Patents
The Technology Transfer Unit (UTT) of the Institute of Nanoscience and Materials of Aragon has a policy of favoring technology transfer that includes the promotion and creation of patents based on technologies or knowledge developed at the institute. It also searches for industrial partners interested in licensing and exploitation of technologies and / or R & D collaboration. INMA’s research staff has licensed 4 patents that are currently active.
This is a high spatial and temporal resolution optical thermometry system. The system uses luminescent molecular probes that emit visible light with a temperature-dependent intensity and lifetime.
A process for depositing new elements on a substrate of interest using a focused ion beam and a platform for cooling the substrate of interest to cryogenic temperatures that can also abrade defective elements on the substrate of interest.
This is a new technology of microfluidic actuators, preferably valves, which show a mechanical and functional response when subjected to external stimuli, such as changes in light intensity, temperature, pH, humidity or electromagnetic field, among others.
The technology involves the use of magnetic nanoparticles as nano-heaters for enzymes located on the surface of the nanoparticles. The present technology allows that when a high frequency alternating magnetic field is applied to a colloid of magnetic nanoparticles, the energy of the field is dissipated to the surface of the nanoparticles as heat which serves to locally control the enzyme activity.
Luminiscent molecular themometer
APPLICATION AREAS: Electronics, Microelectronics, Physical and exact sciences, Materials technology, Micro and Nanotechnology, Medicine, Human health, Biology, Biotechnology, Environment, Paints, Dyes2008
RESEARCH GROUP: M4-Multifunctional Magnetic Molecular Materials
PRIORITY DATE: 25-06-2009
CONCESION: EU (ES, DE, FR, GB,NL), USA
We are looking for an industrial partner interested in licensing and exploitation of this technology and/or R&D collaboration.
DESCRIPTION:
It is an optical thermometry system with high spatial and temporal resolution. The system uses luminescent molecular probes that emit visible light with a temperature-dependent intensity and lifetime. The emission is captured either by a fiber optic probe or by a camera and transformed into local absolute temperature data or a temperature image similar to IR cameras. The molecular probe can be implemented in all types of structures: block, layer (paint), molecular monolayer and nanoparticle. So far, the system has already been applied to the measurement of the local temperature reached by a magnetic nanoparticle when an alternating magnetic field is applied to it and to intracellular temperature imaging.
By relying on molecular probes, the system can potentially achieve a spatial resolution of a few nanometers and is limited only by the resolution of the detection system. For example in a conventional fluorescence microscope a resolution of less than 1 micron is achieved.
The system is based on the luminescence of lanthanide ions with much narrower emission bands than those of organic chromophores, and a much longer lifetime which facilitates detection and avoids interference from other emitters present in the sample.
INNOVATIVE ASPECTS AND MAIN ADVANTAGES:
– The calibration of the luminescent thermometer is independent of excitation intensity and sample concentration.
– The application range can be adjusted by molecular design of the probe and in principle ranges from 10 K to 350 K (-263 to 77oC).
– The thermometer uses excitation and visible emission light, which allows its implementation in conventional optical systems by simply attaching a beam splitter and associated software to the system’s optical camera or probe.
– Measuring temperature from the lifetime of the emission requires the implementation of a more complex system but eliminates interference from any other chromophores present in the sample.
– It can be processed as a block, thin film (paint), mono-molecular layer and nanoparticle.
– It operates at physiological temperatures which makes it ideal for the study of biological systems in conventional optical equipment (i.e. fluorescence microscope, confocal microscope, cytometer, etc.).
Process for ultra-fast deposition of metallic elements on a substrate of interest
APPLICATION FIELDS: Semiconductors, Electronics, Microelectronics, Information Technology, Electron Microscopy
RESEARCH GROUP: Nanofabricación y microscopías avanzadas (NANOMIDAS)
PRIORITY DATE: 25-07-2018
We are looking for an industrial partner interested in licensing and exploitation of this technology and/or R&D collaboration.
DESCRIPTION: CSIC and the University of Zaragoza have developed a procedure to deposit new elements on a substrate of interest using a focused ion beam and a platform to cool the substrate of interest to cryogenic temperatures that can also roughen defective elements that are located on it. The term “substrate of interest” refers to a substrate of an electronic device, integrated circuit, or optical lithography mask. In the semiconductor industry, focused ion beam roughing (FIB) and focused ion beam induced growth (FIBID) techniques are used by semiconductor companies. The FIBID technique has two notable limitations: on the one hand, the growth rate of the deposits at room temperature is very slow and on the other hand, many defects are introduced in the working surface/substrate and/or in the grown/deposit material, associated with the use of ions. Therefore, it is necessary to develop fast procedures for depositing elements by means of a focused beam of ions which also minimize the occurrence of defects. In the present invention “elements” deposited may be physically bonded or may be isolated, may have any composition, may have any geometry.
INNOVATIVE ASPECTS AND MAIN ADVANTAGES: – It is achieved to increase the growth rate of conductive and non-conductive elements on the substrate of interest. – Processing time is reduced by a factor of 600, resulting in significant economic savings. – Damage to the substrate of interest is minimized. – The implantation of ion beam atoms such as gallium atoms, amorphization effects and extrinsic doping caused by the gallium ion beam are minimized. – In addition, the occurrence of defects is minimized. – It is used to remove and repair electrical contacts of an integrated circuit or to repair defective parts of an optical lithography mask.Microfluidic valve, manufacturing process and uses of the valve
APPLICATION FIELDS: Semiconductors, Electronics, Microelectronics, Information Technology, Electron Microscopy
RESEARCH GROUP: Advanced Manufacturing Laboratory
PRIORITY DATE: 23-06-2020
We are looking for an industrial partner interested in licensing and exploitation of this technology and/or R&D collaboration.
DESCRIPTION: This is a new technology of microfluidic actuators, preferably valves, which show a mechanical and functional response when subjected to external stimuli, such as changes in light intensity, temperature, pH, humidity or electromagnetic field, among others.
Nanoparticles for the control of one-spot multienzymatic reactions
APPLICATION FIELDS: Medicine, Human Health, Biology, Biotechnology.
RESEARCH GROUP: Bio-Funcionalización de Nano-Particulas y Superficies (bioNANOsurf)
PRIORITY DATE: 01-07-2021
We are looking for an industrial partner interested in licensing and exploitation of this technology and/or R&D collaboration.
DESCRIPTION: The enzymes used in biocatalysis have a higher selectivity, specificity and efficiency compared to chemical catalysts, they are also eco-sustainable which allows their wide use in the food, pharmaceutical and textile industries and generally in the biotechnology industry for the production of biopolymers, pharmaceuticals and biofuels.
The implementation of these reactions in industry brings with it an important need which is to improve enzyme performance due to the different operating temperatures of the enzymes involved in the processes and the reduction of negative interactions between them.
One strategy to meet this need is the use of magnetic nanoparticles as nanocalcifiers for the enzymes located on the surface of the nanoparticles. By applying an alternating magnetic field (AMF) to a magnetic nanoparticle colloid, the energy of the field is converted into heat and thus the enzyme activity can be controlled locally without increasing the overall temperature of the reaction medium.
INNOVATIVE ASPECTS AND MAIN ADVANTAGES:
– Optimizes enzyme performance, especially when thermolabile enzymes are involved.
– The problem of different operating temperatures of the enzymes involved is solved.
– It avoids the use of several steps within a reactor or working at a compromise temperature reducing negative impact on thermolabile products and cofactors.
– Reduces negative interactions between them (e.g. cross-reactivity in cascades involving two or more enzymes competing for the same substrate).
– Opens a wide range of industrial applications.
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