Collaborations and services offered
IMEYMAT maintains as its Strategic Line: Promoting Scientific and Technical Collaborations at a Global Level.
To this end, IMEYMAT researchers are open to receiving proposals from other laboratories, centres and entities to develop I+D+i PROJECTS national and international ensembles, on work-related issues where the Institute’s researchers can contribute their expertise.
At the same time, IMEYMAT has extensive experience collaborating with companies to develop their I+D+i, programmes and to control and monitor their production processes: Turning Scientific Results into Advances for Society.
The Services shall be organised as follows:
- through Transfer Agreements, drawn up in accordance with Article 60 of the LOSU, which shall set out the scope and terms of the agreement.
- through fees approved in the University’s Annual Budgets, for specific tests, and for cases in which they have been established.
Anyone wishing to use a service shall describe to the person responsible for it the measures or studies necessary to assess its feasibility and determine, where appropriate, the budget and the terms under which it can be carried out.
For fundamental developments of interest to companies, a Doctoral Thesis with an Industrial Doctorate Mention may be agreed upon, which will be regulated by a collaboration agreement between the company and the UCA.
In all of the above cases of collaboration with companies, confidentiality clauses may be established when the nature of the studies so requires.
For any queries, please contact imeymat@uca.es.
+ INFO ON HOW TO ENTER INTO I+D+i CONTRACTS WITH IMEYMAT
1. Research groups recognised by the university, departments and university research institutes, as well as their teaching staff, either through the above or through university bodies, centres, foundations or similar organisational structures dedicated to channelling teaching staff research initiatives and transferring research results, may enter into contracts with individuals, universities, or public and private entities for the performance of scientific, technological, humanistic or artistic work, as well as for specific training activities.
2. The governing bodies of universities, within the framework of the basic rules laid down by the Government, shall regulate the procedures for authorising the work and entering into the contracts referred to in the previous section, as well as the criteria for determining the destination of the goods and resources obtained through them.
The researcher in charge at the UCA will be responsible for submitting the contract to the relevant Vice-Chancellor’s Office, using the electronic form available on the WIDI platform.
widi.uca.es > Request for Services > Request for OTRI authorisation
This platform streamlines the procedure.
The sections to be completed are:
General Information > Contracting Entity > Work to be Performed > UCA Personnel Involved > Financial Report
UCA staff involved > Financial Report
For work that can be considered repetitive, authorisation for an Approved Technical Service can be requested from the Vice-Chancellor’s Office for Research. Once the terms of service have been authorised, an even more simplified contracting procedure can be followed on subsequent occasions, by completing an order form in which the authorised representative of the company accepts the quote proposed by the researcher.
+ DETAIL, Characteristics of Approved Technical Services, according to Art. 13 of the UCA Regulations:
Art. 13.- In the case of repetitive technical services (tests, expert reports, certifications, etc.), the signing of the contract may be replaced by a purchase order (for which there will be a standardised template) duly completed and signed by the applicant. To do so, the technical service to be provided must first be approved by the Vice-Rectorate for Research and a price list must be available. The minimum requirements for the approval of a technical service are:
- The result of the technical service will be a report only.
- The applicant only has rights to the report. All possible industrial property rights shall be exclusively held by the University.
- Technical services can be easily priced, either by the number of samples or parameters analysed or tested, or by the time spent.
SERVICES OFFERED
Below is a list of 27 SERVICES offered by IMEYMAT, which can be expanded to include others, depending on the Institute’s capabilities, to meet the needs that may arise for companies and institutions.
Description: An advanced study of the textural properties and porosity of materials is offered, combining N2 physisorption and Hg intrusion porosimetry, which provides detailed information on the structure of samples in the nanometric and micrometric range. Each technique is also offered separately. The service is applicable to any solid material, including powders, pellets, granules, or blocks. It provides key information such as surface area, particle size, pore volume, total porosity, and pore size distribution from 1 nm to 500 µm, among others. These types of studies are particularly relevant for porous materials in the nanometre range. They allow a direct correlation to be established between the properties and structure of the material, as well as studying changes in the porous structure after subjecting the materials to different treatments.
Responsible: Maria Jesús Mosquera Díaz; mariajesus.mosquera@uca.es
Description: Characterisation of optical, electronic, vibrational and structural properties using advanced spectroscopic techniques is offered. The equipment described in the Advanced Spectroscopic Techniques Laboratory infrastructure will be used for this purpose. The team leaders offer to carry out the measurements and analyse the results obtained, producing reports with a full discussion of the results. The materials under study may be diverse, although the research team has extensive experience in semiconductor materials, and specifically in materials with luminescent properties that are attractive for various applications, such as sensors. The development of collaborations in this area, thanks to the infrastructure described, is of great interest.
