation mechanisms, microstructure and functional properties of ultrathin films. | José Santiso |
| Nanofabrication Facility | Design and development of nanofabrication methods and techniques. Available Applications include:Thermal and UV nanoimprint, E-beam & Focused Ion Beam Lithography | Gustavo Ceballos |
| Mechanical Workshop | State-of-the-art facility offering a broad range of custom machining services for the design and fabrication of devices and components. | Gustavo Ceballos |
| Instrumental Core Research Facilities | Offers step-and-repeat nanoimprint lithography services for upscaling of micro/nano scale devices and structures. | Gustavo Ceballos |
Research Training
The ICN2 runs training programs for researchers in nanotechnology including studentships, doctoral and post-doctoral positions. It also provides custom training courses for technicians, R&D personnel and administrative personnel. ICN2 is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion of people with disabilities.
Knowledge and Technology transfer
ICN2 promotes the exploitation of its research results and facilities and works with local and international companies to facilitate the uptake of nanotechnology. It is involved in spinoff companies and provides a range of facilities and services to support research and innovation carried out by its partners.
Organization & Leadership
The ICN2 is led by its director, Prof Pablo Ordejón, who reports to a Board of Patrons comprising representatives from the Catalan Government, the Spanish Research Council (CSIC) and the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB). Research is led by 17 group leaders who each coordinate and direct the activities of a multidisciplinary research team with the support of specialised laboratory engineers, technicians and 8 administrative and service departments led by Luís Bellafont Alvaro. The ICN2's strategic research programs are reviewed and evaluated by an independent Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) made up of international scientists with experience in nanoscience and nanotechnology from the public and private sectors.
Awards
in 2014, the ICN2 was accredited as a 'Severo Ochoa Centre of Excellence' by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness in recognition of the ICN2's international scientific impact, potential for attracting international talent and its contribution to the transfer and dissemination of knowledge to society.[3]
Outreach
Education for schools. The ICN2 participates in educational programs designed to increase understanding of nanoscience and the social and scientific role of ICN2. Programs include interactive classroom kits for nanoscience-related experiments and projects at the ICN2 to give high school students a global view of research in a nanoscience laboratory.
Education in the community. As part of the its mission to promote and facilitate the uptake of nanotechnology in industry, ICN2 holds seminars and workshops to bring together scientists, engineers, technicians, business people and policy makers. The ICN2 also disseminates its research results in the media and provides public forums for discussions on nanotechnology and the work of the ICN2.
Scientific Output
Between 2013 and 2015, ICN2 researchers produced 431 indexed publications with an average impact factor of 6.23.[4]