This article aims to give an overview of the activities being carried out in Catalonia in the fields of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology. These activities were initiated within the framework of the III Research Plan of Catalonia

Oliva i Cuyàs, Antoni

Hemeroteca Cientifica Catalana

CONTRIBUTIONS to SCIENCE, 3 (1): 91-94 (2005)Institut d’Estudis Catalans, BarcelonaNanoscience and nanotechnology activities in CataloniaAntoni OlivaInstitut Català de NanotecnologiaSummaryThis article aims to give an overview of the activities being car-ried out in Catalonia in the fields of Nanoscience and Nan-otechnology. These activities were initiated within the frame-work of the III Research Plan of Catalonia.Nanoscience and nanotechnology: a scientificfrontierNanoscience and nanotechnology deal with the properties ofmatter at an ultra-small scale, when it has at least one dimen-sion in the nanometre range. Such small dimensions give riseto new properties, which cannot be predicted by simple ex-trapolation from the macroscopic properties of the same mate-rial.Nanoscience and nanotechnology have been increasingsharply in recent years. This explosion is due to their poten-tial to start a technological revolution, comparable to the mi-croelectronics revolution in the second half of the 20th cen-tury.We now have the tools needed to manufacture and manipu-late materials in the range of several millionths of a millimetre.This enables us to create new devices, such as sensors thatare able to weigh a single molecule, or electronic devices withmillions of gigabits of memory.Nanoscience and nanotechnology involve the use of newminiaturization and manufacture techniques on an atomic andmolecular level. New properties and characteristics can be ob-tained by nanostructuring existing materials.Nanotechnology will be highly beneficial to many scientificareas:- Information Technology: Nanotechnology will play aprimary role in the creation of new devices. The ten-dency towards miniaturization in microelectronics willreach its theoretical limit in a few years. Therefore ef-forts to achieve further miniaturization will require rev-olutionary techniques, such as using molecules tomanufacture circuits (known as “molecular electron-ics”).– The mass of information storing devices will decreasewhilst their capacity increases to terabits of memory.– Communications: higher transmission frequencies will beused, leading to greatly increased efficiency.– Materials Science: nanotechnology will enable lighter andharder materials to be manufactured. Nanostructuredmaterials will provide opportunities to develop: new cata-lysts, new filtration materials, extremely high quality pig-ments and printing inks, new materials for the automotive,aeronautics and space industries.– Nanotechnology will be a keystone in the fields of medi-cine and health, as biological processes are regulatedby molecular systems and governed by chemical andphysical laws. Integrating biological blocks into inorgan-ic materials and synthetic devices will open new hori-zons. The imitation of the simplest biological systemswill give rise to new developments, such as biomimeticchemistry.– Nanotechnology will also have an impact on the fields ofenergy and energy storage, and consequently on envi-ronmental protection.III Research Plan of CataloniaThe III Research Plan of Catalonia was launched at the begin-ning of 2001. The aim was to stimulate the Catalan science andtechnology system’s growth and increase its quality during theperiod 2001-2004.The Plan proposed actions in four main areas:a) Convergence with the European UnionThe aim was to increase R&D expenditure in Catalonia to1.4% of GDP by the end of 2004. This target was almostachieved by the end of 2003, as R&D expenditure had al-ready increased to 1.36% of GDP.b) Human ResourcesThe goal was to increase the number of researchers inCatalonia by training more young researchers and by in-corporating qualified scientists from other countries intothe research system (ICREA programme).focusc) Research CentresThe objective was to create a number of research cen-tres, science parks and international research facilities inCatalonia. The following research centres were createdduring the III Plan period:– Animal Health Research Centre (CRESA)– Cardiovascular Science Institute of Catalonia (ICCC)– Classical Archaeology Institute of Catalonia (ICAC)– Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG)– Telecommunications Technological Centre of Catalo-nia (CTTC)– Institute of Photonic Sciences (ICFO)– Institute of Chemical Research of Catalonia (ICIQ)– Catalan Institute of Nanotechnology (ICN)All these research centres have legal status (either as Foun-dations or Consortiums) and are located on