Cross-fertilization of knowledge and technologies in collaborative research projects

Purpose: This paper aims to explore how the cross-fertilization of knowledge and technologies in EU-funded research projects, including serious games and gamification, is influenced by the following variables: multidisciplinarity, knowledge base and organizations (number and diversity). The interrelation of actors and projects form a network of innovation. The largest contribution to cross-fertilization comes from the multidisciplinary nature of projects and the previous knowledge and technology of actors. The analysis draws on the understanding of how consortia perform as an innovation network, what their outcomes are and what capabilities are needed to reap value. Design/methodology/approach: All the research projects including serious games and/or gamification, funded by the EU-Horizon 2020 work programme, have been analyzed to test the hypotheses in this paper. The study sample covers the period between 2014 and 2016 (June), selecting the 87 research projects that comprised 519 organizations as coordinators and participants, and 597 observations – because more organizations participate in more than one project. The data were complemented by documentary and external database analysis. Findings: To create cross-fertilization of knowledge and technologies, the following emphasis should be placed on projects: partners concern various disciplines; partners have an extensive knowledge base for generating novel combinations and added-value technologies; there is a diverse typology of partners with unique knowledge and skills; and there is a limited number of organizations not too closely connected to provide cross-fertilization. Research limitations/implications: First, the database sample covers a period of 30 months. The authors’ attention was focused on this period because H2020 prioritized for the first time the serious games and gamification with two specific calls (ICT-21–14 and ICT-24–16) and, second, for the explosion of projects including these technologies in the past years (Adkins, 2017). These facts can be understood as a way to push the research to higher technology readiness levels (TRLs) and introducing the end-user in the co-creation and co-development along the value chain. Second, an additional limitation makes reference to the European focus of the projects, missing strong regional initiatives not identified and studied. Originality/value: This paper has attempted to explore and define theoretically and empirically the characteristics found in the cross-fertilization of collaborative research projects, emphasizing which variables, and how, need to be stimulated to benefit more multidisciplinary consortia and accelerate the process of innovation. © 2021, Manel González-Piñero, Cristina Páez-Avilés, Esteve Juanola-Feliu and Josep Samitier

Teragnosis in vivo: Innovación nanomédica fomentada por la convergencia de tecnologías emergentes

El creciente desarrollo y la mejora en cuanto a innovación de dispositivos basados en la convergencia de tecnologías emergentes ha dado lugar a un uso cada vez mayor de los nanosensores en la comunidad biomédica. Sin embargo, los nanosensores implantables aún tienen que afrontar ciertos retos como la biocompatibilidad y la seguridad de datos. En este artículo se abordan el progreso y los principales desafíos para esta clase de dispositivos nanomédicos y se analizan además las principales aplicaciones médicas con especial énfasis en la teragnosis, término que integra el concepto de diagnosis y terapia en un mismo dispositivo. De este modo, se traza el proceso desde la investigación aplicada hasta la comercialización del producto, que es cuando el retorno social puede ser estimado. Finalmente, se contempla la gestión de la tecnología dentro de un ecosistema de innovación, cuya cadena de valor incluye una integración multidisciplinaria y el flujo del conocimiento

Design of a Customized multipurpose nano-enabled implantable system for in-vivo theranostics

The first part of this paper reviews the current development and key issues on implantable multi-sensor devices for in vivo theranostics. Afterwards, the authors propose an innovative biomedical multisensory system for in vivo biomarker monitoring that could be suitable for customized theranostics applications. At this point, findings suggest that cross-cutting Key Enabling Technologies (KETs) could improve the overall performance of the system given that the convergence of technologies in nanotechnology, biotechnology, micro&nanoelectronics and advanced materials permit the development of new medical devices of small dimensions, using biocompatible materials, and embedding reliable and targeted biosensors, high speed data communication, and even energy autonomy. Therefore, this article deals with new research and market challenges of implantable sensor devices, from the point of view of the pervasive system, and time-to-market. The remote clinical monitoring approach introduced in this paper could be based on an array of biosensors to extract information from the patient. A key contribution of the authors is that the general architecture introduced in this paper would require minor modifications for the final customized bio-implantable medical device

Combined dielectrophoresis and impedance systems for bacteria analysis in microfluidic on-chip platforms

