SYNERGISTIC PROJECTS 

PI: Gabriel Morales Sánchez

Researchers: Imene Yahyaoui, Mª Cristina Rodríguez Sánchez, Francisco Javier Rodríguez Sánchez, Pedro Rafael Fernández Barbosa, Ángel Enrique Cano García, Lucas Frizera Encarnaçao, David Benítez Mendo, Hilel García Pereira

Budget: €6,500.00

The project focuses on optimizing electricity generation from photovoltaic (PV) plants in specific cases during critical shading situations of the panels. To optimize generation, it is necessary to consider that the operating conditions of the PV modules are intermittent due to the variable nature, throughout the day, of meteorological parameters such as ambient temperature and, especially, solar radiation. As a result, the power generated is variable. This variability is further accentuated when there is a non-uniform impact of solar radiation on the PV modules, causing more significant power drops. Solar production drops due to shading are directly dependent on how the PV modules are connected to create the solar field of the installation. Shading on one panel can affect the entire plant's production, especially if the PV panels are connected in series.

Therefore, this research project focuses on maximizing PV production and how the system can dynamically adapt to changes in solar radiation and shading. First, the PV generation potential of the Móstoles campus will be studied. Additionally, algorithms will be developed to determine the optimal operating point of the PV panels to maintain a constant PV current in a PV string during shading events, maximizing the PV power generated. For this purpose, artificial intelligence-based algorithms (LSTM) will be used. Moreover, a prototype will be designed for the experimental validation of the previously developed solution through simulation. This phase will be implemented at the Móstoles campus (URJC), taking advantage of the existing 4.36 kW photovoltaic installation.

This project is part of the activities of the URJC Smart-E2 Chair in the development and application of new intelligent methodologies and technologies that promote efficient energy management to achieve emission reduction goals and optimize the use of renewable sources for electricity supply. To this end, experts from URJC (members of the Smart-E2 Chair), external universities such as the University of Alcalá (UAH), and the private sector, in this case REPSOL, are participating. Given the importance of internationalization in this field, researchers from the Federal University of Espírito Santo (UFES, Brazil) are also involved.

PI: Silvia González Prolongo

Researchers: Alicia Carrero Fernández, Pedro Mejía, Carlos Chirinos Chávez, Raúl Sanz Marín, David Alique Amor, Nagore Acha Uriarte, José Antonio Calles Martín, Arturo Vizcaíno Madridejos, Alejandro Santos Carballés, Álvaro Moreno de la Calle, Alicia Salazar López, Claudio Múnez Alba, Mario Martínez Sánchez, Alberto Cano Aragón, Mónica Campo Gómez, Alberto Jiménez Suárez, David Martínez Díaz.

Budget: €32,500.00

Currently, Europe faces a dual urgency to reduce energy dependence: the climate crisis and the use of fossil fuels. In this energy transition, the EU is betting on hydrogen as a vector to generate clean and sustainable energy in order to advance the decarbonization of our energy system. However, the large-scale implementation of hydrogen as a clean fuel still requires overcoming several technological challenges, both in its production—which must be clean and efficient—and in its transport and storage, due to its relatively low energy density.

This project aims to address the challenges of hydrogen in an integrated and specific way through the following objectives:

• Renewable Hydrogen Production of High Purity: via oxidative pyrolysis reforming of biomass and water electrolysis. New materials, technologies, and procedures will be investigated for the fabrication of efficient selective separation membranes, integration of catalysts, and electrode manufacturing.

• Hydrogen Storage and Transport: Development of strong, lightweight, and sustainable tanks, Type IV or V, made from polymer matrix composite materials, with or without a prior thermoplastic coating.

• Energy Production Using Hydrogen Fuel: Development of ion-exchange membranes of different types from Nafion, a high-cost perfluorinated polymer with limited operating temperature.

PI: Jesús Rodríguez Pérez

Researchers: José María Escola Sáez, Pedro Alberto Poza Gómez, Beatriz Romero Herrero, Laura Briones Gil, David Castro Yáñez, Ángel Peral Yuste, Belén Arredondo Conchillo, Gonzalo del Pozo Melero, Pedro Contreras Lallana, María Teresa Gómez del Río, Miguel Ángel Garrido, Álvaro Rico, Paloma Sirvent, Carlos Reinhards. 

Budget: €26,000.00

The potential to make solar energy a competitive energy source relies on increasing the efficiency of current technology. The development of new materials is essential, both in photovoltaic and concentrating solar technologies. One aspect that often receives less attention is the mechanical integrity of the components used in solar energy. Working conditions can be very demanding, and material durability becomes a decisive factor.

This project will study three types of materials of interest in different solar energy technologies. For each, advances will be made in the manufacturing and characterization processes that ITPS research groups have been developing over time, and the evaluation of mechanical integrity and durability of the components used will be further explored.

