2023 has been an important year for the Industrial Doctorates (DI) Plan of the Department of Research and Universities, culminating its first ten years in operation with a total of 918 strategic, collaborative and applied research projects.
Strategic research because companies and institutions have a long-term vision, and want to contribute to the economic and social development of the country, facing a challenge that currently has no answer. Collaborative research, because this strategic challenge is answered through collaboration with a university or research center, making the knowledge and infrastructures of the academic environment available. Finally, applied research because it is research close to the current or future needs of society, guaranteeing that the results have a tangible and beneficial return for all citizens.
In short, all the projects that are part of the DI Plan in one way or another have a significant and positive impact on collective well-being. It is for this reason that from the DI Plan we consider it very important to bet on a culture of scientific communication and dissemination of research to the public , with the consequent dissemination of the results and the activity of hundreds of active research projects each year. Beyond the dissemination of the results, the communication around this research helps to amplify the socio-economic impact of these projects, as well as to give visibility to the human teams behind them and to highlight the figure of the doctoral staff in environments not academic
In this article, we have made a selection of the projects that we consider to be a good example of social impact , which we have monitored throughout 2023 in order to communicate their research, and their impact on the day to day of the citizenship
1. THE SUCCESSFUL TRAJECTORY OF INDUSTRIAL DOCTOR BEATRIZ GARCÍA ADVANCES RESEARCH ON RESPIRATORY DISEASES IN PIGS
The industrial doctor García Morante, with her extensive international experience, brings innovative solutions to the research of porcine respiratory diseases, impacting a key area for the Catalan livestock industry.
- Industrial doctor: Beatriz García Morante.
- Research field: Biotechnology.
- Collaboration : Boehringer Ingelheim company with the Animal Health Research Center (CReSA) and the Autonomous University of Barcelona.
- Project focus : study of M. hyopneumoniae and its impact on pig farms.
- Objectives : improve experimental conditions and provide tools for the pharmaceutical industry.
- Impact : Results relevant to future scientific studies and practical applications.
Industrial doctor García Morante's career is a success story and a source of inspiration for future industrial doctoral students. From her work in Germany to her teaching experience in the United States, Dr. García Morante has demonstrated an adaptability and vision that are fundamental in the world of collaborative research. His research applied to respiratory diseases in the pig sector has had a considerable impact both in the academic, industrial and social fields.
His industrial doctorate project was developed with the collaboration between the international pharmaceutical company Boehringer Ingelheim , the Center for Research in Animal Health ( CReSA ) which is part of the Institute for Research and Technology Agroalimentaries ( IRTA ) and the Autonomous University of Barcelona ( UAB ).
To put the project in context, it should be noted that the pig industry has a very important weight in Catalonia and is one of the main ones in Europe. For this reason, it is crucial that all parties, in this case the pigs, are in the best possible state of health. His research focused on the study of the bacterium M. hyopneumoniae, a significant problem on pig farms worldwide, causing respiratory infections. The research raises many still unanswered questions about how exactly this bacterium works. One of the reasons is the complex pathogenesis of this disease, which represents a challenge for researchers and animal health professionals.
The project has made it possible to perfect the conditions of the experimental model of M. hyopneumoniae with a greater impact on the reproduction of pneumonia in pigs. The results of these investigations are very relevant because they serve as a basis for future scientific studies, but they are also a powerful tool for pharmaceutical companies.
You can read the full report at this link.
2. IENAI SPACE'S APPLIED RESEARCH IN SPACE PROPULSION OF NANOSATELLITES, A PIONEER IN THE AEROSPACE INDUSTRY
IENAI Space, the company that is revolutionizing the propulsion of nanosatellites, and that wants to lead innovation in the European aerospace industry.
- Industrial Doctor: Raúl Ramos
- Research field : aerospace engineering.
- Collaboration : IENAI SPACE company with the Autonomous University of Barcelona and the Institute of Microelectronics of Barcelona.
- Project focus : development of the first electrospray propulsion system for nanosatellites in Europe.
- Objectives : improving the mobility of nanosatellites and prolonging their useful life.
- Impact : space junk reduction, nanofabrication of components for electrospray engines.
The company IENAI SPACE in collaboration with the Autonomous University of Barcelona and the Institute of Microelectronics of Barcelona ( IMB-CNM-CSIC ) is developing the first propulsion system based on electrospray for nanosatellites in Europe. This technology represents a very significant advance in the mobility of nanosatellites.
The fact is that this innovation, the result of the research project led by industrial PhD student Raúl Ramos, not only improves the mobility of nanosatellites , but also addresses other challenges. The project has provided an innovation that has a major impact on the aerospace industry, facilitating the efficient maneuvering of satellites, extending their useful life and contributing to the reduction of space junk.
