For nearly three decades, Tekniker-IK4 has taken part in a number of major European projects, including one focused on nanoparticles known as fullerenes, and another on bio-lubricants for use in compressors. This has provided the center with the necessary experience to head international scientific and technological partnerships.

A milestone in precision engineering

Though leading the POCO initiative marks a significant milestone for Tekniker-IK4, the center’s greatest achievement to date is the creation of the world’s most precise barometer. The project cost more than €1 million and took ten years to complete.

The new prototype, located in the Spanish Center for Metrology since February 2009, provides the lowest level of uncertainty ever achieved to date in measuring pressure: the equivalent of the weight of two inches of air over a total height of 2,600 kilometers. This system operates on a new approach, one that incorporates two connected columns of mercury upon which float two reflectors. These reflect a laser beam that then identifies the exact position of the mercury by interferometry, which combines the light from different receivers to obtain a high-resolution image.

The success of this project makes Spain an international reference in measuring pressure, which will contribute to advances in fields such as meteorology, aviation and transportation.

Challenges for the future

As the POCO project continues investigations into composite materials, Itziar Cenoz, Tekniker-IK4 marketing manager, says the result will be a “solid technology base capable of creating new products for the marketplace.” She continues that, considering the funds involved and the size of the project, “This will be a significant European contribution to the field of nanocomposites.”

Researchers involved in POCO seek to scale the process and integrate it into the production line at a reasonable cost.In terms of scientific research, project goals include applying similar strategies to the integration of nanotubes in other applications. Tekniker scientists and engineers are working to achieve that.

For nearly three decades, Tekniker-IK4 has taken part in a number of major European projects, including one focused on nanoparticles known as fullerenes, and another on bio-lubricants for use in compressors. This has provided the center with the necessary experience to head international scientific and technological partnerships.

A milestone in precision engineering

Though leading the POCO initiative marks a significant milestone for Tekniker-IK4, the center’s greatest achievement to date is the creation of the world’s most precise barometer. The project cost more than €1 million and took ten years to complete.

The new prototype, located in the Spanish Center for Metrology since February 2009, provides the lowest level of uncertainty ever achieved to date in measuring pressure: the equivalent of the weight of two inches of air over a total height of 2,600 kilometers. This system operates on a new approach, one that incorporates two connected columns of mercury upon which float two reflectors. These reflect a laser beam that then identifies the exact position of the mercury by interferometry, which combines the light from different receivers to obtain a high-resolution image.

The success of this project makes Spain an international reference in measuring pressure, which will contribute to advances in fields such as meteorology, aviation and transportation.

Challenges for the future

As the POCO project continues investigations into composite materials, Itziar Cenoz, Tekniker-IK4 marketing manager, says the result will be a “solid technology base capable of creating new products for the marketplace.” She continues that, considering the funds involved and the size of the project, “This will be a significant European contribution to the field of nanocomposites.”

Researchers involved in POCO seek to scale the process and integrate it into the production line at a reasonable cost.In terms of scientific research, project goals include applying similar strategies to the integration of nanotubes in other applications. Tekniker scientists and engineers are working to achieve that.