UPC creates “Technology Offers” to showcase patents

The Universitat Politècncia de Catalunya. BarcelonaTech (UPC) has launched an online catalogue of technology offers aimed at giving visibility to its portfolio of patents resulting from research activity. “Technology Offers”, a section of the Patents and Licences Office website, is a showcase for technological innovations generated by the University’s departments, institutes, groups, and research centres.

The UPC, which has been recognised as a Campus of International Excellence, is one of the leading universities in Spain in terms of the number of patents applied for and exploited. Last year, 45 priority patents and 33 international patents were registered, and a total of 18 licences were granted to UPC spin-offs and external companies. The University, one of the most active institutions in Europe when it comes to research and knowledge transfer, earned over €64 million in revenue from technology transfer activities.

The technology developed at the UPC covers a wide range of fields, all related to emerging areas of science and technology: information and communication technologies, automotive and aeronautics, architecture, urbanism and building construction, energy and the environment, agriculture, industrial engineering, health, and transportation and logistics.

Recently registered patents include the following: Safer seatbelts for vehicles. The Electronically Commutated Motor Drives Group has developed a system that increases the effectiveness of vehicle safety belts by detecting the position of the seat occupant. A number of international companies have shown interest in the system. The project was led by Balduí Blanqué, a researcher with the Department of Electronic Engineering of the Vilanova i la Geltrú School of Engineering.

A glove that compensates for diminished hand strength. In this case, the patent is for an orthopaedic glove that augments hand strength, a useful aid for people who lack sufficient strength to hold an object. A novel feature of the glove is that it requires no external energy. The device is battery-free and does not involve electromyography; it is activated by the movement of the user’s wrist via a simple mechanism. The glove is a very useful aid for improving hand mobility in the elderly and people who have been injured or have a disability that affects one or both of their hands. The project was led by Esteban Peña, a researcher with the Department of Mechanical Engineering of the Manresa School of Engineering.

Clean energy to recharge mobile devices and autonomous sensors. The patented technology is a new maximum power point tracking (MPPT) method that can be used to maximise the energy captured from power transducers, such as solar cells or heat generators, in order to supply mobile devices and autonomous sensors that cannot be connected to the mains power supply. The method is less complex than existing technologies and reduces energy consumption. The technology was developed by Manel Gasulla and Oscar López, researchers with the Department of Electronic Engineering of the Castelldefels School of Telecommunications and Aerospace Engineering.

New system for treating industrial wastewater. The patented system is an electrochemical cell with simultaneous ultraviolet radiation. The technology, useful in the treatment and reuse of textile effluents, reduces consumption of water and dyebath electrolytes by more than 60%. The patented technology was developed out of the Terrassa Institute of Textile Research and Industrial Cooperation (INTEXTER), by a team led by lecturers Martí Crespi and Maria Carme Gutiérrez.

A brick that is the ideal size for walls. A brick format developed at the UPC improves the dimensional alignment of walls while eliminating the need to cut pieces. The new product reduces waste, saves time, and prevents irregularities in construction. The patented technology was developed at the Department of Architectural Technology I in a project led by Joan-Lluís Zamora.

This showcase for RDI results is one of a series of actions being carried out by the UPC to exploit research results with the aim of bringing the technology developed to market and contributing to the pursuit of new business opportunities by industry.