Periodic Reporting for period 1 - MMP (Multiparametric probe for monitoring in real time environmental variables in drilling boreholes)
Periodo di rendicontazione: 2017-02-01 al 2018-07-31
An innovative instrument has been developed in the field of multiparametric probes for monitoring physico-chemical subsurface parameters of environmental interest. The instrument was designed, constructed and tested during the development of the Advance ERC project (IPBSL-250350) to perform in hostile environments and high pressure to monitor in real time at different depths at the same time geomicrobiological activities in drilled boreholes in the subsurface of the Iberian Pyrite Belt. Under the ERC Proof of Concept Grant (MMP-737620) the following objectives have been developed successfully: i) a technical perspective to validate its use in different field of applications, ii) a Market Feasibility Study to exploit the integrated technology, iii) a Potential Market Entry to make commercially available the technology, and iv) an IP Position Strategy to license the technology to a company that already commercialize multiparametric probes for the general market. The activities developed included: a critical analysis of the original prototype; the design, construction, testing, field evaluation and SWOT analysis of the new prototype; the correspondent market and patentability analysis to set up IPR strategy; the development and presentation of the patent; and a market analysis to set up the commercialization strategy. From the analysis of the prototype generated from the ERC project the design of a more versatile prototype has been achieved, constructed and tested. This improved version of the multiparametric probe allows an easy adaptation to different costumer requirements. In close collaboration with the Service Unit of Knowledge Transfer of the Spanish national Research Council (CSIC) a critical analysis of the properties of the multiparametric probe was performed to evaluate the convenience of obtaining an international patent. The analysis of the properties of the multiparametric probe recommended its patentability. An international patent was prepared and filled in Oficina Española de Patentes y Marcas in June 9th 2018 with the reference number PCT/ES2017/070420. The correspondent market analysis performed in collaboration with the Unit of Commercialization and Contracts of the CSIC detected a suitable number of companies that could be interested in the commercialization of the probe. Information on the properties of the multiparametric probe has been incorporated in the web of the CSIC and in the EEN platform. Different companies contacted the Unit of Commercialization asking for additional information. An invited communication was presented in a industrial forum of innovation (InnoUam-Eco) at the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid. Two international companies showed interested in testing adapted versions of the probe to their needs but due to the strict regulations of the PoC projects that does not allow project extensions, they will have to be performed under another project.