Transferred technology
The Aragon Nanoscience and Materials Institute has carried out both public and private funding projects that have led to licensed patents. The Technology Transfer Unit (UTT) performs a constant internal advisory work of INMA in order to help and guide in the relationship with companies and to successfully carry out the licensing of patents. Some examples of these licensed patents are shown below in the field of cryogenics, metrology and characterization of products both during their production and in their final state.
INMA researchers in collaboration with the companies Quantum Design and GWR have developed a complete technology protected by a license of 7 patent families, for the recovery, purification and liquefaction of helium on a small scale: Advanced Technology Liquifiers (ATL).
Magnetic characterization system of magnetic steel strips used in the screens of high-speed train signaling cables.
The use of quantum phenomena has allowed to improve the precision of the standards in several orders of magnitude during the last decades. Based on two quantum phenomena, the Josephson effect and the Quantum Hall effect, we have developed at INMA the voltage and electrical resistance standards.
Production of ultra-pure liquid helium that prevents the occurrence of impedance locking in research equipment
Porous inorganic-organic hybrid material comprising a zeolite or amorphous aluminosilicate core with an atomic Si/AI ratio of 1 to a value of less than 2.5, and a MOF shell consisting of a bidentate organic ligand covalently bonded to the aluminum atoms of said zeolite or amorphous aluminosilicate.
Nanoparticle aerosol generator comprising a compressed gas reservoir connected to a nanoparticle material receptacle through a maneuvering valve, said receptacle comprising an aerosol outlet orifice.
Granulysin polypeptide for use as a drug by the systemic route and to a chimeric molecule comprising a recombinant antibody that targets a tumor antigen and the granulysin polypeptide.
The technology consists of a continuous furnace to which a laser is coupled by conventional optical means that allows the surface treatment of a part, with which temperatures of up to 3000°C can be reached on that surface while the rest of the part is kept at a substantially lower temperature.
The present invention is framed in the sector of materials technology, specifically in the sector of vitreous materials in order to improve their mechanical properties. A treatment comprising laser irradiation under controlled temperature conditions is proposed.
Throughout these years, INMA researchers have collaborated with several companies, both from the public and private sectors, for the development of equipment using superconductivity applications.
The technology consists in novel DNA probes useful for the rapid detection of SARS-CoV2, influenza and other respiratory viral RNAs. Integrated in different set of devices, these probes enable the detection of RNA sequences in few minutes, without the need for RNA extraction, purification and PCR amplification.
The technology consists of an innovative transduction strategy that enables ultrasensitive visual detection (phentomolar range) of analytes based on the properties of metal nanoparticles to convert light into heat.
Small-scale helium liquefaction
TYPE: Licensed patents
AUTHORS: Javier Sesé, Conrado Rillo.
RESEARCH GROUP: Radiación Sincrotrón y Materiales: Investigación básica y Aplicaciones (RASMIA)
COMPANY: Quantum Design
DESCRIPTION:
IINMA researchers in collaboration with the companies Quantum Design and GWR have developed a complete technology protected by a license of 7 patent families, for the recovery, purification and liquefaction of helium on a small scale: Advanced Technology Liquifiers (ATL).
An existing gap between XL industrial liquefaction equipment (production of more than 100 L/hr) and liquid recondensing equipment has been bridged. The commercial ATL technology, with a liquefaction rate between 0.83-1.25 L/hr, in a simple, modular and scalable way, is able to adapt the production rate to the consumption. These features have made it possible to bring liquid helium production and recycling to laboratories and medical research centers around the world.
Nearly 200 have already been installed, which has increased the amount of helium recycled worldwide, a scarce and valuable fossil resource. In addition to the environmental aspect, users benefit from a secure liquid supply (no outages) and at a lower cost.
OTHER HIGHLIGHTS:
• Distinctions and awards
“Physics Award”, organized by the Spanish Royal Society of Physics (RSEF) and the BBVA Foundation, with the award I Encuentro Tripe Hélice con UNIZAR: Best graduate result, granted by the University of Zaragoza and with the Third Millennium Award of the HERALDO de Aragón in the category “University-Business Knowledge Transfer”.
