The prize-giving in the nanoKOMIK challenge took place this afternoon at the headquarters of the DSS2016 (Donostia-San Sebastian Capital of Culture 2016). The first prize was for Crisis cardíaca (Heart Failure), a work that explores applying nanotechnology to biomedicine and which was produced by Dayanne Huayhua (Aranjuez). The second prize went to Asier Murillo (Iruñea-Pamplona) for his comic Milan Man, a topical story about immigration in the Mediterranean. The audience prize and a special prize were also awarded.

NANOKOMIK 66 grupo

Through the nanoKOMIK project, the research centres CIC nanoGUNE and the DIPC (Donostia International Physics Centre) are seeking to get over to the general public the potential of the advances taking place in the field of nanoscience and nanotechnology and to stimulate the creativity of youngsters. The most original ideas entered for the challenge will be recreated by a professional cartoonist in an informative comic to be published at the end of the year. The project was funded by the Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology (FECYT).

Over one hundred youngsters participated in this first nanoKOMIK challenge entering works in Basque, Spanish and French. In their creations they tackled a whole range of subjects (health sciences, society, environment, technology, etc.) in a comic format. All the entries can be seen at www.nanokomik.com and will be displayed at the headquarters of the DSS2016 over the coming days.

NANOKOMIK 70 bigvan

Ricardo Díez-Muiño, Director of the DIPC, Txema Pitarke, CEO of nanoGUNE, Sonia Arnés, representative of the FECYT, and Lorena Montejo, head of the Faro de las Voces of the DSS2016, participated in the prize-giving. The winners received digital drawing tablets, science fiction comics and FNAC membership cards. After the prize-giving, those present had the chance to enjoy a scientific, humorous show specially created for nanoKOMIK by the Big Van monologists.

Awards

First prize

NANOKOMIK 24 DHuayhua

Title: Crisis cardiaca.

Author: Dayanne Huayhua Calicho

The judges highlighted the use of a metaphor to make known one of the major challenges facing nanotechnology: the use of nanorobots in biomedicine.

Second prize

NANOKOMIK 21 AMurillo

Title: Milan man

Author: Asier Murillo Iriarte

The judges emphasised the topicality of the subject of the work: immigrants and small boats in the Mediterranean.

Special mention

NANOKOMIK 22 EVergel

Title: Lizard Guy – El hombre lagarto

Author: Elena Vergel Pla

The judges mentioned the good integration of the scientific basis into the script and the use of humour to enrich the story.

Audience award

NANOKOMIK 28 CAraujo

Title: Hielo y fuego

Author: Claudia Araujo Vallejo

The audience of the www.nanokomik.com website has selected the "Hielo y Fuego" in an open voting.