The MATERIALS unit focuses on the research and development of advanced materials with innovative applications across various industrial sectors, always with an emphasis on sustainability and environmental responsibility. By integrating knowledge from physics, chemistry, and chemical engineering, the team works on the creation of membrane materials and porous materials for separation, capture, and purification processes, with particular attention to energy efficiency and reducing environmental impact. The unit tackles technological challenges in water treatment, CO₂ capture, the recovery of valuable products, and the production of renewable energy.
Synthesis and design of advanced membranes and optimization of their structural properties (permeability, selectivity, stability, etc.).
Development of sustainable methodologies for material production.
Material characterization techniques: properties and performance (spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, permeability analysis, etc.).
Optimization of material stability under operational conditions.
Optimization of separation and capture processes (CO₂, H₂, water contaminants, etc.).
Mocholi-Arce, M., Sala-Garrido, R., Molinos-Senante, M., Maziotis, A. (2025) A comprehensive evaluation of eco-productivity of the municipal solid waste service in Chile. Frontiers of Environmental Science & Engineering. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11783-025-1931-9
Marcos-Rodrigo, E., Lebrero, R., Muñoz, R., Sousa, D.Z., Cantera, S. (2025) Syngas biological transformation into hydroxyectoine. Bioresource Technology. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2024.131842
Herrero-Lobo, R., Torres Franco, A.F., Lebrero, R., Rodero, M.D.R., Muñoz, R. (2025) Evaluation of the influence of the gas residence time and biomass concentration on methane bioconversion to ectoines in a novel Taylor flow bioreactor. Journal of Environmental Management. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.123592
Severi, C.A., Pascual, C., Perez, V., Muñoz, R., Lebrero, R. (2025) Pilot-Scale Biogas Desulfurization through Anoxic Biofiltration. Journal of Hazardous Materials. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.136830
Hoyos, E.G., Lomanar, M.L., Blanco, S., Lebrero, R., Muñoz, R. (2025) Improving photosynthetic biogas purification via process aeration and nanoparticle supplementation. Bioresource Technology. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2024.131987
