The construction industry is undergoing a quiet revolution. While cranes and excavators continue to take centre stage on construction sites, a new type of worker is gaining ground: collaborative robots, or “cobots”. These efficient helpers will transform the way we construct and rehabilitate buildings. But what exactly are they and how can they change the rules of the game?
Cobots: More than simple machines
Unlike traditional industrial robots, cobots are designed to work side by side (or rather, arm in arm) with humans. These robots are equipped with sensors that allow them to detect the presence of people and objects in their environment. In this way, they can adapt their movement and strength to work safely alongside human workers. In the field of construction, these robots can be of great help, especially in the heaviest, most repetitive and dangerous tasks.
Façade rehabilitation: a new approach
Façade rehabilitation is an area where cobots can be of particular value. These tasks are often labour-intensive, dangerous and require high precision. There are several tasks where these devices could be of great use.
Inspection: Equipped with high-resolution cameras and sensors, the cobots can examine every inch of a façade in detail, detecting cracks, dampness or flaws that might go unnoticed by the human eye.
Cleaning: Specialised robots can clean façades efficiently and uniformly, without putting scaffolding workers at risk.
Application of materials: Whether it is paint, sealants or coatings, cobots can apply materials with high precision and consistency. In addition, material waste is significantly reduced, as they would use the exact amount needed in each case.
Repairs: Some advance cobots can perfom minor repairs, such as filling cracks or replacing deteriorated elements.
3D Printing: 3D printing using cobots makes it possible to create intricate shapes and patterns that would be extremely difficult or costly to achieve with traditional methods. In this way, each façade can be unique, perfectly adapted to the aesthetic and functional needs of the building and its surroundings. In addition, it is possible to directly print elements such as thermal or acoustic insulation within the façade structure. In this context, European projects in which CARTIF collaborates, such as INPERSO, are actively working on the integration of cobots for the rehabilitationf and 3D printing of façades.
Profit beyond efficiency
The intorduction of cobots in façade renovation not only improves the efficiency and quality of work, but also brings other benefits. In the area of safety, for example, by performing the most dangerous tasks, cobots significantly reduce the risk of occupational accidents. They also help in sustainability by optimising the application of the requires amount of material and thus reducing waste. Finally, they also facilitate traceability and documentation of the work performed. The data collected during robotic inspections provides a valuable digital record of the building´s condition.
Challenges and considerations
Despite their potential, the use of collaborative robots in construction still faces some challenges. One of them is related to existing regulations. Building regulations need to be adapted to include this new technology. This problem is common in many areas where innovations are ahead of regulations. Research is also needed on the long-term performance of the new materials associated with these techniques and the durability of the structures created. Finally, the initial costs of these robotic systems need to be considered. Although it may be cheaper in the long term, the initial investment in this technology canbe significant and requires a payback time that needs to be assessed.
Human factor
Despite all these advances, it is important to remember that cobots aren´t here to replace human workers, but to complement them. Construction professionals are still essential for planning, decision-making and tasks that require a human touch and creativity. One of the goals of using such robots is to free workers from the heaviest, most repetitive and dangerous tasks.
Looking to the future
As technology advances, we can expect to see even more sophisticated cobots on our construction sites. Imagine robots that can communicate with each other to coordinate complex tasks, or use artificial intelligence to adapt their working methods to the specific conditions of each building. Human-robot collaboration in building construction and renovation is not just a passing trend, but the future of the industry. With every façade rehabilitated and every building constructed, cobots are proving their worth, moving towards a more sustainable and safer future for the construction industry. These technologies can not only change the way we build, but also how we conceive the function and design of buildings. As technology advances, we can expect to see buildings that are not just structures, but truly functional and sustainable works of art.
