Doctoral School

Reading date: 20/07/2026

• MORENO ABAJO, ÁLVARO: Optical investigation of 2D materials with in-plane engineering: exciton confinement and chirality sensing
  
  Author: MORENO ABAJO, ÁLVARO
  Programme: DOCTORAL DEGREE IN PHOTONICS
  Department: Institute of Photonic Sciences (ICFO)
  Mode: Normal
  Deposit date: 11/05/2026
  Reading date: pending
  Reading time: pending
  Reading place: pending
  Thesis director: KOPPENS, FRANK | RESERBAT-PLANTEY, ANTOINE
  Thesis abstract: Two-dimensional (2D) materials provide a powerful platform for nanoscale engineering and control of geometry and energy landscapes without directly modifying the material, owing to their interfacial nature. This thesis explores how we can harness this potential by introducing in-plane engineering in van der Waals heterostructures. We present two case studies: in one, the exciton dimensionality is reduced using a designed 1D electrostatic trap; in the other, twisting two monolayers yields a chiral configuration that modifies the interaction with other chiral systems. Together, these two parts demonstrate how inplane symmetry breaking (translational and mirror symmetry, respectively) in 2D material platforms enables new modalities of control and sensing.In the first part, we investigate electrostatically defined confinement of intralayer excitons in MoSe2. A p–i–n junction is induced in the monolayer by asymmetric gating, creating a tight 1D potential with an effective exciton confinement length down to 10nm. Combining photoluminescence and reflectance-contrast spectroscopy, we resolve a discrete spectrum of localized states arising from center-of-mass quantization, with linear polarization aligned with the trap geometry, consistent with confinement-enhanced valley-exchange interactions. Importantly for the development of this technique, we show that the confinement potential cannot be understood as a purely electrostatic effect. Illumination reshapes device operation by inducing dissociation-driven photo-doping and Auger-assisted charge extraction, thereby stabilizing a working p–i–n configuration. We resolve photoinduced carrier-redistribution dynamics on the scale of seconds and demonstrate that their dependence on excitation position produces sharp switching between confined and unconfined excitonic responses. A rate-equation description captures the competition between dissociation and Auger processes, highlighting a route to nonlocal optical control of carrier density and, consequently, of the confinement potential. Programmable excitonic potentials that reach the 0D limit could enable quantum technologies such as single-photon sources or optically addressable qubits, and open a route toward strong exciton–exciton interactions and Bose–Hubbard physics.In the second part, we leverage the structural chirality of twisted bilayer graphene (TBG) to realize a novel enantiomeric sensing strategy based on chirality-dependent non-radiative energy transfer. In the presence of TBG, the decay rate of chiral fluorophores is modified depending on handedness matching between molecule and substrate, which we read out by measuring the fluorescence lifetime in time-resolved photoluminescence experiments. The observed asymmetry is statistically tested by spatially resolving the enantioselective contrast, observing a sign reversal upon inversion of the TBG handedness, and exploring the role of the twist angle as a control parameter. We quantify the effect of chirality through a lifetime-based dissymmetry factor that reaches the 1 – 10% level, implying an enhancement of several orders of magnitude compared with the natural optical circular dichroism of both the molecule and TBG. The presented approach is conceptually distinct from schemes that rely on electromagnetic field engineering, and achieves sensitivities down to the single-molecule layer without requiring surface functionalization. This opens the door to developing a platform with tunable, strong chiral light–matter interactions with implications in optics, sensing, and chemistry, including chiral catalysis and homochiral synthesis.
  

• SANCLEMENTE CANIZALES, HOLVER: Vivienda y clima en el trópico húmedo: análisis tipológico-bioclimático en Buenaventura
  
  Author: SANCLEMENTE CANIZALES, HOLVER
  Programme: DOCTORAL DEGREE IN ARCHITECTURE, ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT
  Department: Department of Architectural Technology (TA)
  Mode: Normal
  Deposit date: 03/06/2026
  Reading date: 20/07/2026
  Reading time: 11:00
  Reading place: ETSAB (Escuela Técnica Superior de Arquitectura de Barcelona) - Planta Baja - Sala de GradosAv. Diagonal, 649-651 - 08028 - Barcelona
  Thesis director: LÓPEZ BESORA, JUDIT | COCH ROURA, HELENA
  Thesis abstract: This thesis addresses the critical issue of housing adaptation to the humid tropical climate of Buenaventura, Colombia, a region facing heightened housing challenges due to unsuitable construction models and climate change. Through an approach that transcends simple architectural description, the research focuses on understanding and systematizing spatial housing typologies from a bioclimatic perspective, validating ancestral knowledge against contemporary vulnerabilities.An exhaustive recovery and systematization of 471 housing cases in Buenaventura was conducted, providing an unprecedented empirical body for bioclimatic analysis in the region. The methodology was articulated around the identification and analysis of key passive strategies: natural ventilation (cross and vertical), solar protection (porches and overhangs), and humidity management potential (patios).The main findings establish a robust bioclimatic typological classification that reveals three distinct performance realities. On one hand, the corner house stands out for its inherent potential for cross-ventilation, although it requires optimization of solar control and roof ventilation to achieve comfort. On the other hand, the terraced house with an exterior courtyard validates the efficacy of traditional architecture, confirming the courtyard as a climatic engine or "bioclimatic siphon" essential for hot air suction and central circulation. In contrast, the terraced house without a courtyard is identified as the most bioclimatic vulnerable typology, requiring the forced introduction of an interior "lung" (courtyard or void) to restore ventilation and the chimney effect.The conclusion is compelling: The sustainable and resilient solution for thermal comfort lies in the rigorous validation and optimization of local architectural knowledge. A Bioclimatic Foundation is established, demanding the structural compensation of the high thermal inertia of contemporary materials through High Albedo (white facades) and Structural Solar Control (overhangs/porches). A new paradigm of passive design is proposed that integrates the Double Thermal Action (cross-ventilation + roof convection) and the redefinition of the void space, setting the typology-differentiated design guidelines for future housing in Buenaventura that are efficient, healthy, and culturally relevant.Keywords Humid Tropics, Bioclimatic Design, Natural Ventilation, Housing Typology, Buenaventura, Climate Resilience, Passive Architecture.
  