University Cam-puses. The host universities are members of the Foundationsor Consortiums’ governing bodies. The most important facility to be built is a Synchrotron LightSource.d) InternationalisationThe aim was to boost Catalonia’s contribution to the de-velopment of the European Research Area, throughparticipation in multilateral initiatives promoted by theEuropean Union itself or by its regions and memberstates.Nanoscience and Nanotechnology were regarded as areas ofspecial interest in the III Research Plan of Catalonia. As a result,Prof. Miquel Salmeron, a researcher at Lawrence Berkeley Labo-ratory, was engaged as advisor to the Government of Catalo-nia’s Minister of Universities, Research and Information Society.He undertook to carry out an analysis of Nanoscience and Nan-otechnology research, and to propose some measures thatcould be implemented within the framework of the III ResearchPlan.Prof. Salmeron’s recommendations led to a Special Nan-otechnology Action Plan in February 2003. This Action Plan es-tablished that three main initiatives would be carried out in Cat-alonia:• A programme of grants to facilitate the training of youngresearchers (NANO Grants).• The creation of a Bioengineering Reference Centre (CRE-BEC).• The creation of a Catalan Institute of Nanotechnology (ICN).NANO GrantsThe aim of the call for applications is to award individual post-doctoral – and in exceptional cases pre-doctoral – grants. Thegrants are for research in internationally renowned University orresearch centres abroad. The initial length of the grants is 12 months, although there isa provision for a 12 month extension. A second grant extensioncould be awarded in justified cases.Eighteen grants had been awarded by the end of 2004.Some of the students have already finished their period abroadand have been reincorporated into Catalan universities and re-search centres. The eighteen grants can be classified into research topics asfollows: – Nanomaterials 4– Atomic Manipulation 3– Molecular Electronics 3– Nanobiology 3– Nanofabrication 3– Nanomagnetism 1– Theory and Simulation 1As could be expected, the chosen centres are located in theUS and in those European countries with the most advancednanotechnology. The distribution of the 18 grants by country is: – United States of America 10– Germany 4– France 1– Denmark 1– Holland 1– United Kingdom 1The programme is receiving very positive feedback relatedto the topics of research being carried out and to the excel-lence of the chosen research centres. All signs indicate that thereincorporation of the NANO grant holders into the Catalan sci-ence and technology system will boost nanoscience and nan-otechnology in our country. Bioengineering Reference Centre of Catalonia(CREBEC)The Bioengineering Reference Centre of Catalonia (CREBEC)was created by the Generalitat de Catalunya (Catalan Govern-ment) in March 2003. CREBEC is made up of different groupsfrom the Technical University of Catalonia’s (UPC) BiomedicalEngineering Research Centre, and the University of Barcelona’s(UB) Research Centre in Bioelectronics and Nanobioscience. CREBEC’s objective is to advance multidisciplinary biomed-ical engineering research activities in Catalonia. It also aims tostrengthen interdisciplinary research by integrating basic re-search with clinical and industrial applications. CREBEC’s di-rectors are Prof. Josep A. Planell (UPC) and Prof. Josep Sami-tier (UB).CREBEC’s main research areas are:• Cellular and molecular nanotechnology• Tissue and cell culture engineering• Tissue and cell culture characterization92 Antoni Oliva• Design of devices for manipulating and processing cellsand molecules on a chip.• Acquisition and treatment of biomedical signals and ima-ges.CREBEC’s nanobiotechnology research is carried out in theUB-UPC Nanobioengineering Laboratory, located in theBarcelona Science Park (PCB). This location provides CRE-BEC with access to excellent technological facilities. Such fa-cilities include the PCB’s standard scientific services, and aNanotechnology Platform (nanomanufacturing, nanomanipula-tion, analysis and characterisation of nanostructures).CREBEC’s participation in “Nano2life” is an indication of thequality of research being carried out. “Nano2life” is one of theEuropean Networks of Excellence created by the Sixth Frame-work Programme. Its objective is to study existing interactionsbetween the life sciences and nanotechnologies. Catalan Institute of Nanotechnology (ICN) As mentioned above, the Catalan Institute of Nanotechnology(ICN) is one of the research centres created by the Generalitatde Catalunya within the framework of the III Research Plan. TheICN is on the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB) cam-pus. This location was chosen