Responsible: Francisco Javier Navas Pineda; javier.navas@uca.es
Description: Integrated studies are offered to determine: structure from the nanoscale to the macroscale, composition and behaviour in minerals, ceramics, semiconductors, catalysts and other nanomaterials, especially poly-microcrystalline ones. The combination of techniques from IMEYMAT and UCA Central Services will enable: • Determination of elemental chemical composition • Characterisation of crystalline structure • Analysis of mineral or synthetic phases present in complex mixtures • Observation and study of microstructures and nanostructures in high resolution • Conduct spectroscopic studies to identify bonds, vibrational modes, and structural modifications after treatment. • Monitor processes in real time and under operating conditions (in situ). • Investigate optical and electronic properties linked to local structure, especially in photonic materials, semiconductors, and compounds with specific luminescent or absorption properties.
Responsible: Juan José Delgado Jaén; juanjose.delgado@uca.es
Description: The service offers advanced mechanical testing (tensile, compression, bending, nanoindentation and dynamic mechanical analysis) on solid materials, polymers and coatings. It allows properties such as elastic modulus, maximum strength, hardness, viscoelastic behaviour and glass transition temperature to be determined. It is of interest to companies in the materials, automotive, construction and biomaterials sectors, as well as research centres that require advanced characterisation for product development or quality control.
Responsible: Manuel Piñero de los Ríos; manolo.piniero@uca.es
Description: Characterisation of the internal structure of metals and their wear processes through contact with other materials, based on friction coefficients. It also includes the characterisation of materials under tension, compression and bending, and the characterisation of metal surface layers using XRD. These measurements are of interest for determining the metallographic structure and main mechanical properties of metallic materials. The materials will be provided by the applicant. The estimated time for scheduling and executing the work will be determined by the person responsible for the service. The preparation of technical reports will incur an additional cost, which in a standard case will be €300. The person requesting the service will describe the necessary measurements or studies to the person responsible, in order to assess its feasibility and determine the detailed budget and the terms under which it can be provided. Other proposals for collaboration will be subject to evaluation.
Responsible: Jorge Salguero Gómez; jorge.salguero@uca.es
Description: Characterisation testing, mechanical properties on surfaces and accelerated ageing of construction materials, and evaluation of the effectiveness and durability of conservation, repair and waterproofing treatments. Mechanical properties. Surface hardness using static (Vickers) or dynamic (Leeb, Schmidt) methods. Compaction and cohesion by ultrasonic pulse measurement and drilling resistance. Standardised abrasion resistance tests. Water transport properties. Water absorption tests by capillarity and immersion. Water vapour permeability tests. Determination of drying properties (EN 16322). Capillary absorption by Karsten pipette and contact sponge methods (possibility of in situ study). Accelerated ageing and durability. Resistance to freeze-thaw cycles, resistance to salt crystallisation, resistance to thermal shock, chloride penetration, resistance to alkalis (concrete).
Responsible: María Jesús Mosquera Díaz; mariajesus.mosquera@uca.es
Description: Offered: A) Manufacture of polymer-based composite materials in pellet form for subsequent use. B) Manufacture of objects and prototypes using additive manufacturing, starting with filaments, photopolymer resins, laminated cellulose and polymer powder. C) 3D models to be provided by the applicant, to be produced by 3D scanning or made to order in the laboratory. D) Pre-manufacturing operations: drying, grinding and sieving of materials. E) Additive manufacturing using molten pellets for test tubes and prototypes. F) Recycling of polymeric and composite materials. Shredding of plastic materials and agricultural waste. Manufacture of pellets from biomass. Sieving on a pre-industrial scale. Machining of test tubes for testing. G) Characterisation of materials: density, thermal and electrical conductivity, and mechanical properties. H) Bioprinting of 3D models. Bioprinting with biological and polymeric materials. I) Biodegradation testing of materials.
Responsible: Sergio Ignacio Molina Rubio; sergio.molina@uca.es
Description: In Energy, SEM and EDX optimise battery/solar panel materials (microstructure/composition), with an in-situ thermal sample holder simulating conditions. For Steels, SEM and EDX study microstructures, corrosion and mechanical properties. In Micro/nanoelectronics, SEM characterises components, analyses defects and optimises processes. EDX verifies composition, and cathodoluminescence (CL) reveals crystallographic defects. For Heritage, SEM and EDX allow historical materials to be studied, preserved and authenticated without damaging them. In Biomaterials, SEM analyses the biocompatibility of implants/tissues. The in-situ thermal sample holder simulates physiological conditions, and EDX maps their integration. In agri-food, SEM characterises food, packaging and contaminants. EDX identifies foreign particles. Finally, in mining, SEM and the backscatter detector analyse minerals/rocks, differentiating phases by density, complemented by EDX.
