The Minister of Science and Innovation of Spain visits ICFO

Ms. Diana Morant, Minister of Science and Innovation of the Government of Spain, visited ICFO. Addressing ICFOnians, the Minister explained to ICFOnians, “ICFO is exemplary- you are not only above average, you are skyrocketing. Since you are a reference we have come more to listen than to talk.”

In a guided tour with ICFO’s director Prof Lluis Torner, the Minister learned about several key research areas. Prof Frank Koppens, presented goals of the new macro-project TWIST, for which the Ministry has recently allocated 3.7M€ financing as approved in the “Presupuestos Generales del Estado 2022” (Real Decreto 768/2022, de 20 de Septiembre), allowing ICFO to team up with MIT’s Professor and ICFO’s Distinguished Invited Professor Pablo Jarillo-Herrero and Professor Claudia Felser from the Max-Planck Institute for Chemical Physics of Solids, to study the fundamental properties of emerging synthetic quantum materials, including two-dimensional materials, and their potential future applications in nano-optoelectronics. Also, of great interest was her visit to the laboratory of Prof Leticia Tarruell, who introduced a landmark experiment called QUIONE, in which ICFOnians are working to achieve and configure one of the first quantum simulators which will facilitate the understanding of the behavior of materials and their properties. Both of these projects are part of a strategic quantum technologies program led by ICFO that will position Catalunya as a quantum innovation hub.

Upon her departure from ICFO, Morant explained to members of the press that the government considers investing in science, an investment in the future. As a three-time recipient of the Severo Ochoa award from the Government of Spain, ICFO has long been recognized as one of the leading research institutes in Spain. The Minister reiterated her praise for the work being carried out at ICFO, stating “This institute is a benchmark for research in our country, in research of excellence at the frontier of knowledge, in transferring knowledge to private companies, in attracting and retaining talent”, at which point she referred to the global team of researchers currently conducting research at the center. “In short”, she stated, “it is one of the centers of reference that we would like to replicate throughout the country.”