Wednesday, 28 September 2016
ICN2 creates new opportunities at GrapChina 2016
The ICN2 delegation included the Director and a nourished representation of Group leaders involved in different approaches to graphene research and applications. After a series of contacts with Chinese representations, GrapChina becomes a strategic event to develop new contacts with key players such as the China Innovation Alliance of the Graphene Industry (CGIA).
The 2016 International Graphene Innovation Conference (GRAPCHINA 2016) was held in Qingdao (China) on September 22-24. It gathered 2500 participants and a huge technological fair with exhibitors from around the globe. The event Researchers from ICN2 had an active role during the Conference, both with scientific presentations and as part of the event Executive Committee.
The ICN2 delegation included Prof Pablo Ordejón, Director of ICN2, and Group Leaders involved in different approaches to graphene research and applications: ICREA Prof Jose Antonio Garrido, Prof Pedro Gómez-Romero, ICREA Prof Arben Merkoçi and ICREA Prof Stephan Roche. ICN2 was present too as a sponsor of the Spanish Pavilion to offer some clues of the potential of ICN2 as a collaborator and reinforce the contacts made by the ICN2 representatives.
Now in its third year, GRAPCHINA is held annually and is an important trade show and academic event for addressing the practical and legislative responses to Graphene Investment and Commercialization risks. China is a main player in the graphene research and industry, and thus strategic contacts and collaborations are being established between ICN2 and chines initiatives.
The presence of ICN2 researchers in China is one more step in the consolidation of the opportunities identified in previous contacts such as the visit to ICN2 of the China Innovation Alliance of the Graphene Industry (CGIA) or the Strategic Framework Agreement with Tunghsu Optoelectronic Technology.
The Conference is an important trade show and academic event for addressing the practical and legislative responses to Graphene Investment and Commercialization risks. Its central theme was “New power, new trend, and new development”, aiming to show the significant influence of future technology on our daily lives and promote the global graphene commercialization process.
Barcelona will host the next Graphene Conference (March 28-31, 2017). During the GrapChina Conference the new venue was announced, together with a number of grants which will allow students performing graduate work to present a contribution at the Graphene 2017 Conference. To be eligible, students must be actively pursuing a PhD degree and must be in good standing with their department. Preference will be given to students nearing completion of their thesis work.