The mission of the Institut Català de Nanociència i Nanotecnologia (ICN2) is to achieve the highest level of scientific and technological excellence in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology. Its research lines focus on the newly-discovered physical and chemical properties that arise from the behavior of matter at the nanoscale. ICN2 has been awarded with the Severo Ochoa Center of Excellence distinction for three consecutive periods (2014-2018, 2018-2022 and 2022-2026). ICN2 aims to be influential in the scientific community for its ground-breaking research and in society for its ultimate impact in innovative, transformative and sustainable solutions to tackle societal challenges.

As part of CERCA (Centres de Reçerca de Catalunya) and BIST (Institute of Science and Nanotechnology of Barcelona), ICN2 participates in different collaboration programs with hospitals and companies to develop various projects in the area of Health.

The ICN2 Magnetic Nanostructures Group aims to understand and improve the functional properties of diverse types of magnetic and magnetophotonic nanostructures (nanoparticles and thin films). The group combines lithography and chemical synthesis with structural, morphological, optical, colloidal and magnetic characterisation to investigate diverse basic aspects of magnetic, magnetophotonic, and electrochemical nanostructures. The final goal is the application of these nanostructures for advanced and externally controlled nanotherapies, contrast agents, environmental remediation and sensors. The group also pushes at the limits of microscopy, synchrotron and neutron techniques to develop novel approaches to studying nanoscale objects.