Over the past decades, hydrogen has been identified as a potential clean fuel, although its mass adoption has been hampered by the abundance of oil and low relative prices of fossil fuels, as well as, in recent years, by the advance of the battery electric vehicle. Today, while technological advances have brought down the costs of hydrogen production and use, it is essential to scale up these technologies and define a roadmap to optimise the necessary investments. The current energy transition points to an era of sustainable energy gases, and the consumption of renewable hydrogen and methane is expected to surpass that of coal and oil in the 21st century. In this context, renewable hydrogen, or hydrogen produced with low CO2 emissions, emerges as a key player in the decarbonisation of the global economy.
Biohydrogen is a specific type of renewable hydrogen defined as hydrogen produced by biological processes or from biomass as feedstock. Biomass, one of the most abundant renewable resources on all continents, is the subject of increasing research into its alternative uses and valorisation. This interest is also focused on the conversation of waste streams into energy, because of the potential to transform large quantities of agricultural, forestry, industrial and municipal waste into biohydrogen and other renewable gases, thus benefiting sustainable development. The efficient use of renewable feedstocks derived from biomass and waste as a fuel source clearly presents a significant opportunity for a more sustainable planet.
“Biohydrogen. Specific type of renewable hydrogen defined as hydrogen produced by biological processes or from biomass as feedstock”
Biohydrogen has characteristics that make it a renewable element capable of providing safe, economically competitive and 100% carbone dioxide-free energy in its production and use. Despite this, the penetration of this low-carbon hydrogen remains limited. It is crucial to understand the reasons for this situation, the emerging trends and the technological route that will enable its consolidation as an energy vector.
Biohydrogen production
Biohydrogen production has gained worldwide attention due to its potential to become an inexhaustible, low-cost, renewable source of clean energy. Feedstocks for its production include lignocellulosic products, agricultural residues, food processing residues, aquatic plants and algae, and human effluents such as sewage sludge. Under proper control, these resources will become a major source of energy in the future. Biomass has the potential to be an important source of renewable hydrogen, complementing other processes that produce biomaterials.
The main methode of obtaining biohydrogen is from biomethane generated in anaerobic digestion, through a process known as reforming. Gasification, on the other hand, converts organic matter into hydrogen-rich synthesis gas. Alongside these thermochemical technologies, biological hydrogen production, such as dark fermentation and the use of microalgae, offer additional promising methods. Dark fermentation uses anaerobic bacteria to break down organic matter and produce hydrogen. Microalgae, on the other hand, can generate hydrogen through biophotolysis, a process that converts sunlight and water into hydrogen and oxygen. This set of technologies presents a wide range of possibilities for biohydrogen production.
Storage and distribution
The storage and distribution of hydrogen in general, and biohydrogen in particular, represent crucial aspects of its large-scale adoption. Storage in high-pressure tanks is currently the preferred option, although other methods exist, such as injection into existing gas infrastructure of storage in chemical materials. Hydrogen can be stored in a gaseous or liquid state, either on the surface or in solids, or in hydrogen-bearing chemical compounds. These storage options aim to overcome current limitations and facilitate the uptake of hydrogen as an energy carrier.
Applications and uses
The current interest in the hydrogen economy is due to its enormous opportunities for penetration in the energy sector, especially in mobility and chemicalstorage of renewable energy. In the case of biohydrogen, it is also an efficient method of managing organic waste streams. The production of renewable hydrogen has increased in recent years, mainly used in the manufactureof ammonia. Renewable ammonia can also be used as an energy storage medium, energy carrier or fuel. Hydrogen production therefore not only has industrial applications, but also offers innovative energy solutions.
In metallurgy, hydrogen is used in the direct reduction of iron for steel production, and in transport, it can generate clean energy in vehicles. These diversified applications demonstrate the potential of biohydrogen to transform key sectors of the economy. However, its large-scale adoption requires overcoming technological, logistical and market barriers, as well as establishing appropriate policies for its regulation and development.