Specifically, the project focuses on the nanofabrication of components for electrospray engines. These components are vital for Microelectromechanical Systems (MEMS), which play a fundamental role in the operation of engines. The technology uses ionic liquids as fuel, allowing the emission of charged particles for propulsion. This offers the ability to adjust to different space mission needs , while MEMS provide diverse functions at the microscopic scale.
The project has achieved significant milestones, including collaboration with the European Space Agency , standing out as a key technology in the new era of space exploration. In conclusion, Ienai Space's technology is on track to become a key component in the new era of space exploration, with the potential to radically change how we understand and manage mobility in space.
You can read the full report at this link.
3. PLATING DECOR AND THE UB COLLABORATE TO REDUCE THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF THEIR PARTS COATING PROCESS
With a focus on sustainability, the Plating Decor company and the University of Barcelona establish a strategic alliance to innovate in the field of sustainable and eco-efficient coatings in materials.
- Industrial doctor : Mohamed Amazian.
- Field of research : Materials engineering and industrial processes.
- Collaboration : Plating Decor SL and the University of Barcelona.
- Project focus : improving sustainability in coating processes.
- Objectives : reduce toxic components, explore sustainable uses of metals.
- Impact : transformation of polluting industrial processes.
The Plating Decor company and the University of Barcelona ( UB ) are collaborating on an industrial PhD project to improve the sustainability of their processes for coating parts . This project, led by industrial PhD student Mohamed Amazian El Moussaoui, seeks to reduce the environmental impact of coating baths that contain harmful components, such as cyanides.
The company, which specializes in the treatment of surfaces with precious metals for various sectors, including jewelry, uses an electrodeposition technique. This technique consists of coating objects with a thin layer of metal using an electric current. Amazian's research focuses on 18-karat gold plating, looking for more sustainable alternatives . Gold coatings have increasingly diverse applications in industrial processes, from the manufacture of electronic components to catalysis.
This project not only aims to improve the coating process, but also to explore the use of metals in processes that contribute to a more sustainable future, such as the transformation of atmospheric CO₂ . Amazian emphasizes the importance of research in reducing toxic components, finding more robust manufacturing processes and looking for alternative applications.
The collaboration between Plating Decor and UB represents an effort to transform polluting industrial processes into more ecological ones , with a potential impact beyond the decorative coatings industry.
You can read the full report at this link .
4. ORGANIC DELTA RICE BOOSTS AGRICULTURAL SUSTAINABILITY IN THE EBRO DELTA
The Organic Delta Rice project, led by the Agroserveis.cat company and the University of Barcelona, is redefining rice production in the Ebro Delta, focusing on sustainable and ecological practices.
- Industrial doctor : Alfred Palma.
- Research field: biotechnology and biosystems engineering.
- Collaboration : Agroserveis.cat company and the University of Barcelona.
- Project focus : promotion of biodiversity and sustainability in rice production
- Objectives : implementation of ecological rice cultivation in the Ebro Delta and sustainable alternatives in rice management.
- Impact : alliance of the entire rice sector of the Ebro Delta, providing socio-economic opportunities to young farmers and generating sustainable and ecological alternatives for rice management.
The Organic Delta Rice Project , promoted by the Agroserveis.cat company in collaboration with the University of Barcelona , seeks to transform the rice production model in the Ebro Delta towards greater sustainability . The initiative promotes biodiversity and provides socio-economic opportunities to young farmers , while betting on organic products with quality certification, providing added value to rice, thus promoting agricultural sustainability in this region.
Alfred Palma, industrial PhD student and technical director of Agroserveis.cat, leads this innovative research, facing the ambitious challenge of managing both the company's technical management and academic research simultaneously.
The project focuses on the production of organic rice with quality certification with the seal of the Catalan Council for Ecological Production ( CCPAE ), awarded to agricultural and food products that comply with the regulations established for organic production. It also guarantees that the products have been cultivated or elaborated following the practices of organic farming that mark the European regulation, promoting practices that respect the natural environment and increase biodiversity. The proposal of this project is to look for sustainable alternatives for the management of rice, respecting the regulations of ecological production.
A key part of the project is to encourage youth participation in agriculture and prevent the growing concentration of rice land in the Ebro Delta in the hands of fewer and fewer farmers. In this way, the project seeks to preserve the agricultural character of the Ebro Delta, maintaining its natural and cultural values.
The project also includes experiments in weed management , selection of rice varieties and the use of organic fertilizers. A project that has received the support of the local rice sector and other entities linked to rice production. In short, the project provides the alliance of the entire rice sector to promote a joint initiative for the Ebro Delta region as one of its main advances.
