The UAB hosts the SINCRO workshop, with the participation of the IMB-CNM
The UAB will host a workshop on the progress of SINCRO, a project to develop an optical sensor to control the quality of the water supplied. The Institute of Microelectronics of Barcelona (IMB-CNM, CSIC) participates in the consortium that promotes this project funded by the Ministry of Economy.
On Wednesday, November 16, the Bellaterra Campus of the UAB hosts the SINCRO (Intelligent System for the Prevention of Microbiological Risk in Water) workshop. An innovation project that has received the R+D+i grant from the Ministry of Science and Innovation and the Agencia Estatal de Investigación and which promotes the consortium integrated by Aigües Sabadell, the Institute of Microelectronics of Barcelona (IMB-CNM -CSIC), the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB), Adiquímica, Sens Solutions and the Mixed Municipal Water Company of Tarragona (EMATSA).
The informative day is designed to present the results of this research and innovation initiative. The starting point has been to develop a technology to continuously and accurately monitor the biofilm that is generated in the water distribution pipes. These are bacterial biofilms that can, among other effects, clog pipes, alter the organoleptic properties of water or contaminate water with bacteria.
None of the current biofilm monitoring systems allow this control. The SINCRO project has addressed this challenge by applying the use of optical microsensors. Thus, a technology based on 3D printing has been developed that will reduce both the manufacturing time and the cost of the device and expand the measurement range for different levels of depth and typify the biofilm by means of spectroscopy.
The project coordinated by EMATSA, has the participation of Aigües Sabadell, which provides its experience in the field of water reuse, as well as the Group of Chemical Transducers of the IMB-CNM-CSIC, specialists in the development of chemical transducers based on micro and nano-technologies. Xavier Muñoz, researcher of the group, participates in the workshop.
The consortium also has the participation of ADIQUIMICA, a company dedicated to the production of disinfectant compounds for water treatment, the start-up SENSING SOLUTIONS, with experience in microbiological treatment and control in refrigeration systems; and the Environmental Microbiology Group (GMA) of the UAB, specialist in the study of biofilms.
Next Wednesday, November 16, the responsible people will explain the development of the project, from the initial approach of the problem to be solved to the creation of the first prototype. The session will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Degree Room of the Faculty of Sciences and Biosciences - Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB) - South Entrance Science Building, C/ de la Vall Moronta, 08193 Bellaterra (Cerdanyola del Vallès), Barcelona. Assistance is open and free and can also be followed through Teams.