NanoSpace Training School on Advanced Characterization of Carbon Materials
(Benasque Science Center, Jan 19 - Jan 23, 2026)

Organizers:

R. Arenal (LMA-U. Zaragoza and INMA, CSIC-U. Zaragoza)

Motivation and overview

This NanoSpace Training School on Advanced Characterization of Carbon Materials is organized by the COST Action NanoSpace (CA21126). The COST NanoSpace Advanced Characterization of Carbon Materials Training School aims to provide a broad and comprehensive overview of these (nano)materials, offering a scientific foundation to understand the behavior of the materials and the experimental and theoretical characterization techniques, as well as their potential applications in astrochemistry. The science of (nano-)carbon materials (nanotubes, graphene, nanodiamonds, fullerenes, nanoporous structures, cyclic nanotube rings (CPPs), and ribbons) has recently seen significant advances. A critical aspect is to have access to their atomic structure, and composition, as well as their physical and chemical properties. The Winter School in Benasque (Aragon, Spain) will offer specialized knowledge to COST NanoSpace participants (mainly PhD students, and young researchers), systematically addressing the description of (nano)materials and the principal and advanced methods and techniques for their characterization and study, with a special emphasis on their potential applications in astrochemistry.

Programme

The program will include sessions with the following topics and lecturers as well as series of participant posters session:

• Introduction to Carbon Nanomaterials - Chris EWELS, CNRS-IMN, France
• Kicking Out Electrons: What Photoemission Tells Us About Carbon Materials - Paola AYALA, Vienna Univ., Austria
• Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) - Imaging and Spectroscopy on Carbon Nanomaterials - Raúl ARENAL, INMA-CSIC-Universidad de Zaragoza, Spain
• Modelling for Experimentalists: The Case of Carbon Defects - Chris EWELS, CNRS-IMN, France
• Probing the Matter with infrared and Raman Spectroscopies: from Molecules to Solids - Cedric PARDANAUD, CNRS-PIIM, France
• Scanning Probe Microscopy/Spectroscopy (AFM, STM-STS, KPM...) Studies on Carbon Materials - José Ángel MARTIN-GAGO, ICMM-CSIC, Spain
• First principles modelling of electronic, structural, and vibrational properties of carbon materials - Vincent MEUNIER, Penn State Univ., USA
• Spectral features and Photophysics of Laboratory Analogues of Carbonaceous Nanograins - Thomas PINO, CNRS-ISMO, France
• Laboratory IR Spectroscopy of Astrophysically Relevant Molecules and Ions using Fancy Lasers - Jos OOMENS, HFML-FELIX, The Netherlands

Important dates

First announcement and registration starts: 3 October 2025
Registration deadline: 30 November 2025
Announcement of the final (and backup) lists of registered participants as well as those eligible for COST financial support: 5 December 2025
Deadline for the payment of the 'Benasque Transportation and Dinners package' as confirmation of attendance: 19 December 2025

Registration

The School will be in person with attendance limited to 33 trainees and with priority given to PhD students and Young Researchers, who are strongly encouraged to participate. There is no registration fee and the NanoSpace COST Action will provide financial support (i.e. reimbursement after the event, covering full or partial travel, accommodation, and subsistence costs)* for a significant number of participants (at least ~15-20), with high priority to those with a primary affiliation in an institution located in an Inclusiveness Target Country (ITC) / Near Neighbour Country (NNC) participating in the Action**. The information requested in the registration form will be used to select the final list of registered participants as well as those eligible for financial support, which will be notified in advance of the Training School (i.e., by 5th December 2025). The attendees are expected to arrange their own travel and accommodation.

* The applicants eligible for financial support (i.e., reimbursement after the event) are requested to consult the COST Annotated Rules for information about COST rules and procedures for Training Schools. The financial support does not necessarily cover all expenses related to participating in the Training School and they are contributions to the overall travel, accommodation, and meal expenses of the trainee.

** Please consult the specific ITC and NNC countries and any COST special measures taken regarding the participation of researchers/innovators from some countries in the Annex I of Level A Country and Organizations.

Organizing Committee and contact

Organizer - COST NanoSpace Training & Development Coordinator: Raul Arenal, (INMA, CSIC-UNIZAR, Spain)
COST NanoSpace Action Chair: Aníbal García Hernández, (IAC, Spain)

- For more information about the School, please contact Raul Arenal (arenal@unizar.es).
- For information about COST NanoSpace contact the Action Chair: Aníbal Garcia Hernández (agarcia@iac.es).

Venue

Benasque (Aragon, Spain) is situated in the Pyrenees range and is a popular skiing venue.
The Cerler ski centre is only 7km from the center. You can also find the Hospital de Benasque (spa and skiing) 11 km from the center of Benasque.

Passports and Visas

Most non-European citizens entering Spain must bring a valid passport. For European nationals a valid identity card suffices. Most foreign participants must also acquire an entry visa from the diplomatic mission that represents Spain in their home country. Plan well ahead of time, since issuing an entry visa may take weeks. In general, the applicant must apply in person.

More information can be found at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs website.

Practical Information

- Currency Exchange: Only Euro is acceptable as currency at stores and restaurants. You can exchange money at the airport or a bank. Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) are plentiful.
- Insurance: Participants are advised to take care of their own personal insurance. School organizers will carry no responsibility in case of an accident, sickness, theft or other property damage.
- Time Zone Information: The Spanish time zone during the summer is GMT+2:00.
- Electrical Appliances: Spain operates on 220 Volts, 50 Hz AC for electrical appliances.

Benasque transportation and dinners package

Bus transportation

Registration & accommodation