Open day at ICFO
ICFO’s Open Day attracted more than 300 visitors eager to discover and learn about the fascinating world of photonics.
On October 10th, 2025, and after 10 years, ICFO opened its doors to the public at large, with the goal of showing and giving visibility to the research that is done in the center. From the morning until late evening, ICFO became a hub of excitement and discovery, offering visitors of all ages the chance to experience science first-hand. With the aim of bringing photonics research closer to society and showing the impact it has in our daily lives, the day was organized in guided lab visits, interactive activities, and talks by ICFO scientists who shared how light is shaping the future in fields such as health, energy, communications, and the environment.
The Open Day was structured in three sessions designed to reach different audiences. The morning session, ICFO Open Day for Schools, welcomed high-school students and teachers eager to explore science beyond the classroom. In the afternoon, the center opened its doors to families, providing an engaging experience for young and curious minds, while the evening session, ICFO by Night, invited the general public to experience a unique overview of the cutting-edge research through different types of activities.
Visitors had the opportunity to tour ICFO’s laboratories, meet the researchers that have authored important discoveries achieved by institute, and take part in a wide range of hands-on demonstrations and activities. Among them, participants could explore how fluids become visible through a Schlieren camera, experiment exfoliating graphene using adhesive tape and a graphite pencil to obtain atom-thin carbon layers, and take part in the Mission Impossible challenge, discovering how light behaves when it travels through different materials and understanding when lasers can been seeing under certain atmospheric conditions and when not.
The day concluded with a vibrant Science Market, where attendees could further explore ICFO’s innovations and interact with scientists in a relaxed atmosphere.
More than 80 ICFOnians from across research groups and operational teams contributed to the event’s success. They volunteered their time and enthusiasm — sharing their research with visitors, leading guided tours, and supporting every aspect of the organization to make this special day possible.
The ICFO Open Day once again showcased ICFO’s commitment to public engagement and science education, inspiring new generations and strengthening the connection between research and society.