New electromagnetic functional materials for biomedical devices.

New electromagnetic functional materials for biomedical devices.
Engineering for the Information Society and Sustainable Development
Jon Legarda Macon
http://www.jonlegardamacon.com
DeustoTech is a research institute at Faculty of Engineering of the University of Deusto for applied and basic research for the development of novel ICTs applications. Deustotech focuses its activity around TRLs 2-7 and articulates it into different applied fields: Health, Industry, Mobility, Energy and Society. It channels advanced ICT activity into business and society through research, development, innovation and knowledge transfer. https://deustotech.deusto.es/
This research project needs the participation of people with passion for research. People who seek to contribute to an exciting area of research but with a keen eye on the application of that science to the problems and challenges of society and industry. People who want to open their minds to complementary fields of science, seeking a multidisciplinary approach that is essential today. And also people with the desire to approach the industry that demands this science for the innovation of their products and processes.
The academic profile should be in the area of electronics, electromagnetism, or electronic technology, with the idea of complementing that background throughout their research work with the materials science. Therefore, she/he must be willing to combine two complementary areas of knowledge.
As far as soft skills are concerned, we need people who are willing to work as a team, with a proactive, collaborative attitude, and who are enthusiastic about building and creating teams. People with the desire to participate in R&D project activities in the field of the IoT, and at the same time willing to spend some time outside the University in our partner institutions.
  • Chemistry (CHE)
  • Information Sciences and Engineering (ENG)
  • Physics (PHY)
Research will focus on designing new electromagnetic sensors or antennas based on new materials and manufacturing processes. The aim is to combine the electromagnetic effect of different materials to build new sensor elements or antennas for biological and medical applications. Existing materials and processes will be used, or new materials can be designed in collaboration with our partners. The sensor elements or antennas will be simulated with simulation tools, and after manufacturing, their electromagnetic performance will be measured in an anechoic chamber, and their physical and chemical properties in specialized laboratory equipment. There is the possibility of collaborating with the textile industry to help their innovation strategy for both product and process. Woven and non-woven materials will be one of the options that can be investigated. But what is really exciting is that there is a great freedom to adapt to both the sensing functions and the materials: there is no one closed objective, we have a whole world to explore!

EXCELLENCE OF THE HOST RESEARCH UNIT

R. Del-Rio-Ruiz, J. Lopez-Garde, J. Legarda, O. Caytan and H. Rogier, «A Combination of Transmission Line Models as Design Instruments for Electromagnetically Coupled Microstrip Patch Antennas in the 2.45 GHz ISM Band,» in IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation, doi: 10.1109/TAP.2020.3001668 . Q1.

R. Del-Rio-Ruiz, J. Lopez-Garde, J. Legarda, S. Lemey, O. Caytan and H. Rogier, «Reliable Lab-Scale Construction Process for Electromagnetically Coupled Textile Microstrip Patch Antennas for the 2.45 GHz ISM Band,» in IEEE Antennas and Wireless Propagation Letters, vol. 19, no. 1, pp. 153-157, Jan. 2020. doi: 10.1109/LAWP.2019.2956238. Q2

Ruben Del-Rio-Ruiz, Juan-Manuel Lopez-Garde and Jon Legarda. Planar Textile Off-Body Communication Antennas: A Survey. Electronics 2019, 8(6), 714; DOI: 10.3390/electronics8060714 . Q2

R. Del-Rio-Ruiz, J. Lopez-Garde and J. L. Macon. Design and Performance Analysis of a Purely Textile Proximity Fed Microstrip Patch Antenna for On-Body Wireless Communications. 2018 IEEE International Symposium on Antennas and Propagation & USNC/URSI National Radio Science Meeting, Boston, MA, 2018, pp. 1293-1294. doi: 10.1109/APUSNCURSINRSM.2018.8608986

Valderas D.; Álvarez R.; Melendez J.; Gurutzeaga I.; Legarda J.; Sancho J. I. UWB Staircase-Profile Printed Monopole Design. IEEE Antennas and Wireless Propagation Letters. Vol 7. pp 255-259. 2008. DOI: 10.1109/LAWP.2008.921364 Q1
As far as research projects are concerned, we have acted on two lines, one local and one international. Locally we have participated in two projects that have allowed us to experiment with some of the concepts of printed antennas for energy harvesting.
LangileOK – Elkartek competitive research project 2018.
ACTIVE – research project in collaboration with the industry 2019.
As for EU projects, we have led 3 proposals in the 3 consecutive calls of the topic Smart System Integration, obtaining very good evaluation marks. Right now we are defining the strategy for the Horizon Europe program, in which researchers will be able to collaborate.

INTERDISCIPLINARY COLLABORATION

This research covers three clearly complementary areas of knowledge: electronics, electromagnetism and materials science.
A co-direction of theses with researchers in the area of materials science is contemplated.
Interdisciplinarity will be achieved thanks to the collaboration with the BCMaterials, Basque Center on Materials, Applications and Nanostructures, a research center for Materials, Applications and Nanostructures. It is a center that is located just 10 km from the University of Deusto.

