ICIQ takes part in BASE3D project

By March 20, 2020April 2nd, 2020ICIQ

The Institute of Chemical Research of Catalonia (ICIQ), a BIST centre, is participating in the BASE3D consortium which aims to enhance research and development in the emerging field of 3D printing.

This month, research centres from all over Catalonia gathered for the kick-off meeting of BASE3D, a company consortium that will enhance R&D in the field of 3D printing. Spearheaded by CIM-UPC, an entity affiliated with the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, the consortium presented their strategy, goals, and work lines to leading research groups in additive manufacturing, allies of the project.

With a 3.7 M€ budget, BASE3D aims to address the current challenges of additive manufacturing technologies, among which are the formulation of new materials and multi-materials, technology optimization to create functional pieces, finishing and post-processes, improved productivity, etc. The outcomes of the project will increase the Technology Readiness Level (TRL, an index which measures the maturity of a technology before reaching the market) of each of the four proposed technologies: light-induced 3D printing (Light3D), (fusion printing) Fuse3D, robocasting (Ink3D), and printing of composite materials (Hybrid3D). These projects will create a significant impact in sectors ranging from traditional to food industry to the biomedical and construction sector.

ICIQ participates in this consortium by coordinating one of the work packages from LIGHT3D, a valorisation project which aims to use photo-initiators to induce polymerization by visible-light to develop 3D printable resin formulations to manufacture biocompatible pieces. Frédéric Ratel, ICIQ Industrial Property Unit Manager, Fernando Bravo, CSOL Unit Manager, and Giandomenico Magagnano, project researcher at CSOL, attended the event.

BASE3D is part of the emerging technologies programme that the Government of Catalonia has undertaken through its RIS3CAT strategy, and which encourages the development of new emerging activities based on innovative or disruptive technologies or processes that aim to open new markets or transform those that already exist. These are new technologies and technological applications that have a high potential of generating new economic activities and are a priority in the research and innovation policies of the Government of Catalonia and the Horizon 2020 programme.

More information can be found on the ICIQ website.