The SUMAN group already participated in a previous edition of the L2M program, with a technology related to the ultrafast growth of superconductors: "We are delighted with the program and the consultants chosen for their great professionalism, commitment and depth of analysis, helping us to establish the most appropriate strategies for the transfer of our technology" Teresa Puig and Roxana Vlad commented. 

For this third edition of the L2M program, the SUMAN group will participate with a technology on the synthesis of colloidal inks. Colloidal inks are a key component for the industrial manufacturing of superconducting coated conductors through the ultra-fast Transient Liquid Assisted Growth (TLAG) method developed by this group at ICMAB, combined with the low-cost chemical solution deposition (CSD) processing. 

To manufacture superconducting coated conductors through the TLAG-CSD method, there is the need for robust, stable and reproducible colloidal inks in large quantities, compatible with the process and able to stabilize nanoparticles and with an increased solubility of salts. Moreover, these colloidal inks should be customized for different industrial metallic substrates to further be expanded to other CSD growth processes. This is what the SUMAN group would like to study within the L2M program. 

High temperature superconducting (HTS) coated conductors are relevant materials for the new energy paradigm, reducing energy lossses, increasing energy efficency, generation and distribution. Being able to produce them through a low-cost, scalable and reproducible method is a must to make them competitive in the market. What a challenge for the SUMAN group!

In addition of the L2M program, in this third edition of the program the XRE4S has launched new programs that will complement L2M such as IP Services & Transfer to provide more support in the area of industrial and intellectual property protection, Technology Business Development, aimed at securing partner companies or potential licensees, and Entrepreneurship, to support teams that want to create a spin-off.

About the L2M program

The Lab to Market (L2M) program is a technology transfer and valorization program to boost the impact of energy technology transfer to the industry in Catalonia. 

The objectives of the L2M program are:

• Support researchers and technology transfer officers to systemize technology scouting
• Accelerate the valorization of the research results within XRE4S giving a specific and focused assessment to the groups
• Promote the valorization of relevant technologies by means of licensing agreements or spin off creation to commercialize technology developed by the XRE4S research groups

The selected technologies that participate in the L2M program will receive a detailed and focused assessment in business, market strategy and IP protection. The assessment will be during 4 months. 

The L2M program is organized by the R+D+I network Energy for Society (XRE4S) funded by the Generalitat de Catalunya and coordinated by the Catalonia Institute for Energy Reserach (IREC). 

About XRE4S

XRE4S is a network composed of more than 500 researchers in the field of energy from 41 research groups belonging to 14 Catalan research entities. The XRE4S objective is to promote the technology transfer of its members.

XRE4S is a project co-financed by the European Regional Development Funds of the European Union within the framework of the OP FEDER of Catalonia 2014-2020 and the support of the Secretaria d’Universitats i Recerca of the Departament d’Empresa i Coneixement of the Generalitat de Catalunya.

Download the Press Release in CAT and in ESP.