• Highlights publications
Enhancement of the Liquefaction Rate in Small-Scale Helium Liquefiers Working Near and Above the Critical Point
Cryocoolers for Helium Liquefaction (Capítulo de libro por invitación)
• Suplementary Material
Corto-Documental de divulgación “El Helio lo es todo”.
Página web del fabricante.
Microsite.
ATL-ATP Brochure.
Liquid Helium Brewed Locally (APS Physics).
Vídeo Promocional.
Video Helium Conservation Day 2019.
Development and transfer of an amplitude permeameter and magnetic characterisation procedures for steel strips used in the inductive shielding of high-speed train cables
TYPE: Technology protected by R&D contract
AUTHORS: Ana Arauzo, Javier Sesé, Enrique Guerrero y Conrado Rillo.
RESEARCH GRUOP: Radiación Sincrotrón y Materiales: Investigación básica y Aplicaciones (RASMIA)
COMPANY:
DESCRIPTION:
INMA researchers have designed a system for magnetic characterization of magnetic steel strips used in the screens of high-speed train signaling cables. The equipment allows to determine the characteristics and analyze how their properties change during the cable manufacturing process.
In addition, a mathematical model of the cable screen has been made, which allows calculating the shielding effectiveness at the design stage.
The impact of the transfer carried out is observed in the agile implementation to the normal activity of the company in its sector of manufacturing shielded cables for AVE trains. The impact on the company’s competitiveness has been enormous, in particular:
– Optimization of the choice of materials used in the armoring.
– Savings of 27 tons of copper/year (2007).
– Possibility of using DC04 sheet steel instead of magnetic steel. Consumption of 270 Tm/year (2007).
– Production cost savings.
– Fulfillment of design specifications required by regulations with zero failure rate.
– Improvement in the quality of the cable manufacturing processes.
– Maintenance of national and international leadership in a highly competitive sector.
OTHERS HIGHLIGHTS
• Distinctions and awards
“2nd Award for Knowledge Transfer to Business 2008”, organized by the Social Council of the University of Zaragoza, the Regional Confederation of Businessmen of Aragon and the Confederation of Small and Medium Enterprises.
Title of the Project: “Cable shielding for interlocking and signaling systems in high speed train lines”.
Quantum electrical metrology
TYOP: Transfer of know-how
COMPANY: TPYCEA
DESCRIPTION:
The use of quantum phenomena has allowed to improve the precision of the standards in several orders of magnitude during the last decades. Based on two quantum phenomena, the Josephson effect and the Quantum Hall effect, we have developed at INMA the voltage and electrical resistance standards. The voltage standard was transferred to Taller de Precision y Centro Electrotecnico de Artilleria (TPYCEA) where it became the new national voltage standard, giving an improvement of three orders of magnitude. The resistance standard was also transferred to TPYCEA, and once again, this represented an improvement of three orders of magnitude in the uncertainty.
Likewise, using properties of superconducting materials, we developed a new measurement bridge, the Cryogenic Current Comparator. The system uses different properties of superconducting materials and incorporates a SQUID magnetic field sensor that allows the comparison of two resistances with an uncertainty of parts in 109.
OTHER HIGHLIGHTS
• Publication highlights
Agustín Camón Doctoral Thesis
ISBN: 84-8499-394-9
A. Camón, M. López, F. Lera, P. Pintó, L. Lorenzo, J.M. Lamana, C. Rillo, R. Navarro. Progress in the establishment of a Josephson Voltage Standard at the spanish TPA. IEEE Trans. on Instr. and Meas. 42, 593-595 (1993)
C. Rillo, A. Camón, J.M. Lamana, F. Lera, R. Navarro, M. López, P. Pintó. Superconducting Applications in Quantum Metrology: Voltage and Resistance Standards. Superconductivity in Spain: research activities. Editado por F. Ynduráin. Programa MIDAS, 437-452 (1993)
J. Sesé, A. Camón, G. Rietveld and C. Rillo. Ultimate current resolution of a cryogenic current comparator. IEEE Trans. Instrum. Meas.48, 1306-1313 (1999)
E. Bartolomé, A. Camón, J. Sesé, C. Rillo, J. Flokstra, G. Rietveld and H. Rogalla Resistance bridge based on the Criogenic Current Comparator in a transport dewar IEEE Trans. Appl. Supercon. vol. 11, part 1.1, pp. 867-87 (2001)
“Clean” helium
TYPE: Open technology
AUTHORS: Javier Sesé, Conrado Rillo.
