ALEJANDRO UREÑA FERNÁNDEZ
Prof. Alejandro Ureña Fernández: (B.Sc. in Chemical Sciences, UCM, 1984; Ph.D. in Chemical Sciences, UCM, 1987; European Welding Engineer, EWS, 1995). Full Professor of Materials Science and Metallurgical Engineering at Universidad Rey Juan Carlos (URJC) since 2002. Director of the School of Experimental Sciences and Technology (ESCET) at URJC (2016–present). Former positions include Vice-Rector for Students and University Extension (URJC, 2001–2002), Deputy Vice-Rector for Technological Innovation (URJC, 2002), Deputy Director for Curriculum Planning (ESCET-URJC, 2002–2005), and Head of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering (URJC, 2005–2013).
Since 2005, his research has focused on the development of multifunctional polymer matrix composites (combining structural and functional properties). He was the Coordinator of the High-Performance Research Group in Materials Science and Engineering (CIM) at URJC (2005–2024) and currently leads the High-Performance Research Group on Nano and Multifunctional Composites for Advanced Technologies (AdvNanoComp).
His contributions include the development of dispersion processes for carbon nanostructures (CNF, CNT, and graphene) in thermosetting resins, techniques for incorporating these structures into carbon-fiber composites (fiber modification and/or matrix doping), and conductive adhesives (thermal and electrical). The goal of this research line is to achieve multifunctional behavior (lightning strike protection, structural health monitoring, anti-icing and de-icing systems, energy storage, vital sign and human motion wearable sensing, etc.) in composite materials for transportation and energy generation applications.
He also participates in the EUROFUSION (H2020) project, working on new brazing techniques and filler materials for joining steel and tungsten in nuclear fusion reactor applications.
He has supervised 28 Ph.D. theses, served as President of the Spanish Association of Composite Materials (AEMAC, 2004–2009), and holds 7 invention patents (one licensed by The Welding Institute, UK). He maintains scientific collaborations in these areas with national and international research groups (ETIIA-UPM, ICTP-CSIC, ICV-CSIC, CIEMAT, Tecnalia, CEIT, FIDAMC, University of Delaware, Politecnico di Milano, Jülich GmbH-Institut für Energie, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, etc.) and companies (Indra, Equinor, Airbus, Repsol, Fundación Iberdrola, TR Composites, Tolsa, Hellenic Aerospace Industry, Electrónica Arteche Smart Grid), through direct contracts or public calls (CM, PN, INNPACTO, CENIT, Clean Sky, H2020, Horizon Europe).
Research Profiles:
Keywords:
Multifunctional composites, Nanomaterials, Wearable sensors, Energy Storage.
