SupervisoryTeam

Supervisor Photo

Angel M. Andueza Unanua

Supervisor Details

Email: angel.andueza@unavarra.es

Organization Type: University

Organization Name: Universidad Pública de Navarra Department of Electrical, Electronic, and Communication Engineering

Short Biography: Angel Andueza is an Associate Professor at the Public University of Navarra (UPNA). He has a Master's degree in Telecommunications Engineering and a Ph.D. in Photonic Crystals and electromagnetic propagation. He has 5 years of experience as an electronic engineer, 19 as a researcher, and 16 in teaching (academia). He is an expert in light-matter interaction simulation models and materials design for radiative cooling, solar cells, and sensing applications. He has published 21 articles in international scientific journals, 12 communications in national and international conferences, and one chapter in scientific books. He has participated as a researcher in 12 (2 national and 10 regional) research projects, being PI in 3. He has supervised two OTRI projects, one doctoral thesis, and more than 50 Master's and Bachelor's degree final projects. In 2006, he was awarded with the first prize in the III International Intercampus Contest in the modality of research and doctoral thesis in network.

Co-Supervisor Photo

Cristina Leyre Pinto Fuste

Co-Supervisor Details

Email: cpinto@cener.com

Organization Type: Non-academic institution

Organization Name: National Renewable Energy Center (CENER); Solar Energy Technologies and Storage Department.

Short Biography: Cristina Pinto is a physicist with a master's in renewable energies and energy efficiency and a Ph.D. in multifunctional glasses and their application to PV technology. She has experience in performing simulations related to light-matter interaction and in the computational design of random and periodic structures, as well as in photonic crystals and metamaterials. She has experience in designing and fabricating different types of functional materials, coatings, and functional surfaces for solar energy technology. She has been also trained in materials deposition through different techniques (e-beam deposition, sputtering, PCVD), photolithography, dry and wet etching, nano-micro characterization, and optoelectrical characterization of energy materials.

Added Value: Cristina Pinto has experience in the deposition and in the full characterization of materials related to radiative cooling applied to photovoltaic technology. Also, CENER is a technology center, specialized in applied research and in the development and promotion of renewable energies. It develops applied research and provides technological support to companies and energy institutions in six areas: wind, solar thermal, and photovoltaic solar energy, biomass, smart and efficient buildings and districts, and grid integration of energy. The Department of Solar Energy Technologies and Storage has accredited laboratories that are equipped with cutting-edge tools in both aspects, the testing of solar technology components and the design and fabrication of materials, coatings, and functional surfaces. The infrastructures for testing and research are deployed over more than 700 m2 with the addition of outdoor test laboratories.

Other Co-Supervisor Photo

Laura Carlosena Remírez

Other Co-Supervisor

Email: laura.carlosena@unavarra.es

Organization Type: University

Organization Name: Universidad Pública de Navarra Department of Engineering

Short Biography: Laura Carlosena is an architect, graduating from the Universidad Politécnica de Cataluña, and obtaining a Ph.D. in Energy Efficiency and Sustainability in Engineering and Architecture from the University of the Basque Country. Her industrial and international thesis, "Advance Daytime Radiative Cooling," earned her a cum laude mention. She has 10 years of experience as an architect, 7 as a researcher, and 4 in teaching (academia). Since 2023, she is an Assistant Professor in Engineering at the Public University of Navarre. Her research has taken her to UNSW and the University of Seville. She has 7 published articles and a book chapter (4 h-index.) She has completed over 200 hours of staff development training and 240 hours of specialized courses. Laura has contributed to 9 R&D projects, including 3 at the European level and 6 regionally, holding leadership roles. Her primary research interest is in developing materials for integrating radiative cooling into the built environment.

