Teaming up with Industry to Produce New Knowledge and Superior Results 2 ICFONIANS SUMMER 19

HAPPENINGS COLLABORATION COLLABORATION THE LAST WORD ICFO Passes 100k Moore Foundation Grant EPIC World Industrial Interview with Citations Quantum Photonics Dusan Pejakovic p.7 p.4 p.7 Technology Summit p.12 40 Community News Summer 2019

Teaming up with Industry to produce new knowledge and superior results 2 ICFONIANS SUMMER 19

EDITOR’S CORNER COVER

Brook Surgical implants, covered Hardwick with gold nanoparticles Contributing Editor (pile of meshes on the left) compared to the original The Virtuous surgical meshes previous to the treatment (pile of meshes on the right). Circle In an industrial collaboration between ICFO and B. Our institute has a widely publicized triple mission, Braun Surgical, S.A., researchers develop a new tech- which is to conduct research at the highest level, train nique that could prevent bacterial contamination and infection in medical implants by using light combined the next generation of scientists, and to take make with gold nanoparticles. Learn more in Business News what is produced at ICFO useful to society on pg. 6. through knowledge and technology transfer. INDEX

In each edition of ICFOnians, elements of this benefits as well for society. Not only has the city of EDITOR’S CORNER 2 mission are reflected in the activities that we report, Castelldefels recently granted Silvia Carrasco an but rarely do we have such a plethora of clear award commending ICFO’s role in innovation and examples of the varied and important roles that in- promotion of the economy of the city, they also HAPPENINGS 3 dustry plays in collaborating to ensure that science renewed an agreement with ICFO for the support of ICFO NEWCOMERS 3 flourishes in meaningful ways for society. an incubator fostering photonic-based companies in the area. The KTT team led by Dr. Silvia Carrasco is untiring ICFO NEWS 4 in its efforts to identify and team up with industries, Finally, ICFO has been fortunate to benefit from hospitals and businesses to work on innovative scientific philanthropy from foundations that channel LATEST ADVANCES 5 projects. Active participation in international platforms the proceeds of industrial success into funding and associations like Photonics21, SECPhO and for science. The Cellex and Mir-Puig Foundations, BUSINESS NEWS 6 EPIC, also bring ICFO in contact with members of founded by Dr. Pere Mir-Puig thanks to a highly the industrial sectors where together we can make successful career in the promotion of various COLLABORATION 7 a positive impact. The recent EPIC World Industrial companies and patents, has had a long standing Quantum Photonics Technology Summit, hosted by special relationship with our institute that has RESEARCH 7 ICFO, was a perfect example of the intersection of made possible the enhancement of our world-class science and industry, in this case pushing forward facilities, top global talent attraction, and ambi- CONFERENCE 7 the second quantum revolution that is expected to tious research programs. Most recently, the Moore produce paradigm-shifting changes in all of our lives. Foundation, founded by Gordon Moore, well known TRAINING 9 for his role in the foundation of Intel Corporation, ICFO’s long-standing relationship with B. Braun is announced the award of a $1.1 million research OUTREACH 10 another highly relevant example of industry playing grant to ICREA Professor at ICFO Dr. Hugues de an enabling role in scientific advancement. ICFO Riedmatten, for an ambitious project to link quan- and B. Braun have recently published results on a PEOPLE 11 tum nodes for the quantum internet. project to prevent biofilms on medical implants. GO & FLY 11 Clearly, this type of industrial collaboration works to It is undeniable that industry and science are produce new knowledge and superior results that intertwined and it is exciting to have so many BEYOND ICFO 11 will bring benefits to healthcare and quality of life. manifestations in one edition of ICFOnians of how this special relationship can be such a power for Public entities are banking on science’s role in working MYSTERY ICFONIAN 11 good. side by side with industry to produce economic THE LAST WORD 12

HIGH PROFILE 12 Mystery ICFOnian Alba Rosado Science Quiz CM: A AAG: B Project Portfolio Manager, KTT Solution Ed #39 Answers from p.12 MM: D JK: C SCIENCE QUIZ 12

Coordinating Editor Contributors Lydia Sanmartí Pictures By Brook Hardwick Federica Beduini Outreach, Knowledge and © ICFO Trustees: Corporate Communications Outreach, Knowledge and Technology Transfer Ramon Josa Head Technology Transfer Rob Sewell Vanessa Montero Tomás Charles Academic Programs Ayuntamiento de Castelldefels Editorial Committee Visual Communication Coordinator Weber Shih Silvia Carrasco Brook Hardwick Sandra de Vega CCCB Knowledge & Technology Corp. Communications Head PhD Student Cosmocaixa Transfer Director Alina Hirschmann Pamina Winkler Digivision Brook Hardwick Communications PhD Student Racab Corp. Communications Head Sarah Keary and ICONS President Roland Terborg Alina Hirschmann Supported by: Member of: PhD Student Communications and ICONS Treasurer Dolors Mateu Layout María Martí ICFO Manager Comuniza Knowledge & Technology Laia Miralles Mineral Gràfics Transfer HR and Education Head Morgan Mitchell Morgan Mitchell ICREA Group Leader at ICFO D.L.: B-54464-2008 ICREA Group Leader at ICFO Dusan Pejakovic Icfonians® is a registered trademark Albert Ros Program Director, Alumni, Communications The Moore Foundation Rob Sewell Albert Ros This newsletter is printed on 100% Academic Programs This content is licensed under the Creative Commons Alumni, Communications post-consumer-waste recycled, chlorine-free, Coordinator Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivs 3.0 Unported License. Except pictures that are copyrighted by ICFO. and EU eco-labeled paper. ICFONIANS SUMMER 19 3

BUSINESS NEWS ICFO and B. Braun work together to prevent HAPPENINGS biofilms on medical implants p.6