Biohydrogen perspectives
Biohydrogen, like other energy carriers, has advantages and disadvantages. While other forms of energy already have an established position, hydrogen, and in particular biohydrogen, is progressively advancing in trying to replace options such as coal or natural gas in sectors such as energy, industry and transport. The main driver for this is the need to reduce pollutant emissions, which has generated considerable interest in this energy vector. However, low energy density, infrastructure and installation costs, and factors associated with security are the main barriers slowing down its implementation. While some of these barriers can be removed by cost reductions resulting from research breakthroughs, others, such as energy density, cannot be changed. Here, the use of derivatives mainly from the chemical industry can play a key role in the energy system or in the transport sector.
Barriers can be addressed or adapted, but this will not be achieved without a joint effort by both the private and public sectors. There must be joint objectives and policies on aspects such as the homogenisation of standards that affect, above all, storage limits. Currently, there is no robust global market due to low demand, which is partly a consequence of low generation and direct consumption at generation sites. As biohydrogen progressively breaks through, demand will increase and generation will have to be done on a large scale. This increase in generation and demand will make material transport routes, which are cost-effective especially over long distances, viable. Hydrogen-specific pipelines, trucks and shipping routes will emerge to meet this demand. With this opening and development of adapted means for hydrogen and biohydrogen, a progressive increase in the areas of potential use will be observed, where transport, especially by heavy vehicles and ships, and energy storage in liquid ammonia tanks will play a key role.
Biohydrogen has the potential to solve today’s pollution problems, but its widespread use is not immediate. The change starts now and the willingness to change must be evident. The next steps include research into all biohydrogen production processes to increase their efficiency and thus their competitiveness; integration of distribution and demand interfaces; management of global policies and technologies; coordination in the face of multilateral sectoral initiatives; and the creation of a knowledge base to serve as a model for the establishment of initiatives.
More information about this theme:
Hidalgo, D., Martín-Marroquín, J. M., & Díez, D. (2022). Biohydrogen: future energy source for the society. In Organic Waste to Biohydrogen (pp. 271-288). Singapore: Springer Nature Singapore.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is contributing to the transformation of a large number of sectors, from suggesting a song to analyzing our health status via a watch, along with manufacturing industry. One hindrance on this transformation relates to the overall complexity of AI systems, which often poses challenges in terms of transparency and comprehensions of the results delivered. In this context, the AI’s explanatory capability (or “explainability”) is referred as the ability to make their decisions and actions understandable to users – which is known as eXplainable AI (XAI); this is something crucial to generate trust and ensure a responsible adoption of these technologies.
Explainable AI (XAI); the ability to make their decisions and actions understandable to users
A wide range of technological solutions are currently being investigated in order to improve the explainability of AI algorithms. One of the main strategies includes the creation of intrinsically explainable models (ante hoc explanations). This type of models, such as decision trees and association rules, are designed to be transparent and comprehensible by their own nature. Their logical structure allows users to seamlessly follow the reasoning behind the AI-based decisions. Tools for visualization of AI explanations are key, since they represent graphically the decision-making process performed by the model, thus facilitating user comprehension. These tools might take different forms, such as dedicated dashboards, augmented reality glasses, or natural language explanations (as speech or as text).
Intrinsically explainable system: decision tree. The intermediary nodes are conditions that are progressively verified until reaching the final result
Natural Language explanations for a recommender system of new routes for exercising. Extracted from Xu et al. (2023). XAIR: framework of XAI in augmented reality.
Another commonly used family of explanation techniques is called post hocmethods: these consist in, once the AI model has been created and trained, a posteriori processing and analyzing this resulting model to provide explanations of the results. For example, some of these techniques evaluate how much is contributed by each input variable in the final result of the system (sensibility analysis). Among post hoc explainability techniques, SHAP (Shapley Additive exPlanations), a method based on cooperative game theory, allows to extract coefficients that determine the importance of each input variable on the final result of an AI algorithm.