Responsible: Lionel Cervera Gontard; lionel.cervera@uca.es
Description: Cathodoluminescence (CL) is powerful in photonic characterisation, through spectroscopic analysis between 350-650 nm, with high spatial resolution and depth of field, given the flexibility of an electron probe. Applications: SEMICONDUCTORS and optoelectronic materials, thin nitride films, nanostructures and heterostructures for nanostructured oxides (ZnO, ZrO2 and Y3Al5O12), and doped rare earths. LIFE SCIENCES: the use of luminescent markers combines the benefits of fluorescence microscopy with the spatial resolution capabilities of an electron microscope. GEOLOGY: Establishes provenance and diagenesis, differentiates minerals, and identifies healed fractures and chemical overgrowths, as well as fine-grained structures. Those requesting the service will describe the measures necessary to assess its feasibility and determine the budget and terms under which it can be carried out. Other forms of collaboration will be evaluated.
Responsible: Lionel Cervera Gontard; lionel.cervera@uca.es
Description: The following measurements are offered: • Ellipsometric angles in the ranges 200–2500 nm and/or 2000–40000 nm • Topographic profiles up to 5 cm x 5 cm with lateral resolution up to 100 microns and depth up to 0.1 nm. • Reflectometry and specular finish • Reflection and transmission spectra with polarised light. • Optical constants and thin film thickness through optical modelling. The duration of the measurement depends on the range and resolution: The person requesting the service will describe the necessary studies in order to assess their feasibility and determine the budget and terms under which they can be carried out. In addition to the cost of the equipment, there will be a charge of €150/hour for the researcher and €170 for the issuance of reports. If an optical model needs to be developed, there will be an additional charge of €300. The models allow the determination of: • Optical constants of materials in the form of n and k or as dielectric constants, both real and imaginary. • Thin film thicknesses between 50 nm and several microns.
Responsible: Eduardo Blanco Ollero; eduardo.blanco@uca.es
Description: Comprehensive characterisation of the thermophysical and rheological properties of colloidal suspensions is offered. The equipment described in the Thermophysical and Rheological Properties Laboratory infrastructure will be used for this purpose. The team leaders offer to carry out the measurements and analyse the results obtained, producing reports with a full discussion of the results. The type of sample under study may vary, although the research team has extensive experience in the study of nanofluids and phase-change materials and their applications in both solar thermal energy and thermal energy storage processes, in which the analysis of thermophysical and rheological properties is vital. The development of collaborations in this area, thanks to the infrastructure described, is of great interest.
Responsible: Francisco Javier Navas Pineda; javier.navas@uca.es
Description: Three-dimensional scanning of all types of objects and parts with precision for metrology applications, enabling 3D printing formats to be obtained, as well as dimensional inspection of parts. The devices are portable, so work can be carried out in locations other than the laboratory. Different output formats can be used for the scan results: .dae, .fbx, .ma, .obj, .ply, .stl, .txt, .wrl, .x3d, .x3dz, .zpr, .3mf. The hourly rate for the researcher is supplemented by other costs depending on the volume of the part. For parts measuring between 0.8 and 10 m3, the additional cost will be €140. Travel costs will be added for work carried out outside the Smart Manufacturing Lab. Those requesting the service will describe the work to be carried out to the person in charge in order to assess its feasibility and determine the detailed budget and terms under which it can be carried out. Other proposals for collaboration will be subject to assessment.
Responsible: David Sales Lérida; david.sales@uca.es
Description: The service includes all stages involved in the feasibility study, such as: • 3D design of prototypes or demonstrators. • Topological optimisation. • Simulation of the manufacturing process. • Manufacture of prototypes or demonstrators in the alloys available at any given time. Currently, manufacturing is possible in Scalmalloy aluminium alloy. Maximum manufacturing volume 250 mm x 250 mm x 325 mm. • Thermal post-processing. • Surface post-processing by shot blasting, chemical etching, wet electropolishing or dry electropolishing with Dlyte technology. The service requester will describe the necessary measures or studies to the person in charge, in order to jointly assess their feasibility and determine the budget and terms under which they can be carried out.