ICFO NEWCOMERS Welcome to ICFO

Many of us joined ICFO or took a new position at the institute between April and June. Md Masudur Rahman Aykut Eken Natalia Salvat Student Postdoctoral Researcher PhD Student

Izabela Piechocka Javier Arrés Chillón Ana Luisa Cartaxo Charitra Sree Senthil Ravindra Chhajlany Elisa Tamariz Adriana González Visiting Scientist Student Visiting PhD Student Student Visiting Scientist Visiting Scientist Postdoctoral Researcher

Manabendra Bera Arnau Cobes Orteu Jaume Sanchis Batlle Adam Summers Pei Sheng Lin Luciana Vidas Jacqueline Martínez Visiting Scientist Electronics Financial Accountat Postdoctoral Researcher Visiting PhD Student Research Engineer Student

Jan Gieseler Umut Karadeniz Iris Agresti Tanja Dragojevic Sara Zacchetti Flavio Baccari Xavier Cañas Pons Postdoctoral Researcher Business Developer Visiting PhD Student Research Engineer Student Postdoctoral Researcher Info & Communication Technologies

Esteban Gerbino Alessio Celi Gaurav Kumar Ying-Hao Chien Roberto León Arnau Rosell Antoine Reserbat Visiting Scientist Visiting Scientist PhD Student PhD Student Visiting Scientist Student Postdoctoral Researcher

Andrea Konecna Rachele Catalano Anna Dawid Ayse Bilgehan Baspinar Stefan Baüml Reiko Yamada Valentí Bosch Fontana Postdoctoral Researcher Student Visiting PhD Student Student Postdoctoral Researcher Visiting Artist Mechanics

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Adrià Marín Laura Zarraoa Antoni Latorre Simon Cichy Miguel Saucedo Adrián Pinilla Gerardo Garcia Student (SRF 2019) Student (SRF 2019) Student (SRF 2019) Student (SRF 2019) Student (SRF 2019) Student (SRF 2019) Student (SRF 2019) 4 ICFONIANS SUMMER 19

HAPPENINGS

ICFO NEWS

2018 BIST Fellow of the Royal COFUND PhD Fellowship ICFO Passes Ignite Awards Academy of Science and Program 100,000 Citations Arts of Barcelona

The BIST Ignite Program aims to ICFO’s director, Lluis Torner, became ICFO has been awarded highly ICFO’s citations are growing ex- promote the initiation of new colla- a full member of the Royal Academy competitive funding for a new ponentially along with our publi- borations among the BIST resear- of Science and Arts of Barcelona doctoral fellowship program via cations list. Between 2002 and chers, facilitating the exchange of (RACAB) on April 11th. Membership in the European Commission´s Marie 2018, ICFOnians authored over knowledge among different scientific the Academy is an enormous honor, Skłodowska-Curie COFUND action. 2,600 papers with over 85% in Q1 fields and exploring new approaches limited to only 75 numerary members, This project, entitled ENLIGHTEN, will journals and 40% in D1 journals. In to address complex questions. In the traditionally representing the most allow ICFO to offer 20 highly compet- 2018 alone, there were over 16,000 2018 program, five projects have been prominent scientists of the region. He itive fellowships to PhD candidates of citations for ICFO papers. Today, total awarded grants from within the BIST is one of nine members of the Physics 36-month duration, through four calls. citations for ICFO publications have Community for their multidisciplinarity section. In the induction ceremony, surpassed 100,000 according to the ICFO currently runs the ICFO Step- and high level of scientific excellence. Prof. Torner gave a special talk to his Web of Science (WoS). This impressive stone program, encompassing two The winners will have eight months fellow peers entitled “Photons: A key milestone demonstrates that not only COFUND-actions, for outstanding to develop their projects, at which tool to explore the frontiers of the Nat- are ICFOnians publishing in the most doctoral candidates to carry out their point they will be eligible to apply for a ural Sciences”. Congratulations Lluis prestigious topical journals, this work is PhD at the institute between 2016 and second round of funding. on this important honor which not increasingly being recognized by peers 2022. In addition, the ICFONest+ CO- only recognizes an illustrious scientific around the world. ICFO will participate in two of these FUND-action, an equivalent program career to date, but also foretells many projects: for post-doctoral researchers, ran at future achievements to come. the institute from 2014-2018, attracting BIOSPAD (“A fast monolithic mul- fellows from leading institutes around ti-channel ASIC for diffuse optical, the world. non-invasive blood flow measurement”), led by Sebastian Frinstein, IFAE and Turgut Durduran, ICFO. The Quantum ORGANSENS (“Dynamic monitoring Communications Photonics Incubator QEOD Thesis Prize of pancreas metabolism by com- Infrastructure Declaration in Castelldefels for Applied Aspects bining nano-optical biosensing to organ on-a-chip technology”), led by Romain Quidant, ICFO and Javier Ramon, IBEC.