Bacteria concentration and detection is time-consuming in regular microbiology procedures aimed to facilitate the detection and analysis of these cells at very low concentrations. Traditional methods are effective but often require several days to complete. This scenario results in low bioanalytical and diagnostic methodologies with associated increased costs and complexity. In recent years, the exploitation of the intrinsic electrical properties of cells has emerged as an appealing alternative approach for concentrating and detecting bacteria. The combination of dielectrophoresis (DEP) and impedance analysis (IA) in microfluidic on-chip platforms could be key to develop rapid, accurate, portable, simple-to-use and cost-effective microfluidic devices with a promising impact in medicine, public health, agricultural, food control and environmental areas. The present document reviews recent DEP and IA combined approaches and the latest relevant improvements focusing on bacteria concentration and detection, including selectivity, sensitivity, detection time, and conductivity variation enhancements. Furthermore, this review analyses future trends and challenges which need to be addressed in order to successfully commercialize these platforms resulting in an adequate social return of public-funded investments

An Instantaneous low-cost point-of-care anemia detection device

We present a small, compact and portable device for point-of-care instantaneous early detection of anemia. The method used is based on direct hematocrit measurement from whole blood samples by means of impedance analysis. This device consists of a custom electronic instrumentation and a plug-and-play disposable sensor. The designed electronics rely on straightforward standards for low power consumption, resulting in a robust and low consumption device making it completely mobile with a long battery life. Another approach could be powering the system based on other solutions like indoor solar cells, or applying energy-harvesting solutions in order to remove the batteries. The sensing system is based on a disposable low-cost label-free three gold electrode commercial sensor for 50 μL blood samples. The device capability for anemia detection has been validated through 24 blood samples, obtained from four hospitalized patients at Hospital Clínic. As a result, the response, effectiveness and robustness of the portable point-of-care device to detect anemia has been proved with an accuracy error of 2.83% and a mean coefficient of variation of 2.57% without any particular case above 5%

5to. Congreso Internacional de Ciencia, Tecnología e Innovación para la Sociedad. Memoria académica

El V Congreso Internacional de Ciencia, Tecnología e Innovación para la Sociedad, CITIS 2019, realizado del 6 al 8 de febrero de 2019 y organizado por la Universidad Politécnica Salesiana, ofreció a la comunidad académica nacional e internacional una plataforma de comunicación unificada, dirigida a cubrir los problemas teóricos y prácticos de mayor impacto en la sociedad moderna desde la ingeniería. En esta edición, dedicada a los 25 años de vida de la UPS, los ejes temáticos estuvieron relacionados con la aplicación de la ciencia, el desarrollo tecnológico y la innovación en cinco pilares fundamentales de nuestra sociedad: la industria, la movilidad, la sostenibilidad ambiental, la información y las telecomunicaciones. El comité científico estuvo conformado formado por 48 investigadores procedentes de diez países: España, Reino Unido, Italia, Bélgica, México, Venezuela, Colombia, Brasil, Estados Unidos y Ecuador. Fueron recibidas un centenar de contribuciones, de las cuales 39 fueron aprobadas en forma de ponencias y 15 en formato poster. Estas contribuciones fueron presentadas de forma oral ante toda la comunidad académica que se dio cita en el Congreso, quienes desde el aula magna, el auditorio y la sala de usos múltiples de la Universidad Politécnica Salesiana, cumplieron respetuosamente la responsabilidad de representar a toda la sociedad en la revisión, aceptación y validación del conocimiento nuevo que fue presentado en cada exposición por los investigadores. Paralelo a las sesiones técnicas, el Congreso contó con espacios de presentación de posters científicos y cinco workshops en temáticas de vanguardia que cautivaron la atención de nuestros docentes y estudiantes. También en el marco del evento se impartieron un total de ocho conferencias magistrales en temas tan actuales como la gestión del conocimiento en la universidad-ecosistema, los retos y oportunidades de la industria 4.0, los avances de la investigación básica y aplicada en mecatrónica para el estudio de robots de nueva generación, la optimización en ingeniería con técnicas multi-objetivo, el desarrollo de las redes avanzadas en Latinoamérica y los mundos, la contaminación del aire debido al tránsito vehicular, el radón y los riesgos que representa este gas radiactivo para la salud humana, entre otros

Innovation on Nanoscience: Processes and Ecosystems of Innovation with a multi-KET approach to foster Technology Transfer and Commercialization of Nanotechnologies in the Field of Healthcare