to facilitate synergies with theMaterials Science Institute of Barcelona (ICMAB), the NationalCentre of Microelectronics (CNM) and CNM’s Clean Room. Infact, the idea is to create a joint centre with the Spanish Coun-cil for Scientific Research (CSIC). This would be set up in a sim-ilar way to the existing Cardiovascular Research Centre (CSIC-ICCC). Currently negotiations on creating a joint CSIC-ICNcentre and a nanotechnology cluster are being finalised.The ICN was created as a Foundation in July 2003. It waspromoted by the Generalitat de Catalunya with the participationof the Autonomous University of Barcelona. The Board chair-man is the Minister of Universities, Research and InformationSociety, and the vice-chairman is the Chancellor of the UAB.ICN’s founding charter states that its mission is to performworld class research in the field of nanoscience, and to be-come an international centre of excellence and reference. Itsspecific targets are:a) To explore and discover the new properties of matterwhen it is derived from its aggregated state and hasnanometre dimensions.b) To develop methods for the synthesis, growth and fabri-cation of materials on a nanometre scale.c) To develop techniques and methods for characterizingand manipulating nanostructures.d) To facilitate the collaboration of scientists in different ar-eas (physics, chemistry, biology, engineering) and tocombine their contributions.e) To educate young scientists and disseminate knowledgeabout the nanoscience and nanotechnology field.f) To discover and apply nanotechnologies of benefit to in-dustry, which can aid society’s economic advancement.The Parliament of Catalonia elections and the resultingchange of government caused a delay in setting up the ICN.The process was given impetus on 9 May 2004 when MiquelSalmeron was appointed by the Board as Chairman of the Sci-entific Council, and by the author of this article as the Institute’sExecutive Director. At present, the ICN’s Scientific Council has been made upof the following internationally prestigious members: – Miquel Salmeron, Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory, Berke-ley, USA.– Fernando Briones, Microelectronics Institute of Madrid,Madrid, Spain.– Carlos Bustamante, Howard Hughes Medical Institute,Berkeley, USA.– Manuel Cardona, Max Planck Institut, Stuttgart, Germany– Ernst Meyer, Institut für Physik, Basel, Switzerland.In 2004 a public request for tenders was held in two phases.The objective was to select an architect who would design andbuild a 3500m2 building on land ceded by the UAB. This land isvery close to the ICMAB and CNM buildings. The architect Mr.Javier San José was awarded the contract in October 2004. According to the initial designs, the building will be made upof a lower ground floor, a ground floor and three storeys. Thelower ground floor will house the laboratories that have morespecific requirements related to vibrations and magnetic fields.The upper storeys will house the more “chemical” and“nanobio” laboratories.The proximity of CNM’s Clean Room means that it is notnecessary to provide another one in the new building. In fact,CNM’s Clean Room is currently being extended so that 200m2of it can be set aside for nanofabrication. ICN’s main research areas are as follows:• Synthesis and applications of nanoparticles, nanoclustersand nanotubes.• Design and synthesis of macromolecules for integrationinto nanodevices.• Magnetism of thin films and spintronics.• Imaging and manipulation of atoms and molecules.• Theory and simulation of surfaces and interphases.• Interaction of biomaterials with inorganic matter.ICN is currently beginning to recruit its own research staff inparallel with the creation of the joint centre with CSIC. If projectdeadlines are met, ICN’s building should become operational atthe beginning of 2007. When this happens, ICN should be ableto function at full capacity. Together with the universities and re-search centres, this will contribute to advancing nanoscienceand nanotechnology in Catalonia.Additional nanotechnology activitiesOne of the main characteristics of nanoscience and nanotech-nology is its interdisciplinary nature. It affects all branches ofNanoscience and nanotechnology activities in Catalonia 93science and technology. As a result of this, and of its intrinsicinterest and applications, nanotechnological research is grow-ing at an accelerated rate. Therefore the scope of nanotechnol-ogy in Catalonia extends beyond the aforementioned CREBECand ICN. Though it is by no means an exhaustive list, other in-stitutions carrying out research in this area are described be-low:• Universities As stated above, CREBEC is made up of groups from theUB and the UPC. In addition, the UAB participates in theICN. However, the number of researchers from thesethree universities carrying out quality nanotechnologywork is much higher. Other Catalan universities also con-duct research in this field; in particular the Rovira and VirgiliUniversity (URV).