Spain was one of seven EU member The City Hall of Castelldefels and Since 2007, the Quantum Electro- states to sign a joint declaration ICFO have formally renewed the nics and Optics division (QEOD) pledging to work together to build agreement originally signed in 2016 of the European Physical Society a Quantum Communication Infras- for the support of an incubator fos- (EPS) awards up to four thesis prizes tructure (QCI). The national initiative will tering photonic based companies in around the CLEO Europe Confe- focus on working with large industries, the area. This support from the city of rence to reward excellence in PhD specialized in telecommunication, Castelldefels is instrumental in allowing research and scientific communica- electronics and software sectors both on ICFO to act as a technological acceler- tion in the area of quantum elec- ground and in space to integrate quan- ator focused on giving support to en- tronics and optics. The prizes take tum cryptography and other quantum trepreneurs from the inception of their into account related PhD thesis work communication technologies into their business idea, helping convert projects submitted in the two years prior to the products. The QCI will represent the next into successful deep-tech companies conference. These prizes are awarded generation of ultra-secure communica- that take photonic technologies from for fundamental and applied aspects. tions in Europe, allowing information to the laboratory to the market. One of The 2019 QEOD Thesis Prize for be transmitted and stored ultra-securely, ICFO’s recent spin-off, QuSide, was a applied aspects is awarded to Dr. linking critical data and communication beneficiary of the program. Today it Mathieu Massicotte, whose thesis assets all over the continent. It aims to is a fast growing, high-tech company entitled “Ultrafast optoelectronics in 2D become the backbone of the future based in Castelldefels that employs a materials and their heterostructures” Quantum Internet. ICREA Prof. at ICFO dozen people. It is a perfect example was supervised by ICREA Prof. at ICFO Valerio Pruneri and Dr. Juan José García of the important impact that the pro- Frank Koppens. Ripoll from CSIC will be Spain’s two gram can have in the city. representatives to the infrastructure. ICFONIANS SUMMER 19 5

HAPPENINGS

LATEST ADVANCES

In the first study published in Nature Photonics, In another study published in Physical ICFO researchers Emilio Pisanty, Gerard Jiménez Review Letters, ICFO researchers Emilio Machado, Veronica Vicuña-Hernández, Antonio Pisanty and Antonio Picón, led by ICREA Picón and Alessio Celi, led by ICREA Prof. at Prof. at ICFO Maciej Lewenstein, in collabo- ICFO Maciej Lewenstein and UPC Prof. at ICFO ration with researchers from the University Juan P. Torres, have designed a beam of light of Salamanca and from CU Boulder, show with a polarization state that forms three-lobed that the new type of angular momentum is trefoils at each point by combining light of conserved in interactions. They show, via different frequencies, and making the trefoils theoretical simulations, that at extremely Multicolored Light connect to each other in a way such that the high intensities, many photons of light can light beam, as a whole, has the shape of a knot. be combined into single photons with high Twists in New These beams also exhibit a new kind of angular energy, and that these new, bigger photons momentum associated with the unusual symmetry carry the combined torus-knot angular Knotted Ways of the beams, which remain unchanged when momentum of the original, smaller photons. they’re rotated — but only when the polarization Joint collaborations at ICFO result in studies The results of these studies open the is rotated by a specific portion of the rotation in possibility of using these new topologies that provide new frameworks and results space. Researchers were able to experimentally of light for future communication applica- confirm the presence of this new quantity called that advance the study of structured light. tions, among others. the torus-knot angular momentum.

femtosecond time resolution. In their experiment, the researchers took a 50 Controlling nm thin film of gold and illuminated it researchers Adrien Noury and with an on optical pump pulse. They Superfluid Jorge Vergara-Cruz led by ICFO Watching resolved changes in the sample with Prof. Adrian Bachtold, in collabo- a 20 nm spatial precision and 0.25 ps Helium with ration with researchers from Ecole Nanoscale temporal resolution using ultrafast Normale Supérieure, Universidad thermo-modulation microscopy, to Carbon Pablo de Olavide, and the UPC, report Heat Transport identify two regimes of heat diffusion on a controlled layer-by-layer growth and understand how metals at such Nanotubes process of superfluid helium onto the In a study published in Science Ad- scales are capable of managing heat A study led by ICFO surface of carbon nanotubes. vances, ICFO researchers Alexan- dissipation. These discoveries pave der Block, Dr. Matz Liebel, Renwen a way to fully understanding heat researchers shows how The team was able to build helium Yu, led by ICREA Professors at ICFO management in metals at the nanos- superfluid helium grows superfluid films with a number of atomic Niek van Hulst and Javier García de cale, which has proven to be essential layers in a perfectly controlled manner, Abajo, in collaboration with researchers for the design and development of on a carbon nanotube and demonstrate that these helium from Ben-Gurion University of the efficiently operational optoelectronic as a series of first-order multilayers adsorbed on a nanotube are Negev, have been able to measure devices, having implications in layering transitions. of unprecedented quality compared and track the evolution of locally applications that range from to previous works. Such findings could induced hot electrons on a gold thin thermoelectric devices, broadband open a new pathway into the field of film, and observe how they distribute detectors, to efficient solar cells and In a study published in Physics topological phase transitions, aiming and cool down within the metal on even plasmon-enhanced Review Letters and highlighted to carry out novel research of quantum the nanometer length scale and with photochemistry. in APS Physics Magazine, ICFO fluids and solids in reduced geometry.

Dynamic In a study published in Even though self-torques can be found in several Science, researchers from other physical systems (e.g., electrodynamics Beams of Light the University of Salamanca, and general relativity), this is the first time that the University of Colorado this dynamic property has been shown to exist in An international Boulder and NIST, together light. This is made possible by the highly nonlinear with ICFO researchers Emilio processes that occur when light of very high team of researchers Pisanty and ICREA Prof. at intensities interacts with matter. ICFO Maciej Lewenstein, have is able to generate The results of this study give rise to a completely presented and experimentally new form of light. They open a new field of applica- time-varying OAM confirmed the creation of tions in optical communications, microscopy, quan- beams of light. dynamical pulses of light tum optics, and microparticle manipulation. This whose OAM changes over the new class of dynamic-OAM beams might be useful duration of the pulse (varying for manipulating the fastest magnetic, topological, its frequency with time). This molecular, and quantum excitations on attosecond gives these pulses of light time and nanometer spatial scales. a new property, known as the self-torque of light. 6 ICFONIANS SUMMER 19

HAPPENINGS

BUSINESS NEWS

Image of the surgical implants. Mesh covered with gold nanoparticles on left.

