Projects
Current Team
Years
The N3Cat Initiative
Nanotechnology has been a relentless driving force behind countless advances in fields such as biology, chemistry, physics, computer science and electrical and computer engineering, among others. Wireless communications and networking are no exception to this trend and have been deeply impacted by the constant push of nanotechnology, which has led to smaller, faster, and more efficient communication systems. So much so, that wireless networks can now reach unprecedented locations and operate in extreme conditions: inside the body, within a single chip, under the water, or inside a quantum computer operating at cryogenic temperatures. The concept of nanonetworking, where the dimension of at least one element of the communication is in the nanoscale, thus becomes pertinent.
In this context, the Nanonetworking Center in Catalonia (N3Cat) was created in 2008 at Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC) as an initiative of Prof. Ian F. Akyildiz and Prof. Josep Solé-Pareta with the main goals of carrying fundamental research on nanonetworks and educating and training the new generation of students. During 15 years, the N3cat team has worked to advance in the emerging field of nanonetworking with a multidisciplinary approach, pushing the boundaries of biology, physics, and computer science in the pursuit of new promising applications.
The center has changed a lot in the past decade in response to the evolution of the nanonetworking field itself. Nanonetworks are no longer just the interconnection of nanomachines, understanding nanomachines as basic functional units at the nanoscale; but have become tiny networks in larger systems and, most likely, in extreme environments in terms of resources, mobility, or environmental conditions. As a result, the application pool has expanded to the quantum computing or the computer architecture domains.
In 2024, N3Cat is renewed to continue pushing the limits in the ever-changing field of nanonetworking. The internal structure, the website, and the research have changed, but the spirit of the center remains intact. With an international, collaborative, and educational character, as well as a comprehensive research approach across the communications and computing stacks and reaching beyond adjacent disciplines, we aim to continue being a reference in the field of nanonetworking.
OUR RESEARCH
LAST NEWS
Sergi Abadal awarded with 2025 National Research Award!
The scientific director of N3Cat Sergi Abadal has been awarded with 2025 National research award on the Matilde Ucelay category, in Engineering and Architecture. The award recognise the outstanding work as a young researcher in the fields of computer and communications engineering. Many congratulations Sergi for the remarkable achievement!!
Welcome to the new undergrad students
The new semester is already underway and we welcome the new undergrad students Xavier, Michael, Nathan, Justus, Marina, Johannes, Joan, Pawarit, Edgar, Pau, Biel, and Elouan! We wish the best to Matteo, Gonzalo, Ida, Emma, Mika, Emmanuel, Pau Mayench, Hastha, Ashwin, Balaji, Guerau, Marc, Aitor, and Daniel who already graduated.
Marc won a new PhD scholarship
Marc Fernández, our latest PhD student, has been awarded with the FI-STEP scholarship from the Catalan Government. The scholarship will fund his PhD studies. Congratulations, Marc!
New postdoctoral researcher
The group welcomes Dr. Rohit Sarma Sarkar to the team. Rohit will strengthen the team with his solid mathematical background and his already extensive experience in quantum computing. Welcome, Rohit!
New project!
The Spanish Ministry of Science has granted N3Cat with a new grant for a project called BLOSSOMS. The project explores how quantum communication can be introduced in networks for 5G and beyond. Sergi Abadal is the co-PI.
Ramón y Cajal fellowship for Genia!
Genia, who recently joined to lead the new NextG group, has won a Ramón y Cajal fellowship. This is arguably the best postdoctoral fellowship in Spain. Congrats, Genia, for this achievement!
New Research Group and Group Leader
We are glad to announce that N3Cat will have a fifth research group, called NextG. Evgenii (Genia) Vinogradov joins UPC to lead this group devoted to communications and networking for 6G and beyond.
‘Agustín de Betancourt y Molina’ Award
Our Scientific Director, Prof. Sergi Abadal, has been awarded the "Agustín de Betancourt y Molina" medal by the Real Academia de Ingeniería, recognizing his significant contributions to the field of nano-communications reflecting, computer architecture, wireless on-chip networks, artificial intelligence, molecular communications and many more. Huge congratulations, Sergi !!
Best undergraduate thesis
Arnau Brosa won the prize to the best undergraduate thesis of the Telecom BCN school for the academic year 2022-2023. Congrats Arnau!
Qualcomm fellowship
Mohammad Nasser has won a Qualcomm fellowship and will work with them to earn his PhD. Congratulations, Mohammad!
New students
We welcome Miquel as PhD student; Ezgi, Mika, Noa, Sergi, Laia, and Xavier as undergraduate students; and Ida and Ausilia as Erasmus interns.
Brand new website!
We are proud to inaugurate the new N3Cat website! We hope you like it.