RESEARCH GROUP: Radiación Sincrotrón y Materiales: Investigación básica y Aplicaciones (RASMIA)
COMPANY:
DESCRIPTION:
Production of ultra-pure liquid helium that prevents the occurrence of impedance blocking in research equipment.
INMA researchers have solved a global problem, the blockage of impedances in 4He evaporation cryostats.
Certain scientific equipment using liquid helium was suffering from a widespread and unknown problem, the blockage of a capillary used to pump liquid helium. At INMA, the culprit responsible for these blockages was identified: sub-traces of molecular hydrogen present in the liquid helium. A two-stage purification technology (Cryocondensation + Chemisorption) was developed that removes the hydrogen very efficiently and is capable of producing an ultra-high purity liquid helium (yi<10-14), with which the problem of impedance blockages has been solved.
At the same time, a simple and inexpensive detector for the presence of hydrogen in liquid helium has been developed, with which it is possible to detect the presence of hydrogen in liquid helium in a few minutes, and thus protect equipment sensitive to this impurity. Dozens of these detectors have been distributed to research institutes and laboratories around the world..
OTHER HIGHLIGHTS
• Publication highlights
Hydrogen-Free Liquid-Helium Recovery Plants: The Solution for Low-Temperature Flow Impedance Blocking (Highlight en Physical Review Applied).
“Clean” Liquid Helium (Capítulo de libro por invitación)
• Suplementary materials
Synopsis in Physics
Organic-inorganic porous hybrid material, method for obtaining it and use thereof
TYPE: Licensed patent
AUTHORS: Fernando Cacho Bailo, Carlos Téllez Ariso, Jorge José Perez-Cacho, Joaquín Coronas Ceresuela
RESEARCH GROUP: Catálisis, separaciones moleculares e ingeniería de reactores (CREG)
COMPANY: Industrias Químicas del Ebro
PROPERTY: Universidad de Zaragoza, Industrias Químicas del Ebro
DESCRIPTION:
The present invention refers to an inorganic-organic porous hybrid material comprising a zeolite or amorphous aluminosilicate core with a Si/AI atomic ratio from 1 to a value lower than 2.5, and a MOF shell formed by a bidentate organic ligand covalently bound to the aluminium atoms of said zeolite or amorphous aluminosilicate. Its manufacturing process does not include any other source of metal than the aluminium provided by the zeolite onto which it grows. The crystallized MOF is rigid and thus shows higher thermal stability, and does not undergo breathing phenomena.
Nanoparticulate-aerosol generator and method for continuously generating aerosols, associated with said generator
TYPE: Licensed patent
AUTHORS: Francisco Balas Nieto, Alberto Clemente Cornago, María Pilar Lobera González, Jesús Santamaría Ramiro
RESEARCH GROUP: Películas y partículas nanoestructuradas (NFP)
COMPANY: Vitrocell Systems GMBH
PROPERTY: Universidad de Zaragoza
DESCRIPTION:
The object of the present invention relates to a nanoparticulate aerosol generator comprising a compressed gas reservoir connected to a nanoparticulate material receptacle through an operational valve, wherein said receptacle comprises an outlet hole for the aerosol. Advantageously, the outlet of said nanoparticulate material receptacle is connected to or inserted into a pressurized aerosol distribution chamber equipped with a hole for the exit of said aerosol out of the chamber. The invention provides the possibility of using different types of nanoparticles with sizes less than 100 nanometers continuously over time during long production periods of more than three hours. The invention also relates to a method for continuously generating nanoparticulate aerosols associated with the mentioned generator.