City of Castelldefels Award KTT Director Silvia Carrasco awarded for innovation and promotion ICFO and B. Braun of the economy of the city

The City of Castelldefels celebrated the thirte- work together to prevent enth edition of the City of Castelldefels Awards, recognizing the people or entities that have contri- buted to disseminate the “values of liberty, equa- biofilms on medical implants lity, solidarity, progress and civic commitment or that personify exemplary trajectories in these areas.”

Collaborative research yields a new technique that The director of Knowledge and Technology Transfer (KTT) at ICFO, Dr. Silvia Carrasco, was could prevent bacterial contamination and infection awarded the City of Castelldefels Award for Economy and Innovation. This prize specifically cites her extraordinary work in promoting activities of great economic and social importance for the city of Castelldefels. This is an important recognition for the entire KTT team. In a recent study published in Nano Letters and highlighted efficiency capabilities. in Nature Photonics, ICFO researchers Dr. Ignacio de Mi- ICREA Prof. at ICFO Romain Quidant guel, and Arantxa Albornoz, led by ICREA Prof. at ICFO Ro- comments, “the results of this study main Quidant, in collaboration with researchers Irene Prieto, are promising and pave the way Dr. Vanesa Sanz, and Dr. Christine Weis led by Dr. Pau Turon towards using nanoplasmonics to pre- from the major medical device and pharmaceutical device vent the formation of bacterial biofilms company B. Braun, have devised a novel technique that uses at the surface of surgical implants. nanotechnology and photonics to improve the performance There are still several challenges that of medical meshes for surgical implants. need to be addressed and current Through an ongoing collaboration since 2012, the team of steps are focussing on implementing researchers at ICFO and B. Braun Surgical, S.A., developed a our approach in an Proof of surgical mesh where its surface was chemically modified to in-vivo setting.” anchor millions of gold nanoparticles. Gold nanoparticles have Concept Grant been proven to very efficiently convert light into heat at very ERC Funding to develop MRI with localized regions. Dr. Pau Turon, Director of Research single-atom resolution and Development at B. Braun Surgi- In an in-vitro experiment, they exposed the modified mesh to The European Research Council, in its efforts cal, S.A. explains, “our commitment to S.aureus bacteria for 24 hours until a biofilm was formed on the to help ERC grant-holders to bridge the gap help healthcare professionals to avoid surface. After irradiating the mesh with a serie of short intense between their research and the earliest stage hospital related infections pushes pulses of near infrared light (800 nm), the researchers induced of a marketable innovation, created the Proof us to develop new strategies to fight surface plasmon resonances in the nanoparticles—a mode that of Concept (PoC) funding scheme for resear- bacteria and biofilms. Additionally, the results in the efficient conversion of light into heat, burning the chers who have already been awarded an ERC research team is exploring to extend bacteria at the surface. By using a fluorescence confocal mi- grant. Not only does this program help ERC gran- such technology to other sectors whe- croscope, they detected the amount of bacteria that had been tees to explore the innovation potential of their re biofilms must be avoided.” killed, and were able to observe that the remaining live biofilm research and/or commercialize the results of their bacteria became planktonic cells, recovering their sensitivity ERC-funded research, the program complements to antibiotic therapy and to immune system response. They the efforts of ICFO’s Knowledge and Technology also saw that, by increasing the amount of light delivered to the Transfer Unit (KTT), which proactively searches for surface of the mesh, the dead bacteria lost their adherence and ways to translate newly generated knowledge into peeled off the surface. Researchers confirmed that operating at new technologies. near infrared light ranges was completely compatible with in-vi- ICREA Prof. at ICFO Dr. Adrian Bachtold has vo settings, avoiding possible damage of surrounding healthy been awarded a PoC, the eleventh award of this tissue. Through repetition of the treatment, they verified that kind for ICFO in the past seven years, for the pro- recurrent heating of the mesh had not affected its conversion ject titled Room Temperature Magnetic Reso- nance Force Microscopy (RTMRFM). The main goal of this project is to use ultra-sensitive nano- SEM micrographs of the S. aureus biofilm formed on tube hybrid cantilevers to carry out magnetic re- the surgical mesh surface. sonance force microscopy at room temperature. ICFONIANS SUMMER 19 7

CONFERENCE IONS BCN’19 at ICFO

COLLABORATION p. 8

RESEARCH Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation awards ICFO’s frontier research on Quantum Science

whitepaper outlining an ambitious project to link quantum New grant for Prof. nodes for the quantum internet. Hugues de Riedmatten The project that de Riedmatten and the team he leads underscores ICFO’s will carry out aims to experimentally demonstrate fundamental purely quantum effects such as entanglement, to “foster path-breaking scientific discovery” extends be- international leadership between different quantum physical platforms or nodes, yond the US borders and fosters international collaboration made with different materials (solid crystals or ultra-cold in the field of quantum that is conducive to major breakthroughs. Likewise, it is atoms). The idea is to create a hybrid network of quantum highly flexible and complementary to any other national or science systems, with each particular platform running a specific international funding that the scientist may receive. task according to its capabilities. The hybrid entanglement between these many-particle quantum systems based on ICFO Director Lluis Torner emphasizes, “We are extre- In 2018, a representative of the Gordon different physical platforms would then be followed by the mely proud to receive this grant from the Gordon and Betty and Betty Moore Foundation visited experimental demonstration of teleportation of quantum Moore Foundation. That they came across the Atlantic to ICFO in search of frontier research with information between these systems. The ultimate goal pick up one of our best research projects is an indication potential global impact in the area of would be to obtain an efficient and reliable distribution of of the exceptional vision of the program managers of the quantum science. The Moore Foun- quantum information over quantum networks. “It is very im- Foundation and a further sign of the global quality and dation, founded by Gordon Moore, portant that fundamental and applied research go hand in impact of the research conducted at ICFO”. well known for his role in the founda- hand”, comments Prof. de Riedmatten. “This kind of grant tion of Intel Corporation and also for ICFO has to date benefitted tremendously from the supporting fundamental, curiosity driven and risky projects authoring Moore’s Law, seeks to help generous support of philanthropic organizations, namely allows us to explore new directions that may one day lead understand how the world works while the Cellex and Mir-Puig Foundations which have played a to new technology.“ paving the way to far-reaching benefits decisive role in helping researchers like Prof. de Riedma- for society. Following this visit to the To date, the Moore Foundation has awarded over 800 tten to build ambitious research projects at the institute. institute, the foundation announced research grants to support basic research and discovery This new support from the Moore Foundation will help the award of a $1.1 million research science in the life and physical sciences, adding up to over to advance ICFO’s international leadership in the field of grant to ICREA Professor at ICFO Dr. a $1 billion USD in funding. The majority of these grants quantum science. Hugues de Riedmatten, based on his have gone to US based institutions, however their mission

