Partnerships

One of the things that makes Graphene and 2D materials related research so exciting is the speed at which it is advancing as well as the high potential for applications in industry. ICFO is proactive in translating newly generated knowledge into products and technologies such as imaging systems and wearable devices in collaboration with our industrial allies.

Through a wide range of joint research projects currently running at ICFO in collaboration with different types of corporations worldwide, we aim to maximize 2D materials related business opportunities and cultivate new collaborations with industries and investors.

  • EU Graphene Flagship

    With a budget of €1 billion, the EU Graphene Flagship represents a new form of joint, coordinated research on an unprecedented scale, forming Europe’s biggest ever research initiative.

    The Graphene Flagship aims at bringing together academic and industrial researchers to take graphene from the realm of academic laboratories into European society in the space of 10 years, thus generating economic growth, new jobs and new opportunities.

    The core consortium consists of 142 academic and industrial research groups in 23 countries. In addition, the project has a growing number of associated members that will be incorporated in the scientific and technological work packages within the Horizon 2020 phase (1 April 2016 – 31 March 2018).

    ICFO leads Work Package 8 Photonics and Optoelectronics (former WP5 in previous ramp-up phase) and is also involved in research topics like Flexible Electronics, Sensors and Energy Applications.

  • GSMA Chair in Graphene and Mobile World Congress

    Prof. Frank Koppens holds a Chair Program on Graphene sponsored by GSMA, the world leading association of mobile operators and related companies. This collaboration aims at encouraging and supporting research into the science and technology of graphene and graphene-like materials, as well as promoting their commercial applications.

    In the framework of the GSMA Chair in Graphene at ICFO ICFO is co-organising together with the Graphene Flagship the Graphene Zone within the Mobile World Congress. The Graphene Zone will showcase research centres, along with start-ups and enterprises working on graphene-related topics, affording them a place of prominence in the most important industry event of the mobile sector and the opportunity to share knowledge and expertise in a field that promises to revolutionize mobile technology. Through this type of event, ICFO’s technological innovations not only get great exposure to industry but the Institute also strengthens its understanding of the market needs and actively seeks out collaborations and investors interested in Graphene and 2D materials.

  • Barcelona Graphene Accelerator

    In 2015, the Barcelona City Council announced the launch of a new entrepreneurship initiative which intends to accelerate graphene and 2D material based technologies in their path to market. In its first phase, the Barcelona Graphene Accelerator will focus on the acceleration of photonic technologies in the fields of optoelectronics, nanoelectronics, robotics, security, sensors, devices for smart-cities, biotech and health, and wearables, among others. This initial phase will be led by ICFO.

  • Knowledge sharing

    In addition, ICFO promotes an outreach program for raising public awareness and understanding of Graphene and 2D materials, from which great socioeconomic impact is expected. Activities include ‘Graphene Tours’ in our labs for schools and young researchers, development of educational material in the framework of the mSchools program led by Mobile World Capital Barcelona (with the support of the GSMA), events targeting industry through the Corporate Liaison Program and other dissemination activities with our network of collaborators.