Added Value: Laura Carlosena's background significantly enhances the potential for academic networking, employability, international mobility, and comprehensive training for candidates. Her well- established professional network enriches academic networking opportunities and collaborative prospects for students. Moreover, her international research adds a variety of international contacts for potential collaboration. Additionally, her commitment to staff development underscores her dedication to upholding the highest standards of academic excellence. Finally, Laura can provide extensive knowledge in the experimentation and development of low-cost materials since she addressed these aspects during her Ph.D. As a result, she could guide students both in the technical and academic and employability aspects.

ResearchGroup

Description: The research group “Comunicaciones ópticas y aplicaciones electrónicas” consists of 27 researchers whose lines of investigation are focused on optical fiber sensors, photonic crystals and metamaterials, photonic signal processing, nanocoatings, smart cities, radiative cooling, and optical communications. The group has published 401 articles in journals, 3 books, and 302 proceedings in conferences. Additionally, it has managed and developed 95 research projects, 81 science transfer contracts (OTRI), and 66 research grants and scholarships. Furthermore, a total of 38 doctoral thesis have been supervised, 13 patents registered, 38 awards received, and 292 presentations and lectures delivered at various conferences.

ResearchLine

Description: Photovoltaic energy is one of the most significant renewable sources in modern society. However, operational photovoltaic modules typically maintain temperatures between 20 °C and 30 °C above ambient levels, resulting in diminished efficiency, electrical production, and lifespan. Over the past decade, research and development in radiative cooling materials have garnered interest in providing a passive cooling mechanism, even under daylight conditions. Nevertheless, no studies are addressing the durability and scalability of these materials, specifically within the context of photovoltaics. We propose a Ph.D. project with a dual focus: investigating the long-term durability of radiative cooling materials and assessing their scalability for integration into an industrial process. This endeavor will center on cost-effective materials capable of seamless incorporation into photovoltaic panel design, ensuring their economic competitiveness in application.

Others

Description: Our Ph.D. proposal will follow the general principles presented in the MSCA Green Charter. During the last years we have adhered to the Green Charter objectives during the implementation of our projects and research. The proposal aims to develop radiative cooling materials that enhance the thermal efficiency of any photovoltaic installation, thereby improving its performance, cost-effectiveness, and sustainability. For this reason, we propose an investigation based on the utilization of university-owned resources and those of our partners. Additionally, we intend to collaborate with non-academic entities in our vicinity to assist in reducing carbon footprint and emissions resulting from mobility and transportation. Moreover, the goal of developing more durable, reliable, and manufacturable materials will enable the development of the formulation of new strategies for environmental sustainability, thereby promoting their use in strategic sectors such as photovoltaic energy. This proposal, as a result, is in line with several of the Sustainable Development Goals such as: Quality education (SDG 4); Gender equality (SDG 5); Affordable and clean energy (SDG 7); Industry, innovation, and infrastructure (SDG 9); and Sustainable cities and communities (SDG 11). The research line proposed for the Ph.D. project considers using artificial intelligence (AI) in some relevant aspects, such as the design of experiments or data analysis. However, we should be aware of the problems that can occur when using AI tools for research: • Fact-check content generated by AI tools without accepting it as ‘the truth.’ • Do not rely on AI tools to write academic articles, thesis, or grant applications. • Do not rely on AI tools to generate references, rather use AI tools for managing and citing the references. • Gather relevant, clean, suitable data for analysis by AI tools Identify and choose the appropriate AI tools fit for purpose.

CareerDevelopment

Objectives

  • Future postdoc employment at the University
  • International mobility
  • Building collaborative networks
  • Application of postdoctoral grants (MSCA, Juan de la Cierva, etc.)
  • Application for projects and funding (Horizon Europe, national plans, etc.)

Expected Outputs

  • PhD defense
  • Publication of articles
  • Patenting
  • Attendance to international conferences

Training Skills

  • Project Management
  • Time Management
  • Grant Writing
  • Communication to the civil society and public engagement
  • Open Science
  • Ethics and Research Integrity
  • Teaching
  • Intellectual Property
  • Research Valorization
  • Advanced Digital Skills
  • Responsible use of Artificial Intelligence
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