• CSICThe considerable contribution that the ICMAB and theCNM are making to the field of nanoscience was men-tioned above. In addition, the CNM is building a Nanofabri-cation Clean Room. However, nanotechnology researchand CISC’s involvement is not limited to these two cen-tres. We should also mention, for example, the nanobiolo-gy research being carried out in the Molecular Biology In-stitute of Barcelona (IBMB). • Institute of Chemical Research of Catalonia (ICIQ)ICIQ’s two main research areas are catalysis andsupramolecular chemistry. Molecular nanotechnology hasan important role to play in both of these areas.• Institute of Photonic SciencesOne of the four research areas in this Institute is Nanopho-tonics. In particular, nanostructured material applicationsfor light emitting diodes and plasmon-based sensors arestudied. This Institute is also researching nonlinear interac-tions in photonic crystals.• Advanced Materials for Energy Reference Centre (CeRMAE)This reference centre was created in 2003 by the Generalitatde Catalunya. It researches nanostructured material applica-tions for sensors and for efficient, clean energy production. • Barcelona Science Park (PCB)As already mentioned in the description of CREBEC, theUB-UPC Nanobioengineering Laboratory is located in theBarcelona Science Park. Furthermore, PCB also has itsown Nanotechnology Platform. Finally, it should be mentioned that a URV initiative is settingup a Master’s Degree in Nanotechnology in Catalonia. All of the aforementioned initiatives clearly demonstrate thatCatalonia is taking its position in the nanoscience and nanotech-nology fields. It is important to attain a high level of coordinationand synergy between the different initiatives, and to have theAdministration’s support. This is the only way to ensure that Cat-alonia plays a leading role in a field that will change the future.94 Antoni Oliva

English

Nanoscience and nanotechnology activities in Catalonia

Revistes Catalanes amb Accés Obert

CONTRIBUTIONS to SCIENCE, 3 (1): 91-94 (2005)
Institut d’Estudis Catalans, Barcelona
Nanoscience and nanotechnology activities in Catalonia
Antoni Oliva
Institut Català de Nanotecnologia
Summary
This article aims to give an overview of the activities being car-
ried out in Catalonia in the fields of Nanoscience and Nan-
otechnology. These activities were initiated within the frame-
work of the III Research Plan of Catalonia.
Nanoscience and nanotechnology: a scientific
frontier
Nanoscience and nanotechnology deal with the properties of
matter at an ultra-small scale, when it has at least one dimen-
sion in the nanometre range. Such small dimensions give rise
to new properties, which cannot be predicted by simple ex-
trapolation from the macroscopic properties of the same mate-
rial.
Nanoscience and nanotechnology have been increasing
sharply in recent years. This explosion is due to their poten-
tial to start a technological revolution, comparable to the mi-
croelectronics revolution in the second half of the 20th cen-
tury.
We now have the tools needed to manufacture and manipu-
late materials in the range of several millionths of a millimetre.
This enables us to create new devices, such as sensors that
are able to weigh a single molecule, or electronic devices with
millions of gigabits of memory.
Nanoscience and nanotechnology involve the use of new
miniaturization and manufacture techniques on an atomic and
molecular level. New properties and characteristics can be ob-
tained by nanostructuring existing materials.
Nanotechnology will be highly beneficial to many scientific
areas:
- Information Technology: Nanotechnology will play a
primary role in the creation of new devices. The ten-
dency towards miniaturization in microelectronics will
reach its theoretical limit in a few years. Therefore ef-
forts to achieve further miniaturization will require rev-
olutionary techniques, such as using molecules to
manufacture circuits (known as “molecular electron-
ics”).
– The mass of information storing devices will decrease
whilst their capacity increases to terabits of memory.
– Communications: higher transmission frequencies will be
used, leading to greatly increased efficiency.
– Materials Science: nanotechnology will enable lighter and
harder materials to be manufactured. Nanostructured
materials will provide opportunities to develop: new cata-
lysts, new filtration materials, extremely high quality pig-
ments and printing inks, new materials for the automotive,
aeronautics and space industries.
