CICECO News » CICECO-UA presented three out of 10 finalist projects at HiTech Contest

The closing session of HiTech 2026, featuring the presentation of the 10 finalist projects, including three from the University of Aveiro and CICECO (CIRCLE, OBSIDIAN, Y-Sense), took place on July 1st at the Teatro Tivoli BBVA in Lisbon. The session provided an opportunity to identify innovative solutions developed by Portuguese researchers and to connect them with other researchers, investors, and stakeholders in the innovation ecosystem.

The University of Aveiro (UA) therefore had a significant participation in this initiative, and the innovative potential of its contributions should be highlighted. The teams were as follows: Circle (comprised of researchers Nuno Gama and Bruno Godinho, both members of CICECO-Instituto de Materiais de Aveiro), OBSIDIAN (project by Cláudia Lopes/CICECO, Tito Trindade/CICECO and the Department of Chemistry/DQ, and Bernardo Norte, a master's student in the DQ), and Y-Sense (by Lucas Pereira, Bernardo Tavares, and Simone Soares, members of CICECO).

Circle transforms industrial byproducts into sustainable adhesives. The technology converts waste into materials with adjustable properties, reducing landfill waste, VOC (volatile organic compounds) emissions, and reliance on virgin petrochemical resins, while also lowering production costs and supporting circular economy goals.

OBSIDIAN is a magnetic field-based technology that delivers superior black color performance on MDF and other substrates. By combining the sustainable chemistry of pigments with magnetically assisted methods, OBSIDIAN promotes pigment distribution at the microscopic scale, resulting in a deep, uniform black. The formulation is adjustable to improve moisture protection, heat resistance, and surface wetting properties. OBSIDIAN is a versatile technology that allows for a wider color palette and consistently superior quality, thanks to the power of magnetism.

Y-Sense (photo at the top of this news item) is developing a rapid biosensor for the detection of harmful bacteria in aquaculture systems. By combining fiber optic technology with highly selective IgY antibodies, the platform allows for the detection of bacteria in about an hour, compared to the several days normally required by conventional laboratory methods. Y-Sense aims to help aquaculture producers reduce disease-related losses, strengthen biosecurity, and make faster operational decisions through accessible and cost-effective monitoring performed directly on-site.

This initiative aims to bridge the knowledge produced in research centers, particularly universities, with potential market opportunities for innovative products and services, providing complementary business training to scientists. The projects stood out for their high quality and presentation to the audience, which included entrepreneurs and managers, as well as scientists and communication professionals.

This event functions as a "marathon" that takes place over a semester and involves continuous interaction between research and companies/industry. The event does not distinguish between winners, as each project has a unique characteristic that makes it innovative in a particular field. "Reaching the end is, in itself, a prize," says Professor and researcher Tito Trindade.

For more information, please visit the website: https://hiseedtech.com/full-news/hitech-2026-finalist-projects