Other XAI techniques include decomposition, which divides the AI model into simpler and more easily explainable components, and knowledge distillation into surrogate models, which approximate the function of the original system while being more easily comprehensible. On the other hand, the so-called “local explanations” consist in methods that explain individual examples (input-output), not the entire AI model. An example are the explanations provided by tools such as LIME (Local Interpretable Model-agnostic Explanations). As an illustration of LIME, the example in the following figure shows a specific inference in text classification task, in which a text is classified as “sincere” (with 84% of likelihood), and the most relevant words for that decision are highlighted, as an explanation of this individual classification [Linardatos et al. (2020)].
An additional approach for XAI relates to the integration of input by users in the process of AI model construction, which is known in general as “Human-in-the-Loop” (HITL). This approach allows users to interact (e.g. by labelling new data) and to supervise the AI algorithm building process, adjusting its decisions in real time and thus improving the overall system transparency.
At CARTIF, we are actively working in different projects related with AI, such as s-X-AIPI to help advance in the explainability of AI systems used in industrial applications. A significant example in our work are dashboards (visualization or control panels) designed for the supervision and analysis of the performance of fabrication processes studied in the project. These dashboards allow plant operators to visualize and understand in real time the actual status of the industrial process.
Predictive and anomaly detection models have been created in the context of asphalt industrial processes which not only anticipate future values, but also detect unusual situations in the asphalt process and explain the factors that have an influence on these predictions and detections. Thus, this helps operators make adequate informed decisions and better understand the results generated by the AI systems and how to take proper actions.
Explainability in AI methods is essential for the safe and effective AI adoption in all types of sectors: industry, retail, logistics, pharma, construction… In CARTIF, we are committed with the development of technologies to create AI-based applications that do not only improve processes and services, but also are transparent and comprehensible for users; in short, that are explainable.
Co-author
Iñaki Fernández.PhD in Artificial Intelligence. Researcher at the Health and Wellbeing Area of CARTIF.
Fermentation is perhaps one of the oldest technologies that has accompanied humanity for thousand of years. Throughout history, numerous evidences and traces have been found that demonstrate the use of fermentation by several cultures and civilisations, as a common and fundamental practice in the production of food and beverages, or even for medicinal and ceremonial purposes.
For example, archaeological remains have been found in China (7000-6600 BC ) of a fermented drink made from rice, honey and fruit in ceramic vessels, or in Iran (5000 BC) ceramic jars with wine residues, or Egyptian hieroglyphs and papyri (2500 BC) describing the production of beer and wine, as well as their consumption in religious ceremonies everyday life.
In addition, the analysis of botanical remains (seeds, plant fragments) has provided evidence of the use of fermented plants, or more recently the analysis and study of the DNA of yeasts and other microorganisms has provided genetic evidence of the use of fermentation since ancient times. These ancient methodes laid the foundations for the use and evolution of a practice that has evolved significantly over time.
The application of biotechnological techniques for the manufacture of pharmaceutical, biofuels, fertilisers and nutritional supplements has proven to be an age-old tool that has been adapted and sophisticated to suit today´s needs.
Global challenges such as environmental sustainability, food security, food scarcity, waste reduction and recovery find in fermentation a powerful tool to address these problems.
In this way, the use of different microorganisms can be the key to the revalorisation of different by-products and waste from industry, transforming them into high-value products such as biofuels (biodiesel, biogas), biodegradable compounds (bioplastics), or molecules of interest (lipids, organic acids, dyes, etc.) that can be incorporated back into the value chain thus contributing to a circular economy.
Fermentation can transform some agri-food by-products, which would otherwise be wasted, into products with an improved organoleptic profile by reducing or transforming undesirable compounds that negatively affect taste and texture. In this way, fermentation processes can improve the organoleptic profile and, thus the acceptability of certain by-products, which can then be incorporated back into the value chain.
Another future challenges is the increase in the world´s population, which brings with it an increase in demand for protein and poses challenges to the sustainability of traditional protein sources such as meat and dairy products. This is where the use of microorganisms, in this case fungi fermentation, emerges as an alternative to traditional protein sources. Fungi fermentation is key to obtaining microproteins that allow the development of flavours and textures that mimic meat and are sensorially appealing to the consumer. These types of proteins are rich in high quality nutrients, and are also presented as an alternative that requires fewer natural resources (water and land) and produces fewer greenhouse gases.
