IREC is proactive in translating newly generated knowledge into products and technologies into collaborations with our industrial allies or through the creation of spin-offs. The mission of the KTT Unit is to provide social and economic benefits for a sustainable energy future, by converting IREC’s research into products and services for public use via technology licensing, a process which benefits IREC, industry and society.
IREC has filed and licensed several patents, and has a strong intellectual and industrial portfolio. The KTT Unit advises IREC researchers in intellectual and industrial property related matters, manages the patent application and granting processes, and explores product and market opportunities to extract the maximum value from IREC’s industrial property.
Licensing opportunities
CERAMIC 3D PRINTING FOR ENERGY APPLICATIONS
Technology: This methodology demonstrates the viability in the production of cost-effective and flexible 3D printed solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) and solid oxide electrolyser cells (SOEC) stacks for commercial applications. The methodology allows the production of mass manufacturing of high-quality and cost-effective SOFC stacks with monolithic architecture, embedded fluidics and customizable design. It won the innovation award given by the Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking, and it was granted with the prestigious Solar Impulse Label for the 1000 most efficient solutions worldwide, in terms of profitability and lower environmental impact.
Opportunities: Several initiaves are being considered to bring this technology to the market.
LOW-EMISSIONS
Technology: Low-Cost and Efficient Miniaturized Solid-state Silicon-based Oxygen Sensors (Low-EMiSSiOnS). The product is an inexpensive miniaturized sensor that allows minimum power requirement, and higher response velocity.
Opportunities: The technology is part of the i-CERCA Ginjol’s fund and participated in the InnoEnergy Cleantech Camp program.
COFAST
Technology: Co-generation fast charging station for electric vehicles (COFAST). COFAST is an integrated fast charging station fuelled by a small combined heat and power (CHP) unit running on natural gas, providing fast charging services to electric vehicles (≈20 minutes), as well as use of residual electricity and heat to satisfy associated building electric and thermal demands.
Opportunities: The COFAST technology (patent pending) was developed in the framework of an InnoEnergy Innovation project and is being developed by PASCH under a license agreement.
NON-DESTRUCTIVE MONITORING FOR THIN FILM INDUSTRY
Technology: The methodology is a fast non-destructive real time in-situ process for monitoring thin film semiconductors. It allows the assessment of layer quality to improve of the process yield and its reliability by detecting early faults in the layers. It has been specifically tested for photovoltaic thin films but the methodology can be easily transferred to many other thin films.
Opportunities: The methodology is suitable for both research and industrial lines, and are being tested in a pilot line for the fabrication of PV windows.
Contact
If you have any questions or queries, you may contact the CD&KTT unit via e-mail at KTT@irec.cat.