– Nanotechnology will be a keystone in the fields of medi-
cine and health, as biological processes are regulated
by molecular systems and governed by chemical and
physical laws. Integrating biological blocks into inorgan-
ic materials and synthetic devices will open new hori-
zons. The imitation of the simplest biological systems
will give rise to new developments, such as biomimetic
chemistry.
– Nanotechnology will also have an impact on the fields of
energy and energy storage, and consequently on envi-
ronmental protection.
III Research Plan of Catalonia
The III Research Plan of Catalonia was launched at the begin-
ning of 2001. The aim was to stimulate the Catalan science and
technology system’s growth and increase its quality during the
period 2001-2004.
The Plan proposed actions in four main areas:
a) Convergence with the European Union
The aim was to increase R&D expenditure in Catalonia to
1.4% of GDP by the end of 2004. This target was almost
achieved by the end of 2003, as R&D expenditure had al-
ready increased to 1.36% of GDP.
b) Human Resources
The goal was to increase the number of researchers in
Catalonia by training more young researchers and by in-
corporating qualified scientists from other countries into
the research system (ICREA programme).
focus
c) Research Centres
The objective was to create a number of research cen-
tres, science parks and international research facilities in
Catalonia. The following research centres were created
during the III Plan period:
– Animal Health Research Centre (CRESA)
– Cardiovascular Science Institute of Catalonia (ICCC)
– Classical Archaeology Institute of Catalonia (ICAC)
– Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG)
– Telecommunications Technological Centre of Catalo-
nia (CTTC)
– Institute of Photonic Sciences (ICFO)
– Institute of Chemical Research of Catalonia (ICIQ)
– Catalan Institute of Nanotechnology (ICN)
All these research centres have legal status (either as Foun-
dations or Consortiums) and are located on University Cam-
puses. The host universities are members of the Foundations
or Consortiums’ governing bodies. 
The most important facility to be built is a Synchrotron Light
Source.
d) Internationalisation
The aim was to boost Catalonia’s contribution to the de-
velopment of the European Research Area, through
participation in multilateral initiatives promoted by the
European Union itself or by its regions and member
states.
Nanoscience and Nanotechnology were regarded as areas of
special interest in the III Research Plan of Catalonia. As a result,
Prof. Miquel Salmeron, a researcher at Lawrence Berkeley Labo-
ratory, was engaged as advisor to the Government of Catalo-
nia’s Minister of Universities, Research and Information Society.
He undertook to carry out an analysis of Nanoscience and Nan-
otechnology research, and to propose some measures that
could be implemented within the framework of the III Research
Plan.
Prof. Salmeron’s recommendations led to a Special Nan-
otechnology Action Plan in February 2003. This Action Plan es-
tablished that three main initiatives would be carried out in Cat-
alonia:
• A programme of grants to facilitate the training of young
researchers (NANO Grants).
• The creation of a Bioengineering Reference Centre (CRE-
BEC).
• The creation of a Catalan Institute of Nanotechnology (ICN).
NANO Grants
The aim of the call for applications is to award individual post-
doctoral – and in exceptional cases pre-doctoral – grants. The
grants are for research in internationally renowned University or
research centres abroad. 
The initial length of the grants is 12 months, although there is
a provision for a 12 month extension. A second grant extension
could be awarded in justified cases.
Eighteen grants had been awarded by the end of 2004.
Some of the students have already finished their period abroad
and have been reincorporated into Catalan universities and re-
search centres. 
The eighteen grants can be classified into research topics as
follows: 
– Nanomaterials 4
– Atomic Manipulation 3
– Molecular Electronics 3
– Nanobiology 3
– Nanofabrication 3
– Nanomagnetism 1
– Theory and Simulation 1
As could be expected, the chosen centres are located in the
US and in those European countries with the most advanced
nanotechnology. The distribution of the 18 grants by country is: 
– United States of America 10
– Germany 4
– France 1
– Denmark 1
– Holland 1
– United Kingdom 1
The programme is receiving very positive feedback related
to the topics of research being carried out and to the excel-
lence of the chosen research centres. All signs indicate that the
reincorporation of the NANO grant holders into the Catalan sci-
ence and technology system will boost nanoscience and nan-
otechnology in our country. 
