Technology and Innovation: IMB-CNM spin-offs reaching society

_{The Minister of Science, Innovation and Universities and the President of CSIC at the spin-off prototype exhibition. / Photo by Lorenzo Plana (CSIC)}

Seven spin-offs resulting from projects and research carried out at the Institute of Microelectronics of Barcelona (IMB-CNM-CSIC) have been highlighted among the 78 presented in the CSIC Spin-off Catalogue. This document highlights the positive impact of these companies on society, both through their contribution to the market and their development of innovative solutions to global challenges.

Three other IMB-CNM projects are also mentioned for their high potential to become spin-offs, not only because of their innovative technological components, but also because of their unique value and the positive impact they could have in their respective sectors.

Technology transfer aims to bring the results of scientific and technological research to public and private institutions, to strengthen collaboration between industry and academia, and to promote the creation of knowledge-based entities and companies. The IMB-CNM is a center focused on addressing societal challenges and is therefore actively involved in promoting innovation and socio-economic development.

In addition, four of the seven spin-offs mentioned were co-founded by IMB-CNM female researchers.

The presented IMB-CNM spin-offs are:

INBRAIN Neuroelectronics

• Sector: Health

INBRAIN Neuroelectronics is a company that develops graphene-based brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) for the treatment of neurological disorders. Its platform combines hardware and data analysis to decode and modulate neural networks, enhancing patients’ function and mobility.

INBRAIN's technology features high resolution and flexibility, enabling bidirectional interaction with the brain in real time. The company recently announced the first human procedure with its cortical interface, demonstrating the ability to distinguish between healthy and cancerous brain tissue with micrometric precision.

Currently, INBRAIN Neuroelectronics is developing and manufacturing some of its technologies in the Micro and Nanofabrication Clean Room at the IMB-CNM-CSIC. In addition, the company has an agreement for the exploitation and development of three patents and one industrial secret, of which IMB-CNM is one of the majority holders.

One of its founders is Anton Guimerà, a researcher at the Biomedical Applications Group (GAB).

Sweanty

• Sector: Health

Sweanty is a Spanish company that has developed an innovative system to improve athletic performance through personalized hydration. Its technology is based on the SweaTracker, a smart patch that analyzes the athlete's sweat composition during training. The data collected is synchronized with the Sweanty app, providing the user with a detailed sweat profile, called SWEATPROFILE.

Based on this profile, the app generates personalized hydration plans that show when and how to hydrate properly to optimize performance and prevent problems such as cramps or heat stroke. This approach allows athletes to adjust their fluid and electrolyte intake to their specific needs, improving their efficiency and well-being during training and competition.

It was co-founded by people who have worked or are working at the IMB-CNM: Anna Llorella, Laura Ortega, Juan Pablo Esquivel and Neus Sabaté, the latter a researcher in the MicroEnergy Sources and Sensor Integration Group (MESSI).

Arrays for Cell Nanodevices (A4CELL)

• Sector: Biotechnology

A4Cell develops innovative devices for the analysis of individual living cells for the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and research sectors.

Its patented technology, SPAchip®, consists of silicon microchips that, once internalized into cells, allow real-time monitoring of various intracellular parameters without affecting cell viability. This solution addresses the need for more precise and less invasive tools to study cellular processes, facilitating drug discovery and the understanding of biological mechanisms. Benefits of its technology include reducing the use of animal models in research, generating more relevant data, and accelerating pharmaceutical development processes.

The company was co-founded by Marta Duch, Juan Pablo Agusil, José Antonio Plaza and Jaume Esteve from the Micro and Nanotools Group (MNTL).

Alibava Systems

• Sector: ICT and Electronics

Alibava Systems develops technological solutions for research in High Energy and Nuclear Physics. It specializes in semiconductor-based readout electronics for particle detectors and offers advanced systems such as the Alibava System Classic, AliVata and EASy (Educational Alibava SYstem), the latter focused on educational training on particle detectors.

The company also offers customized engineering services, adapting its technologies to the specific needs of research centers and universities. The company collaborates with institutions such as CERN, DESY and Argonne National Laboratory and participates in international scientific events, establishing itself as a reference in innovation and training in the field of particle physics.

It was co-founded by Manuel Lozano, Giulio Pellegrini and Miguel Ullán from the Radiation Detectors Group (RDG).

FLEXIBLE INTEGRATED CIRCUITS (FlexiiC)

• Sector: ICT and Electronics

FlexiiC designs and manufactures flexible and organic integrated circuits using additive deposition techniques and functional inks, enabling the creation of sustainable and highly versatile electronic devices. Its technology targets the next generation of sensors and system-on-chip (SoC) solutions for smart systems and the Internet of Things (IoT) that require flexibility, light weight and energy efficiency.

These solutions enable the integration of electronics into unconventional materials and surfaces, opening up new opportunities in areas such as the Internet of Things (IoT), digital health, smart packaging and wearable electronics. With a focus on sustainability and innovation, FlexiiC facilitates the development of greener electronic devices that are adaptable to a wide range of industrial applications.

It was co-founded by Eloi Ramon and Carme Martínez, both from the Integrated Circuits and Systems Group (ICAS).

Energiot Devices

• Sector: Energy and Environment

Energiot develops self-powered IoT devices for monitoring and optimizing smart grids. Its patented piezoelectric energy harvesting technology allows its sensors to operate without battery maintenance by harvesting energy from environmental vibrations and magnetic fields.

This facilitates easy installation and reduces maintenance costs. The company's solutions range from dynamic calculation of transmission line ampacity to optimize transmission capacity, to predictive maintenance and bird protection on power lines. By providing real-time data on the status and performance of network assets, Energiot contributes to more efficient and sustainable management of electrical infrastructure.

The company was founded by Gonzalo Murillo and Jaume Esteve, both researchers in the Micro and Nanotools Group (MNTL).

Fuelium

• Sector: Energy and Environment

Fuelium develops and commercializes environmentally friendly paper batteries to power disposable devices in areas such as in-vitro diagnostics, the Internet of Things (IoT) and electronic skin patches. Its batteries, made from non-toxic and sustainable materials, are activated when in contact with liquids, providing an energy solution tailored to the specific needs of each application.

This technology minimizes energy waste and reduces environmental impact, as the batteries can be discarded without the need for complex recycling processes. By providing customized and sustainable solutions, Fuelium contributes to the development of more eco-friendly and efficient devices across various industries.

The company was founded by Neus Sabaté and Juan Pablo Esquivel, both from the MicroEnergy Sources and Sensor Integration Group (MESSI) at the time of its creation. Currently, Esquivel is at the BC-Materials Research Center.

Featured Spin-off Projects

BLAUETS

• Sectors: Water Quality, Agriculture, Food, and Electronics

BLAUETS provides a device that performs affordable and simple measurements of chemical parameters such as oxygen and heavy metals to determine water quality. It eliminates the need for sample pretreatment and does not require complex equipment. The sample can be analyzed on site with results available in 15 minutes.

AiQUOS

• Sectors: Water Quality, Environment, and Electronics

AiQUOS has created an easy to integrate and install system for total analytical monitoring and control of aquatic environments, locally and immediately. It allows personalized and local generation of early alarms and thresholds, is self-calibrating, and has minimal maintenance (technical and human), energy, and infrastructure requirements, making it less vulnerable to cyber-attacks and immune to communication interruptions or latencies. It has recently been formalized as a spin-off.

ElectroPOC

• Sector: Health and Electronics

Portable electrochemical device for disease diagnosis by quantifying biomarkers at the point of care, accelerating clinical decision making.