IMB-CNM technological developments at the Science 4 Industry forum

The Institute of Microelectronics of Barcelona (IMB-CNM-CSIC) participated in the Science 4 Industry forum in Madrid alongside other CSIC centers in Catalonia, such as the Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA) and the Institute of Science of Materials of Barcelona (ICMAB). This is the largest international event dedicated to knowledge and technology transfer.

Science for Industry (S4i) is the largest international meeting dedicated to knowledge and technology transfer, with a special focus on Deep Science and disruptive technologies. It brings together the main players in the innovation ecosystem with the aim of accelerating the transition from science to the market. It is organized by the Autonomous University of Madrid (UAM) and BeAble Capital.

The CSIC has presented 21 technological projects and prototypes, three of which belong to the IMB-CNM. The president of the CSIC, Eloísa del Pino, stressed that "the CSIC's participation in this event is part of one of the institution's strategic objectives to accelerate the production of scientific knowledge and increase its impact on society and on the industrial fabric of our country."

Devices for rapid medical diagnosis

The Chemical Transducers Group (GTQ) presented a sensor for diagnosing malaria, as part of a consortium coordinated by the Vall d’Hebron Research Institute (VHIR). It is a rapid diagnostic platform that integrates electrochemical transduction with a silicon chip and microfluidics on paper. It is a so-called "Point-of-Care" device, which can be used at the point of patient care, does not require specialized personnel, is versatile, and is low cost. It could be applied to the detection of other diseases in both human and animal health diagnostics. The prototype presented is being developed within the framework of the CATMAL project, funded by the “la Caixa” Foundation. IMB-CNM researchers César Fernández Sánchez and Manuel Gutiérrez Capitán presented the development.

Security applications

In the field of security, the IMB-CNM has presented two new developments. One is a prototype for the detection of radon, a naturally occurring radioactive gas that can be found in the interior spaces of buildings. The device, which runs on electricity, provides real-time, periodic measurements via a wireless network. The IMB-CNM Radiation Detectors Group designed and manufactured the sensor in the Micro and Nanofabrication Clean Room. The development was carried out in collaboration with Alibava Systems, a spin-off of the IMB-CNM, and the Galician Institute of High Energy Physics (IGFAE) at the University of Santiago de Compostela. IMB-CNM researcher Manuel Lozano presented the development.

Another security application presented at S4I is the first ink integrated with customizable or “authored” chips. Developed by the Micro and Nanotools Group at IMB-CNM, this ink contains micrometric chips in suspension. These chips contain the information necessary to verify the authenticity of the item. It can be applied to a wide variety of surfaces, by writing, printing, or painting, in order to prevent counterfeiting. It is, therefore, a security marking to enhance anti-fraud measures and integrate the necessary information into the object itself to be protected. IMB-CNM researchers Jose Antonio Plaza and Juan Pablo Agusil presented the innovation.