In short, the Organic Delta Rice Project represents an innovative and environmentally friendly approach to agriculture in the Ebro Delta, combining food production and biodiversity conservation.
You can read the full report at this link .
5. THE SAFE BEACHES PROJECT REVOLUTIONIZES BEACH SAFETY IN CATALONIA
The Safe Beaches project, an initiative of Auditek and Rovira i Virgili University, is establishing new standards and improvements in the safety and efficiency of lifeguard services on Catalan beaches.
- Industrial doctor : Pablo Martin
- Research area : innovation in resource management.
- Collaboration : Auditek company and Rovira i Virgili University.
- Project focus : optimization of first aid management.
- Objectives : improve safety and efficiency in beach lifeguarding.
- Impact : more equitable and efficient management of beach safety.
Safe Beaches , a collaborative initiative between Auditek and Rovira i Virgili University , has set out to improve the safety and efficiency of lifeguard services on Catalan beaches . Through innovative tools, this project plans to revolutionize the management of rescue services , allowing better coordination, faster responses and a more effective allocation of resources.
To carry out this task, the project tackles the problem of inequality in first aid services . In Catalonia, with its almost 700 km of beaches spread over 70 municipalities, there is a lack of a comprehensive rescue system. The current distribution of rescue resources is uneven , depending on the economic capacity of each municipality, a situation that the project aims to improve.
The collaborative research between the company Auditek and the Rovira i Virgili University has allowed the development of tools and models for safer beaches and more efficient services for all users. The project, led by Industrial PhD student Pablo Martin , is developed by the Territorial Analysis and Tourism Studies Research Group (GRATET) of the Rovira i Virgili University, with the support of the University of Murcia. The seeds of the project began in 2020 with a complete study of the lifeguard services at more than 500 Catalan beaches.
One of the central elements is the use of a Geographic Information System (GIS) for more accurate analysis, such as the identification of areas of higher incidence using heat maps. This technology improves the management and response to the specific needs of each beach . The use of the "infoplatges" application for the georeferencing of incidents is also highlighted.
The project not only aims to improve lifeguard services, but also to promote more equitable and efficient beach safety management, based on objective data and not exclusively on the availability of municipal financial resources.
You can read the full report at this link .
6. THE BENEFITS OF ART ON MENTAL HEALTH, OBJECTIVE OF THE INDUSTRIAL DOCTORATE OF OSONAMENT
Art as a therapeutic tool, applied research that investigates the effects of artistic creation in improving psychological well-being.
- Industrial doctor : Jaume Cases.
- Research area : prevention, diagnosis and treatment in mental health.
- Collaboration : Osonament company and the University of Vic.
- Project focus : analysis of the impact of art on mental health.
- Objectives : integration of art in the socio-health model.
- Impact : promotion of social inclusion through art.
Art can improve mental and emotional health and promote social integration, according to studies carried out by different institutions. Osonament , a non-profit organization, started the "Artistic Couples" project in 2006 with the idea of creating couples formed by an artist linked to mental health resources and an artist from the community to create joint works of art . These activities have proven to be helpful for people with severe mental disorders, helping them to express emotions and feelings in creative ways.
The project has helped many people with mental health problems to improve their psychological well-being , and is now the subject of an industrial doctorate project in collaboration with the University of Vic - Universitat Central de Catalunya to evaluate its impact on participants. The initiative led by Jaume Cases , industrial PhD student and occupational therapist, seeks to delve deeper into the question of how art and culture can also promote the social participation of people with mental health problems.
The project analyzes the impact of art on mental health, including aspects such as social participation, psychological well-being, recovery, stigma in mental health, creative self-efficacy, among others. It seeks to consolidate these interventions as part of the socio-health model, recognizing collaborative art as a tool to generate social bonds and spaces for co-creation and mutual learning.
In summary, the Osonament project and the research of Jaume Cases highlight art as a powerful therapeutic tool, able to promote social inclusion and emotional well-being, especially in people with mental health problems.
You can read the full report at this link .
7. MUSIC AND TECHNOLOGY MERGE IN A PROJECT BETWEEN BMAT AND THE UPF
A pioneering strategic research project in 'audio fingerprinting', integrating music, mathematics and deep learning algorithms to revolutionize music monitoring in noisy environments.
- Industrial doctor: Guillem Cortès.
- Research area : systems engineering and communication.
- Collaboration : BMAT company and Pompeu Fabra University.
- Project focus : innovation in audio fingerprinting for noisy environments.
- Objectives : improve musical monitoring in multiple scenarios.
- Impact : applications in the music industry and professional musicians.
