Patricia Córdoba, IDAEA researcher and Recopps coordinator, with Robert Mas Santana, entrepreneur and mentor of the project. | Mercè Fernández
The IDAEA projects Ceramic Passive Samplers and Recopps have won the Pitch Competition session of the EBTon program, a CSIC initiative to catalyze the creation of new spin-offs based on CSIC technologies. The award is endowed with €20,000 in funding. The ceremony was held yesterday, July 17, at the CSIC Delegation of Catalonia in Barcelona.
The Ceramic Passive Sampler (CPS) detects organic contaminants in water over time, allowing comprehensive assessment. Developed by the IDAEA researcher Sílvia Lacorte Bruguera, this passive device is versatile in its application because it doesn’t clog in rivers, drinking, underground, sewage, or marine waters.
“The sampler provides accurate and reliable results, is economical, meets quality standards and is aligned with European directives for integrated water control”, explains Sílvia Lacorte.
The IDAEA researchers María Dulsat and Sílvia Lacorte Bruguera with their strategic mentor, Sandra Bofill. | Mercè Fernández
The Recopps project, led by the IDAEA researcher Patricia Córdoba Sola, consists of a recovery process of critical raw materials from the copper industry. These materials are essential for the manufacture of products such as electronic devices, and electric vehicle batteries, and for obtaining renewable energy. Not only does this recovery contribute to the circular economy and the efficient use of resources, but also reduces the need to extract new natural resources, reducing the environmental impact and costs associated with mining.
EBTon is a program of the CSIC’s Deputy Vice-Presidency for Knowledge Transfer (VATC) in collaboration with the Fundación General CSIC (FGCSIC). It was launched in 2022 and after the success of two editions in Madrid, it has been expanded in 2023 to a national level. The Vice President of Innovation and Transfer of the CSIC, Ana Castro, welcomed the attendees, and the CSIC President, Eloísa del Pino, handed out the prizes to the winners.
