About Us

As one of the five enabling technologies or KET (Key Enabling Technologies) recognized by the European Commission, the impact of photonics is highly transversal, adding value to environments as varied as health, communications, the environment or the aerospace sector, among many others.

This is why PHOTONCAT, acting as the Photonics Node of the Digital Innovation Hub of Catalunya (DIH4CAT) and as Local Photonics Hub of Photonhub Europe extends its sphere of influence to nearby technological sectors. Strengthening its links to interact with other technological environments, it can help to provide more comprehensive solutions to local and international businesses, covering needs throughout the value chain and strengthening industrial, technological and knowledge ecosystems in Catalonia.

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SERVICES

Technological Consulting

Industrial Photonics:

The photonic node provides specialized technical advice on the use and possible applications of specific instruments and techniques (i.e. nanofabrication and nanocharacterization, advanced engineering, biology lab, post-processing techniques…) These are ad-hoc activities that can be adapted to the needs of the interested party.

Testing and Experimenting

The following infrastructure access services are made available to companies:

  • The use of Microscopy and Superresolution Light Nanoscopy (SLN) equipment from the photonic node provides advanced image instrumentation and related technologies to help biomedical sciences resolve difficult challenges that cannot be addressed with current technology. The SLN is equipped with avant-garde microscope techniques operating one step beyond the commercial state of art in image and nanoscopic techniques. Available facilities include advanced multiphoton and fluorescence techniques, super-resolution imaging, lightsheet microscopy, and Raman microscopy.
  • The NanoFabrication Lab (NFL) is a transversal facility devoted to the fabrication and characterization of nanostructured photonic devices. This laboratory includes state of the art nanofabrication tools and techniques for a wide range of optical applications, from biosensing to optical communications, and spanning a broad range of materials, such as polymers, semiconductors, metals or crystals, among others. The laboratory also includes tools for advanced materials and device characterization.
  • The goal of Advanced Engineering Lab (AEL) is to bring stakeholders closer to the most modern technologies in electronics and precision mechanical engineering. The laboratory provides state-of-the-art tools for electronic design, assembly and characterization as well as for micromechanical engineering. Applications range from cutting-edge devices for ultrafast optoelectronics and space communications, ultrasensitive devices for quantum optics, nano and bio photonics, to optimization of optical systems and design of new optomechanical elements, among others.
  • The Biology Lab (BBL) is a transversal facility that aims to provide scientific assistance and technical support to stakeholders in the manipulation, preparation and maintenance of biological samples.
  • The Postprocessing Laboratory (PPL) is designed to support the processing, fabrication and characterization of optical materials and components for research and industry stakeholders.
  • Electronic prototyping service: design, construction and testing of advanced control circuits by prototype or short series of electronic boards, including PICs, FPGAs, microcontrollers, or engine precision control, especially for their integration into instrumentation.

Access to financing

Access to funding for SMEs and startups

As a complementary service to technology research and transfer activities, guidance services are offered to SMEs and startups with innovation funding needs. Based on the needs of the company and the level of development and available TRL (technological pre-diagnosis), it is oriented towards public and private funding options. As for public funding, the node has experience in the various calls in the Catalan, Spanish and European system, and is connected to clusters and platforms to offer assistance in the identification of potential partners for collaborative R & D projects. With regard to private funding, the node has experience working with private equity funds, business angels, and related associations.

Partner search and innovation ecosystem

Innovation workshops:

Innovation Workshops are aimed at generating collaborative innovation projects between researchers, technology companies, end-user companies in industrial sectors.

SECPHOLAND:

Secpholand is an interactive virtual environment that works with a collaborative online platform based on virtual elements that allow interaction between an entire innovation system. The platform will work in the cloud and allow the generation of connections and collaborations along the production value chain of deep tech technologies, from knowledge transfer to the market.

Industrial Photonics

Specialized training is provided on the use and possible applications of specific instruments and techniques (i.e. nanofabrication and nanocharacterization, advanced engineering, biology lab, post-processing techniques …) These are ad hoc activities that can be adapted to the needs of the interested party.

Super Resolution and Advanced Microscopy

Training can be given on several microscopes, including confocal microscope, STED 3D, STORM, nonlinear microscope, Raman microscope, and light-leaf fluorescence microscope (LSFM).

MAIN TECHNOLOGIES

We advise you on the following technologies and more:

  • Photonics
  • Nanofabrication
  • Cybersecurity / Industrial Security
  • Quantum technologies
  • Photovoltaics

Infrastuctures

We have prestigious centers and infrastructures:

  • SLN Factility
  • NFL Lab
  • AEL Lab
  • Biology Lab
  • PPL Lab
  • Electronic Prototyping

Other relevant technologies

  • Health tech
  • Advanced & 2-D materials
  • Green Tech
  • Smart Factory / Intelligent Manufacturing

Example Success Story

Photonic Case Study: Graphene-based high impact membranes