The BMAT company, in collaboration with Pompeu Fabra University ( UPF ), is working on an industrial PhD project that revolutionizes the technology behind the identification of music in noisy environments and complex situations. This technology, known as Audio Fingerprinting , consists of identifying an audio recording using unique characteristics of its signal. It is a technology well known to the population, since it is responsible for finding out what song is playing in a bar when we use mobile applications dedicated to this task.
Sound recognition , essential in areas such as security, music and advertising, still represents a considerable challenge , especially in environments with background noise such as concerts, bars or outdoor shows. BMAT's NextCore project, a company born as a spin-off from the UPF in 2005, seeks to overcome these challenges. This is the company's second industrial PhD project, and the results of the already completed first project have been able to be incorporated into the services offered by BMAT.
The project's research is in the hands of Guillem Cortès , an industrial PhD student in this second project carried out at BMAT in collaboration with the UPF. Courtesy, passionate about music, explores the intersection between music and mathematics , keys to understanding the relationship between sounds and frequencies. In this case the research aims to improve music monitoring systems and make them more robust in multiple scenarios, as well as to create tools to encourage. Specifically, it wants to improve music monitoring through deep learning algorithms.
In conclusion, thanks to the collaboration between BMAT and the UPF, the NextCore project can change the way music monitoring systems adapt to noisy environments. This research, which combines music and mathematics, has the potential to encourage the development of new tools in the field of audio identification.
You can read the full report at this link .
8. AN INDUSTRIAL DOCTORAL PROJECT RESEARCHES THE PSYCHOLOGICAL AND EDUCATIONAL EFFECTS OF BOARD GAMES IN CLASSROOMS
The Mercurio company and the University of Lleida are collaborating on this industrial PhD project to explore how board games in classrooms can improve students' learning and mental health, with a focus on the pedagogical selection of games and the social dynamics they generate.
- Industrial PhD student: Núria Vita-Barrull
- Research area : prevention, diagnosis and treatment in mental health.
- Collaboration : Mercurio company, the University of Lleida and the NeuroPGA research group.
- Project focus : study of the psychological and educational benefits of board games in primary education.
- Objectives : to provide scientific evidence on the cognitive benefits of board games.
- Impact : practical implementation in classrooms, improvement in learning and mental health of students.
This industrial PhD project of the company Mercurio , in collaboration with the NeuroPGA research group of the University of Lleida , investigates the psychological and educational benefits of board games in the school environment . This strategic project, led by industrial PhD student Núria Vita-Barrull, focuses on the use of modern board games as cognitive training tools in primary education , starting from the question: what scientific basis is behind the benefits of board games?
The main goal of the project is to provide scientific evidence on the cognitive benefits of board games, especially on basic executive functions such as adaptation to the environment, impulse control, planning and other key skills. These evidences are essential to justify the use of board games in primary school classrooms , providing a rigorous and critical look. The NeuroPGA group has been conducting research in this field since 2014, demonstrating the effectiveness of board games in children with ADHD and the elderly.
The project also explores the importance of the social interaction that occurs during play, as well as the process of selecting games by teachers to ensure they meet educational objectives. The collaboration between Mercurio Distribuciones, the association AFIM21 (Atención Familia, Infancia y Mayores), and the University of Lleida has allowed the practical implementation of board games in classrooms, reaching several students and generating a growing interest among professionals and the scientific community.
The reality is that the experience is being introduced into the classrooms, during the 2021-2022 academic year the project has brought board games to 5 schools in Lleida and 4 in Madrid, thus reaching a considerable number of participating students. This research highlights the importance of games in education, beyond simple fun, and promotes the use of board games as pedagogical tools in the school environment. Ultimately, the project will allow for more research collaborations in this line in the coming years, thus improving the applications of fun programs in classrooms.
You can read the full report at this link .
In conclusion, the industrial doctorate projects presented in this article illustrate the diversity and scope of institutions and areas of knowledge of strategic, applied and collaborative research that is promoted by the Industrial Doctorate Plan of the Department of Research and Universities of the Generalitat of Catalonia.
A research that includes all areas of knowledge in the total set of more than 900 projects promoted by this program. Projects that, on the other hand, not only have a direct impact on their respective areas of specialization, but also contribute significantly to the economic, technological and social development of Catalan society.
The collaboration between the research ecosystem and universities and the socio-economic fabric, the key characteristic of these projects, demonstrates the added value of strategic alliances in the promotion of research, innovation and the transfer of knowledge towards society A synergy that becomes an essential asset to face the challenges of the future, fostering a strategic, collaborative and applied research culture with an inherent component of social impact and knowledge transfer.
For more information on previous projects , see our article on the best DI project reports of 2022.
