The Institute of Photonic Sciences (ICFO) and Advanced Material Pandemic & Future Preparedness Taskforce (AMPT) sign Memorandum of Understanding to facilitate solving global challenges using advanced materials • International network to pool expertise to create international synergies to respond to imminent societal needs

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Barcelona, November 11, 2020

ICFO and the International Advanced Material Pandemic & Future Preparedness Taskforce (AMPT) announce a new cooperative agreement to collaborate on programs and initiatives to help fast track advanced material solutions to solve global challenges such as Covid-19.

The agreement, in the form of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), formalizes the mutual interaction and strengthens the existing relationship between ICFO and the AMPT at the strategic and working levels.

The supportive relationship is established to acknowledge the commitment of both organizations to develop thought leadership, coordinate activities, share knowledge and resources in recognition of the need for an international, interdisciplinary advanced material platform and network that can develop advanced material-enabled solutions to address some of humanity’s most immediate challenges.

ICFO is a research institute that carries out frontier research in the field of photonic sciences and their industrial and medical applications, with a vocation of excellence, high quality and global impact. The main areas of application are nanomaterials and nanotechnologies, quantum technologies, medical imaging and advanced diagnostics, multiple types of sensors, laser systems, and the use of solar energy and the care of the environment, among others.

“At ICFO we are constantly looking at how to apply technologies we develop to society’s problems, and we are excited about the possibilities that AMPT opens!”, says Silvia Carrasco, head of ICFO’s Knowledge and Technology Transfer unit.

AMPT is an international, public-benefit multidisciplinary initiative of over 15 country chapters focused on building a global infrastructure and an ecosystem network that enables the advanced material community to respond swiftly and effectively under the umbrella of Future Preparedness.

“This is a significant step. Both organizations have the shared objective of translating material science into impactful solutions. This MoU provides a solid basis for sharing of knowledge, aligning of activities and bridging the gap towards the common goal of using material science for societal impact.” comments Dr. Zina Jarrahi Cinker, the Director General at AMPT.

ICREA Professor at ICFO Dr. Frank Koppens, an international reference in the field of nano-materials including graphene adds, “AMPT’s vast network of thought leaders and experts sets the framework for productive international synergies that we value at ICFO. We as scientists do have a responsibility to respond to imminent societal needs, and AMPT is the right platform to facilitate this.”

John Hoffman, CEO of GSMA, Ltd and fellow member of the AMPT Steering Committee comments, “Following our long-lasting working relationship with ICFO, I am very excited that we launched this new cooperation between ICFO and AMPT. ICFO and AMPT have in common the capability of operating across the boundaries of science, society, industries and health. I’m looking forward to further exploring new boundary crossing solutions.”

Advanced Material Pandemic and Future Preparedness Taskforce (AMPT) is an international public-interest initiative focused on using Advances in Material Science to help solve some of humanity’s most pressing challenges.

As an international cooperative platform, the multidisciplinary taskforce is building a global infrastructure and an ecosystem network that enables the advanced material community to respond swiftly and effectively under the umbrella of Future Preparedness. The AMPT Future Preparedness verticals include: preparedness for Emergencies & Disasters such as pandemics, preparedness for Emerging Needs such as Green renewable energy and quantum technology infrastructure and preparedness for Global Challenges such as climate change and carbon waste. Through this global platform, AMPT is set to gather and disseminate critical information & intelligence. Communicate. Coordinate. Strategize. Mobilize expertise and resources and Respond.

Currently with over 15 country chapters, 10 working groups and over 30 institutions, AMPT is set to establish a comprehensive roadmap, library of knowledge and map of user-centric needs to deliver a framework to devise strategies, coordinate global activities and fast track solutions to address the technological and societal needs of the post pandemic world.

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