Bioengineering Reference Centre of Catalonia
(CREBEC)
The Bioengineering Reference Centre of Catalonia (CREBEC)
was created by the Generalitat de Catalunya (Catalan Govern-
ment) in March 2003. CREBEC is made up of different groups
from the Technical University of Catalonia’s (UPC) Biomedical
Engineering Research Centre, and the University of Barcelona’s
(UB) Research Centre in Bioelectronics and Nanobioscience. 
CREBEC’s objective is to advance multidisciplinary biomed-
ical engineering research activities in Catalonia. It also aims to
strengthen interdisciplinary research by integrating basic re-
search with clinical and industrial applications. CREBEC’s di-
rectors are Prof. Josep A. Planell (UPC) and Prof. Josep Sami-
tier (UB).
CREBEC’s main research areas are:
• Cellular and molecular nanotechnology
• Tissue and cell culture engineering
• Tissue and cell culture characterization
92 Antoni Oliva
• Design of devices for manipulating and processing cells
and molecules on a chip.
• Acquisition and treatment of biomedical signals and ima-
ges.
CREBEC’s nanobiotechnology research is carried out in the
UB-UPC Nanobioengineering Laboratory, located in the
Barcelona Science Park (PCB). This location provides CRE-
BEC with access to excellent technological facilities. Such fa-
cilities include the PCB’s standard scientific services, and a
Nanotechnology Platform (nanomanufacturing, nanomanipula-
tion, analysis and characterisation of nanostructures).
CREBEC’s participation in “Nano2life” is an indication of the
quality of research being carried out. “Nano2life” is one of the
European Networks of Excellence created by the Sixth Frame-
work Programme. Its objective is to study existing interactions
between the life sciences and nanotechnologies. 
Catalan Institute of Nanotechnology (ICN) 
As mentioned above, the Catalan Institute of Nanotechnology
(ICN) is one of the research centres created by the Generalitat
de Catalunya within the framework of the III Research Plan. The
ICN is on the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB) cam-
pus. This location was chosen to facilitate synergies with the
Materials Science Institute of Barcelona (ICMAB), the National
Centre of Microelectronics (CNM) and CNM’s Clean Room. In
fact, the idea is to create a joint centre with the Spanish Coun-
cil for Scientific Research (CSIC). This would be set up in a sim-
ilar way to the existing Cardiovascular Research Centre (CSIC-
ICCC). Currently negotiations on creating a joint CSIC-ICN
centre and a nanotechnology cluster are being finalised.
The ICN was created as a Foundation in July 2003. It was
promoted by the Generalitat de Catalunya with the participation
of the Autonomous University of Barcelona. The Board chair-
man is the Minister of Universities, Research and Information
Society, and the vice-chairman is the Chancellor of the UAB.
ICN’s founding charter states that its mission is to perform
world class research in the field of nanoscience, and to be-
come an international centre of excellence and reference. Its
specific targets are:
a) To explore and discover the new properties of matter
when it is derived from its aggregated state and has
nanometre dimensions.
b) To develop methods for the synthesis, growth and fabri-
cation of materials on a nanometre scale.
c) To develop techniques and methods for characterizing
and manipulating nanostructures.
d) To facilitate the collaboration of scientists in different ar-
eas (physics, chemistry, biology, engineering) and to
combine their contributions.
e) To educate young scientists and disseminate knowledge
about the nanoscience and nanotechnology field.
f) To discover and apply nanotechnologies of benefit to in-
dustry, which can aid society’s economic advancement.
The Parliament of Catalonia elections and the resulting
change of government caused a delay in setting up the ICN.
The process was given impetus on 9 May 2004 when Miquel
Salmeron was appointed by the Board as Chairman of the Sci-
entific Council, and by the author of this article as the Institute’s
Executive Director. 
At present, the ICN’s Scientific Council has been made up
of the following internationally prestigious members: 
– Miquel Salmeron, Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory, Berke-
ley, USA.
– Fernando Briones, Microelectronics Institute of Madrid,
Madrid, Spain.
– Carlos Bustamante, Howard Hughes Medical Institute,
Berkeley, USA.
