Two scientists from Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (UC3M), Daniel Garcia González and Mario Merino Martínez, have received two Proof of Concept grants from the European Research Council (ERC). These grants, intended for researchers who already have an ERC-funded project, allow them to develop the innovative potential of their proposals in the fields of biomedical and aerospace technologies, respectively.
A portable mechanical scanner for biological tissues
The new ERC research project by Daniel García González, from UC3M's Department of Continuum Mechanics and Structural Analysis, is called MAGMATED (Magneto-Mechanical Technology for Bioinspired Material Testing and Ex-Vivo Diagnosis; GA 101247449). “We are trying to develop a revolutionary technology that could change the way we diagnose diseases and design new biomaterials,” explains the researcher. To do so, they propose a compact and portable solution to accurately analyze the “internal mechanics” of soft materials and biological tissues, such as those used in biopsies.
Instead of using large and expensive laboratory equipment, this system employs soft magnetic materials that hold the sample and apply controlled forces to it in an easy-to-use, small, portable device. By observing how the material deforms under different conditions (thanks to an integrated imaging system), the device's software (based on artificial intelligence and physical models), is able to map how stiffness varies in different areas of the sample. “This technology would allow us to have a portable mechanical scanner of biological tissues,” says Daniel García González.
MAGMATED could have a major impact in regenerative medicine (for the design of artificial tissues with properties similar to natural ones) or in clinical diagnostics (where mechanical alterations can be an early indication of diseases such as cancer or neurological disorders). The researchers plan to test their performance with brain tissue and in cells used as drug vehicles, in order to develop their viability at the commercial level. In fact, they are supported by the spin-off company 60Nd, which develops innovative solutions in the field of mechanobiology.
A new generation of versatile and sustainable space propulsion
The new ERC research project of Mario Merino Martínez, from the UC3M's Department of Aerospace Engineering, is called NEPTUNE (Tandem Electrodeless Plasma Thrusters for Universal and Versatile in-Space Propulsion; GA 101248669). Its goal is to revolutionize the future of space exploration with an advanced, versatile and easy-to-integrate propulsion system for satellites and spacecraft.
“This Proof of Concept will allow us to optimize and study the commercial viability of a novel plasma acceleration system, the magnetic arch, which is one of the results emerging from our research under my ERC Starting Grant ZARATHUSTRA,” explains Mario Merino Martínez. This Magnetic Arch Tandem thruster, which uses electrodeless plasma sources and magnetic fields to generate thrust without the need for moving parts, can operate with any propellant gas, reducing costs and increasing operational flexibility. In addition, its compact and efficient design promises to facilitate its incorporation into future space missions, both commercial and scientific.
NEPTUNE focuses on four key areas: refining the magnetic design of the thruster, developing a system architecture with commercial off-the-shelf components, collaborating with space companies and agencies to assess its market viability, and establishing a plan for its development and future commercialization. To this end, the team will develop a working prototype that will be tested in real vacuum conditions, analyzing different configurations and gases to optimize performance. The project will also explore business models and strategic alliances to ensure that this technology reaches the market successfully. “This technology promises to open a new stage in space mobility, more sustainable, flexible and accessible,” concludes Mario Merino.
These research grants obtained by Daniel Garcia González and Mario Merino Martínez highlight UC3M's commitment to research excellence. In total, UC3M has obtained 18 ERC projects since the creation of the program (8 Starting Grants, 7 Consolidator Grants and 3 Proof of Concept grants) with an overall funding of more than 30 million euros.