Knowledge Transfer Unit
Turning advanced materials research into industrial collaboration, protected knowledge, licensed technologies, prototypes and new ventures.
From scientific knowledge to industrial impact
The Knowledge Transfer Unit was created in November 1997 to support ICMAB’s management and research community in transferring research results to industry.
Its mission is to spread and apply scientific knowledge in ways that strengthen technological development, connect ICMAB capabilities with industry needs and create routes from research outcomes to practical application.
Our objectives
Manage technology offers
Evaluate, protect and commercialise innovations developed at ICMAB, while promoting relevant scientific and technical capabilities to potential industry partners.
Identify industry needs
Understand technical challenges and connect them with ICMAB capabilities, research centres, technology hubs and industry associations.
Build collaborative projects
Support industrial projects at local, national and European levels and work with technology centres to valorise research outcomes.
Support spin-offs
Guide entrepreneurial researchers through company creation and connect technology-based ventures with specialised investors.
Foster entrepreneurship
Encourage participation in entrepreneurship programmes and organise training on industrial property, technology transfer and business development.
How the Unit supports knowledge and technology transfer
Support spans protection and licensing, collaboration with companies, prototype development, entrepreneurship and access to innovation funding.
Technology transfer & licensing
Identify and protect intellectual property, manage patents and facilitate licensing agreements with industry partners.
Industry collaboration
Build partnerships between companies and ICMAB researchers to develop advanced materials solutions.
Prototyping
Develop functional and demonstrative prototypes that help validate technologies and research outcomes.
Entrepreneurship & spin-offs
Support business development and the creation of start-ups and spin-offs based on ICMAB technologies.
Innovation funding
Assist teams in identifying national and international funding opportunities for technology-transfer projects.
A pathway from opportunity to application
The route can vary for each project, but the Unit connects the essential stages needed to move research towards use and commercialisation.
1. Opportunity
A research result, technology offer or industry need is identified.
2. Protect & validate
The Unit supports intellectual-property protection, feasibility work and prototype development.
3. Collaborate & fund
Researchers, companies and partners shape a collaborative route and identify suitable funding.
4. Transfer
Licensing, industrial collaboration or a new spin-off brings the result closer to application.
Meet the Knowledge Transfer team
Current team members, responsibilities, profiles and contact details are loaded dynamically from ICMAB People records.
Prototype Laboratory
Since 2023, the ICMAB Prototype Laboratory has helped turn research concepts into practical applications. It provides engineering, design, fabrication and simulation support for technology validation while remaining part of the Knowledge Transfer Unit.
Engineering advice
Technical guidance for converting research concepts into practical and manufacturable solutions.
Parametric 3D modelling
Digital models that support design iteration, validation and preparation for fabrication.
Part manufacturing
Fabrication using FDM additive manufacturing, machining or manual methods.
Electrical and electronic circuits
Design and manufacture of circuits required for prototype functionality and testing.
Computer simulation
Simulation in fluid dynamics, heat transfer and structural or dynamic mechanics.
How Prototype Laboratory requests are prioritised
Requests are organised in three categories to structure the technician’s work plan and reinforce the laboratory’s technology-transfer purpose.
1 · Functional prototypes
Design and/or fabrication of a functional prototype as the final result of a research project.
2 · Demonstrative prototypes
Development of prototypes that demonstrate the technology behind a research project.
3 · Other requests
Design and/or fabrication of tools, holders or devices required for material characterisation and production in research.
Request a Prototype Laboratory service
ICMAB researchers can submit a request through the application form in the Knowledge and Technology Transfer section of the ICMAB intranet.
For researchers
Get support with intellectual-property protection, licensing, prototype development, entrepreneurship, spin-off creation and innovation funding.
For companies and partners
Connect industry needs with ICMAB expertise, explore technology opportunities and build collaborative research and innovation projects.
Contact the Knowledge Transfer Unit
Talk to the Unit about industry collaboration, licensing, intellectual property, spin-offs, prototype development or innovation funding.