The R+D+I: Energy for Society Network (XRE4S) is a transversal and interdisciplinary action with a focus on technology transference and an interest in bringing together research and industry for improvements in the sector. 

This network is now joined by ICMAB researchers from:

• the Superconducting Materials and Large Scale Nanostructures (SUMAN) group, with Teresa Puig as a representative,
• the Solid State Chemistry (SSC) Group, with Amparo Fuertes,
• the Nanostructured Materials for Optoelectronics and Energy Harvesting (NANOPTO) Group, represented by Isabel Alonso,
• and the Inorganic Materials & Catalysis (LMI) group, represented by Francesc Teixidor.

They will be joining other research groups and centers: the Barcelona Supercomputing Center (BSC), the International Centre for Numerical Methods in Engineering (CIMNE), the EURECAT Technology Center, the Institute of Chemical Research in Catalonia (ICIQ), the Catalan Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (ICN2), the National Microelectronics Centre (IMB-CNM), the Catalonia Institute for Energy Research  (IREC), who coordinates the XRE4S network, the Universitat Ramón Llull (URL), the Universitat de Barcelona (UB), the Universitat de Girona (UdG), the Universitat de Lleida (UdL), and the Universitat de Vic (UVic-UCC).

Thee affiliated entities will be collaborating with the XRE4S: Clúster d’Eficiència Energètica de Catalunya (CEEC), the Institut Català del Sòl (Incasòl), and the Investment fund DEMETER.

Objectives of the XRE4S

Within the main objective of improving technology transfer between researchers and the industry, there are specific objectives that are of the network interest . These include, amongst others, an increase of the development and recognition of patents through specialized advice. There is also an interest in boosting the creation of interdisciplinary spin-offs for the commercialization of those patents, and in increasing the amounts of private financing that allows for this technologies to reach the market. This also helps different groups share access to each other’s technological equipment, both between research groups and between researchers and the industry.

A similar objective is the creation of tools that allow the researcher’s ability to transfer technology and personnel towards industrial settings. There are also sociological objectives, with a focus on improving gender equity and the design of technologies that can help society and be in tune with the interests of the public, in order to help shape the future. 

With this, the XRE4S hopes to create an ecosystem where referents in the energy sector can flourish, with a focus on entrepreneurship and collaboration.

Lab to Market program

The Lab to Market (L2M) program is the XRE4S technology scouting program. The call opened on 18 May 2020 and will remain open to 18 June 2020. The first phase of the L2M program is a "PRE – SCREENING OF TECHNOLOGIES", and will consist of a first pre- screening on technology assessment, market opportunity and analysis of IP status & strategy.

Phase 2 of the L2M program "CUSTOMIZED ASSESSMENT" will consist of a deep and focused assessment of the technology innovativeness, feasibility and market potential.

For more information, please visit the Lab to Market (L2M) progam website.