Graphene 2025: ICN2 Demonstrates Leadership in 2D Materials Research and Innovation

by Chema Arcos

The institute played a central role in Graphene 2025, the main European conference on graphene and two-dimensional materials. ICN2's involvement in both the scientific programme and the organisation of the event reflects its strategic focus on this field.

From 25 to 28 June, San Sebastián (Spain) became the epicentre of graphene research as it hosted the 15th edition of the Graphene 2025 conference. Organised by the Phantoms Foundation in collaboration with several leading research institutions, including ICN2, this event has established itself as one of the largest in Europe in the field of 2D materials.

The conference brought together leading researchers, academics, and industry representatives with the aim of creating a forum for exchanging ideas and knowledge and promoting collaborations within a strategically important sector with great potential for the future. Notably, among the guest speakers was Kostya Novoselov, winner of the 2010 Nobel Prize for his discovery of graphene.

The conference included a wide variety of lectures, workshops, poster presentations and exhibitions by companies and start-ups. Topics ranged from the fundamental physics of two-dimensional (2D) materials to their practical applications in fields such as electronics, energy storage, quantum technologies, and biomedicine.

As several ICN2 researchers are key players in these areas, the institute was well represented in the conference programme. ICREA Prof. Stephan Roche, leader of the Theoretical and Computational Nanoscience Group, was part of the Organising Committee, and ICREA Prof. Aitor Mugarza, leader of the Atomic Manipulation and Spectroscopy Group, was in the International Scientific Committee. Several researchers also gave presentations at the event:

ICREA Prof. Kostas Kostarelos, leader of the Nanomedicine Lab, was one of the invited speakers and discussed his graphene brain-interfaces, which can detect and modulate brain activity and are already being used in human clinical trials
ICREA Prof. Sergio Valenzuela, head of the Physics and Engineering of Nanodevices Group, participated as an invited speaker. He had the opportunity to discuss the latest advances in the study of graphene's spintronic properties, particularly in combination with van der Waals heterostructures.

Other ICN2 researchers also played a prominent role in the conference. Luis Canónico, Aron Cummings, Santiago Giménez, Esteve Ribas, Jorge Martínez, Voicu Tomut, Onurcan Kaya, Motomi Aoiki and Thomas Galvani spoke at workshops. Pedro Alcázar, Patricia Aguilar, Joaquín Medina, Ronny de la Bastida and Jiaqi Yang also participated as speakers in the PhD sessions. During these talks, they were able to share and discuss the results of their research with the audience.

APEIRON, the new ICN2 spin-off emerging from the Theoretical and Computational Nanoscience Group, participated as an exhibitor, showcasing its current and future projects to the scientific and business communities.

ICN2's contribution to Graphene 2025 again highlights the institute's leading role in 2D materials research and its commitment to connecting fundamental science with real-world applications.

See you at Graphene 2026!