National Projects

Sustainable and customizable energy solutions for next-generation devices. The PHOTO-RECIRCUIT project drives the development of sustainable and customizable energy solutions for next-generation Internet of Things (IoT) devices, aimed at extending their lifespan and reducing their environmental impact. This initiative is developing a disruptive printed circuit board (PCB) technology using recycled steel substrates, designed to tackle the industry's heavy reliance on batteries and critical raw materials. The solution is based on PCBs with a recyclable steel core, functionalized with advanced vitreous coatings and integrated photovoltaic harvesters. This architecture enables the creation of low-power IoT devices that overcome [...]

Advanced protective coatings obtained through PVD and CVD to increase the service life of tools, dies and moulds used in hot-working material processes. HOT-COAT develops advanced protective coatings, obtained through PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) and CVD (Chemical Vapor Deposition) technologies, to increase the service life of tools, dies, and molds used in hot-working material processes (hot forging, hot stamping, and plastic injection molding), while also improving the quality of the final surface finish of the processed parts. To this end, the project includes the implementation of new technologies for producing coatings with high functional performance (tribomechanical, [...]

Autonomous system for internal blade inspection aimed at predictive maintenance in wind turbine blades. The project develops an autonomous system for the internal inspection of wind turbine blades using a pendular drone specifically designed to operate in confined environments with complex internal geometries. The system integrates advanced sensing technologies—such as LiDARs (Light Detection and Ranging), optical and thermal cameras, and ultrasound sensors—combined with artificial intelligence techniques to accurately and automatically detect structural defects. In addition, the project incorporates GPS-denied autonomous navigation based on SLAM techniques (Simultaneous Localization and Mapping), advanced trajectory control and real-time data transmission, [...]

Autonomous platform for intelligent sewer network inspection. The DRONSEWER project develops an autonomous platform for intelligent sewer inspection using a drone equipped with computer vision, LiDAR sensors (Light Detection and Ranging) and advanced artificial intelligence algorithms. The system automates the inspection of internal channels, enhances operator safety, and generates objective data to optimize infrastructure management and maintenance. DRONSEWER integrates a robotic platform resistant to harsh environments, an advanced navigation system capable of operating without GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System), and real-time obstacle avoidance methods. It also incorporates artificial intelligence tools for automatic defect localization and quantification, [...]

Autonomous and integrated cognition for robots in dynamic and variable scenarios The COGNITIUM project develops an advanced cognitive robotic system based on the TIAGo PRO platform, designed to operate autonomously in semi-structured and highly variable environments. The project, carried out by the Robotics and Automation unit of Eurecat together with PAL Robotics, aims to progress from technology readiness levels (TRL) 3–4 up to TRL 5, with a functional demonstration in a relevant environment. COGNITIUM integrates state-of-the-art advances in cognitive robotics, intelligent manipulation and generative artificial intelligence, combining perception, semantic understanding and autonomous action execution. The project [...]

Innovative, sustainable, and smart solutions to improve tourism management in Barcelona. The TIC I TURISME project promotes the use of technology, data, and innovation to optimize tourism management in Barcelona, fostering a more sustainable, intelligent, and responsible model The project includes several complementary actions aimed at generating knowledge, improving existing digital tools, and promoting technology transfer to the sector. Among them, the statistical operation for measuring the occupancy of tourist accommodations through the Tourism Data System (TDS) stands out, providing reliable and up-to-date indicators to support decision-making. Additionally, a study based on mobile phone data has [...]

Object reconstruction and instant pose assessment for the automation of intralogistics and manufacturing operations. The ORIGAMI project develops an advanced perception-driven robotic technology to enhance BitMetrics’ Pick[+] solution, enabling robots to manipulate unknown, moving, and cluttered objects in real time. The project combines automatic 3D reconstruction with visual servoing in a unified closed-loop framework, allowing robot actions to be continuously updated based on live visual input. ORIGAMI offers a highly accurate, adaptive, and versatile alternative to traditional picking systems, which often separate perception and motion planning and struggle to respond to unexpected object movements or dynamic [...]