Fermentation also has the potential to mitigate pollution, playing an important role in waste management and pollutant reduction. Thus, certain organic wastes (waste oils, industrial waste, polluted waters) can be fermented to produce biogas, fertilisers and bioplastics, or it can be used to treat wastewater by reducing organic compounds before they are released into the environment. These processes can also be used in biorremediation processes, soil and contaminated area treatments.
According to the latest research, certain bacteria and fungi could be used to ferment and degradeplastics, such as polyethylene and polyester, or even use them as a source of carbon to obtain compounds of interest.
Therefore, fermentation today isn´t restricted to its use in the food industry for the production of fermented foods. Society must recognise and explore the alternatives offered by biotechnology, and in particular fermentative processes, to face present and future challenges.
Harnessing the abilities of bacteria, yeasts and fungi to transform waste materials into useful products, reduce waste and pollution will allow us to move towards a cleaner and sustainable future, thanks to micro-organisms, felow travellers that have served mankind for thousand of years, and may now be the solution to many of our future challenges.
In the vast universe of energy technology, lithium-ion batteries have reignes supreme for decades. From our mobile phones to electric vehicles, these batteries have been the silent engine that drives our daily lives. But, like any technology, lithium also has its limitations and challenges. What comes next? Join us as we explore the batteries of the future and the alternatives to lithium that could transform the world.
Why look for alternatives to lithium?
Lithium has numerous advantages, but it also presents significant challenges. Lithium can be environmentally costly to extract, and growing demand is putting pressure on global supplies. In addition, lithium batteries, while efficient, have limitations in terms of storage capacity and safety. So what options do we have?
Battery breakthroughs: overcoming challenges for a sustainable energy future
In the search for more affordable and abundant alternatives to lithium-ion batteries, sodium-ion batteries are emerging as a promising option by using sodium instead of lithium as the active ion. Although they do not currently achieve the same energy density as lithium batteries, sodium-ion batteries offer significant advantages in safety and sustainability by using more abundant and less expensive materials. In addition, solid-state batteries represent another innovation by replacing liquid electrolyte with solid electrolyte, improving safety and potentially energy efficiency with higher energy densities and faster charge times, making them ideal for applications in electric vehicles and portable devices. Finally, graphene, known for its ultra-thin and tough structure, is revolutionising energy storage with promises of ultra-fast charge times and long lifetimes, promoting significant advances in consumer electronics and industries, and paving the way for a new generation of more efficient and durable devices.
Beyond batteries: exploring new frontiers in energy storage
While electric batteries have been the mainstay of modern energy storage, relying only on one technology isn´t enough to meet the energy challenges of the future. Diversification of storage sources is essential to create a robust and resilient energy system. In addition to electric batteries, exploring options such as thermal storage and other innovative methods will allow us to make better use of renewable energy, optimise energy efficiency and ensure a constant and reliable supply.
Let´s discover some of these fascinanting alternatives!
Can abundant natural resources be harnessed for energy storage? Air and water prove it!
Compressed air storage (CAES) uses underground caverns or tanks to compress air at high pressure during periods of low electric demand. When electricity is required, the compressed air is expanded to generate power efficiently through turbines, which is crucial for stabilising power grids in areas where topography doesn´t allow for reservoirs. Hidraulic storage, on the other hand, harnesses reservoirs and dams to store and release water on demand, providing stability to the electricity system and facilitating the integration of intermitent renewable enrgies towards a more sustainable and stable future.
Energy revolution: how we cover the peaks of demand with advance technology
In the vibrant world of energy, one of the biggest challenges is managing those times when energy consumption spikes unexpectedly. How do we ensure that our power grid holds up without blackouts?
