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The Projects

Lighting

• Silicon Light Enhancement for Color and Energy Efficiency (SILENCE2):
  The SILENCE2 project proposes a new line of research that focuses on the implementation of novel solid-state sources intended for general illumination using a CMOS compatible technology. Our main strength is the hybrid nature of our group that has large experience in both state-of-the-art phosphors/materials for LED technology and Silicon Photonics. This provides an excellent environment in which to develop a solid-state lighting technology fully based on Silicon, which would dramatically bring costs down by enabling mass-production within the omnipresent semiconductor industry.


• Pulse-excitation of photoluminescent phosphors used with high-power blue and near-UV light-emitting diodes for general lighting:
  Based on the persistence of the photoluminescence (PL) phosphors used for energy conversion on high-power white light-emitting diodes (LEDs), for application on general lighting, the focus of this research is to study and to evaluate the possible optimization of different phosphors by pulsing its excitation light (blue or near-UV).


• Lighting Controls Retrofiting
  In this project, IREC lighting researchers are working with a Spanish lighting control company in the final development of unique control system for a retrofit application. The Spanish company completed development the European market prototype, and they are extending to the United States market.


• Solución Integral de Infraestructuras Urbanas – SIIUR
  The SIIUR project is the result of the collaboration of more than 12 companies involved in the public lighting, automation, control, communication networks, and the electrical sector in Catalonia whose main objective is to implement a street lighting “living-lab” system in order to study the energy efficiency, luminous quality and final user perception of the lighting system installed at the Mas de Roda street in Barcelona – Spain.


• Prototype of an intelligent lamp for arbitrary spectral reproduction and computation through environmental lighting (LIGHTELLIGENCE)
  The LIGHTELLIGENCE project will be aimed at exploiting the spectral versatility of arrays of multicolored LEDs in several fields of application that may require the utilization of concrete spectral content. Though this project, we would like to add value to a concept by means of a completely new solution: an intelligent light bulb with LEDs (decorative, technical and functional applications, either static or portable). The adjective “intelligent” refers to the ability of the lighting device to record, process and reproduce any arbitrary spectrum in real time.


• Modeling Energy-Efficient Technologies in Lighting (MEET Lighting)
  The MEET (Modeling Energy-Efficient Technologies) Lighting initiative has been created to develop a simulation platform for energy-efficient technologies. The goal pursued by this project is twofold. First, provide the lighting group as well as other potential groups at IREC with a platform in which to carry out scientific simulations and modeling of physical systems. Second, a simulation platform over the Internet will be designed so that all these programmatic efforts to understand the physical systems can revert into a benefit to companies, research centers and educational institutions.


• A comparison between Near Field and Far Field goniophotometer measurements
  In a collaborative work between IREC and the Light and Lighting Laboratory in Ghent - Belgium, it was performed measurements of luminous flux and Light Intensity Distributions (LID) to different types of light sources and luminaires, as well as a comparison between measurements with Near Field Goniophotometer and other two types of Far Field goniophotometers from other laboratories in Belgium.


• Cathodoluminescent Phosphors for Energy-Efficient Lighting
  An investigation of several coating and screening techniques to improve energy efficiency, lifetime, thermal stability, color quality, and reduce cost of cathodoluminescent (CL) phosphors such that they can be applied to general lighting in a variety of light sources.

• Study on improved use of energy content in the combustion of solid urban waste at SIRUSA Commissioned study to provide assessment on increasing electricity production efficiency at Sirusa’s solid urban waste incineration plant in Constantí, Tarragona, Catalonia.


• Evaluation of diatom cultivation for liquid and solid fuel production (ENE2007-65033) Research on microalgae cultivation as a method for atmospheric CO2 fixation and production of renewable biofuels.


• Production of microalgae for biofuels Research on microalgae cultivation as a method for atmospheric CO2 fixation and production of renewable biofuels.


• Nanoporous Materials Processing and Engineering – Open TOK (MTKD-CT-2005-030040) Research towards developing nanostructured adsorbent materials.


• Development of multifunctional microstructured reactors for hydrogen production (CTQ2008-02491) Research towards developing autothermal systems for the production of hydrogen from liquid biofuels

• Smart City-Living Lab 
  Develop a next-generation demonstration project of an electricity grid on which clients and the utility company collaborate; increase the use of renewable energy sources and therefore bring energy production centers closer to areas of consumption; and foster a more efficient consumption management model.


• DER lab-22@IREC
  The main aim is to build an experimental station where research can be done towards the integration of all components in a new system of energy distribution. The experimental station will integrate into an interconnected, intelligent microgrid a series of the extant Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) such as: conventional microgeneration technologies (diesel or natural gas motors), emerging technologies (microturbines and energy from storage devices) and renewable energy technologies (small wind turbines and solar generators).


