One of the two patents is a new bio-based material for adhesive and coating applications; the second one is a material to produce hydrogen and semiconductors
Two new technologies from the Institut Català d’Investigació Química (ICIQ-CERCA) have been selected by Mobile World Capital Barcelona in its venture builder programme “The Collider”. The two technologies, focused on green inventions, have been patented by the ICIQ-Knowledge and Technology Transfer area (ICIQ-KTT) thanks to their industrial possibilities in applications related to materials.
Bio-based materials
On one hand, the programme have chosen the “Biobased epoxy resin composition for adhesive and coating applications” (WO2023110981A1) technology, from Prof. Arjan Kleij group, group in collaboration with Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya. This invention, now a TRL 4, relates to an epoxy resin composition useful as thermoset for paint, coatings or adhesives comprising a polyepoxide derived from poly(limonene carbonate), a polymer derived from biomass, and a polyamine hardener.
The advantages of this technology include the use of circular materials as CO₂ and waste by-product of the agriculture or food industry; green adhesives and coating applications of the final product; alternative to the oil-based materials for greener applications and according to the circular economy; and valorisation of CO₂ emissions contributing to climate action policies through the fixation of the CO₂ molecule in the polymer material.
Once optimised and transferred to industry, this technology has a market target in plastics, paints, coatings or adhesive manufacturers.
An outstanding catalyst
In the other hand, the second ICIQ technology that entered into “The Collider” programme is “Method of synthesis of transition metal nitrides and their use when they have two, three or four metals as catalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction”, from Prof. JR Galán-Mascarós group.
This invention describes an innovative methodology for the synthesis of multi-metallic transition metal nitrides (TMNs) in a single step using readily available and cheap metal precursors. In the nitrides market, dominated by single metal nitride formulations, this technology allows access to multimetallic nitrides with 1-4 different metals through very cheap raw materials.
The advantages of this technology include the reduction of hydrogen production costs through the increase of the catalyst lifetime and the reduction of the energy inputs; moreover, no critical metals such as Pd, Pt or Rh are required. It has other advantages, that include high properties for semiconductors, materials and hydrogen production; complete control over nitride composition up to four metals; cost reduction since it requires readily available materials; increase of the catalyst lifetime; and reduction of the energy production inputs.
ICIQ-KTT team and business opportunities
In this first stage, these ICIQ technologies will receive support to know their viability and commercial interest. The ICIQ-KTT team, involved in this phase, will validate the business opportunity of each project.
The Venture Builder Collider is specialised in deep tech start-ups that bridges the gap between science and market. Based in Barcelona, The Collider has a proven track record of helping start-ups bring their ideas to the market, as it did with the ICIQ spin-off Jolt Solutions. By connecting scientific researchers with entrepreneurial talent, the programme transfers state-of-the-art technology into products or services for society.