CONFERENCE

EPIC World Industrial the supply chain for related product ranges. Quantum Photonics The strong focus on quantum activities at ICFO, with fourteen of the center’s groups participating in research related to Technology Summit quantum technologies, created the impetus for ICFO to host this event. Likewise, ICFO is playing a leadership role in several ICFO hosts summit bringing together projects within the Quantum Flagship. The theories, experiments and discoveries of groups at the center often represent future supply chain for new quantum essential technological elements in today’s cutting-edge appli- technologies cations and are also setting the foundations of future quantum solutions.

On June 5 and 6, ICFO hosted the EPIC Indus- Flagship, as well as many other initiatives world- ICREA Prof. at ICFO Dr. Valerio Pruneri, leader of the Optoelec- trial Quantum Photonics Technology Summit, wide in Quantum technologies, today’s second tronics research group, offered a talk within the summit about bringing together companies that will constitute quantum revolution is expected to introduce the Quantum Flagship project he leads entitled “CiViQ- Brin- the supply chain for the commercialization of paradigm shifts in the fields of quantum commu- ging continuous-variable QKD technology into emerging new products that are the result of R&D initiati- nication, quantum simulation, quantum compu- optical telecommunication networks”. In addition, Domenico Tulli, ves of the second quantum revolution. ting and quantum sensing and metrology. In line CTO of QuSide, an ICFO spin-off company that develops quantum with these areas, the EPIC Industrial Quantum technologies for the cyber-security and super-computation According to the EU Quantum Technologies Photonics Technology Summit aimed to prepare worlds, also offered a keynote talk during the summit. 8 ICFONIANS SUMMER 19

COLLABORATION

CONFERENCE

“IONS BCN ’19 has been a very IONS refreshing event. I could present my work with ease, in front of people who are just like me. That was the best part of the conference, of course other than the social events! BCN’19 In addition to the keynotes by well-known The punchline is that I got to make leaders in the field and student talks, the some wonderful new friends. program included an engaging panel with Wonderfully organized. at ICFO Carlos Abellán, co-founder and CEO of Thank you ICFO and OSA.” ICFO spin-off Quside, Luis José Salazar, Surya Abhishek Singaraju Optics Payload & Operation Specialist at PhD student at the Karlsruhe ICONS hosts students Aistech Space (both ICFO alumni), María Institute of Technology from OSA Chapters Viñas, post-doc at the IO-CSIC in Madrid and OSA Ambassador 2019 and Simon BC ’19 around the world Wall, ICFO Group Leader, all of whom “We are very happy to have The shared insights into career opportunities Optical Society’s IONS conference after the PhD. Attendees also had the · 80+ enthusiastic attendees hosted back at ICFO. This program From June 26-29, ICONS welcomed opportunity to visit the Barcelona Su- (masters students to provided nearly 100 student attendees from around the globe students from around the world to percomputing Center as well as ESADE professors) with the ability to share their ICFO to participate in IONS BCN'19 Business School for discussion on what · Participants from over 15 research, build cross-collaboration countries - the conference in Optics for, of an MBA after a PhD could do to leverage relationships, and hone professional and by students. IONS (the Inter- your career. On the final day, ICFO alumnus · 4 distinguished keynote and technical skills needed to national OSA Network of Students) Danny Krautz offered encouraging insights speakers kicked of sessions enhance their careers. The student is a program backed by the Optical into Zeiss’ R+D policies and ventures. Lukas Novotny organizers at ICFO have done a Society of America (OSA) that Nanophotonics fantastic job shaping a program that With a majority of participants being encourages student chapters to cultivates the next generation of students, questions and discussions flowed Eleni Diamanti organize and manage regional scientists!” with a special freedom both inside and out- Quantum Optics meetings which are focused on Terence Rooney side the auditorium. Not only was it stimula- technical and professional Jenny Nelson Manager of Students and Early ting to see the participation of students development as well as on Optical Devices Career Professionals, OSA. in the scientific discussions, it was also networking with peers and luminaries. fantastic to see invited speakers joining Viola Vogel The IONS conference ran for the the social events, where these renowned Biophotonics “Having been a PhD student for first time at ICFO in 2007, came researchers were willing to interact with · 28 student talks two years, it’s easy to lose track of back to ICFO in 2009 and with students and give advice both on science · Lively poster session the broader photonics community. IONS BCN’19 has returned once and professional careers, providing a forum IONS was the perfect remedy – with again after 10 years. to unwind and network. diverse and high quality talks, food and sunshine, the atmosphere ICONS organizing team: IONS BCN ’19 extended over four amazing was ripe for open sharing of ideas days resulting in unforgettable memories. Pamina Winkler and experimental techniques that It was a great experience for the ICONS Sarah Keary transcend the different laboratories.” organizing team, and we express our deep Sandra de Vega Jayadev Vijayan thank you to ICFO and everyone who made María Sanz Paz PhD student at the Max Planck it happen. Lisa Saemisch Institute of Quantum Optics, Munich. Carlotta Ciancico Natalia Alves “IONS BCN ’19 was a unique Vindhiya Prakash opportunity to try your talk and connect Samyo Mukherjee with amazing people all around the Robin Camphausen world, both students and professors. Pili Pujol I would love to go once more and the Sukeert biggest thanks to the organizers.” Jana Ockova Kristýna Holanová Álvaro Rodríguez Echarri PhD student at the Institute of Roland Terborg Photonics and Electronics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague.

