SUMMARY
Programme: NEXOS 2025
Funding Agency: GAIN – Galician Innovation Agency
Funding Framework: Galicia ERDF Programme 2021–2027
Project Duration: November 2025 – September 2028
Total Budget: 1,317,750.63€
Grant Funding: 755,902.99€
OBJECTIVES
The XIADA project aims to establish the scientific and technological foundations required to significantly reduce the airborne transmission of respiratory viruses and bacteria, which are responsible for a high proportion of infections in hospitals, educational institutions, offices, and other indoor environments. These infections not only have a major impact on public health, placing significant pressure on healthcare systems, but also generate substantial economic and social costs through sick leave, business disruptions, and multimillion-euro losses across key sectors.
The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic dramatically highlighted the importance of indoor air quality and, in particular, the role of ventilation and active disinfection as preventive measures. However, following the acute phase of the crisis, many of the measures that were implemented have been discontinued, despite the continued threat posed by the airborne transmission of other viruses and bacteria. Effective control of diseases such as influenza, tuberculosis, and avian influenza remains a global challenge, particularly considering the risk of zoonotic transmission from animals to humans. Addressing these threats requires a sustainable, science-based response.
To tackle this challenge, XIADA proposes the design, development, and validation of an integrated intelligent air management and environmental disinfection system, conceived as a flexible and scalable platform under the One Health paradigm. The project will deliver an ecosystem capable of preventing, early detecting, and actively mitigating the presence of airborne viruses and bacteria. By integrating advanced scientific and technological tools, XIADA will enhance safety in critical environments such as hospitals while creating new opportunities for deployment in other sectors where the spread of these diseases can lead to significant economic losses.
CONSORTIUM
To achieve this ambitious objective, four companies have joined forces under a highly complementary and cohesive collaborative model. The consortium brings together extensive expertise across all areas addressed by the project and builds upon a proven track record of successful collaborations among its members.
- INSATI is a technology-based company specialized in the development of innovative healthcare solutions, integrating emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and Extended Reality (XR) to promote a preventive and personalized healthcare model.
- SETGA, an industrial manufacturer of lighting systems, is responsible for the design, prototyping, and validation of UV-C, UV-A, and photocatalytic lighting and disinfection devices. The company also leads the integration of sensing, communication, and control systems into the platform in compliance with applicable standards and regulations.
- VENTILATIO LAB, a spin-off of the Faculty of Physics at the University of Santiago de Compostela (USC) and an expert in Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) solutions, is responsible for the design, validation, and development of new intelligent ventilation protocols based on airflow dynamics analysis and their validation in hospital environments.
- Wireless Galicia (WG), a technology-based company specializing in wireless communications, sensing technologies, and IoT systems, is responsible for designing and providing the sensor network and communication interfaces required to ensure reliable connectivity, interoperability, and effective integration of all components within the system architecture.
To address the significant scientific and technological challenges posed by the project, the consortium is supported by three leading public research organizations with recognized expertise in the project’s key domains:
- INIBIC (Galician Biomedical Research Foundation), participates through three of its research groups: 1. Translational and Multidisciplinary Microbiology (MicroTM). 2. Clinical Virology. 3. Advances in Health Information Technologies (ATIS).
- The University of Santiago de Compostela (USC) contributes through its Photonics4Life research group, which specializes in optics and photonics, including optical design, microfluidic device manufacturing, and advanced lighting technologies.
- CITMAGA (Galician Centre for Mathematical Research and Technology), established through a collaboration agreement among Galicia’s three public universities, contributes experts in nonlinear physics, fluid dynamics, and the modelling of complex phenomena.