Responsible: Leandro González Rovira; leandro.gonzalez@uca.es
Description: The service responds to requests for studies, testing and consulting on metallic materials. A) Microstructure: chemical phases and their distribution, grain size, coating thicknesses, presence of defects using optical microscopy and SEM/EDS. B) Preparation of samples for SEM using ion polishing. C) Corrosion behaviour: immersion tests, electrochemical tests with direct and alternating current. D) Corrosion protection. E) Behaviour of materials under controlled temperature and humidity conditions. F) Study of the behaviour of metallic materials under deep drawing processes. The service requester shall describe to the person responsible the necessary measures or studies, in order to jointly assess their feasibility and determine the budget and terms under which they can be carried out. Other proposals for collaboration will be subject to evaluation.
Responsible: Leandro González Rovira; leandro.gonzalez@uca.es
Description: Evaluation of: SOL-GEL AND COLLOIDAL SYSTEMS. Viscosity and its evolution over time (gelation/stability). Particle sizes and nano/micro-emulsions using DLS. Z-potential and isoelectric point of particles. MATERIALS WITH SMART MOISTURISING PROPERTIES. Contact angles. Calculation of surface energies. Measurement of surface tension of liquids. PHOTOCATALYTIC AND DECONTAMINATING MATERIALS. Determination of band gap. Photo-degradation tests of dyes and self-cleaning of stains in a solar chamber. Photo-elimination of pollutants (NOx and VOCs). ANTIMICROBIAL MATERIALS. Quantification of ATP by chemiluminescence. Estimation of cell-surface interfacial stresses. OTHER SURFACE PROPERTIES. Chemical characterisation: Raman, FTIR-ATR and UV-Vis with integrating sphere. Aesthetic parameters of colour and brightness. Roughness and topography using AFM. Surface Z-potential measurements with solid cell.
Responsible: María Jesús Mosquera Díaz; mariajesus.mosquera@uca.es
Description: The service offered enables the manufacture of parts and/or tools, as well as the study and characterisation of machining, micro-machining, laser texturing and metal additive manufacturing processes using WAAM technologies. It is of particular interest for parametric optimisation studies and machining strategies (milling and drilling) and laser texturing, and for the characterisation of cutting tool wear. Materials will be provided by the applicant. The estimated time for scheduling and executing the work will be determined by the service manager. The preparation of technical reports will incur an additional cost, which in a standard case will be €300. The person requesting the service will describe the necessary measures or studies to the manager in order to assess its feasibility and determine the detailed budget and the terms under which it can be provided. Other proposals for collaboration will be subject to evaluation.
Responsible: Jorge Salguero Gómez; jorge.salguero@uca.es
Description: MPCVD Diamond The service offered is the deposition of diamond layers with controlled doping and layer thicknesses for power devices, quantum computing systems (NV centre), or photonic applications. The person requesting the service will describe the characteristics of the layers to the person in charge, in order to jointly assess their feasibility and determine the budget and terms under which they can be carried out. Other proposals for collaboration will be
object of valuation.
Responsible: Daniel Araujo Gay; daniel.araujo@uca.es
Description: Manufacture of three-dimensional parts weighing up to 300 kg using the PA-WAAM technique on flat substrates from CAD or STL files. Material deposits can also be applied to existing parts for repairs. Available materials: currently manufactured preferably in stainless steel of any commercial grade. Manufacturing in any other weldable material can be considered, provided that commercial wires (MIG-MAG type) are available.
Responsible: David Sales Lérida; david.sales@uca.es
Description: CNC machining of simple geometric parts in metal or polymeric material. The machine’s work table supports parts weighing up to 400 kg, allowing for the machining of large components. The equipment has a power rating of 17 kW, ensuring optimum performance and the ability to carry out intensive and precise machining operations, as well as the use of high-speed cutting tools, optimising production times and ensuring a high-quality surface finish. The numerical control system allows complex operations to be programmed with high precision. The cost per hour of researcher time is €100 and the manufacturing cost will be determined based on the specific work. Those requesting the service will describe the work to be carried out to the person in charge in order to assess its feasibility and determine the detailed budget and terms under which it can be carried out. Other proposals for collaboration will be subject to evaluation.
Responsible: David Sales Lérida; david.sales@uca.es
Description: Variable temperature optical property measurement systems enable the quantification of molecular concentrations, observation of structural and conformational changes in proteins or polymers, monitoring of reaction kinetics, analysis of liquids, and measurement of different optical properties (transmission, absorption, and reflection of solid materials). The colorimeter is a spectrometer that accurately measures spectral reflection and other relevant colour parameters. It is used in the manufacture of plastics, electronic equipment, lacquers and colours, as well as in the pharmaceutical industry and food research and production. Those interested in the service should describe the necessary measurements or studies to the person in charge, in order to jointly assess their feasibility and determine the budget and conditions under which they can be carried out. The laboratory is also open to collaborating on R&D&I projects.
Responsible: Francisco Miguel Morales Sánchez; fmiguel.morales@uca.es