Catalan Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (ICN2)

The Catalan Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (ICN2) is a Spanish foundation for interdisciplinary research in nanoscience and nanotechnology. Located on the campus of the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB), the institute also offers education programs, training to researchers and services to industry and the scientific community. It is integrated in the research centers organization of the Generalitat de Catalunya (CERCA).

The institute is governed by a Board of Trustees, formed by: the Generalitat de Catalunya, the Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) and the Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona (UAB). It has been a Severo Ochoa center of excellence in 2014 and 2018.

History
The ICN2 was founded in 2003 as "Instituto Catalán de Nanotecnología" (ICN). In 2006 began the collaboration with the Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC). It was then that the Catalan Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (ICN2) was created. Since 2012 the center has been managed by Pablo Ordejón.

In 2011 CSIC members joined the ICN's board of trustees. In 2013 the ICN adopted its current name, Catalan Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (ICN2). A new headquarters was built on the UAB campus and the building was inaugurated in 2014.

Research
Research at the ICN2 is carried out by the following multi-disciplinary research groups:

The ICN2 has a Research Support Division with three units: instrumentation, electron microscopy, nanomaterials growth.

It has runs training programs for researchers in nanotechnology including studentships, doctoral and post-doctoral positions. It also provides custom training courses for technicians, R&D personnel and administrative personnel.

The Institute promotes the commercial exploitation and dissemination of the results of its research, through collaboration with local and international companies. l. The institute is also involved in spinoff companies and provides a range of facilities and services to support research and innovation carried out by its partners.

Organization & Leadership
The ICN2 is led by its director, Prof. Pablo Ordejón, Research is led by 18 group leaders.The ICN2's strategic research programs are reviewed and evaluated by an independent Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) made up of international scientists with experience in nanoscience and nanotechnology from the public and private sectors.

Awards
In 2014, the ICN2 was accredited as a 'Severo Ochoa Centre of Excellence' by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness for the period 2014-2018, in recognition of the ICN2's international scientific impact, potential for attracting international talent and its contribution to the transfer and dissemination of knowledge to society. The award was renewed in 2018 for the 2018-2022 period.

Outreach
ICN2 participates in educational programs at school, such as NanoEduca, and in the community with seminars and workshops that bring scientists together with business people and politicians. Its research results are published in the media. They also organize discussion forums.

Scientific Output
During 2018, ICN2 researchers produced 172 indexed publications with an average impact factor of 8.86. Specifically, 136 of these articles were published in first-quartile journals, while 77 appeared in first-decile journals.