image: The Spectral Sensors Laboratory at Carlos III University in Madrid carries out research in the areas of aeronautics, security and the environment in collaboration with numerous companies, to develop and innovate spatial components and environmental sensors using infrared technology. view more
Credit: UC3M
This press release is available in Spanish.
The Spectral Sensors Laboratory (El Laboratorio de Sensores Espectrales - LSE), which is located in the UC3M Science Park (Parque Científico de la UC3M), is linked to the joint center UC3M-EADS for Aerospace Systems Integration. This center has increased its participation in a variety of international projects and is an example of the University's entrepreneurial activity. In fact, it forms part of its research and development infrastructures, which are focused on specific sectors. It originated with the LIR-Infrared Laboratory Research Group (Grupo de Investigación LIR-Laboratorio del Infrarrojo) and was created to generate applied research and to assist industry with optical and infrared sensors.
Specifically, the LSE does research in the areas of the aeronautical industry, security and the environment. As a result of this work, various patents have been registered, among which are patents in the fields of thermal control, detection of gas leaks in fuel tanks, or the teledetection of environmentally interesting gases. Last year, the Laboratory increased its collaboration with companies in the Business Incubator in the UC3M Science Park and in the Leganés Technology Park (Leganés Tecnológico), in addition to participating in various international projects.
At the present time, the LSA is collaborating on various important space projects. The objective of one of them, METNET, is to send a meteorological station to Mars; the LSE-LIR is currently developing a dust sensor that will be used to measure the atmosphere of the red planet for this project. In another project, JEM-EUSO, the objective is to install a specific instrument in the International Space Station. To do this, the LSA is collaborating with the national consortium to develop an infrared camera and a detection algorithm. In addition, the LSE-LIR is in the phase of establishing agreements with different centers and companies that are related with infrared technologies in the area of Shanghai, China, where they intend to collaborate in developing new high tech IR sensors, and so reduce their present high cost.
Knowledge transfer
The possibility of transferring the capabilities of the Spectral Sensors Laboratory by means of the creation of a spin-off group came out of the UC3M Science Park. "One of the purposes of the university is to transfer scientific knowledge to society and to the country. Promoting companies with a technological base is a very efficient way to achieve this transfer, one of the most common in advanced countries, as long as it is based on high-quality scientific research", explains Professor Fernando López, the head of the LSE. This is how Sensia Solutions SL was born, with the objective of adapting infrared technology to the problems that conventional thermographic systems have not been able to overcome. This company collaborates with the LSE in different projects by developing technology based on its research. For example, it has collaborated on the development of an IR camera for a space application, on advanced infrared thermography services, and on the development of sensors applied to defense and environmental safety, among others. Since its creation, the company has received support services from the Business Incubator.
In addition, for the past several years, various R + D+i projects have been carried out in the LSE-UC3M. These projects have represented an important transfer of knowledge to society in the areas of IR Sensors. Among the important companies and centers involved in these projects are EADS, AIRBUS Military, Cassidian, INDRA, SENER, INTA, ITM, CIEMAT, INIA, along with small or medium sized companies involved in very advanced technology, such as the previously mentioned Sensia, Arquimea or NIT, the first two of which were created through the Business Incubator of UC3M's Science Park.
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Further information about SENSIA Solutions: