From 30 June to 3 July, Barcelona hosted Graphene2026, the 16th edition of Europe's largest conference dedicated to graphene and two-dimensional (2D) materials. ICN2 played a prominent role throughout the event as one of the organisers, together with the Phantoms Foundation and other research centres, technology companies and institutions.

Over four days, the conference featured an extensive scientific programme including keynote and invited lectures, contributed talks, poster sessions, round tables and industrial forums, bringing together researchers, engineers and technology leaders from around the world. This year, a large number of ICN2 researchers presented their latest work across a broad range of topics, from energy materials and quantum technologies to nanomedicine and biosensing, reflecting the strategic importance of graphene and 2D materials research across the Institute.

Beyond the scientific programme, ICN2 was also present with an institutional stand in the exhibition area, where members of the Business and Innovation and Marketing, Communication and Fundraising teams showcased the Institute's research, technological capabilities and innovation activities. The stand provided an excellent opportunity to engage with participants, strengthen links with industrial partners and foster new collaborations. In addition, APEIRON Intelligence, an ICN2 spin-off, had its own exhibition stand, where the company presented its technology solutions to the graphene community.

ICN2's contribution also extended to the conference organisation. ICREA Prof. Stephan Roche served on the Organising Committee, while ICREA Prof. Kostas Kostarelos, ICREA Prof. Aitor Mugarza and ICREA Prof. Sergio Valenzuela were members of the Local Committee. Additionally, ICREA Prof. Arben Merkoçi was part of the International Scientific Committee.

Overall, scientists from 11 ICN2 research groups, from Group Leaders to early-career researchers, were represented at Graphene2026. Advanced Electronic Materials and Devices, Atomic Manipulation and Spectroscopy, Magnetic Nanostructures, Nanobielectronics and Biosensors, Nanomedicine Lab, Novel Energy-Oriented Materials, Physics and Engineering of Nanodevices, Thermal Properties of Nanoscale Materials, Theoretical and Computational Nanoscience, Theory and Simulation, and Ultrafast Dynamics in Nanoscale Systems.

Once again, Graphene2026 proved to be a unique platform for dialogue, collaboration and innovation. ICN2 is proud to have contributed to another successful edition of this strategic event, which continues to drive scientific excellence and international cooperation across the 2D materials community.

See you at Graphene 2027!

(This initiative is supported by the Severo Ochoa Centres of Excellence programme, Grant CEX2021-001214-S, funded by MICIU/AEI/10.13039/501100011033).