The Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC) participated in the fifteenth edition of Transfiere, the European Forum for Science, Technology and Innovation, held from 24 to 26 February 2026 at the Trade Fair and Congress Centre of Málaga (FYCMA). Transfiere provides a framework for the IAC to strengthen its strategy in knowledge transfer and collaboration with the productive sector. The IAC was present at two stands: one within the Canary Islands premium space and another in the Government of Spain area, within the section linked to the map of Spain’s ICTS (Unique Scientific and Technical Infrastructures, by its Spanish acronym), dedicated to the Canary Islands Observatories.

This participation provided visibility for the scientific and technical capabilities of the IAC and facilitated engagement with the national R&D&I ecosystem. During the event, the IAC team held around twenty meetings with representatives from public bodies, technology parks, companies and other organisations. These meetings served to explore collaboration opportunities, identify technological needs and advance the connection between astronomical research, instrumental developments and potential applications in other sectors.

Although technology transfer is a growing area within the IAC, participation in Transfiere contributes to generating cooperation opportunities and knowledge valorisation, strengthening its institutional projection and advancing further integration into the national and international innovation ecosystem.

The IAC delegation attending the event in Málaga included Carlos Colodro Conde, electronics engineer in the Space Department of IACTEC; Anselmo Sosa Méndez, Head of the Research and Knowledge Transfer Support Unit (AIT); Alfredo García Piñero, project manager at the AIT; and Jesús Burgos, Administrator of the IAC, who attended the first day of the event.

Presentation of an IAC patented technology at “Space Patents”

As part of the official programme, Carlos Colodro Conde presented at the “Space Patents: Connections for Innovation” session, dedicated to showcasing protected inventions to business and investment stakeholders. Researchers from Spanish universities and public institutions participated in this session with the aim of facilitating connections between technological developments and market applications.

The IAC presentation focused on the “Method for dark current correction in uncooled cameras,” a technology developed within IACTEC-Space and patented by the IAC. The method improves the quality of images obtained by cameras operating under variable thermal conditions by correcting the noise associated with the sensor’s dark current.

The technology has been validated in three space missions through its implementation in the DRAGO cameras developed at the IAC for Earth observation. The system enables image correction regardless of acquisition configuration or operating temperature, improving the reliability of the measurements obtained. In addition to its application in the space sector, the technology can be used in other fields where thermal conditions affect sensor performance. The invention is available for licensing through the Research and Knowledge Transfer Support Unit (AIT).

IACTEC-Space and the IAC knowledge transfer framework

The participation of the IAC in Transfiere is aligned with the main themes addressed at this year’s forum, including deep tech technologies, technological sovereignty and the improvement of transfer mechanisms between research and the productive sector.

Through IACTEC-Space, the Space Department of the IAC, the institute channels experience in the design, development and integration of scientific instrumentation towards industrial and space applications. This framework allows research in astrophysics and instrumental development to generate knowledge, protected intellectual property and collaboration opportunities with industry.

The Research and Knowledge Transfer Support Unit (AIT) plays a role in this process by supporting the protection, valorisation and exploitation of the IAC’s scientific and technological results and facilitating connections with the business ecosystem.

With its participation in Transfiere 2026 and the presentation delivered by Carlos Colodro Conde in the patents session, the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC) continues its work in knowledge transfer and in the field of space technologies in Spain.