FCT-NOVA and Grupo Nature launch new scientific journal

This new open-access project for disseminating knowledge in the field of 2D materials is a partnership between FCT-NOVA and the Nature Group, with the support of the European Materials Research Society (E-MRS).

The idea arose three years ago, after FCT-UNL participated in the workshop “Frontiers and Materials: Spintronics” promoted by E-MRS and the Nature Group. The meeting highlighted the remarkable activity of Portuguese units specializing in the areas of Advanced Materials, Nanotechnologies, and Applications. It was realized that there was no interdisciplinary platform for sharing and disseminating research projects on two-dimensional materials.

Having identified this gap and recognizing the prestige and experience of the CENIMAT/I3N and CEMOP Centers—part of the Department of Materials Science at FCT-UNL—the Nature group challenged the institution to lead the project to create a new online scientific journal entirely dedicated to materials science research, as well as to involve European academics and researchers. This invitation was immediately accepted by FCT-NOVA, which thus became the first Portuguese institution to work in partnership with the renowned Nature journal.

Although considered a recent scientific field, research into 2D materials has grown significantly since 2004, thanks to the identification and characterization of various two-dimensional and crystalline materials. The first material in this new class is graphene, which consists of carbon atoms arranged in a hexagonal lattice and has extraordinary and unique properties: it is extremely strong (stronger than steel), very light, and flexible. In addition, it is a highly conductive material for electricity and heat.

During the E-MRS Conference in France, the potential of this new category of [2D] materials and its countless applications for the technology, health, sports, and even textile industries became clear. Sustainable, creative, and innovative solutions are being developed for the construction of electronic equipment and multifunctional, intelligent, and interactive systems.

Encouraging research into 2D materials and giving visibility and space to the authors of emerging trends and developments in this area are the main objectives of the new npj 2D Materials and Applications. Published weekly, this online scientific journal aims to publish articles and content of international relevance, in open access, using the credible platform nature.com to disseminate its content.

On the FCT-NOVA side, the project is led by Rodrigo Martins, researcher responsible for CEMOP/Uninova, in the area of applications, and scientist Elvira Fortunato, in the areas of electronics and nanotechnology. The magazine's editorial board also includes a Portuguese researcher, Luís Pereira from CENIMAT/I3N/CEMOP. He will be the first Portuguese national to be appointed to an editorial position at the Nature Group.

This year, the Department of Materials Science at FCT-NOVA celebrates its 40th anniversary, and the partnership established with Springer Nature and E-MRS for the creation of npj 2D Materials and Applicationshighlights the prestige of the institution and the excellence of its units' activities in the fields of Advanced Materials, Nanotechnologies, and Creative and Innovative Applications.