Scientists at the CENIM are working to recover and reuse strategic metals from batteries. One of their processes makes it possible to obtain nickel, cobalt and lithium with very high yields and purity. Another procedure, also developed by the same team, recovers lithium from electrolytes in the form of salts in a simpler way, with less energy requirements and a lower environmental impact.
The FlexiiC spin-off aims to design system-on-chip (SoC) solutions applied to smart systems and the Internet of Things, and to reinvent the world of electronics through a revolutionary organic and flexible technology that will enable a new generation of sensors and logic circuits processed with functional inks at low temperatures on sustainable substrates. It is a success story of technology transfer from the Barcelona Institute of Microelectronics (IMB-CNM-CSIC), aimed at solving today's societal challenges.
CSIC researchers at IMB-CNM have developed a new method of manufacturing semiconductor Qubits using block copolymer-based technologies. The process is more accessible and economical, while maintaining the same advantages as other Qubits that are manufactured at a higher cost.
It has been developed by Marsi Bionics, a technology-based company emerged from the CSIC, with the close collaboration of 15 CSIC researchers and 30 health professionals from four hospitals. The prototype, which is awaiting CE marking prior to its commercialisation, can be used both at home and outdoors, and will allow the integration of children with gait disorders. It will be marketed in the coming months.
A team of researchers from the Institute of Microelectronics of Seville (IMSE-CNM) has developed a method that gives digital devices an identity. It uses acousto-optical systems and can prevent cyberattacks carried out by Artificial Intelligence and quantum technologies.
Selecting low-impact materials and manufacturing techniques makes it easier to manage batteries at the end of their useful life. A team has developed a methodology to eco-design batteries, for adapting them to their application and improving recycling. “If any other company wants to eco-design a battery or device, they can come to us or try to follow the methodology,” the scientists point out.
Anna Laromaine is a researcher in the Nanoparticles and Nanocomposites group at the Institute of Materials Science of Barcelona (ICMAB-CSIC). This group is currently part of NEXTGEM, a European project that involves twenty organizations from ten countries and aims to understand the impact of electromagnetic fields on the 5G frequency.
The European project Spirs is developing affordable hardware-based solutions to enhance security against cyber attacks for small and medium-sized enterprises, allowing them to incorporate these measures into their devices without a significant increase in the final price. The aim is to provide high-security solutions, even for systems with limited resources, such as IoT (Internet of Things) devices. These latter, often wearables, face strict constraints in terms of size and weight.
