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Zhipei Sun, Sibylle Braungardt
Zhipei Sun, Sibylle Braungardt

Seeing light in Barcelona

The excitement of being
a scientist!
ICFO's dissemination

December 14, 2005
ICFO-The Institute of Photonic Sciences, based in Barcelona (Catalonia, Spain) is three years old. It is the professional home of a team of 80 researchers, including faculty members, postdocs and PhD students that share the passion for light. By 2007, we will double in size, in lab space and in personnel. We aim at joining efforts with the best EU research centers and at contributing to the collective effort of creating wealth in the region and in Europe.

This September, ICFO moved to its new home, a dedicated 3.500 m2 building at the Mediterranean Technology Park, in Barcelona. Researchers have at their disposal well-equipped laboratories, workshops, offices, and administrative support to conduct cutting-edge research projects. The ICFO model is based on creative research, based on curiosity, passion for the unknown and hard work. The centre is engaged in research and in training doctoral students with a multidisciplinary academic approach that includes basic research and also applications, in particular to life sciences. – Photonics helps life scientists: 'Shedding light on living cells'

Since ICFO was founded, communication and dissemination of our aim, mission and achievements has been one of our priorities. ICFO very well understands that our efforts and achievements must return to society, first and foremost by the education of talented students but also by boosting the creation of spin-off companies, and by educating society about our work and its importance. – Science generates wealth: 'Light guides ICFO towards the last quantum border'

ICFO has recently contributed to a TV documentary about science and scientists living in Catalonia. 'Deeply Eager' featured several scientists who described their research interests and exposed their feelings about being a scientist pushing the frontier of knowledge. The feature got a high audience share in Catalonia, about 20%. Passion for the unknown is the central point of the program. – It is people that matter: A '30 Minutes' TV programme exposes the scientists' heart'

ICFO’s section called Newsroom/ICFO in the Media, overviews the most important activities done in this particular area of communication.