[eng] Transferring nanotechnology into marketable products and services is still considered a major challenge. In Europe, this issue has been identified as a weakness, not only for nanotechnology, but also for the other five Key Enabling Technologies (KETs), strategic for the economic growth of the region. In this regard, the current European Funding Programme Horizon 2020 is making great efforts with their action lines in order to prioritize the industrial implementation of KETs, and in this manner, address major economic and societal needs. This initiative is also fostering the cross-fertilization of KETs, since it has been determined that the sum of individual technologies increases the potential for innovation, optimizes technological development, and allows the creation of new markets. This thesis has been developed on the basis of this scenario. The aim is to analyse innovation and technology transfer challenges for the successful commercialization of nanotechnologies by emphasizing the process of cross-fertilization of KETs. The research is focused on healthcare due to the great impact that nano-scale is having on this field. For this reason, the present work has considered two approaches: from a technological perspective and from a management perspective. The analysis is comprised of a state-of-the-art and theoretical framework review, followed by a multiple case-study approach where several nano-enabled sensor-based devices are analysed at diverse levels of technological maturity. In addition, an empirical study of European nano-related innovation projects was undertaken in order to determine which projects’ characteristics are influencing the creation of technological diversity; a critical element for the long-term success of an emergent technology. Finally, project leaders were interviewed in order to gain insights about the managerial strategies that are boosting the process of cross-fertilization of KETs. Findings have shown that a multi-disciplinary, collaborative and integrated community of innovators is necessary for the effective transference and commercialization of multi-KET nanotechnologies. Additionally, the degree of multi-disciplinary projects was identified as significantly contributing to the creation of technological diversity. Furthermore, higher levels of cross-fertilization were found in market and customer-oriented projects, with actors strongly motivated to search for ideas from broad informal networks, and where technological knowledge is moderately heterogeneous. Lastly, it has been found that the cross-fertilization of KETs is boosted by actors with a high involvement of nanotechnologies in their industries. With these outcomes, this thesis has sought to contribute to the analysis of the successful transference and commercialization of multi-KET nanotechnologies in the field of healthcare by understanding the processes and ecosystems of innovation. The outcomes of this thesis have sought to contribute to the analysis of the successful transference and commercialization of multi-KET in the field of nanotechnologies applied to healthcare by understanding the processes and ecosystems of innovation. Accordingly, it is aimed to contribute to the reduction of the gap between research and the marketplace and to expand the knowledge of current interest regarding innovation ecosystems of emergent technologies, regional systems of innovation and strategic innovation management. [[cat] La transferència de productes i serveis basats en la nanotecnologia representa un gran repte. A Europa, aquest fet ha estat identificat com a punt dèbil, no només per a les nanotecnologies si no també per a les altres cinc tecnologies facilitadores transversales (KETs per les seves sigles en anglès), considerades estratègiques pel creixement econòmic de la regió. En aquest sentit, l’actual programa marc Europeu Horitzó 2020 està redirigint les seves línies d’acció per a prioritzar la implementació de les KETs i, d’aquesta manera, poder fer front a les necessitats econòmiques i socials més imperatives d’Europa. Aquesta iniciativa també pretén fomentar la fertilització creuada de les KETs, ja que s’ha establert que la suma de tecnologies individuals incrementa el potencial d’innovació, optimitza el desenvolupament de tecnologies i permet la creació de nous mercats. Sobre aquesta base es desenvolupa aquest treball d’investigació, el qual té la finalitat d’analitzar els reptes relacionats amb la innovació i la transferència tecnològica per a assolir amb èxit la comercialització de les nanotecnologies, posant de relleu el procés de fertilització creuada de les KETs en el camp de la salut. Amb aquesta finalitat, s’han considerat dues aproximacions: d’una banda una perspectiva tecnològica i, de l’altra, una perspectiva de gestió de la innovació. Els resultats obtinguts fan aportacions per l’anàlisi i identificació dels reptes que cal afrontar per a una favorable transferència i comercialització de les nanotecnologies multi-KET en el camp de la salut mitjançant la comprensió dels processos i ecosistemes d’innovació i, d’aquesta manera, contribuir a la reducció de la separació entre el laboratori i el mercat. Finalment també es pretén ampliar el coneixement sobre temàtiques d’interès actual respecte els ecosistemes d’innovació de les tecnologies emergents, els sistemes regionals d’innovació i la gestió estratègica de la innovació tecnològica