Granulysin, method of obtaining same and uses
TYPE: Licensed patent
AUTHORS: Luis Alberto Anel Bernal, Raquel Ibáñez Pérez, Patricia Guerrero Ochoa, Luis Martínez Lostao, Blanca Conde Guerri, Ramón Hurtado Guerrero, Ana Laura Sanz Alcober, Rocío Navarro Ortiz
RESEARCH GROUP: Biofuncionalización de Nanopartículas y Superficies (BIONANOSURF)
COMPANY: Grupo Peaches Biotech, S.L.
PROPERTY: Universidad de Zaragoza, Fundación para la Investigación Biomédica, Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro Majadahonda, Fundación Agencia Aragonesa para la Investigación y el Desarrollo (ARAID)
DESCRIPTION:
The present invention belongs to the technical field of biotechnology and medicine. In particular, it relates to the granulysin polypeptide for the use thereof as a medicinal product via the systemic route and to a chimeric molecule comprising a recombinant antibody targeting a tumor antigen and the granulysin polypeptide. lt also relates to the nucleic acid sequence encoding same, as well as to a vector and a host cell comprising said sequence. Likewise, it relates to a method for obtaining same, to a pharmaceutical composition, and to the medical uses thereof, particularly in the treatment of cancer.
Continuous furnace with coupled laser for the surface treatment of materials
TYPE: Licensed patent
AUTHORS: Xermán de la Fuente Leis, Carlos Estepa Millán
RESEARCH GROUP: Laser, Energía y Materiales Avanzados (LEMA)
EBT: Glasskin Tech
PROPERTY: CSIC
DESCRIPTION:
The technology consists in a continuous furnace to which a laser is coupled by conventional optical means that allows the surface treatment of a part, with which it is possible to achieve temperatures of up to 3000°C on said surface while the remainder of the part is at a substantially lower temperature. The part in the furnace is heated to a temperature of the order of 500°C and, via an opening, a laser-beam bundle is applied to the part, scanning a line perpendicular to the direction of movement of the part such that the entire surface is scanned by means of the mechanical advance of the part. This fact allows modifications to be carried out only at a superficial level of both scientific and industrial interest without possible structural modifications of the rest of the material of the piece. By heating only the surface and not the entire mass, great energy savings are produced in the process, reducing the volume of CO2 emissions.
By achieving high temperatures, new materials that are impossible to process with conventional techniques can be treated.
Laser surface modification process for glass
TYPE: Licensed patent
AUTHORS: Xermán de la Fuente Leis, Carlos Estepa Millán, Luis Alberto Angurel
RESEARCH GROUP: Laser, Energía y Materiales Avanzados (LEMA)
EBT: Glasskin Tech
PROPERTY: Universidad de Zaragoza y CSIC
DESCRIPTION:
The present invention falls within the field of materials technology, specifically in the field of glassy materials in order to improve their mechanical properties. A treatment by laser irradiation under controlled temperature conditions is proposed. This process generates a thin layer of melt on the irradiated surface of the glass, dragging it along the piece, reducing surface defects and generating a layer, well decorated with a high range of resistant colors, or natural with no apparent changes, except for a finish. More robust against mechanical damage.
Applied superconductivity
TYPE: Transfer of know-how
COMPANY: 10-Tesla (ANTEC), SMES (ANTEC y ASINEL) y LHC (DURO FELGUERA)
DESCRIPTION:
Throughout these years, INMA researchers have collaborated with several companies, both from the public and private sectors, for the development of equipment using superconductivity applications.
High magnetic field superconducting coil (10 Tesla)
Together with the company ANTEC, INMA developed the first solenoidal superconducting coil in Spain. The coil provided a field of 10 Tesla. This coil was used for the Quantum Hall Effect Resistance Standard.
• Publication highlights
Superconductivity in Spain: research activities. Editado por F. Ynduráin. Programa MIDAS, 437-452 (1993)
Superconducting Magnetic Storage System (SMES)
Together with the company ANTEC, INMA developed the first SMES in Spain. Initially a 30 KJ prototype based on 10 Tesla magnet was developed. Base on the results of this first prototype, a second 1 MJ SMES was develop and transfer to ASINEL
• Publication highlights
Superconductivity in Spain: research activities. Editado por F. Ynduráin. Programa MIDAS, 437-452 (1993)
Cryostats for the Large Hadron Collider (LHC)
Together with the company DURO FELGUERA, INMA, manufactured a 25 m linear cryostat prototype for the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). With this, CERN accreditation was obtained and the company apply for a contract for the manufacture of 400 linear cryostats.