Aligned with the 2030 Agenda, the Horizon Europe missions and goals and the Basque Country Smart Specialisation Strategy, DEUSTO research blends competitiveness, innovation and technology to tackle challenges for communities, companies and public bodies in the region. Ageing and Wellbeing; Cultural and Creative Industries and Cities; Gender; Social Justice and Inclusion and Strengthening Participation are the focus of the 5 Interdisciplinary Research Platforms. Besides, advanced research units contribute to generate knowledge and innovative solutions in the fields of efficient and clean Energy, Industry 4.0 (advanced manufacturing, data analytics…), Health and Territory.
https://www.deusto.es/cs/Satellite/deustoresearch/es/inicio/plataformas-interdisciplinares-de-investigacion

INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATION

We are currently analysing the new opportunities of the new Horizon Europe framework programme. Without contrasting the opportunities in the area of materials, we have identified two short-term opportunities, in which new incorporations could participate.

RESILIENCE-34-2021: Novel and improved materials for green nanoelectronic components and devices for industrial applications (RIA)

DIGITAL-EMERGING-06-2022: Functional electronics for green and circular economy (RIA)
On the other hand, we collaborate closely with the INTEC an imec associated research lab at Ghent University. A thesis has been co-directed with Professor Hendrik Rogier and several stays have been made. This collaboration continues and will be one of the international stays that can be done.
Recently we have started to collaborate with the Nano Lab at Tufts
University. We have made a stay and it could be another of the destinations in which to make a stay. International co-direction is an option, although it would be natural to do it with BCM’s collaborating partners.

INTERSECTORAL COLLABORATION

There is a close relationship with a company in the textile industry (Textil Santanderina), with which we are in permanent exchange of experiences and initiatives to find collaborative projects. The collaboration with the company during the realization of the doctoral thesis will be highly recommended, even being able to make some stay to contrast the basic lines of research.

Deusto Research works closely with more than 1250 organisations (public administration, business, non-profit organisations, education and training institutions, technology centres, etc.) in areas such as health, urban development, gender, social justice and inclusion, democratic participation, regional competitiveness and energy. Since 2014 DEUSTO has been involved in 89 international research projects and worked with more than 770 partner organisations. From data collection to the implementation and piloting phases, stakeholders have an active role throughout the research project life cycle.
https://www.deusto.es/cs/Satellite/deustoresearch/es/inicio/transferencia-3/colaboracion-con-agentes-externos

IMPACT

The objective of the research will clearly be to pursue real application in the bio-sanitary field. Publications of excellence are a way to solve problems and challenges of society, not an objective in itself. This vision is shared with our collaborating partners, to such an extent that the protection of knowledge in the form of patents is part of the strategy. The involvement and collaboration with industrial agents, whether current or any other participating in European collaborative projects, will always allow the pursuit of a goal with market potential. The new biomedical sensors and wearable devices are intended to help many people with chronic diseases, or who require expensive and painful therapies. Research on these types of devices will improve the quality of life of thousands of people in the coming decades.

Deusto Research pursues societal impact that goes beyond academia focusing on the transformation of today’s society, leading to fairer and more diverse societies, where inclusive social development and welfare are enhanced.
https://www.deusto.es/cs/Satellite/deustoresearch/en/home/dissemination-and-transfer

INNOVATION

Both DeustoTech and BCM, with their micro and nano devices unit, led by Javier del Campo, aim to develop new devices with the potential to be brought to market. DeustoTech has a long experience in the development of new IoT devices for the agro-food sector, participating in high TRL development projects in Eurostars calls, and turning the functionally validated prototypes into products. This experience allows us to continue pursuing the same goal with any new development we make. The new sensors or antennas that allow wireless recharging must be integrated with the necessary electronics to fulfill all the function required by the device. And the capacities of both centers will allow us to pursue this objective.

DEUSTO research internationalisation strategy pursues innovation through the participation in international research and innovation initiatives (H2020 projects, Innovation Radar)
https://www.deusto.es/cs/Satellite/deustoresearch/en/home/transfer-of-knowledge-0/innovation-radar

INCLUSION

Inclusion is an underlying principle of the 6i Dirs project. The leadership vocation of the University of Deusto goes hand in hand with its aspiration to excellence and quality and a firm commitment to social justice and inclusion. The Interdisciplinary Platform on Social Justice and Inclusion articulates interdisciplinary collaborations and channel research efforts for contributing to social justice and more inclusive and fairer societies.
https://www.deusto.es/cs/Satellite/deustoresearch/es/inicio/plataformas-interdisciplinares-de-investigacion/deusto-social-justice-and-inclusion/the-platform
Deusto recognises gender equality as a key driver for sustainable development and inclusive growth across regions, and believes that equality of academic opportunity for women is key. The Interdisciplinary Research Platform on Gender is a dynamic vehicle that teams up experts from different areas of knowledge with the dual purpose of fostering collaboration and integrating existing expertise to address society’s emerging challenges on gender issues. (https://www.deusto.es/cs/Satellite/deustoresearch/es/inicio/plataformas-interdisciplinares-de-investigacion/deusto-gender/the-university-of-deusto)
Moreover, to seek real inclusion for people with specific support needs, the 6i Dirs project ensures equal rights and opportunities with respect to access to the programme and the acquisition of the skills expected to achieve the PhD and enhance their career development and future employability. All vacancies on the Euraxess EU portal bear the Science4refugee logo to encourage refugees to apply for them. Furthermore, DEUSTO is a partner of the Scholars At Risk Network (SAR), which offers safety to scholars facing grave threats.