• Retrofit Hybrid 
  art of a project to retrofit a conventional bus to make it a hybrid. This particular project consists in the replacement of the gear box with an electric engine that will be used for propulsion whereas the diesel engine will be exclusively dedicated to generating electricity. IREC has been entrusted with carrying out the electromagnetic compatibility studies as well as studying the hybrid bus’s energy efficiency, analyzing and proposing a new mobility model to be followed so as to allow the efficiency studied to be made effective.


• V.E.R.D.E
  The aim of this CENIT project, with a budget of 35 million euros, is to develop a plug-in hybrid vehicle for SEAT. The automotive components industry and research centers have joined forces to meet this technological challenge. IREC has been subcontracted by four companies for four different aspects, principally relating to integrating electric vehicle charging into the electrical system (infrastructure, networks and services, connections, VE integration into smart grids), and will also be in charge of the demo.


• EMERGE 
  Study and development of electrical engineering associated with deep-water offshore wind power: generation, generator configuration and transmission, AC-DC line types, connection to the coast, etc. The project includes the small-scale development and laboratory testing of equipment and systems in order to verify that performance is in keeping with the needs defined.


• Llar Digital- IREC Living Lab
  Creation of a multi-channel platform for interactive, personalized content for energy efficiency in buildings.


• REVE - 1
  The REVE project consists of an in-depth study to evaluate the most significant technical challenges and economic aspects in the creation of a grid infrastructure allowing electric cars to serve as energy storage for the electricity grid while not in use and therefore contribute to improving the overall electrical system charge factor.

• CENIT Project CEN2009 1009. “The ATON Project: Research and development of new energy generation technologiesy based on thin-film photovoltaic cells” 
  IREC is the technological coordinator for A5 workpackage: Development of wet processes (electrodeposition,  printing based techniques) for the synthesis of  CIGS absorbers  for low-cost high efficiency  photovoltaic devices.


• PSE REDES 2025 Storage Subproject (Subprojecte Emmagatzematge)
  Funded by Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (MICINN), this project focuses on research and development of technologies for the construction of continuous-type redox flow batteries for energy storage.


• CENIT CEN-2008-1027 “SOST-CO2”: New Sustainable Industrial Uses for CO2 (SOSTCO2)
  The project researches the development of photoreactor electrodes materials using solar energy to reduce CO2, creating reusable carbon compounds. Agency calling for proposals: CENIT, Funding: CDTI – Programa Ingenio 2010, Participants: IREC, Carburos Metálicos


• S3 FP7-NMP-2009-247768: Surface ionization and new concepts in MOX gas nanosensors – more selectivity, sensitivity and stability for detecting low concentrations of toxic or explosive gases
  EU-funded project to develop new low-consumption chemical sensors for energy-autonomous systems (energy harvesting) for use in safety sensors networks or energy efficiency control.


• CONSOLIDER MULTICAT Project “Development of more efficient catalysts for the more sustainable chemical processes and clean energy production”
  This MICINN-funded project is developing nanostructured materials and catalysts for the improvement of energy conversion and storage processes.


• Study on the viability of silicon nanowire-based thermoelectric microgenerators
  The aim is to implement silicon nanowires in a thermoelectric microgenerator. Such energy generators take advantage of residual heat which is a by-product of other processes or simply naturally present in the environment. Using these microgenerators, thermal energy can be directly converted into electricity that can power electronic devices without the need for batteries or any further source of energy.


• Multicomponent catalysts made to measure for the production of high-purity hydrogen for steam reformation for bioalcohol oxidation.
  Studies the development of new systems for improved production of bioalcohols.


• Photovoltaic devices based on solution processed semiconductor nanostructures
  Funded by the Value Program (Programa Valorització) of the University of Barcelona and Banco Santander, the project aims to develop new nanomaterials and deposition technologies for third-generation photovoltaic devices.


• “Solution processing of binary supernetworks for low-cost, ultra-high-efficiency thermoelectric devices”
  Funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation, the project studies the use of nanomaterial properties and their combination in supernetworks to increase electrical conductivity and decrease thermal conductivity.


• Ultra-high efficiency at low cost in the future generation of solar cells based on nanohetero materials”
  This research project regards the advanced use of nanostructure synthesis for creating high-efficiency, low-cost photovoltaic solar cells.


• “Synthesis, organization and characterization of colloidal nanostructures for photovoltaic applications”
  Advanced use of colloidal synthesis of nanoparticles for making photovoltaic solar cells.


• “Xarmae: Network of advanced materials for energy”
  This networking project is supported by the Generalitat of Catalunya for increasing the interaction among the different Catalonian laboratories working in this area and the synergia for cooperation and project development.


• “POWER-PACK: High Energy Density (Bio) Ethanol-Fuelled Power Source for Consumer Electronics Applications and Microsystems”
  Funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation, the project aims to develop an autonomous fully working and compact power device based on Solid Oxide Fuel Cells and fuelled by ethanol for the generation of 1W.and project development.


• “Multifunctional materials in 3D nano architectures for energy conversion and storage”
  Funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation, the project aims to develop improved electrodes for energy conversion and storage devices.