Combined Dielectrophoresis and Impedance Systems for Bacteria Analysis in Microfluidic On-Chip Platforms

Bacteria concentration and detection is time-consuming in regular microbiology procedures aimed to facilitate the detection and analysis of these cells at very low concentrations. Traditional methods are effective but often require several days to complete. This scenario results in low bioanalytical and diagnostic methodologies with associated increased costs and complexity. In recent years, the exploitation of the intrinsic electrical properties of cells has emerged as an appealing alternative approach for concentrating and detecting bacteria. The combination of dielectrophoresis (DEP) and impedance analysis (IA) in microfluidic on-chip platforms could be key to develop rapid, accurate, portable, simple-to-use and cost-effective microfluidic devices with a promising impact in medicine, public health, agricultural, food control and environmental areas. The present document reviews recent DEP and IA combined approaches and the latest relevant improvements focusing on bacteria concentration and detection, including selectivity, sensitivity, detection time, and conductivity variation enhancements. Furthermore, this review analyses future trends and challenges which need to be addressed in order to successfully commercialize these platforms resulting in an adequate social return of public-funded investments

Multi-disciplinarity breeds diversity: the influence of innovation project characteristics on diversity creation in nanotechnology

Nanotechnology is an emerging and promising field of research. Creating sufficient technological diversity among its alternatives is important for the long-term success of nanotechnologies, as well as for other emerging technologies. Diversity prevents early lock-in, facilitates recombinant innovation, increases resilience, and allows market growth. Creation of new technological alternatives usually takes place in innovation projects in which public and private partners often collaborate. Currently, there is little empirical evidence about which characteristics of innovation projects influence diversity. In this paper we study the influence of characteristics of EU-funded nanotechnology projects on the creation of technological diversity. In addition to actor diversity and the network of the project, we also include novel variables that have a plausible influence on diversity creation: the degree of multi-disciplinarity of the project and the size of the joint knowledge base of project partners. We apply topic modelling (Latent Dirichlet allocation) as a novel method to categorize technological alternatives. Using an ordinal logistic regression model, our results show that the largest contribution to diversity comes from the multi-disciplinary nature of a project. The joint knowledge base of project partners and the geographical distance between them were positively associated with technological diversity creation. In contrast, the number and diversity of actors and the degree of clustering showed a negative association with technological diversity creation. These results extend current micro-level explanations of how the diversity of an emerging technology is created. The contribution of this study could also be helpful for policy makers to influence the level of diversity in a technological field, and hence to contribute to survival of emerging technologies.The financial support of SENESCYT - Ecuador National Secretary of Higher Education, Science, Technology and Innovation (Grant Convocatoria Abierta 2013 - No. AR2Q) is gratefully acknowledged

Multi-disciplinarity breeds diversity : the influence of innovation project characteristics on diversity creation in nanotechnology

Nanotechnology is an emerging and promising field of research. Creating sufficient technological diversity among its alternatives is important for the long-term success of nanotechnologies, as well as for other emerging technologies. Diversity prevents early lock-in, facilitates recombinant innovation, increases resilience, and allows market growth. Creation of new technological alternatives usually takes place in innovation projects in which public and private partners often collaborate. Currently, there is little empirical evidence about which characteristics of innovation projects influence diversity. In this paper we study the influence of characteristics of EU-funded nanotechnology projects on the creation of technological diversity. In addition to actor diversity and the network of the project, we also include novel variables that have a plausible influence on diversity creation: the degree of multi-disciplinarity of the project and the size of the joint knowledge base of project partners. We apply topic modelling (Latent Dirichlet allocation) as a novel method to categorize technological alternatives. Using an ordinal logistic regression model, our results show that the largest contribution to diversity comes from the multi-disciplinary nature of a project. The joint knowledge base of project partners and the geographical distance between them were positively associated with technological diversity creation. In contrast, the number and diversity of actors and the degree of clustering showed a negative association with technological diversity creation. These results extend current micro-level explanations of how the diversity of an emerging technology is created. The contribution of this study could also be helpful for policy makers to influence the level of diversity in a technological field, and hence to contribute to survival of emerging technologies