FUNDACION CENTRO TECNOLOGICO DE COMPONENTES

Advanced materials and nanomaterials laboratory
It is equipped with:
Atomic Force Microscope (AFM): High resolution technique to analyse materials at nanometric scale. Images and topography. Electrical, magnetic, thermal and mechanical properties. Nanolithography.
Three Roll Mill: Nanomaterials dispersion in matrix (high shear forces).
Mini Spray Dyer: (advanced technique of drying): Microencapsulation of materials, atomization of liquids, production of solid particles at microscale, transformation of liquids (solutions, emulsions) into dry micro powder, dispersion of nanomaterials into microparticles, etc.
Thermal conductivity analyser, specific heat, diffusivity and effusivity of any kind of material, whether solid, liquid, paste or powder.
Inverted metallurgical microscope: Microstructural analysis of materials.
Universal Mechanical Testing Machine. Tensile, bending and compression tests.
Ultrasound homogenizer. Nanomaterials dispersion en different liquid media.

Navigation Systems Laboratory
It is equipped with:
ACUTRONIC SIMEX TWO 2-axis motion simulator with removable temperature chamber and 45 kg maximum payload for modeling and calibration of MEMS inertial sensors and stabilized platform testing (Hardware-in-the-loop)

Corrosion lab
It is equipped with:
Salt fog chamber.
Climatic chamber for exposure to UV/condensation/spray cycles.
Alternate immersion machine in saline solution.
Climatic Chamber with Temperature and RH control.
Weathering exposure sites (in marine and atmospheric environment).
Dry film thickness measurement tester.
Adhesion Tester.
Surface Roughness tester
Metallographic light microscope.
Stereomicroscope.
Micro indenter.
Atomic Force Microscope (AFM).

ROBOTICS AND INTELLIGENT SYSTEMS
CTC is specialized in the development of automated systems providing innovative solutions that enable the development of new high-quality services.
Specialization and Technologies:
Mechanical and Structural design
Design and simulation of control algorithms
Software implementation and analysis under Real-Time specifications.
Structural and thermal simulations (ANSYS)
Aerodynamic Simulation using CFD codes (ANSYS CFX)
Energy Harvesting

NAVIGATION SYSTEMS
CTC is specialized in the development of multi-antenna and multi-receiver GNSS systems for 3D attitude determination (Roll, Pitch and Yaw), and hybrid navigation systems that combine multiple sources of information by means of data fusion techniques.
Specialization and Technologies:
GNSS-based attitude determination
Characterization and modeling of MEMS inertial sensors
Characterizaton and modeling of GNSS raw measurements
Data Fusion
Real time software design. Implementation and analysis
Innovative GNSS applications (GPS, GLONASS, EGNOS, etc.)

NANOMATERIALS AND GRAPHENE
Our main goals are the development of new products and the performances improvement of already existing products using nanomaterials. We try to transfer the excellent and unique properties of nanomaterials in commercial products. Our work has been focused on the development of new composite/nanocomposite materials (mainly with an inorganic matrix like cement or a polymeric matrix) with new and better performances, tailored and multifunctional.
Our work about graphene has been focused on the synthesis and manufacture of the product in order to reduce costs and to optimize the process. Currently, we are beginning to work on different applications such as the development of polymer nanocomposites and wastewater treatment systems.
Specialization and Technologies:
Advanced technologies for the dispersion of fillers/additives/nanomaterials within different media:
Organics: polymer, resins, paints, varnishes, pastes, creams, solvents,…
Inorganics: cements, lubricants, water,…
Functionalization and surface treatment of nanomaterials through chemical processes + spray drying.
Development of graphene and its derivatives, and graphene nanocomposites
Characterization of nanomaterials using atomic force microscopy (AFM).
Manufacturing capabilities of composite and nanocomposite materials.

PCMS AND APPLICATIONS
Phase change materials (PCM) are materials with a high latent heat, which are able to store and release large amounts of energy (up to 100 times more than using the specific heat) to the phase change temperature (solid-liquid). A key feature of these materials is that, during phase change, the temperature remains constant while the material is absorbing or releasing heat. The phase change temperature is characteristic of each PCM. Their use is focused on improving the energy efficiency of the system where it is incorporated.
Mainly there are two types of applications: heat storage and passive temperature control
Heat/cold storage
From natural sources (for example the Sun)
Industrial processes: recovery of waste heat
Free cooling/heating systems
Shifting electrical consumption to off-peak periods
Others
Passive thermoregulation to a temperature fixed
Thermal comfort in buildings: Thermal oscillation reduction
Transport of food, medicines, organs, animals, …
Cooling systems: cold rooms
Thermal comfort in clothing
Control of temperature peaks in electronic devices
Others
Specialization and Technologies:
Analysis and thermal studies. Thermo-Hydraulic simulations through code CFD (ANSYS CFX)
Development of PCM/carbonaceous materials composites with high thermal conductivity
Microencapsulation of PCM by spray drying process

NUCLEAR INDUSTRY COMPONENTS
CTC specializes in structural integrity analysis of last generation nuclear reactors under ASME design codes and design of components and tools for nuclear power stations according to ASME, RCC-M, Eurocode and FEM.
Analyses consist of material resistance calculations and heat transfer calculations which require engineering expertise and strict compliance with the codes.
Analyses have allowed the detailed design and the manufacturing on components for generation III and IV reactors and spare components for generation II reactors.
CTC performs the design of manipulation and test tools. The design consists of analysis, manufacturing drawings and specifications.
Specialization lines and Technologies:
• Thermal and structural simulations (ANSYS).
• Thermo hydraulic simulations by CFD codes (ANSYS CFX).
• Mechanical and structural design.