An alternative can be flywheels, which are notable for their ability to store kinetic energy in a rotating disc and release it almost instantly. But they aren´t the only heroes in this scneario. Supercapacitors, with their ability to charge and discharge energy at breakneck speeds, also play a crucial role in providing a boost of energy when it is needed most.
By integrating these technologies, which are capable of providing large power peaks in short periods of time, with other storage or generation systems, remarkable stability is achieved in electricity grids. This is especially beneficial for small or medium-sized grids that intend to operate in isolation, ensuring a reliable and constant power supply.
Phase change materials (PCM): heat under control and thermal change materials (TCM): efficient storage
Phase change materials (PCM) are substances that store and release large amounts of thermal energy during their melting and solidification process. These materials can be used for applications such as building air conditioning, improving energy efficiency and reducing the need for heating and cooling systems.
Similar to PCM, thermal change material (TCM) store thermal energy, but with different mechanisms, such as absorbing and realeasing heat through chemical reactions. The TCM can be used in thermal energy storage systems for solar power plants, increasing efficiency and storage capacity.
Storage and transport: ammonia and hydrogen. Integrated solutions
Ammonia is emerging as a promising energy carrier. It can be used as fuel directly or as a storage medium for hydrogen. As a liquid at moderate temperature and pressure, it is easier to store and transport than pure hydrogen. Moreover, it can be produced sustainably using renewable energies.
Hydrogen is considered by many to be the fuel of the future. It can be produced from water using renewable energy, stored and then converted back into electricity using fuel cells. In addition, it has thermal and mobility apllications. However, the challenge remains the infrastructure for its efficient and safe production, storage and distribution.
The future of batteries and energy storage is brilliant
The race for the next generation of energy storage technologies is in full swing. With so many promising options on the horizon, the future of portable energy and storage looks brighter than ever. From sodium and graphene to innovative phase-change materials and hydrogen, we are on the verge of an energy revolution.
At CARTIF, we excel with innovative projects that explore advanced solutions for energy storage, such as THUMBS UPand SINNOGENES, among others. These projects reflect our strong commitment to research and development of sustainable technologies that are set to transform the global energy landscape. Keep up to date with the latest news by visiting our blog and website to follow these exciting developments.
‘Innflation’ (innovation + innflation) is the phenomenon whereby an increase in the supply of R&D is not reflected in a reduction in its price because there is a stimulated demand for the purchase of that R&D.
It´s the phenomenon that moves us away from dull innovation systems characterised by continuous price reduction due to oversupply and allows us to have thriving innovation systems characterised by long-term transfer relationships so that the R&D generated is transformed into innovation when successfully exploited.
A dull innovation system, in which the phenomenon of ‘innflation’ doesn´t occur, is characterised by the fact that the public resources allocated to the generation of R&D supply are public expenditure, because the agents that generate that supply are stressed and compete in a red ocean in terms of price. These are innovation systems dependent on the outside world with low and decreasing levels of productivity, characterised by the flight of talent.
“Dull innovation system. Innovation system dependent on the outside world with low and decreasing levels of productivity, characterised by the flight of talent.”
It is therefore a question of implementing dual innovation policies that make it possible to sustain the supply of R&D, but also to stimulate the demand for R&D so that public resources are invested and not spent, to compete on value by creating blue oceans and not on price, undervaluing innovation, to have stimulated and efficient R&D agents, to use our own technology and promote our technological independence, and to have an impact on increasing productivity and retaining talent.
Stimulating demand for R&D must be done through systemic policies with a single, comprehensive visionthat includes:
Attractive tax deduction policies to stimulate new investors in innovation.
Industrial policy to increase the m2 of production plants equipped with their own technology (supply of R&D generated)
Education and employment policies to create and retain talent.
Communication and information policy to create culture, but, above all, innovation discipline.
Policies for the creation of technology-based companies based on the supply of R&D generated.
Stimulating demand will maintain long-term transfer relationships and have a positive effec on ‘innflation’ levels.
Innovate for you, innovate for me, innovate for us.
