Thursday, 18 July 2019
The ICN2 project “Radiative Cooling” is awarded by The Collider Programme of Mobile World Capital Barcelona
The Collider is a tech transfer programme promoted by Mobile World Capital Barcelona that connects scientific research with entrepreneurial initiative. The awarded “Radiative Cooling” project aims to improve the efficiency of electrical devices by cooling them using infrared radiation.
The Collider is a highly innovative tech transfer programmes, funded by Mobile World Capital Barcelona, which connects scientific research with entrepreneurial initiative, with the final goal of creating disruptive technological startups. Last 8 July, at the Pier 01 Barcelona Tech City, Dr Juliana Jaramillo and Cristina Morales, from the ICN2 Phononic and Photonic Nanostructures Group, together with Pablo Pomposiello and Claudia Nieva (Business and Innovation), collected the The Collider Tech Award 2019. The prize was awarded to the “Radiative Cooling” project, conceived and developed by Dr Juliana Jaramillo, Dr Achille Francone and Dr Nikolaos Kehagias, all of them from the aforementioned ICN2 Phononic and Photonic Nanostructures Group led by ICREA Prof. Clivia M. Sotomayor Torres. The project was among the 15 awarded initiatives selected from a long list of over 150 candidates.
The invention deals with the cooling of a surface or device when a hybrid microstructure is applied on its exterior surface. In particular, they have developed and demonstrated a dual functionality micro-structured film which provides both passive radiative cooling and self-cleaning. The approach is adaptable to many devices, and could be integrated directly on a surface requiring cooling and/or as a large area adhesive film on a surface requiring cooling and self-cleaning. This dual functionality is of particular interest for applications such as photovoltaic panels, which need a clean surface and an optimal temperature for maximum performance.
The award consists of €2,000 in cash, innovation training for the inventors, crafting a business plan by specialists recruited by The Collider, consideration for a second phase to launch a startup company, and access to the network of corporate contacts of Mobile World Capital Barcelona. It also serves as recognition of the teamwork at ICN2, in which researchers and the Business and Innovation office have worked together efficiently. The team has now a patent about to be filed and a demonstrable prototype that was brought to the presentation and raised great interest.