We also obtained the CERN accreditation for the toroidal cryostats for ATLAS, one of the LHC detector
PCR-free technologies for rapid detection of RNA viruses such as SARS-CoV-2 and influenza
TYPE: Patent licence (Licensed only for pathogen detection application in Industrial Microbiology)
AUTHORS: Jesús Martínez de la Fuente, Carlos Cuestas Ayllón, María Valeria Grazú Bonavía, César Fernández Sánchez, Manuel Gutiérrez Capitán, Antonio Baldi Coll, Ramon Eritja Casadellà, María Pilar Marco Colás, María Luisa Vilaplana Holgado, Ana María Aviñó Andrés , Carlos Julián Ciudad Gómez, Verónica Noé Mata
RESEARCH GROUP: Biofuncionalización de Nanopartículas y Superficies (BIONANOSURF)
COMPANY: Nanoimmunotech, S.L.
PROPERTY: CSIC-60% (INMA-14%; IBM-CNN – 13%; IQAC-33%), UB-30%, CIBER BBN-10%
DESCRIPTION:
The technology consists in novel DNA probes useful for the rapid detection of SARS-CoV2, influenza and other respiratory viral RNAs. Integrated in different set of devices, these probes enable the detection of RNA sequences in few minutes, without the need for RNA extraction, purification and PCR amplification.
The technology presents a fast, sensitive and reliable biochemical approach that allows performing the test at the point of care (PoC), without specialized equipment or highly trained personnel, or the need to use it on multiplexed high throughput laboratory platforms to increase the efficiency. In addition, the technology can be easily adapted for the detection of any pathogen for which its genomic sequence is known.
OTHER HIGHLIGHTS
• Publication highlights
– Anna Aviñó, Carlos Cuestas-Ayllón, Manuel Gutiérrez-Capitán,Lluisa Vilaplana, Valeria Grazu, Véronique Noé, Eva Balada, Antonio Baldi, Alex J. Félix, Eva Aubets, Simonas Valiuska, Arnau Domínguez, Raimundo Gargallo, Ramon Eritja, M.-Pilar Marco, César Fernández-Sánchez, Jesús Martínez de la Fuente, Carlos J. Ciudad. “Detection of SARS-CoV-2 Virus by Triplex Enhanced Nucleic Acid Detection Assay (TENADA)”. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(23), 15258; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms232315258.
Ultra-sensitive biosensor technology based on the use of metal nanoparticles as thermal labels
TYPE: Patent licence
AUTHORS: Pablo Del Pino Gonzalez De La Higuera, Beatriz Pelaz Garcia, Ester Polo Tobajas, María Valeria Grazú Bonavía, Jesus Martinez De La Fuente, Victor Parro Garcia
RESEARCH GROUP:: Biofuncionalización de Nanopartículas y Superficies (BIONANOSURF)
COMPANY: Nanoimmunotech, S.L.
PROPERTY: Universidad de Zaragoza 80%; FUNDACION AGENCIA ARAGONESA PARA LA INVESTIGACION Y EL DESARROLLO – 10%; CSIC – 10%
DESCRIPTION:
The technology consists of an innovative transduction strategy that enables ultrasensitive visual detection (phentomolar range) of analytes based on the properties of metal nanoparticles to convert light into heat. The analyte is visually detected by the colour change in the support areas where the analyte has been specifically captured. This visual signal is produced by the heat generated by the metal nanoparticles when irradiated with an external light source. The nanoparticles only generate this visual signal if the analyte is present in the sample to be analysed. This novel transduction method can be adapted to different detection formats, the basis of the technology being ultrasensitive visual detection by controlled heat generation.
OTHER HIGHLIGHTS
• Publication highlights
– Ester Polo, Pablo del Pino, Beatriz Pelaz, Valeria Grazu and Jesus M. de la Fuente. Plasmonic-driven thermal sensing: ultralow detection of cancer markers. Chem. Commun., 2013,49, 3676-3678. https://doi.org/10.1039/C3CC39112D.
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