Innovation and Product Development

Zero emission electric vehicles enabled by harmonised circularity. The ZEvRA project improves the circularity of light-duty electric vehicles (EVs) throughout their entire value chain, from materials supply and manufacturing to end-of-life (EoL) processes. To do so, ZEvRA develops a Design for Circularity (DfC) methodology and a holistic circularity assessment aimed at improving the production of electric vehicles based on the 9Rs concept. This methodology is validated by developing zero emission solutions for the most important automotive materials, covering over 84% of material mix. These solutions are supported by a set of digital tools to support the [...]

Development of a medical device for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The MOWOOT project develops the first medical device for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome, a common disorder that causes abdominal pain and irregular bowel movements. The device uses mechanical stimulation of the abdomen to interact with gastrointestinal mechanosensory cells and circuits, which are involved in the regulation of intestinal motility and sensitivity. The device also includes sensor technology and a digital platform with artificial intelligence to monitor and optimize treatment results. MOWOOT is based on the latest research on the role of [...]

Creation of a cyber-physical device that monitors and optimizes the plastic injection process. The DASIT project develops a cyber-physical prototype that allows real-time and remote monitoring of the injection process, obtaining direct data from sensors embedded in the mould and indirect data through a device connected to the mould. The device powered by DASIT is energy efficient, by integrating an energy harvesting system, and has a geolocation system through the implementation of advanced technologies to track the location of the molds. It is a cloud-connected wireless device with a low-cost approach. In addition, data quality validation [...]

Feasibility study on the activation of sensitive capabilities in the surface materials of kitchen furniture to accelerate the digitization of professional kitchens. The FURN4COOK project has tested the integration of advanced electronics embedded in the surface layers and materials of the kitchen equipment to facilitate control and access to the options of the digital environment, stimulate more inclusive co-creation activities in the work processes and offer new value utilities to professional and domestic kitchen users. Specifically, Eurecat, through the Product Innovation and Multiphysics Simulation Unit, has developed an invisible and transparent interface system for the user, [...]

Development of a new generation of eco-designed and automated circular knitting machines. The EcoTex project focuses on reducing the environmental impact in the production of circular knitting machines, implementing a sustainable design and optimizing the use of materials. EcoTex improves the ergonomics of the operator with a solution that contemplates the redesign of the machine in order  to reduce its environmental impact, the development of specific sensors, predictive maintenance, and improving the ergonomy throught automated needle feeding and loading systems. This initiative arises as a response to the urgent need to reduce the environmental impact in [...]

Prototype for the monitoring and control of exotic species. The EXOVIEWER project develops a station prototype that detects invasive exotic species from abroad. EXOVIEWER integrates multi-capture insect traps in a single device (prototype in trailer format) to obtain photographs of the capture sheets, from cameras, and send them for identification and subsequent classification. The monitoring of the insects will serve to have an almost real-time control, through the cameras and physical captures in the sheets, of the evolution of each species and to be able to take the pertinent preventive measures that will improve the competitiveness [...]

Innovative smart ski boot that allows the skier to improve his technique and, additionally, can be used as a touring boot to walk with ease and more comfort than the existing ones. FLEXOSKIBOOTS is an industrial research project that addresses two unresolved challenges in the ski sector. In the first place, the development of new ski boots that solve the main problems of the current ones, such as discomfort and pain during skiing, as well as the lack of versatility to use them as touring boots. And, secondly, getting the boots to be intelligent and provide [...]

The new panot of the XXI century. In 1906, Barcelona City Council ran a tender, which Escofet won, to standardise the designs of its “panots”, the paving stones that have fundamentally shaped the image of Barcelona's streets. One hundred and fifteen years later, through the BIT Habitat Foundation, it is launching a new challenge: “Rethinking the panot for the 21st century” to make it more sustainable while keeping its iconic design intact. The R3PANOT proposal, one of the three finalist projects presented by Escofet and Promsa, both companies from the Cementos Molins Group, and Eurecat, is [...]

Collaboration in the development of the ABLE exoskeleton: light, easy to use and affordable, aimed at patients with spinal cord injuries. The ABLE Human Motion project helps people with paraplegia due to a spinal cord injury to stand up and walk independently again thanks to a wearable exoskeleton. ABLE uses a patented electrical actuator to flex and extend the knee during walking, mimicking natural human movement. The technology also includes inertial sensors that detect the user's intention to take a step forward. Spinal cord injury is a catastrophic event that pushes five million people worldwide into a life [...]

Knowledge and innovation community designed to strengthen and transform Europe’s Cultural and Creative Sectors and Industries (CCSI). The EIT Culture & Creativity initiative, promoted by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), connects creatives and organisations to Europe’s largest innovation network. The objectives of the EIT Culture & Creativity are: Empower and connect creatives and innovators across Europe and contribute to a more resilient, sustainable and transformational sector. Unlock the latent value of a multitude of small cultural and creative stakeholders through technology transfer, improved cross-sectoral collaboration and their effective integration in production value networks. [...]

Suspension vibratory system by means of rigid braces anchored to a fixed support. The INSTAVIB project allows the improvement of the performance and neuromuscular response of athletes training in suspension by vibration. INSTAVIB has developed a wireless laboratory prototype through an app with the mechanical capacity to vibrate loads of more than 100kg at the desired frequencies. This electronics, which has been validated with users, can measure different parameters to know the effort that the athlete is making. In addition, the system has different security mechanisms. The project has jointly applied the knowledge of motor mechanisms [...]

Experimental development of tangible interfaces through furniture to improve the user experience during control and interaction in smart kitchens. The TANGIBLE project integrates tangible interface technologies (TUI, Tangible User Interfaces) on the surfaces and materials of the kitchen equipment. TANGIBLE offers new value utilities to professional and domestic kitchen users by developing an immersive online social interaction space based on an extended reality from a machine learning agent. The project also facilitates the control of the options of the digital environment, stimulating more inclusive co-creation activities in work processes. The use of new technologies such as [...]

Enhanced rapid tests for perinatal group B streptococci (GBS) diagnosis in pregnant women and their babies. The AmpliSens project addresses the development of a rapid and portable molecular test for the screen-out of neonatal sepsis caused by GBS in the blood or cerebrospinal fluid of the newborn, as well as for the screening of pregnant women. The product developed by the project, AmpliFast, relies on two modules: a battery-operated hand-held thermocycler to perform double-tagging end-point PCR in combination with a rapid diagnostic test platform consisting of a reader and a disposable cartridge. The diagnostic test is rapid and [...]

Boosting the implementation of 5G technology. The NNDTC project implements radio frequency (RF) devices that allow the tuning of the radio frequency heads of mobile terminals, responding to the 5G technology implementation challenges by means of electromechanical microstructure manufacturing technology (MEMS). NNDTC proves, for the very first time, the feasibility of RF-MEMS in complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) substrate with the appropriate performance to undertake the antenna tunning function. The technological challenge is to provide solutions to the problems of reliability, encapsulation and electrical performance in standard manufacturing processes of conventional integrated circuits. A key aspect of NNDTC is the [...]

Optimisation of photovoltaic technology for self-consumption in the building. The OPTIMA project develops innovative systems to make the most efficient use of solar energy applied to self-consumption in the building. The system proposed by OPTIMA presents competitive advantages regarding current roof-top installations: Greater electricity production per power and surface units, thus maximising the use of roofs. Greater linkage between the hours of generation and those of consumption, reducing energy dependence on the network and the necessary contracted power. Greater efficiency in energy conversion through the use of the latest generation Wide Band Gap (WBG) electronic devices, which has [...]