Research Lines, Professors & Resources
The three research areas of the program are:
The Environmental Engineering research line of the PhD Program in Environmental, Chemical and Materials Engineering is focused on the study and development of sustainable strategies for environmental protection and the efficient management of resources. Its main research areas include water management, waste management, air quality, and environmental assessment through Life Cycle Analysis, all applied to the design and implementation of climate-neutral cities.
This research line also addresses emerging topics such as wastewater regeneration, Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOPs), microorganism disinfection, applied photocatalysis, sustainable water treatment, and the integration of clean and low-cost technologies. It also explores strategies for waste transformation and valorization, urban mining, circular economy, and sustainability in urban and industrial contexts.
The approach is highly interdisciplinary, incorporating knowledge from agronomy, forestry, soil science, catalysis, and nanotechnology. Overall, this research line aims to generate innovative knowledge that contributes to climate change mitigation, water security, and the transition towards sustainable and resilient development.
The Chemical Engineering research line of the PhD Program in Environmental, Chemical and Materials Engineering focuses on the development of more sustainable and safer processes and technologies within the chemical industry. This line integrates advanced knowledge in organic chemistry, electrochemistry, biochemistry, catalysis, applied thermodynamics, polymers, separation processes, and process engineering, in order to address current challenges in the synthesis, transformation, and valorization of new products, fuels, and materials.
Key strategic areas include efficient waste management, the utilization of renewable resources, and the development of innovative chemical solutions for the energy transition. With an interdisciplinary approach, this line seeks to promote the development of clean and efficient technologies, aligned with the principles of sustainability, and aimed at fostering a safer, more responsible, and competitive chemical industry.
The Materials Science and Engineering research line of the PhD Program in Environmental, Chemical and Materials Engineering focuses on the design, development, characterization, and simulation of new materials with advanced properties, aimed at applications in strategic sectors.
This line includes the study of thermoplastic and thermosetting polymers, biopolymers, biodegradable polymers, smart polymeric materials, and active polymeric materials—covering their synthesis, processing, and recycling, as well as their application in a wide range of industrial sectors such as food packaging, agricultural materials, outdoor applications, biomedical devices, and textiles. It also explores strategies for their integration into the circular economy.
Additional topics include multiscale material simulation, self-organization of complex systems, and multiphase flow simulation. Emerging areas of research involve the interaction between microorganisms and materials, the development of biosensors, in vitro diagnostic devices, and organ-on-chip microfluidic systems.
The research also encompasses metals, alloys, ceramics, coatings, and functional surfaces, integrating aspects of metallurgy, materials science, and manufacturing engineering.
This research line promotes an interdisciplinary approach aimed at addressing challenges in health, sustainability, and advanced technology.
Faculty of the PhD Program
Complete list of faculty members, including their research areas, contact information, and curriculum vitae.
Resources & Laboratories
The research groups have well-equipped laboratories that enable the successful development of research activities. Dedicated spaces are available for PhD students, fostering collaboration with other members of the research teams. The associated laboratories include:
- Chemistry I: This laboratory is equipped for basic chemical research, as well as material preparation and characterization, with a focus on polymeric materials. It provides support to all three research lines of the PhD Program.
- Chemistry II: Equipped with all the necessary tools and instruments for the analysis, treatment, and characterization of a wide variety of samples, particularly those arising from industrial and environmental sources.
- Chemical Technology: This laboratory supports research on extraction processes and advanced separation technologies, especially in the context of chemical engineering and environmental applications.
- TARINDUSTRIAL – Chemical Technology: A laboratory dedicated to the design, optimization, and application of advanced water treatment technologies, with a focus on the removal of emerging contaminants. It also conducts research on quality assessment and management of various water matrices (drinking water, wastewater, industrial water, etc.).
- Environmental Modelling: Part of the TARINDUSTRIAL group, this laboratory is equipped with high-performance computing resources for conducting numerical simulations within the Environmental Engineering research line of the PhD Program.
- Materials Simulations: This laboratory focuses on multiscale and hierarchical modeling of complex materials. It investigates the behavior of systems at both microscopic (atomic) and macroscopic (observable) scales, using simulation tools to establish relationships between molecular structure and macroscopic properties, with the aim of designing materials with advanced functionalities.
- Biodeterioration: A fully equipped microbiology and molecular biology laboratory, supporting the isolation, cultivation, and identification of microorganisms, and the study of their interactions with various materials used in industrial and environmental applications.
- Materials Analysis and Characterization: This laboratory provides the necessary equipment and instrumentation to support the Materials Science and Engineering research line. It covers studies in corrosion, metallurgy, welding, and mechanical properties, and offers capabilities for both destructive and non-destructive testing.
- Resources Valorization: Located in the Edaphology Department of the School of Agricultural Engineering, this facility includes equipment for the thermal treatment of organic solid waste and biochar production, as well as for soil characterization and conservation, within the Environmental Engineering research line.
A complete list of laboratories and their equipment can be found here.
