University of Extremadura - Tech4Efficiency International Days
Digital Innovation Across Europe
DETAILED PROGRAM
10 November
Schrödinger's cat made into a Chip
Javier Romero & Jaime Alvarado
Quantum computing promises to revolutionize technology, but how does it actually work? In this talk, we will explore the key principles of this discipline in a simple and accessible way. From Schrödinger’s famous cat experiment to qubits and quantum entanglement, we will unravel the concepts behind these computers of the future and what impact they may have on our lives.
11 November
Robust Service Orchestration for Computing Continuum Systems
Boris Sedlak
While the emergence of Edge computing promises major improvements in IoT processing, the heterogeneity and volatility of Edge infrastructures make service orchestration increasingly complex. Yet, to maintain robust system operation, we must be certain—or at least certain enough—about the expected outcome of our actions, such as shifting resources or workloads. This talk highlights Active Inference (AIF), an agent-based framework inspired by neuroscience, which supports operators in developing a causal understanding of the underlying generative processes. By continuously exploring and interacting with their environment, AIF agents develop models of the systems they govern and their interdependencies. This, in turn, enables them to predict the outcomes of actions when composing systems into overarching architectures. The talk first outlines how AIF, as a concept, is inherently designed for acting under uncertainty, and then presents examples of how AIF can establish robust understanding of the processing environment to ensure continuous and adaptive system operation.
Drones as technological infrastructure: fundamentals, cooperative networks and applications in Spanish industry
Sergio Frejo
This talk offers a structured overview of the current role of drones from an engineering perspective. First, the technical fundamentals of unmanned aircraft will be presented: main types, internal architecture and operational capabilities. Next, the line of research based on cooperative networks of intelligent drones, used to provide connectivity and services in environments without infrastructure, will be introduced. Finally, it will be explained how Spanish companies are already incorporating drones to optimise processes and reduce costs, and how these capabilities will evolve in the future.
18 November
From Qubits to Systems: Engineering Hybrid Quantum Applications
Giuseppe Bisicchia
Quantum computing isn’t just about qubits and circuits: it’s about building real systems that are helpful. This talk explores what it takes to bring quantum ideas to life in practical, hybrid environments where classical and quantum worlds meet. We’ll look at how engineers can design, test, and deploy workflows that combine traditional software with quantum routines, keeping things reliable, scalable, and reproducible. Along the way, we’ll unpack just enough of the quantum basics (like noise, entanglement, and simulation) to make sense of how these pieces fit together. Whether you’re a developer curious about quantum or an engineer wondering how to get started, you’ll come away with a grounded view of how to move from circuits to working hybrid applications.
Blockchain: Transforming Industries with Decentralized Innovation
Edgar Roberto Dulce Villarreal
Blockchain technology is transforming multiple sectors, including healthcare, transportation, and cybersecurity. This talk will share some of the perspectives and implementations that the DaVinci Research Group at the National Open and Distance University has been developing around this technology.
21 November
Science, Technology and Collaboration: COMPUTAEX’s Role in Europe’s Digital Transformation
Daniel Flores
Europe is moving toward a digital economy driven by data, advanced computing, and cross-border collaboration. Within this framework, the COMPUTAEX Foundation (Extremadura Supercomputing Center) bridges HPC, AI, and cloud computing with real-world challenges faced by companies, public administrations, and universities, aligning with open standards and European R&D programs. The session will highlight projects on digital twins, data-center energy efficiency, bioinformatics, and quantum initiatives, showcasing how we transfer technology, provide training and advisory support, and foster cooperation across sectors. Attendees will gain insights into real applications, lessons learned, and collaboration opportunities, as well as a glimpse into what’s next: big data, applied quantum, and sectoral digital twins in Europe.
Containerization and service management with Docker and Kubernetes
Juan Luis Herrera
Modern enterprise software architectures, such as service-oriented architectures, give developers freedom to develop each part of their applications with the most appropriate technologies for the use case, as well as to reuse existing software, and easily integrate with off-the-shelf and commercial systems. However, it has also brought complexity with incompatibilities and dependencies. Virtual machines, an initial solution to these problems, provide less-than-ideal performance for corporate requirements. Join this session to learn how to modernize your technological infrastructure with lighweight virtualization and advanced service management.
27 November
Vegenat S.A.: an evolution towards Industry 4.0
Diego Rodriguez
Vegenat S.A., a company specialising in food dehydration, has embarked on an extensive digital transformation process to become a benchmark for Industry 4.0 within the agri-food sector. By integrating smart technologies such as IoT sensors, data analysis and advanced process automation, the company has modernised its production lines, achieving real-time monitoring, improved traceability and greater energy efficiency. During the presentation, we will explain how this evolution has enabled Vegenat to optimise drying processes, predict maintenance needs and ensure consistent product quality. The implementation of digital platforms and connected systems has fostered better coordination between production, logistics and quality control, while providing employees with data-driven tools for decision-making.
How Mobbeel's biometrics and identity verification techniques captures what makes each of us unique
Santiago García
Behind every online interaction lies a quiet but key question: who is on the other side?
And although we often think of identity verification as nothing more than technology, the truth is that it goes far beyond algorithms and data.
Mobbeel works to ensure that people can prove who they claim to be. It brings together artificial intelligence, biometrics, and cryptography to protect something inherently human: the face, the voice, the identity documents, and the identity.
But how are these systems actually developed? What challenges emerge when security, user experience, and advanced technology must progress in harmony?
In this session, you will go into the foundations, challenges, and vision that enable us to continue trusting one another in an increasingly connected world.
Digital Twins for Wastewater Treatment: Turning Plant Data into Better Decisions
Javier Mateos
Wastewater treatment plants generate large amounts of data from sensors, control systems, and laboratory analyses, but much of this information remains underused. In this talk, I will show how we are building a digital twin for a wastewater treatment plant and how it can support day-to-day operations. I will focus on the data and AI layer: how we collect and clean plant data, detect anomalies and missing values, and turn raw measurements into reliable information. On top of this, we develop predictive models that forecast key process variables and highlight unusual situations before they become problems. Through practical examples, I will discuss how these capabilities can help operators improve stability, anticipate incidents, and make more informed decisions. Although the case study comes from a WWTP, the same approach can be applied to other water and industrial facilities.
Social robotics in action
Alejandro Torrejón & Sergio Slava
