A key methodology for the digital and sustainable transition of European sanitation wins the Cintecx Challenge 2026

This is precisely the goal of the project Development of a methodological framework for surrogate models based on advanced simulations applied to water treatment systems (AQUA SUB), a proposal led by David Fernandes del Pozo (Biosuv group) and Sergio Chapela (GTE group), which was selected as the winner of the Cintecx Challenge 2026. Its objective is to develop a methodology that enables the creation of surrogate models—digital tools that act as simplified but highly accurate versions of complex simulations—capable of achieving results nearly equivalent to those of computationally expensive calculations but in far less time, representing a key advantage for designing and optimizing processes in real-world environments.

The meeting held this Friday highlighted the growing interest in applied research and collaborative work between groups. Both with the presentation of AQUA SUB and with the contributions from the winners of the Challenge 2025, Cintecx “continues to promote ideas aimed at improving water management, advancing toward more sustainable energy models, and better understanding subsurface environments,” noted its director, María Ángeles Sanromán.

AQUA SUB: Accelerating the digital transformation of the water cycle

With €10,000 in funding and one year of execution, the AQUA SUB project, led by David Fernandes del Pozo (Biosuv) and Sergio Chapela (GTE), proposes a methodological framework for creating surrogate models—a digital tool that simplifies highly complex simulations while maintaining high accuracy, drastically reducing the computational time and cost involved. This allows for optimizing the design and operation of water treatment processes under real conditions.

The relevance of the proposal lies in the context of the European Directive 2024/3019, which promotes the transition from traditional wastewater treatment plants to more efficient and sustainable water resource recovery facilities. “We will initially apply the methodology to anoxic reactors with heterotrophic denitrification processes,” explains Fernandes, “with the possibility of extending it to other systems in the future.”

The winning proposal was selected after evaluation by a panel formed by members of Cintecx’s Scientific Advisory Committee: Manuel Andrés Rodrigo Rodrigo, from the University of Castilla-La Mancha; Leopoldo García Franquelo, from the University of Seville; and Salvador Ivorra Chorro, from the University of Alicante.

2025 Winners: Toward a more sustainable and technologically advanced future

The Eco NanoxCat project, led by Antía Fernández Sanromán (Biosuv) and Pablo Pou (LaserOn), made progress in creating new nanomaterials capable of decontaminating water and producing clean energy. The team combined carbon-based materials with metal nanoparticles obtained through laser ablation, achieving ultrapure particles with strong control over their properties. “This project demonstrates that it is possible to merge water decontamination and green energy generation in a single process,” explained researcher Ana Vilas. Copper nanoparticles showed efficiencies above 80% in eliminating pathogens and pharmaceutical contaminants.

The Gal Bayes project, directed by Mario Soilán (GeoTech) and María Pazó (Gessmin), applied large language models to automatically generate causal models that help understand and predict eutrophication phenomena. Tested in the As Conchas reservoir, the method achieved 90% accuracy compared with expert knowledge and reduced model development time by more than 90%. “We wanted to democratize causal analysis in water quality and offer faster and more accessible tools for decision-making,” Soilán noted.

Meanwhile, TraconRoc, coordinated by Ignacio Pérez Rey (Gessmin) and Aránzazu Pintos (Encomat), advanced the study of rock behavior under extreme conditions. The team developed experimental devices capable of reproducing high pressures similar to those found at depth, allowing precise analysis of rock–fluid interactions. “This is an important seed that can provide key knowledge for the energy transition,” Pérez Rey remarked.

This call is co‑funded with European Funds within the framework of the Feder Galicia 2021–2027 operational programme, which promotes the internationalization of research and the transfer of knowledge.