Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials Unit: Services for Industry

The R&D&i services and technology transfer offered by IQS Tech Transfer to companies has grown even greater since the end of 2019 through the launch of the Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials Unit located within the Process Transfer and Integrative Technologies Centre (CTPTI) at IQS.

The CTPTI is a university facility for advanced research and technology transfer that is open to collaboration with industry and offers contracted research services, technological development projects, and collaboration in industrial innovation through its various units.

Description of the Unit
The world of materials has been evolving towards advanced materials in various sectors of activity, from countless industrial sectors to life sciences. The unit seeks to overcome both the technical difficulties posed by this rapid change of pace and its own development, taking on significant challenges in this regard. Within this climate of change, the CTPTI is home to the Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials Unit, which is focused on offering solutions in this area that can contribute to improving competitiveness for companies.

The unit is formed by various specialized laboratories for carrying out research and technology transfer activities related to polymeric materials, biomaterials, advanced materials, and vascular engineering, among others. It hosts an outstanding team of IQS professors and researchers who are directly involved in these areas of specialization, to name just a few: Dr Salvador Borrós, Dr Carles Colominas, Dr Núria Agulló, Dr Cristina Fornaguera, Dr Manuel Abad, Dr Marta Guerra, Dr Robert Texidó, and Dr Jordi Martorell.

Services for industry
The NAM Unit is focused on industrial segments that are committed to technological innovation and to which it can offer a wide variety of services: life sciences, biotechnology, chemistry, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, aromas & perfumes, food,  mechanical and industrial, adhesives, and more.

1. Analysis and characterization of materials. A general service for the characterization of the composition, morphology, and functionality of all types of materials and biomaterials (polymeric, ceramic, metals, etc.) in order to establish their properties and characteristics.

2. Development of polymeric materials, for applications in biosciences. In this area, the unit offers various services such as:

a. Nanotechnology and bioengineering applied to the development of new polymers.
b. Developing delivery and controlled release systems for drugs.
c. Biodegradable polymers and biomaterials with surface functionality to achieve advanced properties.

3. New materials and devices for medical applications. Services for the conceptualization, design, and development of materials and devices for biomedical applications such as biocompatible polymers, bioabsorbable materials, and materials with bioactive or antimicrobial properties, among others.

4. Study, design, and development of optimized surfaces for biograft applications.

a. Biomaterial development for scaffolds.
b. Design, development, and manufacture of materials for bioimplants through 3D printing/additive manufacturing.

5. Modification of surfaces such as:

a. Functionalization of surfaces and the development of nanostructured surfaces.
b. Graphene applications to obtain surfaces with advanced properties.
c. Coating of parts/surfaces to improve their mechanical properties.