Abu dhabi: Khalifa University of Science and Technology today inaugurated the second edition of the Innovative and Industrial 2D and Advanced Materials Summit (I2DM 2025) at its Main Campus in Abu Dhabi. The summit is organised by Khalifa University’s Research and Innovation Center for Graphene and 2D Materials (RIC2D) in collaboration with the Phantoms Foundation and supported by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, and Khalifa University Enterprises Company (KUEC).
According to Emirates News Agency, the event, running from 17-20 November 2025, brings together more than 300 participants, including pioneering international industries and startups that showcase innovations, real-world applications, and foster collaboration in advanced materials. The focus is on driving progress in sectors such as water, energy, aerospace, healthcare, and high-precision manufacturing. The event opened in the presence of senior officials from Khalifa University, alongside delegates from academia and industry.
Professor Hassan Arafat, Senior Director, RIC2D, stated that hosting this global gathering in Abu Dhabi underscores Khalifa University’s growing role as a center for advanced materials research and technology development. He highlighted that the university’s infrastructure and industry partnerships are pivotal in driving an economy powered by technology-backed startups and innovation. The UAE’s investment in knowledge and its commercialization builds real capability, and events like I2DM 2025 illustrate how collaboration between academia and industry accelerates technologies that deliver tangible impact.
Building on the success of last year’s inaugural summit, the 2nd 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 the future of electronics and quantum technologies. The summit includes a total of seven keynote speakers, 38 invited lectures, and an exclusive session for pitching, as well as an industry forum, creating a global platform for collaboration between researchers, industry experts, and emerging technology startups.
The I2DM 2025 exhibition is hosting 22 companies, including Khalifa University spinoff INTRATOMICS, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Merck, ESANanotech, Edinburgh Instruments, and the Technology Innovation Institute (TII) – Abu Dhabi. These entities represent the complete innovation chain from scientific instruments to industrial applications.
Designed and chaired by Dr. Mamoun Taher, technology entrepreneur and Director of Research and Innovation at RIC2D, the pitching session brought together 20 pioneering startups. This session supports the creation of a dynamic platform for transforming cutting-edge inventions into impactful startups and enables strategic connections with Khalifa University and the innovation ecosystem, positioning Abu Dhabi as a strong emerging advanced technology hub and a platform for local and international collaborations.
Over the coming days, the summit will continue with more technical sessions, exhibitions, and networking activities aimed at strengthening partnerships and translating advanced materials research into real-world solutions.