Important Contribution of ICN2 to XPANSE 2024 Forum

by Chema Arcos

The event, held in Abu Dhabi, brought together many experts from the world of technology, science and innovation. ICN2 was represented by ICREA Prof. Arben Merkoçi, Dr Claudio Roscini and Prof. Pablo Pomposiello (Head of Business and Innovation).

The prestigious XPANSE 2024 Forum took place in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) from 20 to 22 November. One of the main objectives of this event was to showcase emerging technologies and innovative initiatives, bringing together more than 2,500 experts from various fields related to technology, science, innovation and politics.

Among the speakers at the event was ICREA Prof. Arben Merkoçi, Leader of the ICN2 Nanobioelectronics and Biosensors Group, who spoke about the important role of biosensors in disease diagnosis, especially in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. Prof. Merkoçi explained how ICN2 and other reference centres are currently developing affordable and innovative solutions to address the remaining gaps in the sector, such as the significant gap between academia and industry. These solutions include nanobiosensors based on ink printing or paper sensors based on lateral flow technology. Prof. Merkoçi was also a speaker at the panel 'All the Ways We Sense...Biology', where the future of diagnostics was discussed, touching on topics such as robotics and its integration with biosensors, artificial intelligence or the use of sensors in space.

XPANSE 2024 was also attended by Dr Claudio Roscini, Senior Researcher at the ICN2 Nanostructured Functional Materials Group. He had the opportunity to pitch the research lines of his group (related to its spin-off Futurechromes) focused on the development of films and coatings for glasses and windows, which self-regulate the amount of sunlight passing through. Such nanomaterials-based coatings and films improve both thermal and visual comfort and may have strong impact in energy consumption (associated to cooling systems) and CO2 emissions in buildings made by glazed transparent surfaces, such as the skyscrapers present in Abu Dhabi and all emirates, which are regularly exposed to averagely strong solar radiation and high temperatures. He could also present different prototypes in the dedicated booth.

Another ICN2 spin-off, Distinkt, was also represented at XPANSE by its CEO and co-founder Luca Venza, who took part in the Exponential Materials panel. Distinkt is a start-up that develops smart inks to combat the counterfeiting of official documents, banknotes and other products.

ICN2 was also represented at the event by Prof. Pablo Pomposiello, Head of Business and Innovation, whose work focuses on bringing the technologies and devices developed at the Institute to industry and the market.

ICN2 is delighted that, through initiatives such as XPANSE, our work in research and innovation can inspire many other experts and help accelerate the process of turning this work into technologies that improve people's lives.