ICMol celebrates its 25th anniversary with a special edition of its annual Scientific Day

Two-dimensional (2D) materials for environmental or biomedical applications, optoelectronic devices, organic solar cells, molecular nanomotors and other advances in nanoscience and nanotechnology have been presented and discussed at the Joan Plaça of Botanical Garden auditorium of the University of Valencia, as part of the annual Scientific Day of the Institute of Molecular Science (ICMol), a dissemination action that this center of excellence in research has been carrying out since its opening in 2000 in the scientific-academic area of the Science Park University of Valencia (PCUV). 

The day began with the commemorative event of the 25th anniversary of the institute and with the speeches of the rector of the University of Valencia, M. Vicenta Mestre, the minister of science, technology and universities, Diana Morant; the director general of science and research, Rafael Sebastián; the executive president of the Fundation Rey Jaime I Awards, Javier Quesada, and the ICMol director himself, Eugenio Coronado, who has received the general recognition from the board "not only for his current leadership, but for having been the visionary driver of this institute from its inception and for making this UV research centre an international reference in molecular science and advanced materials research", as detailed by the Rector. "Success is the result of work and perseverance," added Rafael Sebastián, who thanked the ICMol management for having built a scientific community with international expansion from Valencia.

The importance of centres such as ICMol in facing the challenges of climate change and negationism

Mª. Vicenta Mestre took the opportunity to stress the need for greater support for science, with more financial and economic resources, more human resources and agile and effective management tools. "The world ahead demands more science, more knowledge, more innovation. Global challenges such as climate change, the energy transition, health and digitalization require solutions based on knowledge, collaboration and the ability to anticipate. Supporting centres like ICMol is to defend a university model that is committed to society and its time", concluded the rector.

"Science is a recipe against intolerance and scientific negationism," said Diana Morant, paraphrasing Javier Quesada, "and all of us here are a space for resistance and democratic values", added the minister after reviewing recent crises that have affected science and the shock and resilience policies and measures that have been necessary to overcome the most critical moments. "Investing in science works, makes us a stronger and more productive country. That is why we must continue to work until we are back where we were before the financial crisis".

A distinguished panel of speakers with the participation of two Nobel Prizes

Eugenio Coronado made his commemorative presentation of the 25th birthday and had words of thanks to the previous rectors of the Universitat de València involved in the creation and development of ICMol -Pedro Ruiz, Francisco Tomás and Esteban Morcillo for its contribution to the establishment of this research institute recognised by the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities, for the third consecutive time as a Maria de Maeztu Centre of Excellence; a centre which already has a staff of around 300 people, a permanent co-existence of 15 Ramón y Cajal contracts and a high concentration of ERC aid, to give some examples.

Also present were the director of the Royal Spanish Society of Physics (RSEF), Luis Viña, and the president of the Specialized Group of Nanoscience and Molecular Materials of the Royal Spanish Society of Chemistry (RSEQ), Mª Angeles Herranz, representing this entity.

The session has continued in line with the traditional scientific day, with seven papers, from recognized experts in related subjects to molecular nanoscience, in tone of high dissemination.

"I want to recognize the work of Eugenio Coronado, director of ICMol, not only for his current leadership, but for having been the visionary driver of this institute since its inception and for having made this research center of the Universitat de València an international reference in research in molecular science and advanced materials", Mª Vicenta Mestre, UV rector

The programme, which has been extended in comparison with previous editions , included the participation of two Nobel Prizes, Jean-Marie Lehn and Pierre Sauvage, recurring personalities in the programmes of activities of UV for their proximity and established scientific collaboration with ICMol.

Pablo Jarillo, distinguished physicist at the MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) for his research on graphene and other materials; Petra Rudolf, who was until 2024 president of the European Physical Society and continues to bring results through her work on medical and environmental applications of 2D materials; chemist Daniel Maspoch, Rei Jaime I Prize for New Technologies for its ability to balance basic and applied research in the field of porous materials; Elvira Fortunato, renowned researcher for her work on sustainable electronics; holder of two ERC Advanced Grants and former Minister for Science and Technology of Portugal, and Jean-Luc Brédas, one of the most recognized theoretical physicists in the field of optoelectronic devices such as solar cells or OLEDs, have completed the scientific programme of the meeting.