The mission of the CEMS research unit Science of Graphene and Related 2D Structures (G2D) is to provide a framework for highly competitive level of research on the international level, which is focused on graphene and related 2D materials, to gather a team of scientists
capable of acquiring funding from most competitive EU and other international funding sources, and to promote research motivated by applications of direct interest for the Croatian hi-tech, SME, and industrial sectors. The synergy of the G2D and CEMS as a whole is ubiquitous for achieving those objectives.
The scientific focus of the G2D is on graphene, a 2D crystal of carbon atoms arranged in a honeycomb lattice, and follow-up 2D materials which complement graphene and extend versatility regarding physical and chemical properties and related applications. The research on graphene runs at an intensive pace for almost a decade now, being one of the most active fields in today’s scientific research in general. The potential of 2D materials to revolutionize technologies was recognized globally, which poured considerable research funding around this topic. For example, the Graphene flagship programme by the EU invests one billion Euro in the period 2013-2023 specifically in a direction of future emerging technologies (FET) based on graphene and follow-up 2D materials.
The capacities of the team are based on our own research results on graphene, which stands on equal footing with respect to industrially far more developed countries, as well as on a broad expertise concentrated in the team in versatile topics that can be streamed towards 2D materials-related topics. This enabled us to develop a concept based on a closed cycle of research involving different types of innovative synthesis, a broad range of characterization methods and a strong support in theoretical modelling, thus granting for G2D’s independence and open innovativeness. The strength of the team should be emphasized. All team members are in the middle or early stage of their career, highly productive, with the track records ranking them among top scientists in Croatia.