Neus Sabaté

Institute of Microelectronics of Barcelona - Centre Nacional de Microelectrònica

Engineering Sciences

I obtained my Degree in Physics in 1998 at the University of Barcelona (UB). After that, I joined UB Electronics Dep. to develop ionizing radiation detectors. After that I stayed at the LAAS-CNRS in Toulouse, where I discovered my passion for silicon-based microsystems (MEMS) technologies. In 1999, I started my PhD at the Microelectronics Institute of Barcelona (CSIC) where I developed silicon-based flow and gas sensors for industrial applications. After the obtaining of my PhD, in 2004 I joined the IZM Fraunhofer in Berlin where I played a key role in the development of a new technique for stress measurements in thin films for the microelectronics industry. In 2006 I started a research line in silicon microfabricated fuel cells at IMB-CSIC that has evolved until the biodegradable electrochemical power sources I develop today. In 2015 I founded the spin-off Fuelium, aimed to commercialize disposable paper batteries for single use applications.


Research interests

Since 2006, I have focused on the development of microfuel cells, with the final goal of integrating them within microdevices requiring power autonomy. After many years of development using silicon-related technologies I decided to approach printed electronics technology that allows to build devices entirely made of polymer-based and paper materials at a very competitive cost. The main goal of my research line is to obtain single-use electrochemical power sources that can provide with power autonomy the new generation of paper-based lab-on-a-chip devices while being environmentally friendly. I am highly motivated in transferring the devices I create to the "real world" in order to contribute to the enhancement of the industrial local ecosystem.

Selected publications

- Montes-Cebrián Y, del Torno-de Román L, Álvarez-Carulla A, Colomer-Farrarons J, Minteer SD, Sabaté N, Miribel-Català PL, Esquivel JP 2018,'‘Plug-and-Power’ Point-of-Care diagnostics: A novel approach for self-powered electronic reader-based portable analytical devices', Biosensors and Bioelectronics, vol 118, pp. 88-96.

- del Torno-de Román L, Navarro M, Hughes G, Esquivel JP, Milton RD, Minteer SD, Sabaté N 2018, 'Improved performance of a paper-based glucose fuel cell by capillary induced flow', Electrochimica Acta, vol 282, pp. 336-342.


Selected research activities

Dissemination Activities

  • How life and potatoes can inspire a scientist - Talk at the opening ceremony of the Barcelona International Youth Science Challenge
  • Participation in Las Científicas Cuentan project for the public awareness of excellent science made by scientific women
  • Invited Talk & Round Table participation at the event "Spain Science & Innovation" organized by CDTI in Brussels
  • Bateries i piles de combustible de paper: l’energía neta del futur - Talk at 18th edition of Els dissabtes de la Física at UAB
  • Invited Talk & Round Table participation at the Circular Innovative solutions for companies in the Health sector Workshop organized by ACCIO

Awards

  • Organic Electronics Association Award to the Best Prototype/New Product of the year for the development of a Self-powered sweat patch of Cystic Fibrosis Diagnostics at the Large Organic Printed Electronics Europe Conference 2018