+INFO ionsbcn19.osahost.org ICFONIANS SUMMER 19 9

COLLABORATION

TRAINING

Skills Training for ICFOnians Seminars and workshops aim to help ICFOnians make the most of their research careers and to prepare for a at all Career Levels wide range of career options beyond ICFO.

#1 #2 New ICFO Alumni Empowering Seminar series Women in Science

The ICFO Alumni Network allows alumni to maintain and strengthen the personal and profes- On May 23-24, ICFO launched the first edition of a new sional ties created while at ICFO, that will help all ICFOnians to “go and fly”, without losing training workshop: Empowering women in science: A common roots. workshop for women and men which was developed as part of an ongoing series of actions designed to support Apart from the social connections and the professional networking that facilitates growth for Alumni the research careers of outstanding talented young wo- as they move into new or advanced careers, the Alumni Network also has established a platform men at ICFO, such as the regular Women in Science lun- that allows ICFOnians to continue to have a positive effect on the institute even after they have ches, and the María Yzuel Fellowship Awards. left. In this regard, one of the new programs initiated by the Alumni Network is a series of Alumni Seminars, in which remarkable alumni are invited to give a seminar about their work and to discuss Developed in partnership with Dr. Gavin Lucas, director their career path, sharing opportunities in their field, and offering advice about career development. of ThePaperMill, and Alicia Marín Muniesa, a consultant, coach and trainer with 18 years of experience, the works- The first session of this series was held in April with ICFO alumna Roser Juanola-Parramon, re- hop was designed to develop self-awareness, confidence searcher at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center and newly elected ICFO Alumni Representative, and leadership skills, and explore themes of unconscious who talked about the next generation of space telescopes which will allow us to characterize biases and self-limiting beliefs. new exoplanets. This was followed by a talk by entrepreneur alum Jon Donner about his company Nanofabrica, which brings the possibilities of 3D printing to precision manufacturing of com- The workshop was attended by 10 women and 2 men, ponents. The most recent instalment of this series was a talk by Roberto León, professor at the including PhD students, postdoctoral researchers and re- National Autonomous University of Mexico, who talked about his research on entangled photon search engineers. spectroscopy, and shared his experience outside ICFO.

#3 #4 BIST Science to Business Course: Resilience and Immersing researchers in the new venture creation process Wellbeing for Researchers The From Science to Business course created through a partnership between ICFO and ESADE Business School, has long been at the heart of the ICFO+ training and development program. Throughout its first five editions, the program evolved yearly to assure that the contents were On May 21 ICFO launched a new Resilience & suited to the needs of today’s researchers in an ever-changing business landscape. Based on the Well-being program developed in partnership success of the program, in 2016 the program moved under the BIST umbrella in order to expand its with OnBalance and designed to help researchers frontiers to incorporate researchers from the seven different research centers that comprise BIST. strengthening their capacity to face the different challenges involved in a competitive research career on The program, with its strong emphasis on entrepreneurship, is aimed at BIST researchers including a personal as well as intellectual level. The program was senior researchers, postdoctoral fellows and last year doctoral students. It focuses on helping launched with a kick-off symposium on May 21st with professionals in academia get acquainted with the business world, increasing their understanding Victoria Conesa, Director of OnBalance, who presented of how companies work and create value in a competitive environment. Through this six day pro- the results of a voluntary survey of the individual habits gram, BIST scientists become familiar with the new venture creation process and the roles that of ICFO researchers, followed by a briefing for the ICFO science and technology play in it. Group Leaders. ICFO postdoctoral researcher Yu Bi was one of five ICFOnians to take part in the 2019 edition. She The program includes regular workshops designed to offer enthusiastically recommended the course, reflecting, “As a researcher in academia, business tools to help researchers improve their ability to respond used to be kind of the mysterious black box to me. This course gave me a great introduction to to change and uncertainty, understand and practice te- the business world. Within three intensive days, we got to learn how a company runs, survives chniques to improve emotional well-being, and develop and succeeds by employing innovation and strategy in its management and implementing a healthy habits to minimize the consequences of stress, suitable business and financial plan. This course also tried to show us how to turn an idea into improve well-being, health and effectiveness. It also in- a start-up. I really liked the group project part, where we created a business plan to pitch our cludes access to an individual coaching and counselling idea to an investor; we got to practice all the things we learned about business from the course.” service for all ICFO researchers.

