Centre for Sensor, Instrument and Systems Development (CD6)

The Centre for Sensor, Instrument and Systems Development (CD6) is a research centre belonging to the Technical University of Catalonia (UPC). Its purpose is to provide services to companies and to carry out technological innovation projects in the field of optical engineering. The CD6’s facilities include mechanics and electronics workshops and specialised laboratories. The work carried out at the CD6 has resulted in numerous publications in internationally renowned journals, patents and spin-off companies.

CD6 is an innovation centre created in 1997 to develop research and technology in the field of Optical Engineering. CD6 belongs to the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya. Major research lines:

* Metrology

* Visual Optics

* Optical Design & Simulation

* Color & spectral technologies

Up to 40 people work at CD6 with complementary expertise (Optics, Electronics, Mechanics and Software). This multidisciplinary scenario is the key to the development of close to market applications. In the last 10 years, CD6 has managed over 120 projects for nearly 90 customers with a total budget over 7M€ The activity of CD6 is directed at creating value through innovation. The center holds over 30 patents, 4 of which are generating royalty revenues on a regular basis. The CD6 entrepreneurial spirit of its members has promoted the incorporation of several spin-off companies:

Sensofar-Tech (http://www.sensofar.com): Equipment for surface roughness and shape measurement down to nanometric resolution.

Visiometrics (http://www.visiometrics.com): Equipment for human visual quality assessment.

SnellOptics (http://www.snelloptics.com): Illumination engineering and photometric instruments

Micropap (http://www.micropap.com): Advanced control electronics for stepper and brushless motors.

Obstech: Advanced remote astronomical telescopes

Other start-up companies:

Twoptics: Optical design Sinnergia:

Cloud computing Virtiol: Virtual IOL