The three systems to be studied are:

• Third-generation photovoltaic solar cells based on hybrid halide perovskites with high efficiency and stability.

• CaO pellets used as storage media in third-generation Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) plants.

• Thermal-sprayed coatings with high absorbance for use in central receivers of solar tower plants.

PI: Rafael García Muñoz

Researchers: Rafael Van Grieken, Juan Ángel Botas Echevarría, Belén Torres Barreiro.

Budget: €26,000.00

Waste from electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE), also known as e-waste, is the fastest-growing waste stream in the world, with an ever-increasing amount of waste generated from this sector. Annual WEEE generation grows by 3% to 5%, and therefore the magnitude of this waste stream poses a significant management challenge. The plastics contained in WEEE are a complex mix of different polymers, with very low recycling rates (2%).

The overall objective of this synergistic project is to increase the volume of plastic recycling in the WEEE sector. To achieve this, the project proposes a scientific challenge based on a multi-faceted approach that integrates mechanical recycling (MR) and chemical recycling (CR) processes to enhance their synergistic effects, in line with the concept of a Circular Economy.

PI: María Sánchez Martinez

Researchers: Alejandro Ureña Fernandez, María Victoria Utrilla Esteban, María Isabel del Hierro Morales, Santiago Gómez Ruiz, Sanjiv Prashar.

Budget: €39,000.00

PI: Fernando Martínez Castillejo

Researchers: María José López Muñoz, Joaquín Rams Ramos, Isabel Sierra Alonso, Amanda Prado de Nicolás, Dolores González Olías.

Budget: €26,000.00

Electrochemical treatment techniques for the degradation of organic contaminants resistant to conventional biological wastewater treatment have the advantage of using solid-state catalysts in the form of electrodes, so there is no need to recover the catalyst at the end of the process, and it can be reused. In electrochemical techniques, the only reagents are electrons and harmless sodium sulfate or chloride salts to provide the necessary electrical conductivity, so the treated water does not require post-treatment. Anodic oxidation (AO) in electrochemical treatments improves the efficiency of organic contaminant degradation and reduces energy consumption in wastewater treatment.

Currently developed anodes typically have a flat geometry and can be active or inactive. Inactive anodes are more efficient for producing hydroxyl radicals (HO·), with notable examples including boron-doped diamond (BDD), SnO₂, PbO₂, and substoichiometric or doped TiO₂. BDD is considered the best anode material for AO due to its high chemical stability and large generation of highly reactive hydroxyl radicals, ensuring complete mineralization of many organic contaminants. However, the use of BDD electrodes in large-scale applications is currently limited by their high cost, while other inactive anodes have been limited by their short service life.

The main objective of this project is to develop and evaluate titanium anodes with a three-dimensional structure. To this end, these anodes will be fabricated using 3D printing techniques and their surfaces modified to generate electroactive and photoelectroactive sites. Specific electrochemical cells will be designed and constructed to assess the effectiveness of the prepared anodes.

The project also includes the development and validation of a multi-residue analysis method for antibiotics using advanced chromatography and mass spectrometry techniques. This method will be applied to monitor the presence of antibiotics in electrochemical and photoelectrochemical tests, evaluating the effectiveness of the electrodes in reducing these contaminants. The performance of the prepared electrodes will be assessed using electrochemical or photoelectrochemical anodic oxidation systems for the degradation of antibiotics in different aqueous matrices.

PI: José Iglesias Morán

Researchers: Baudilio Coto García, Javier Marugán Aguado, Jovita Moreno Vozmediano, Jorge Blanco Cejas

Budget: €19,500.00

This project is a scientific collaboration between three ITPS researchers, focused on the valorization of textile waste composed of cotton blended with synthetic fibers, transforming it into high-value products—such as cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs)—while preventing the generation of microplastics.

The project proposes the use of deep eutectic solvents (DES), considered "green" solvents, to process cotton waste and produce CNCs. Mechanochemical-quantum calculations will be carried out to predict DES properties and select the most viable alternatives for use as hydrolytic media for polycotton waste. The outcomes will be evaluated using advanced analytical techniques, aiming to determine the optimal operating conditions that allow CNC production without generating microplastics.

This project contributes to environmental goals, such as increasing the material recovery rate of waste and developing sustainable processes. The collaboration among researchers ensures a comprehensive and efficient approach to the production and characterization of CNCs and nanoplastics.

PI: Gemma Vicente Crespo

Researchers: Luis Fernando Bautista Santa Cruz, Juan Antonio Melero Fernández, Juan José Espada Sanjurjo, Daniel Melchor Pujol Santos, Amanda Prado de Nicolás, Noelia García Vázquez.

Budget: €19,500.00