Khalifa University Organises I2DM Summit 2025 To Explore Graphene And Advanced Materials Innovations

Khalifa University of Science and Technology has launched the second Innovative and Industrial 2D and Advanced Materials Summit (I2DM 2025) at its Main Campus in Abu Dhabi. Organised by the university's Research and Innovation Center for Graphene and 2D Materials (RIC2D), the event is in collaboration with the Phantoms Foundation. It is supported by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, along with Khalifa University Enterprises Company (KUEC).

The summit, running from 17-20 November 2025, gathers over 300 participants, including leading international industries and startups. These entities showcase innovations and real-world applications while promoting collaboration in advanced materials. This progress impacts sectors like water, energy, aerospace, healthcare, and high-precision manufacturing. The event commenced with senior officials from Khalifa University alongside delegates from academia and industry.

Professor Hassan Arafat, Senior Director at RIC2D, stated that hosting this global gathering in Abu Dhabi highlights Khalifa University's growing role in advanced materials research. "Our infrastructure and industry partnerships continue to drive an economy powered by technology-backed startups and innovation," he said. The UAE invests in knowledge commercialisation to build real capability, illustrating how academia-industry collaboration accelerates impactful technologies.

Building on last year's inaugural summit success, the second edition features a plenary session with Nobel Laureate in Physics (2010), Professor Sir Kostya Novoselov from the National University of Singapore. He will discuss how advances in 2D materials could reshape electronics' future and quantum technologies. This session aims to provide insights into potential technological transformations.

The summit includes seven keynote speakers, 38 invited lectures, an exclusive pitching session, and an industry forum. These elements create a global platform for collaboration among researchers, industry experts, and emerging technology startups. The I2DM 2025 exhibition hosts 22 companies such as Khalifa University spinoff INTRATOMICS, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Merck, ESANanotech, Edinburgh Instruments, and the Technology Innovation Institute (TII) - Abu Dhabi.

Dr. Mamoun Taher designed and chaired the pitching session which brought together 20 pioneering startups. This session supports building a dynamic platform for transforming cutting-edge inventions into impactful startups. It also enables strategic connections with Khalifa University and the innovation ecosystem positioning Abu Dhabi as a strong emerging advanced technology hub.

Over the coming days, technical sessions will continue alongside exhibitions and networking activities. These are designed to strengthen partnerships and translate advanced materials research into real-world solutions. The summit aims to foster collaborations that drive technological advancements across various industries.

The event underscores Abu Dhabi's position as a platform for local and international collaborations in advanced technology fields. By bringing together diverse stakeholders from academia and industry, it seeks to accelerate innovation that delivers tangible impact globally.

With inputs from WAM