Our new website is live

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We are excited to share the launch of our new website, redesigned to provide a smoother, more intuitive experience for everyone in our community. This fresh platform reflects who we are and what we do: Impactful Research for a World on the Move.

 

You will find:

 

  • About: Learn who we are and what drives us.
  • Research: Explore our projects and areas of specialization.
  • Join us: Discover opportunities to collaborate or become part of our team.
  • Resources: Have a look at our materials and tools.
  • News: Stay up-to-date with our latest updates, achievements, and events.
  • Contact: Reach out to connect with us directly.

 

Alongside an intuitive design, mobile optimization, and dynamic content, the new platform is built to provide a seamless experience for researchers, collaborators, and industry professionals.

 

We warmly invite you to explore the new website, dive into its features, and join us in celebrating this next step in CatMech’s journey.

We developed a real-time control system for 3D concrete manufacturing

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At CatMech, part of the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya – BarcelonaTech (UPC), we are proud to participate in the ADRIANO project, an innovative initiative aimed at optimizing additive manufacturing of concrete through a real-time control system. This cutting-edge development seeks to enhance the production process, providing advanced solutions to the construction sector.

 

Our system allows us to monitor all key stages of the concrete printing process, from the initial pumping phase to the material output during printing and its evolution in the final product. This detailed control enables us to predict the expected result and make timely decisions to ensure the quality and reliability of the printed components.

 

To achieve this, we have integrated advanced sensors capable of measuring critical parameters such as moisture, temperature, flow rate, and pressure. These sensors collect real-time data, which we compare with standardized tests to define key properties of the concrete mix, including workability, pumpability, buildability, and the estimated open time.

 

At CatMech, we are responsible for operating the printing machine, implementing and managing the sensors, conducting validation tests, and analyzing the collected data. The testing phase is being carried out at the FactoryLab of the School of Industrial, Aerospace, and Audiovisual Engineering of Terrassa (ESEIAAT), where we validate results under controlled conditions.

 

This advanced monitoring system allows us to optimize the additive manufacturing process of concrete, ensuring precise control of the production process. As a result, we are able to deliver higher quality components, reduce production times, and minimize material waste, representing a significant leap forward in efficiency and sustainability for the construction industry.

 

Through this project, we at CatMech reaffirm our commitment to pioneering research and the development of advanced technologies, driving the construction industry towards a smarter, more efficient, and sustainable future.

Our partnership with Mútua Terrassa

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At CatMech, we take pride in our partnership with the Mútua Terrassa Foundation for Biomedical and Social Teaching and Research (FMT), a collaboration that highlights our shared commitment to advancing research and technological innovation in the hospital sector.

 

This strategic alliance, established between the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya-BarcelonaTech (UPC) and FMT, has provided a framework for developing technologies that aim to improve clinical care and enhance patients’ well-being. Together, we have worked on pioneering solutions in hospital engineering, from cutting-edge surgical and biomedical devices to innovative monitoring and therapeutic technologies.

 

Key projects developed through this partnership include:

  • A patient detection wristband for hospitals,
  • An ergonomic gynecological bed designed to facilitate more natural birthing positions,
  • A study on Alpha, Beta, and Gamma radiation exposure during intercontinental flights.

 

Under the leadership of our principal investigator, Professor Javier Álvarez del Castillo, and in close collaboration with healthcare professionals at Mútua Terrassa University Hospital (HUMT), these initiatives reflect our commitment to addressing real-world challenges in healthcare. The establishment of a joint commission between UPC and FMT has ensured that our work remains aligned, collaborative, and impactful.

 

Dr. David Dalmau Juanola, Director of the Mútua Terrassa Teaching and Research Foundation, has emphasized the importance of this partnership in fostering interdisciplinary research and adding value to biomedical innovation. At CatMech, we share this vision, working to transform technological challenges into solutions that enhance the work of healthcare professionals and improve patient outcomes.

 

This collaboration stands as a testament to the power of combining engineering expertise with medical innovation. We remain dedicated to driving projects that push the boundaries of hospital engineering and contribute to a healthier, more advanced society.

Events

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Artificial reefs made from waste: an innovative solution to protect our coasts

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At CatMech, in collaboration with the Remote Acquisition and Information Processing Systems Development Center (SARTI), we led a project aimed at addressing two of the major challenges of our time: climate change and industrial waste management. Through the design and manufacture of artificial reefs using recycled materials, we worked to protect coastal environments and restore degraded marine ecosystems.

 

This project, funded by the Ministry of Science and Innovation and the Spanish State Research Agency, was part of the ecological and digital transition initiatives, representing a significant step forward in applying circular economy principles to marine environmental preservation. Artificial reefs not only proved to be an effective tool for mitigating wave impact on coastal areas but also served as refuges that promoted biodiversity. The team developed a type of concrete made from industrial waste, such as steel slag and limestone quarry materials, which included aluminum and iron oxides in its composition. This material stimulated the growth of algae and other marine species, contributing to the regeneration of ecosystems.

 

As noted by Lluís Gil, principal researcher at CatMech,

“Each year, millions of tons of steel industry waste are generated, posing a major ecological challenge. Our goal was to demonstrate that these materials can be repurposed for environmental benefits, helping to restore the most threatened coastal areas.”

 

Thanks to 3D printing technologies, these reefs were efficiently and sustainably reproduced, adapting them to the specific needs of each coastal area. This opened the door to the widespread implementation of this solution in various parts of the world, where the effects of climate change and coastal erosion were increasingly evident. To evaluate the reefs’ effectiveness, the monitoring of pilot tests was carried out using non-invasive tools, such as underwater cameras and environmental sensors. This work was conducted by the OBSEA marine observatory, located in Vilanova i la Geltrú, a leader in marine research. 

 

Climate change was already severely affecting coastal areas, causing more intense storms and degrading marine ecosystems. At CatMech, we worked with the conviction that scientific innovation and the circular economy were key to reversing this situation. This commitment to environmental protection and sustainability drove the development of solutions that made a difference. Let us continue building a greener and more sustainable future together!