WIND ENERGY COMPONENTS
CTC can analyze and optimize the shape of wind turbine blades from the point of view of the aerodynamics, to continue with structural calculations and design of the main components of the wind turbine.
For the offshore wind energy sector, the experience of CTC permits to address two types of projects: analysis and design of complex structural elements following the requirements defined by standards and to develop research projects with the objective of implement new methodologies and model calculations to dimension this kind of structures.
Specialization lines and Technologies:
Stress analysis, fracture mechanics and fatigue.
Thermal and structural simulations (ANSYS).
Thermo hydraulic simulations by CFD codes (ANSYS CFX).
Structural reliability assessment with probabilistic methods.

STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY AND RELIABILITY
The work of CTC in the field of structural integrity and reliability allows to analyze the behaviour of structures subjected to different types of loads and environmental operating conditions.
Specialization lines and Technologies:
Stress analysis, fracture mechanics and fatigue.
Thermal and structural simulations (ANSYS).
Thermo hydraulic simulations by CFD codes (ANSYS CFX).
Structural reliability assessment with probabilistic methods.

SHM AND DEGRADATION MECHANISMS
The structural health monitoring (SHM Structural Health Monitoring) is the implementation of strategies for detection and characterization of structural damage, understanding damage as changes of geometry or properties of the materials used. The aging of structural systems due to degradation mechanisms associated with the operating environment plays a vital role when the expected life is long or the environment is very aggressive.
Loads and damage detected by sensors offer input to mathematical processes to quantify the remaining life of the structure.
Specialization lines and Technologies:
Thermal and structural simulations (ANSYS).
Thermo hydraulic simulations by CFD codes (ANSYS CFX).
Aerodynamic simulations by CFD codes (ANSYS CFX).
Stress analysis, fracture mechanics and fatigue.
Algorithm design and implementation.
Marine corrosion.

MOORING AND ANCHORING SYSTEMS
The technologies associated with marine energy sources are in an incipient development state and a very important evolution stage is expected during the next several years as occurred with wind energy.
One of the main aspects to consider when a Marine Renewable Energy Converter (MREC) is deployed at sea is to guarantee the survival in a very severe environment. At the same time it is important to maintain the operational and maintenance costs as low as possible during the life cycle of the MREC. CTC is specialized in the selection and design of mooring and anchoring systems specifics for MREC, always maintaining the reliability of the whole system and reducing the cost of energy per kWh produced.
Specialization lines and Technologies:
Hydrodynamics of floating structures.
Simulations of Mooring systems for offshore structures (Orcaflex).
Thermal and structural simulations (ANSYS).
Analysis of stresses, Fracture mechanics and fatigue.
Life cycle analysis.

PLATFORM ANALYSIS AND DESIGN
Based on the assessment of the hydrodynamic forces to which Marine Renewable Energy devices are subjected, in CTC all load conditions to which these types of structures are subjected are analyzed throughout their design life.
Considering that survival of extreme conditions fundamentally influences the mechanical and structural design, and as the energy and profit is only generated in the production conditions, it is essential in these types of devices to enhance reliability in order to reduce costs.
Specialization liNes and Technologies:
Loads calculation due to met ocean variables.
Hydrodynamics of floating structures.
Mechanical design and structural calculations.
Stress analysis, fracture mechanics and fatigue.
Life cycle analysis

OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE
CTC is working on the simulation of installation and decommissioning maneuvers for offshore devices. Based on these simulations it is possible to have a previous specification that guaranties the safety during the operation at sea.
Specialization lines and Technologies:
Simulation of installation and decommissioning maneuvers of offshore devices.
Stability calculations of offshore structures.
Marine corrosion.

PLATFORMS FOR MONITORIZATION OF AMBIENTAL VARIABLES
Ocean observation systems consist of a cluster of sensors selected to provide reliable and accurate measurements of chemical, biological or physical parameters. Observation systems usually are integrated in buoys which are left unattended in the sea for long periods of time being subjected to the harsh marine environment. The development of a fully automated ocean observing system that will provide measurements for long-length periods of time does not only require advancements in the field of sensor and material technologies, but also in navigation/positioning, communication, and energy systems.
Specialization and Technologies:
Hydrodynamics of floating structures.
Mooring and anchoring design and simulation (Orcaflex).
Structural and thermal analysis (ANSYS).
Life cycle analysis.
Localization and navigation solutions.
Energy harvesting