National Projects

The ACTIV4.0 project researches and develops technologies for the digital management of utilities assets, processes and installations (service provider networks) to offer a better service to the user. The digitalization, sensorization and monitoring of assets and processes associated with utilities enable the optimization of the operation of plants and networks in terms of efficiency and cost, as well as the improvement of maintenance processes in order to minimize incidents and investment and asset renewal costs. The results are validated through pilot case studies for application in utilities environments, including water treatment plants, waste treatment plants, power [...]

New manufacturing technologies for metallic bipolar plates and protective coatings for polymeric electrolyte membranes (PEMs) hydrogen fuel cells. Bipolar plates are a key element of hydrogen fuel cells, because their durability and performance will determinate the definitive implementation of this technology in fields such as the automotive industry. In this sense, INNPLÁGENO project developed innovative manufacturing technologies and protective coatings for the optimisation of the performance of polymeric-membrane hydrogen fuel cells. Fuel cells are electrochemical devices that use hydrogen as a fuel and oxygen from atmospheric air as oxidant. The overall result of the electrochemical reaction [...]

Advanced coatings obtained via high energy plasma technologies for biomedical applications. INNOPLASMED develops advanced and innovative coatings to solve chemical, mechanical and biological stability problems identified in prostheses, implants and other surgical instruments. The long-term clinical success of these biomedical solutions can be improved by the application of the advanced coatings developed in this project. The coatings created by INNOPLASMED are processed by means of the development and industrial implementation of two innovative techniques based on high energy plasmas: the High-Power Impulse Magnetron Sputtering (HIPIMS) and Plasma Immersion Ion Implantation and Deposition (PIIID). The project, led [...]

System for detection and diagnosis of mechanical failures based on acoustic emissions for a predictive maintenance in railway deviation systems. Predivia has developed technologies that allow the detection and monitoring incipient issues of cracks in critical elements of the railway infrastructure, as well as forecast their evolution, allowing to predict the fracture of the component once a crack is detected. The Predivia innovation allows to continuously supervision of railway infrastructure elements in order to substantially increase the infrastructure’s security, as well as reduce the operation and maintenance costs, maximising the availability of the infrastructure, increasing its [...]

Development of innovative coating and surface treatment technologies for biomedical applications obtained by means of vacuum plasma assisted deposition techniques. The BIOPLASMA project develops advanced and innovative coatings for biomedical applications, such as prosthesis or implants, with the aim to improve the biological response of these components, eliminating the clinical and surgical complications derived from both chemical and mechanical lack of biocompatibility and biostability. The solution of BIOPLASMA develops coatings with good wear resistance, a high hardness and adhesion, a low coefficient of friction and good antibacterial properties, among other improvements. To obtain these innovations, different [...]

Innovative technologies based on electro purification techniques to reduce the costs associated with the management and treatment of residual effluents from the paper, chemical and tanning industries. In the initial phase, ELDE select the characteristic effluents of the three industrial sectors, followed by a phase of application of the different techniques of electro purification and the selection of the most optimal technology for each sector. ELDE’s innovation reduces the energy consumption associated with electro purification techniques through new high efficiency power systems and the use of renewable energy sources. Eurecat, through its Sustainability Technology Unit, participates [...]

Recovery and valorisation of urban digestates resources in the framework of the circular economy to transform them into fertilisers of high-added value. DIGESTAKE project develops news processes and innovative technologies for the treatment, recovery, valorisation and reuse of liquids and gaseous effluents from the anaerobic digestion of WWTPs, to recover and reconvert the wastewater nutrients. The application of this innovation converts carbon dioxide from biogas into organic compounds through bioelectrochemical systems. In addition, the project develops an alternative process to recover phosphorus in the form of solid fertilizer through the crystallization of struvite; a recovery process [...]

Development of competitive and innovative technologies to reduce costs associated with the management and treatment of residual effluents of complex composition to obtain water of adequate quality of its management. The main objective of EFLUCOMP is to do research for the development of competitive and efficient technologies to deal with the presence of contaminants in effluents, such as persistent organic matter or high salinity. These technologies include separation methods (via membranes, elements, adsorption), biological processes and other innovative technologies, such as advanced oxidation processes. EFLUCOMP solution reduces exploitation and operative costs, guaranteeing the efficiency in the [...]

Development and integration of technologies that allow the offer of energy control and optimization products for energy service companies of higher quality and performance than those currently available. The project Optiener has the objective to develop two informatics tools, focused on the market of buildings in the tertiary sector, to support the users, both from the point of view of the installation design and its energy management during operation. One of the tools developed is an optimized design environment and ESD facilities analysis tool to predict the energy demand associated to comfort services (air conditioning, ACS, [...]

Investigation and development of a batteries system to feed electric lightweight quadricycles to adapt to current market requirements in terms of efficiency, durability and autonomy. The SIBCLE project emerge from the analysis of current electric lightweight quadricycles and their technique characteristics related to the autonomy and security, which nowadays don’t have a good quality to be useful in market. So, currently there aren’t so many users of this type of electric vehicles, with punctual exceptions. The project has developed, in prototype format, a solution to this problem detected through the design and development of an integrated [...]

Study of the suitability of a green roof manufactured with cork by-products generated during the manufacture of cork stoppers and/or in the wine-making process. The CORCHACTIVO project has demonstrated the viability of cork as a substrate and/or support for green roofs. In the case of green roofs, as in the case of wetlands, cork can be used as a substrate, allowing the decontamination of building wastewater and improving energy efficiency, thanks to the insulating properties of the material. The use of cork is proposed in order to take advantage of its multiple properties and to find [...]

Monitoring software tool to assist the user in the decision-making process using the Decision Support System (DSS) for energy and process management throughout the entire wine and Cava production chain, from harvesting to bottling and storage. The Smart Wineries 4.0 Project aspires to be the starting point of a strategy for the evolution of the sector towards industry 4.0 based on the development of digital skills to make efficient use of the information on energy consumption and to take action on the production process. The Smart Wineries 4.0 solution provides information on the energy status of [...]

Modular container that passively maintains the temperature of the product inside it for a minimum of 5 days, equipped with intelligence and remote control. The container is specially designed for the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry, which need to transport products (chemicals, vaccines, tissues, clinical trials, etc.) at a stable temperature during handling in order to maintain their integrity and quality. The CoolPackaging 4.0 solution allows you to send items that need temperature control without special precautionary measures, increasing safety while lowering costs. In addition, there will be savings from reuse and less product waste. CoolPackaging 4.0 [...]

A solution for smart water management in urban environments that responds to the market demands of those responsible for its management (planning, improving performance, locating leaks, expanding designs, saving energy, optimizing control, etc.) and facilitates communication with industrial suppliers of network components (manufacturers of pumps, valves, etc.). In order to overcome the initial barriers, the URBANAGU4.0 project has generated a conversion methodology for the integration of hydraulic models in EPANET format (used by many companies) into a programming environment that enables the application of control and monitoring solutions based on models. The URBANAGU4.0 solution has been [...]

Study of opportunities to improve the production process in the wine production sector through industry 4.0 technologies. The study has allowed exporting and learning the reality of companies in the sector and detecting needs and/or improvement opportunities in the various areas of a company by incorporating digital technologies pertaining to industry 4.0. This project arose with the idea of detecting opportunities for applying industry 4.0 technologies that would allow both responding to the needs of the wine production sector as well as solving problems that exist at companies in the sector. Considering that not only wine [...]