From June 30 to July 3, Professor Hirata participated in Graphene2026, an international conference held in Barcelona, Spain, where he presented our latest research findings.

Graphene2026 is an international conference focusing on graphene and other two-dimensional (2D) materials and van der Waals (vdW) materials. The conference covered a broad range of topics, from fundamental physical properties and material synthesis to nanometrology and device applications. Researchers from around the world gathered for highly active discussions and research exchanges. The conference featured many leading researchers in the field, including Professor Andre Geim of the University of Manchester, who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2010 for his pioneering research on graphene; Professor Pablo Jarillo-Herrero of MIT, renowned for his groundbreaking research on superconductivity in moiré superlattices; and Professor Andrea C. Ferrari of the University of Cambridge, internationally recognized for his work on Raman spectroscopy of graphene and other 2D materials. The conference featured cutting-edge research on a wide range of topics, including graphene, transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs), and hBN, as well as van der Waals heterostructures, moiré materials, nanodevices, and applications in energy and environmental technologies. In addition to fundamental studies of the physical properties of 2D materials, active discussions were held on large-area synthesis, device fabrication, and the integration of different materials toward practical applications. The conference provided a valuable opportunity to gain insights into the latest trends and future directions in 2D materials research.

Professor Hirata presented our research on high-speed synthesis of 2D materials and fabrication of van der Waals heterostructures using the SAHP (Sputtering-Annealing Hybrid Process) method. In his presentation, he introduced the key features of the SAHP method, which enables significantly faster synthesis of 2D materials than conventional CVD methods, as well as our future plans for scaling up the technology and developing functional devices based on these materials.

During the conference, Professor Hirata also exchanged ideas with researchers from around the world and discussed the latest developments in 2D material synthesis, characterization techniques, and device applications. The conference provided valuable opportunities to establish new research connections that may lead to future international collaborations.

The knowledge and research connections gained through participation in Graphene2026 will be leveraged to further advance our research toward the high-speed and large-area synthesis of 2D materials and van der Waals heterostructures, as well as their application to next-generation nanodevices.