Tekniker, a member of the Red Cervera network of excellence
Advanced materials and energy transition, networks of excellence in which Tekniker is involved
The ultimate goal of Red Cervera supported by CDTI is to put Spanish technology centres at the forefront in Europe in ten strategic thematic areas addressing, among other topics, advanced materials, eco innovation, energy transition, smart manufacturing and health technologies. More specifically, Tekniker is involved in two of these networks of excellence dealing with advanced materials and energy transition issues.
One of the goals to be achieved by Red Cervera consists in strengthening technology centres that carry out applied research in Spain to place them at the forefront in Europe and boost their role as driving forces for the Spanish Science, Technology and Innovation system.
This initiative, set up in 2018 and supported by CDTI (the Centre for Technological and Industrial Development), also intends to strengthen the capabilities of these centres in terms of strategic technologies (Cervera core technologies) through networking. Another goal consists furthering their capacity to collaborate with different stakeholders in these technologies, especially with companies.
Tekniker, a member of the Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), an organisation fully in line with the ultimate goal of this initiative, is involved in Red Cervera via two of its networks of excellence (within the framework of Cervera core technologies) called Surfera (advanced materials) and Almagrid (energy transition).
The Surfera network of excellence is focused on technology and engineering for surface processing and materials to become a leading organisation in this branch of knowledge in Europe.
More specifically, Tekniker’s experience and excellence in terms of developing multifunctional coatings by means of PVD technologies and surface structuring using laser and NIL technologies have meant that the organisation is currently in charge of developing protective solutions for surfaces to be used in extreme environments as well as optoelectronic coatings and active “Smart surfaces” featuring sensoring and actuating capabilities.
The Almagrid network of excellence, on the other hand, will develop advanced storage systems to meet requirements associated with the massive integration of technologies to generate renewables on the electricity grid and eventually become a reference network in the sector.
In Almagrid, Tekniker has specifically focused on researching technologies associated with redox flow batteries as an energy storage system. The technology centre is currently working on a new line of research that will make it possible to improve costs, performance levels, life cycles and safety features associated with these batteries based on environmental and recyclability criteria. Based on this goal, explorative work will focus on developing new inorganic aqueous electrolytes, materials for components and cell designs.