Data Science is offering business-oriented careers for professionals Keynote Address: with scientific backgrounds. The field has attracted many ICFO Alumni. Ángel Sánchez Is it for you? Executive Vice President, Space Division, EVERIS Come hear from ICFO Alumni who will share their experience with a panel discussion which will be of interest to both current ICFOnians Alumni Panel Discussion with Q&A: and Alumni. Igor Blanco, Tommaso Caneva, Anna Kubasiak and Armand Niederberger 10 ICFONIANS SUMMER 19

COLLABORATION

OUTREACH OUTREACH International PHABLABS Day of Light 4.0 May 16th is the Introducing Photonics to global recognition the Makers Movement day for the central role that light and light-based technologies play in our lives

UNESCO declared May 16th the International Day of Light, an annual ICFO is a work package leader of PHABLABS 4.0, a EU Horizon 2020 observance promoting the importance of light and light-based techno- project that has been carried out with 10 other research and technology logies in science, education and culture. To commemorate this event, centers and 14 Fab Lab organization for the last 30 months. The project partners around the world conduct a series of outreach and education aimed to integrate photonics in European Fab Labs in order to engage, excite activities on this day and throughout the month, with special focus on and educate young minds, students, technicians and young professionals students, young people and the public at large. about the fascination of working and innovating with light, thus building a trained workforce and giving them 21st century skills. The Illuminating Education conference, the flagship event for the International Day of PHABLABS 4.0 has combined two major trends; on the one hand, the Light, took place this year at the Internatio- growing awareness of photonics as an important innovation driver and a key nal Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP) in enabling technology for improvements in many areas of society, and on the Trieste, Italy, with presentations covering a other hand, the exploding network of vibrant Fab Labs where next-generation wide range of topics, from inspiring science practical skills-based learning using KETs is core, but where photonics was to practical career advice. ICFO’s Dr. Federica lacking. PHABLABS 4.0 has brought together experts in partner photonics Beduini from the Knowledge and Technology centers and Fab Labs, to develop, test and roll out “Photonics Workshops”, Transfer team, offered a talk on participatory “Photonics Challenger Projects” and “Toolkits for Photonics Enhanced Fab science and the Big Bell Test, a worldwide Labs” that stimulate hands-on design, fabrication, experiments, and building citizen science experiment that led to over of innovative systems. 100,000 people world-wide participating in These efforts have resulted in 33 workshops and 11 photonics challenger state-of-the art tests on quantum physics. projects that have been created and implemented with the participation Back in Castelldefels, ICFO welcomed visitors of 3.104 participants at the EU level. Special efforts have been made on the to the institute to commemorate Interna- gender equality front. The PHABLABS 4.0 consortium has worked with experts tional Day of Light 2019, including a visit in the field from the WISE (Women in Science and Engineering) organisation to from INS Joan Puig i Ferreter from La Selva ensure a gender balanced approach, resulting in a guide directed to outreach del Camp (Tarragona) on May 14th, where activities organisers to gain the interest of girls and young women in science students toured the facilities and spoke with and technology, as well as the attendance of over 1,200 girls and women at the researchers. There was also an Open Day for PHABLABS 4.0 activities. the general public on May17th. www.phablabs.eu

OUTREACH ICFO Participation Espejos Quantum CosmoCaixa CCCB- Centre de Cultura in Exhibitions through January 31, 2020 Contemporània de Barcelona Espejos is an imaginative way of through September24, 2019 showing that reality can be observed Quantum- an exhibition that explo- in Barcelona from different perspectives. Shifting res the influence of quantum physics perspectives favors a scientific mindset on our everyday lives. It gives us the and can also change the perception we keys to understanding the principles have of our environment. In this exhibit, of quantum physics, and it does so visitors can discover the im- through the joint creative work of portant role that mirrors play scientists and artists. The project in- in different spheres of science, vites the public to browse freely, to culture and life in general. awaken their curiosity, and to critica- lly evaluate the new paradigms of modern science. Two of the modules you will find in the exhibit, the Schlie- In the section dedicated to randomness, you can find the quantum ran- ren camera and the Michelson dom number generator developed by QuSide, one of the latest ICFO interferometer, are the result of spin-off companies. Moreover, many ICFOnians have participated in the collaboration between Cos- the activities related to the exhibit, such as scientific debates, talk and moCaixa and ICFO. activities for families.

www.cosmocaixa.es www.cccb.org/en/exhibitions/file/quantum ICFONIANS SUMMER 19 11

PEOPLE

GO & FLY BEYOND ICFO 192 Women and Men have successfully defended their theses at ICFO since its founding in 2002 Together they have helped us measure what we have learned, how far we have come, and how much we have yet to learn. The following ICFOnians have recently succeeded in defending their PhD theses. Honoring ICFO’s tradition, ICFOnians gather to celebrate your accomplishments and encourage you to Go & Fly! Remember that wherever you go, you will always be a part of the ICFO community. Alumni Networking at CLEO 184 185 186 Europe April 12, 2019 April 15, 2019 April 16, 2019 SENAIDA HERNANDEZ SANTANA DAVID RAVENTÓS RIBERA PETER SCHMIDT Industry conference “Local Temperature and correlations “Exact Diagonalization Studies of “Exploring Intersubbands in 2D unites ICFOnians from in Quantum Many-Body Systems” Quantum Simulators” Materials” around the world TD: ICREA Prof. Dr. Antonio Acín TD: ICREA Prof. Dr. Maciej Lewenstein TD: ICREA Prof. Dr. Frank Koppens and Dr. Bruno Julia The ICFO Alumni Network aims to provide a platform that allows ICFOnians to continue to network both socially and professionally even after their careers have taken them away from the institute. By maintaining the relationships built at ICFO, both alumni and the institute are able to strengthen the reach of their work 187 188 189 by drawing on the resources of the network. April 29, 2019 May 2, 2019 May 3, 2019 Taking advantage of major industry CALLUM O’DONNELL LUCIANA VIDAS HANYU YE conferences that typically attract both “Novel Femtosecond Optical “The Insulator-Metal Phase “Novel Pulsed Optical Parametric current and former ICFO researchers, Parametric Oscillators in the Transition in VO2 Measured at Sources in the Mid-Infrared and the Alumni Network organizes Alumni Infrared” Nanometer Length Scales and the Application Towards High- Drinks events, the most recent of Femtosecond Time Scales” Resolution Molecular Spectroscopy” TD: ICREA Prof. Dr. Majid Ebrahim which took place on June 26th in Zadeh and Dr. Chaitanya K. TD: Prof. Dr. Simon Wall TD: ICREA Prof. Dr. Majid Ebrahim Munich in the framework of CLEO Suddapalli Zadeh and Dr. Chaitanya K. Europe. This event brought together Suddapalli over thirty conference attendees, both current ICFOnians and Alumni, as well as Alumni currently living and working both in industry and academia in Germany.

ICFOnians live, work and travel to all corners of the globe, and notably attend conferences for experts in the field. The Alumni Network is actively 190 191 192 reaching out to all Alumni to ensure May 10, 2019 May 17, 2019 June 4, 2019 that all are aware of these opportunities to stay in touch. If you are an alum TANJA DRAGOJEVIC FLAVIO BACCARI MARTINA GIOVANNELLA and you are not receiving information “Translation Of Speckle Contrast “Certification of Many-Body Systems” “Hybrid Diffuse Optical about the Network and its activities, Optical Techniques From Bench-Top Neuromonitoring of Cerebral TD: ICREA Prof. Dr. Antonio Acín please contact us at contact@alumni. To In Vivo Applications” Haemodynamics: From the Smallest icfo.eu. Likewise, if you know of events Premature born Infants to Adults” TD: ICREA Prof. Dr. Turgut Durduran where many ICFOnians will gather, let and Dr. Joseph Lee Hollmann TD: ICREA Prof. Dr. Turgut Durduran us know so that we can create a new and Dr. Udo Weigel opportunity to get together!

How much do you know about the people you 1. He obtained his private pilot’s license 4. He is the current Acro- work with? ICFOnians are a fascinating group, with before his driver’s license. batic Aeromodelling hobbies, interests and talents that may surprise Champion in Spain, and 2. He likes to make videos with drones. you. Have a look around and see if you can guess in the European TOP10. who this edition’s Mystery ICFOnian is! Look for the 3. He is a member of a professional racing answer in the next edition of ICFOnians. team in the eSports division. THE LAST WORD

HIGH PROFILE

“Focus on curiosity-driven research is a good niche for our Science Program because this research is often underappreciated by other funders. We also know that curiosity-driven research actually has a great track record in producing new technologies.”

Why does the Moore Foundation invest in basic Dr. Pejakovic leads the Moore Foundation’s Emer- discovery driven research versus new gent Phenomena in Quantum Systems Initiative, technologies that may potentially have a more which seeks to advance knowledge of the funda- immediate effect on society? mental organizing principles of complex quantum matter in solid materials. In addition, he develops Naturally, we appreciate the societal importance of and manages grant projects in physics, astronomy, new technologies and try to be well informed about earth science and sustainability science. developments on that front. Focus on curiosity-driven research is a good niche for our Science Program Directing a grantmaking program for a major because this research is often underappreciated by institution in scientific philanthropy sounds grantmaking allows us to design innovative and other funders. We also know that curiosity-driven fascinating. What motivated you to take this path? highly effective funding programs. The foundation’s research actually has a great track record in producing Indeed, a career in science philanthropy is incredibly inspiring goals and the opportunity to express my new technologies! In the physics of materials, famous exciting! Prior to joining the Moore Foundation, I had creativity through strategic grantmaking present a examples of completely serendipitous discoveries spent about fifteen years doing basic research. While perfect combination for me. that eventually led to transformative technologies research had many rewards, I had to focus on a narrow are superconductors, liquid crystals and conducting What type of societal impact does the Moore range of problems within my fields of expertise, which polymers. At the time these materials were discovered, Foundation seek to have through the Emergent is the case with every practicing scientist. But my it was hard to predict that they would have such a Phenomena in Quantum Systems Initiative? scientific interests have always been very broad, and tremendous technological impact. I saw a position in science philanthropy as a unique In solid materials, many billions of interacting quan- What criteria does the Moore Foundation use for opportunity to satisfy my curiosity while making an tum particles conspire to create an entire universe selecting the basic science projects they support? impact across diverse scientific disciplines. of complexity. The discovery and investigation of materials are a great intellectual adventure that First, we select projects of high importance. What in the Moore Foundation’s mission resonates deepens our understanding of how the universe Projects that we fund are typically very ambitious and, with your own personal and professional aspirations? works. The history of physics teaches us that new if successful, may change entire fields of research The foundation strives to create truly significant and knowledge about the organizing principles of or even open new fields. Second, and equally impor- lasting positive outcomes within its programmatic matter in solids often impacts other fields, such as tant, we want to assure that our funding is making a areas of interest. Not only are these programmatic high-energy physics, astrophysics, and quantum significant and measurable difference for the projects themes well chosen, but the foundation’s funding information science. In addition to supporting the and research teams that we support. Thus, we often approach makes so much sense to me. Our founders pure joy of learning about the hidden quantum fund projects at a very early stage or fill key funding stipulate that, to achieve our mission, we should make world, we hope that new materials and better un- gaps in large projects. We can greatly accelerate the strategic funding plans through a systematic, almost derstanding of what goes on in materials will lead pace of research by taking risks, acting quickly, and scientific approach, based on thorough research of to the development of devices and technologies allowing creative scientists considerable freedom in programmatic and funding landscapes. This style of that have great practical value. their investigations.

Science Quiz Recently these ICFOnians were ICFO post-docs, now they Go, fly, and lead the quantum revolution! are assistant professors. Who published which article?

A) 'Real-time dynamics of lattice gauge theories with a few-qubit quantum computer'

B) 'Cavity quantum electrodynamics with atom-like mirrors'

C) 'Measurement-induced nonlocal entanglement in a hot, Christine Muschik Ana Asenjo-García Margherita Mazzera Jia Kong strongly-interacting atomic system' Institute for Quantum Columbia University Heriot-Watt Hangzhou Dianzi Computing, University University University D) 'Laser-written integrated platform for quantum storage of of Waterloo heralded single photons' * Find answers on pg. 2

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