The Heat and Mass Transfer Technological Center (CTTC UPC) has taken part in a European project entitled EIT-KIC InnoEnergy DCCS (Dwelling Climate Control System), in which a climate control system for dwellings was developed that is comprehensive, easy to use and affordable. The aim was to attain smart control of heating and cooling systems and ventilation, reduce energy consumption to a minimum and maintain thermal comfort and air quality.

As part of this project, the CTTC UPC has developed a virtual thermal-fluid model for a real dwelling in the Netherlands, using its NEST-Building platform for simulating systems; object-oriented parallel software designed to simulate any building due to its modularity. Using this model, the following can be simulated rapidly in detail: a map of temperatures for the entire building, the CO₂ concentration in all dwellings and in the ventilation system, and the thermal load. The model has been used a test bank for advanced control algorithms developed in the project.

On 16 June, a new incubation programme was launched for photonics companies. The programme has been promoted by the UPC through the Centre for Sensors, Instruments and Systems Development (CD6 UPC) and Terrassa City Council, with the support of the Mobile World Capital Foundation and the Southern European Cluster in Photonics and Optics (SECPhO). The aim of the initiative, which is based in Terrassa, is to integrate agents into an incubation network who are active in the creation of new business ideas that use light as an element to develop their products or services, in spaces close to university research centres. In recent years, advances have been made in photonics that have facilitated its application in areas such as advanced and high precision manufacturing, advanced tools for medical diagnosis and treatment, vehicles or smart mobile phones. Photonics is also a key technology in the transformation of the energy sector (solar energy, efficient lighting).

This is the first incubator of its type in Spain and one of the few in the world in the field of photonics. Currently, four exist: three in the USA and one in Germany.

The first call for companies that want to market their business ideas based on photonic technology will be open until 31 December.

The Assistive Biorobotic Low-cost Exoskeleton (ABLE), which was designed and developed by the Biomedical Engineering Lab (BIOMEC), part of the Biomedical Engineering Research Centre (CREB UPC), is one of the 23 projects selected to receive funding in the third call for the CaixaImpulse programme, promoted by the saving bank La Caixa’s Obra Social and Caixa Capital Risc.

The exoskeleton enables people with spinal injuries to gain mobility and walk and is low cost, light, personalised and easy to use. It consists of three modular components: a knee actuator system that acts as artificial muscle, a sensor situated in the tibia region that detects the user’s intention, and a rucksack containing the electronics and the battery. With this device, patients can take an active role in their own recovery. They gain independence and can continue with the rehabilitation process in their own homes. The end effect will be an improvement in quality of life and a significant reduction in individual and healthcare costs.

Researchers from the University of A Coruña and the University of Extremadura also participated in the development of the prototype. Further information.

CIT UPC attended the 44^th General Assembly of the Spanish Federation of Innovation and Technology Centres (Fedit), which was held on 29 June in Madrid. After the assembly, a symposium was held, entitled “Funding of R&D projects through tax deductions for private investors”, which was led by Juan Quiroga, from Rey Quiroga Asociados.

The UPC, through the CIT UPC, will attend the IoT Solutions World Congress that will be held in Barcelona, from 3 to 5 October in the Gran Via facility. CIT UPC will have a stand within the Government of Catalonia’s Pavilion, where it will present its latest predictive maintenance technologies and a device for rehabilitation of the pelvic floor from home, using games on a mobile phone and remote medical monitoring. In addition, the inLab centre FIB UPC and DAMA UPC will have a stand within the Barcelona City Council Pavilion, where they will present the latest project that they have developed.

Íngrid Munné, a researcher at the CITCEA UPC, won an award at the V Nit de l’Eficiència (Fifth Night of Efficiency), held on 15 June and organised by the Energy Efficiency Cluster of Barcelona (CEEC). The award was given in the master’s degree category for the final project: “Thermal analysis and start-up of a Downdraft gasifier for microgeneration of electricity from biomass”.

Mònica Egusquiza, Carme Valero, Alex Presas, David Valentín, Matias Bossio and Eduard Egusquiza, researchers at the Centre for Industrial Diagnostics and Fluid Dynamics (CDIF UPC), received an award for best scientific research in recognition of their professional excellence at IMEKO TC10 “Technical Diagnosis in Cyber-Physical Era”, which was held in Budapest on 5–6 June.

CITCEA UPC has emulators that can act as batteries, an electric vehicle or photovoltaic panels so that tests can be carried out with real electricity without the need for these elements or having to wait for ideal climatic conditions.