– Manuel Cardona, Max Planck Institut, Stuttgart, Germany
– Ernst Meyer, Institut für Physik, Basel, Switzerland.
In 2004 a public request for tenders was held in two phases.
The objective was to select an architect who would design and
build a 3500m2 building on land ceded by the UAB. This land is
very close to the ICMAB and CNM buildings. The architect Mr.
Javier San José was awarded the contract in October 2004. 
According to the initial designs, the building will be made up
of a lower ground floor, a ground floor and three storeys. The
lower ground floor will house the laboratories that have more
specific requirements related to vibrations and magnetic fields.
The upper storeys will house the more “chemical” and
“nanobio” laboratories.
The proximity of CNM’s Clean Room means that it is not
necessary to provide another one in the new building. In fact,
CNM’s Clean Room is currently being extended so that 200m2
of it can be set aside for nanofabrication. 
ICN’s main research areas are as follows:
• Synthesis and applications of nanoparticles, nanoclusters
and nanotubes.
• Design and synthesis of macromolecules for integration
into nanodevices.
• Magnetism of thin films and spintronics.
• Imaging and manipulation of atoms and molecules.
• Theory and simulation of surfaces and interphases.
• Interaction of biomaterials with inorganic matter.
ICN is currently beginning to recruit its own research staff in
parallel with the creation of the joint centre with CSIC. If project
deadlines are met, ICN’s building should become operational at
the beginning of 2007. When this happens, ICN should be able
to function at full capacity. Together with the universities and re-
search centres, this will contribute to advancing nanoscience
and nanotechnology in Catalonia.
Additional nanotechnology activities
One of the main characteristics of nanoscience and nanotech-
nology is its interdisciplinary nature. It affects all branches of
Nanoscience and nanotechnology activities in Catalonia 93
science and technology. As a result of this, and of its intrinsic
interest and applications, nanotechnological research is grow-
ing at an accelerated rate. Therefore the scope of nanotechnol-
ogy in Catalonia extends beyond the aforementioned CREBEC
and ICN. Though it is by no means an exhaustive list, other in-
stitutions carrying out research in this area are described be-
low:
• Universities 
As stated above, CREBEC is made up of groups from the
UB and the UPC. In addition, the UAB participates in the
ICN. However, the number of researchers from these
three universities carrying out quality nanotechnology
work is much higher. Other Catalan universities also con-
duct research in this field; in particular the Rovira and Virgili
University (URV).
• CSIC
The considerable contribution that the ICMAB and the
CNM are making to the field of nanoscience was men-
tioned above. In addition, the CNM is building a Nanofabri-
cation Clean Room. However, nanotechnology research
and CISC’s involvement is not limited to these two cen-
tres. We should also mention, for example, the nanobiolo-
gy research being carried out in the Molecular Biology In-
stitute of Barcelona (IBMB). 
• Institute of Chemical Research of Catalonia (ICIQ)
ICIQ’s two main research areas are catalysis and
supramolecular chemistry. Molecular nanotechnology has
an important role to play in both of these areas.
• Institute of Photonic Sciences
One of the four research areas in this Institute is Nanopho-
tonics. In particular, nanostructured material applications
for light emitting diodes and plasmon-based sensors are
studied. This Institute is also researching nonlinear interac-
tions in photonic crystals.
• Advanced Materials for Energy Reference Centre (CeRMAE)
This reference centre was created in 2003 by the Generalitat
de Catalunya. It researches nanostructured material applica-
tions for sensors and for efficient, clean energy production. 
• Barcelona Science Park (PCB)
As already mentioned in the description of CREBEC, the
UB-UPC Nanobioengineering Laboratory is located in the
Barcelona Science Park. Furthermore, PCB also has its
own Nanotechnology Platform. 
Finally, it should be mentioned that a URV initiative is setting
up a Master’s Degree in Nanotechnology in Catalonia. 
All of the aforementioned initiatives clearly demonstrate that
Catalonia is taking its position in the nanoscience and nanotech-
nology fields. It is important to attain a high level of coordination
and synergy between the different initiatives, and to have the
Administration’s support. This is the only way to ensure that Cat-
alonia plays a leading role in a field that will change the future.
94 Antoni Oliva


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