Nearly a hundred people participated this Monday, October 9, in the NanoDAY organized by the MAV Cluster on the occasion of the International Day of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology. During the day, which was held at the Faculty of Physics and Chemistry of the University of Barcelona, trends, success stories and application experiences of what is considered a key technology for the industry of the 21st century were presented.

Ona Bombí, Cluster Manager of the MAV Cluster, and Guillem Aromí, director of the Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology of the University of Barcelona (IN²UB), co-organizer of the event, opened the session, which started with the presentation trends and the mapping of the ecosystem of nanoscience and nanotechnology in Catalonia, by Maria Dolors Núñez, leader of the analysis and detection of technological opportunities team at ACCIÓ.

A pioneering territory

As Núñez highlighted, "the ecosystem of nanotechnology in Catalonia has great potential and is very dynamic", given that it converges with various areas, such as electronics, biotechnology and materials, and unites centers around it technology and research institutes, universities, associations and public administration.

Núñez provided some data that place Catalonia as a pioneering territory in the field of technology: there are 107 companies dedicated to it (62% of which are SMEs), which generate 779 jobs and 430 million euros

II White Paper on Nanotechnologies

Jordi Díaz-Marcos and Joan Mendoza, professionals from the Scientific and Technological Centers of the University of Barcelona (CCiTUB) and the Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology of the University of Barcelona (IN²UB), presented the II White Paper on Nanotechnology, a position document on a multidisciplinary field as disruptive as that of nanotechnologies and the repercussion they have in ethical, social, legislative, economic and educational aspects.

Presentation of Nanohub.cat

Magdalena Valldosera, Project Manager of the MAV Cluster, and Alfonso del Rey, technology transfer manager of the ICMAB, were in charge of presenting NanoHUB.cat, the first platform that will serve to connect all those organizations in the country that are dedicated or are related to nanotechnology. The aim of the project managed by the MAV Cluster is to increase the capacity and competitiveness of the organizations involved.

All those entities dedicated to nanotechnology who want to offer their capabilities or who are looking for solutions to challenges or external support to cover a nanotechnological need, can contact the NanoHub by filling in the form they will find on the website.

Claudio Roscini (FutureChromes): "Society has a green pact with the future"

The second part of the NanoDAY had several presentations of successful cases of application in transversal sectors by five companies: FutureChromes, Molecular Gate, ColorSensing, Avanzare and Ecopol Tech.

Claudio Roscini, co-founder and CTO of FutureChromes, presented the activity of this ICN2 spin-off that develops new photochromic nanomaterials with fast response and more stability for applications in transparent surfaces and printed patterns. Roscini defended nanotechnology as a successful business since it has moved from science to the business world with technical improvements, a portfolio of clients from around the world and the hiring of professionals. "Society has a green pact with the future; we face it with intelligence", he pointed out.

Jose Moncayo (Molecular Gate): "False pharmaceutical sales are 57,000 million higher than drug trafficking"

Jose Moncayo, CEO of Molecular Gate, a spin-off of the ICMAB-CSIC that offers solutions to fight counterfeiting, especially in the health sector, presented the products they have developed, adapting to each area. As an example, he pointed out that "false pharmaceutical sales are 57,000 million higher than drug trafficking" or that "the financial impact of fake fashion products is estimated at 7.8% of the total business".

María Eugenia Martín (ColorSensing): "Each year 990,000 million dollars worth of food is lost or wasted"

María Eugenia Martín, co-founder and CEO of ColorSensing, an IN²UB spin-off that develops sensory applications based on color measurement, stated that “every year, $990 billion worth of food is lost or wasted.” a third of the total. To combat this waste problem, they have developed a solution called FoodSensing that helps food manufacturers and retailers reduce food waste and ensure food safety, increasing profitability through a digital food freshness indicator and affordable

Elvira Villaro (Avanzare): "We have extensive experience in innovative development based on nanoproducts"

The round table of business success stories also had the contribution of Elvira Villaro, CTO of Avanzare, a company that offers high-performance nanomaterials and nanotechnology-based solutions worldwide. Villaro emphasized that they have "extensive experience in the innovative development based on nanoproducts in different substrates, such as rubber, plastic, thermosets, varnishes, cardboard, textiles, etc.".

David Bueno (Ecopol Tech): "Nanotechnology helps us to have a better quality of life"

Finally, David Bueno, project manager TCLF Poluymers Sector of Ecopol Tech, explained that they are dedicated to the research, development and manufacture of advanced polymers with a special focus on colloidal science and nanotechnology of polyurethanes and polyureas. As he pointed out, "nanotechnology is present in many areas of everyday life", so that from the development of new, increasingly sophisticated materials, "it helps us to have a better quality of life".

Virginia Greco, science writer and member of the ICN2 communications team, moderated the panel discussion with the six successful business cases and audience input, such as the potential contributions of nanotechnology in fields such as that of sustainability.

You can consult all the presentations in the document that you will find in the link below.