Dynamic control cabin testing. DYCCAT addresses the challenge of automating dynamic testing on train cab control desks, removing the need for precise pre-positioning. Through 3D vision and geometric registration algorithms, the system developed in DYCCAT recognises the geometry of the desk and accurately locates its controls, regardless of their initial position. This enables the robot to autonomously identify each element and intelligently manipulate the desk’s controls. A key feature of DYCCAT is its flexibility: the solution is agnostic to the position and type of test desk, as long as its digital model is available. This allows [...]

Climate huts to adapt the coast and its activities to future conditions BARRACLIM monitors hydro-morpho-ecological interactions along the land–sea gradient in the Ebro Delta, both under current conditions and simulated future scenarios. Based on this knowledge, the project assesses the impacts on agriculture and aquaculture and proposes nature-based and integrated management solutions to enhance the resilience of the Delta to climate change. In addition, BARRACLIM quantifies the Blue Carbon potential by studying vertical accretion and carbon sequestration, with the aim of defining a specific strategy for the territory. The project also includes the deployment and standardisation [...]

Consolidation of reclaimed water as a safe and reliable source in Catalonia, improving the quality of water bodies and strengthening resilience against the impacts of climate change. DECIDEIX provides tools to safely plan direct and indirect potable reuse schemes, proposing and applying innovative strategies to increase public acceptance of reclaimed water use. The project improves and expands the tool developed in the SUGGEREIX project for decision-making in treatment and monitoring systems for reuse schemes. This updated and expanded tool will include both direct and indirect potable uses, as well as new protective values for reclaimed water [...]

MICROWORLD PUERTOS identifies microorganisms capable of biodegrading micro- and nanoplastics in the waters of the Port of Tarragona and La Pineda beach, through the analysis of plastic-degrading microbial strains. These strains are identified from plastic debris found in the waters and beaches of Tarragona to ensure they are well adapted to local Mediterranean conditions. In addition, the study assesses the potential toxicity of plastics through experimental, microbiological, and bioinformatic models. Plastic pollution is one of the most pressing environmental concerns today, as microplastic polymers are persistent, widespread, and can affect ecosystems and human health by entering [...]

Obtaining new protein sources through fermentation of agri-food by-products for the development of high value-added products. NOVAFERM studies the valorisation of by-products of plant origin, from organic farming, through solid-state fermentation. The objective is to obtain new ingredients and/or value-added products, applicable to the development of hybrid meat products. This contributes to reducing environmental impact and promoting the circular economy. With the pilot-scale development of the inclusion of mycoprotein in the different meat formations, companies could diversify their range of products, which will allow them to reach the alternative protein market that is increasingly expanding. This [...]

Development of new ester-based oils and additives, as well as lubrication strategies for electric mobility. The 2E4GREEN project boosts a smart-lubrication strategy based on the selective activation of microencapsulated additives to reduce friction and wear, increase lubricant efficiency and extend service life. It does so by taking into account both the improvement of friction losses and the working conditions of electric mobility, to respond as a whole to the new concept of green mobility. The addition of additives to base oils improves the tribological performance of the system. In this sense, 2E4GREEN develops a solution based [...]

Reduction of nitrate pollution, recovery of organic waste and environmental monitoring SERENA reduces nitrate diffuse pollution in ecosystems through the research of innovative technologies for the denitrification of groundwater, the recovery of organic waste and the development of systems for monitoring the concentration of nitrates in water. The project addresses the decontamination of aquifers through bioremediation and chemical reduction technologies, combined with research into denitrifying enzymes. In addition, the anaerobic co-digestion of slurry and vegetable water is explored together with the use of nanoparticles with the aim of mitigating the inhibition problems of current technology. SERENA [...]

New tools and methodology to increase cavities in trees, generated artificially for various species or groups of forest fauna. CAVIFOREST transfers new tools for the forestry sector, knowledge of cavity-forming species and methodologies for the creation of new cavities in trees, and the monitoring of long-term occupancy. For forest fauna, the scarcity of tree cavities is a major shortcoming in many forests. Globally, it is shown that there is a need to test alternative techniques to improve the provision of artificial cavities. The construction of shelters or cavities in trees, with adapted systems, is an emerging [...]