Reading date: 21/07/2026

• CASTILLO DE LEON DE ROMERO, ROSNERY NAYARITH: Desarrollo de un módulo de celosía para envolvente en clima húmedo tropical (Panamá), mediante hormigón con árido de reciclado de Residuo mixto de la Construcción y Demolición (RCD) y Neumáticos Fuera de Uso (NFU).
  
  Author: CASTILLO DE LEON DE ROMERO, ROSNERY NAYARITH
  Programme: DOCTORAL DEGREE IN ARCHITECTURAL, BUILDING CONSTRUCTION AND URBANISM TECHNOLOGY
  Department: Department of Architectural Technology (TA)
  Mode: Article-based thesis
  Deposit date: 22/06/2026
  Reading date: 21/07/2026
  Reading time: 11:00
  Reading place: ETSAB (Escuela Técnica Superior de Arquitectura de Barcelona) - Planta Baja - Sala de GradosAv. Diagonal, 649-651 - 08028 - Barcelona
  Thesis director: BOSCH GONZÁLEZ, MONTSERRAT | PARIS VIVIANA, ORIOL
  Thesis abstract: This doctoral thesis investigates the development of a latticework for building envelopes in humid tropical climates. The module is made from microconcrete that incorporates recycled aggregates derived from mixed Construction and Demolition Waste (CDW) and End-of-Life Tires (ELT), in the form of granulated Crumb Rubber (CR). The study addresses two complementary lines of research: 1) the development and characterization of a microconcrete incorporating recycled aggregate from CDW and ELT, with potential application in small-format latticework facade modules; and 2) the analysis and development of the latticework module and system as a passive envelope strategy.The methodology includes a bibliometric and systematic review of the use of ELT in the development of concretes; two experimental campaigns to characterize the physical, mechanical, thermal, and fire-reaction properties of the material; the development of a taxonomy for parameterizing latticework systems in building energy modeling (BEM) tools; a study of the thermal performance of latticework systems in Panama through on-site monitoring and dynamic simulation; and, finally, the evaluation of a small-scale latticework system manufactured with the developed micro-concrete, verifying its thermal performance.The findings of this study suggest that mixtures incorporating recycled aggregates can be used in building envelopes through self-supporting systems. In the case of the lattice, the mixture that exhibited the most favorable performance among the results obtained was selected. The findings also show thatthe thermal performance of the latticework is influenced by multiple factors, including its intrinsic material characteristics, geometry, percentage of openings, building envelope configuration, and the natural ventilation of the space between the two skins.The thesis concludes that it is possible to advance toward more sustainable façade solutions from a circular economy perspective by integrating high percentages of waste with the design of climate-adapted passive components.
  

• CHÁVEZ PEREDA, ERICK DAVID: Study and identification of mechanical parameters while cutting tissues with vibrating hypodermic needles
  
  Author: CHÁVEZ PEREDA, ERICK DAVID
  Programme: DOCTORAL DEGREE IN MECHANICAL, FLUIDS AND AEROSPACE ENGINEERING
  Department: Department of Mechanical Engineering (EM)
  Mode: Normal
  Deposit date: 10/06/2026
  Reading date: 21/07/2026
  Reading time: 11:00
  Reading place: Biblioteca del Museu Víctor Balaguer de Vilanova i la Geltrú.
  Thesis director: SÁNCHEZ EGEA, ANTONIO JOSÉ
  Thesis abstract: Robot-assisted needle insertion is currently under active development for minimally invasive percutaneous procedures due to its potential for high precision and repeatability. However, despite these advantages, the interaction between the needle and soft tissue inherently causes tissue damage, which can compromise targeting accuracy and overall performance. Friction at the needle–tissue interface is the main factor influencing the degree of damage. Therefore, this thesis investigates and models the role of friction in needle–tissue interaction to identify insertion conditions that minimize tissue damage.The factors influencing friction and tissue damage considered in this study were the needle insertion speed and the vibratory relative motion of the needle. To evaluate their effects in ex vivo turkey breast, selected as the tissue model, two tissue damage criteria were employed: the hole size remaining in the tissue after needle withdrawal and the friction force measured during needle withdrawal. A dynamic friction model of the needle–tissue interaction, based on the Dahl model, was developed using these criteria. First, the influence of insertion speed on tissue damage was investigated through controlled experiments at constant speeds. The model parameters were identified from experimental data using the least-squares method. Subsequently, a model-based optimization was performed to determine the insertion speed that minimizes tissue damage, obtaining an optimal value of 4.4 mm/s. Second, the effect of vibration-assisted insertion on tissue damage was analyzed using the same two damage criteria. A custom-designed vibratory actuator was developed to generate axial oscillations during needle insertion. The dynamic friction model was extended to account for the vibratory relative motion, and the corresponding parameters were identified using the least-squares method. A model-based optimization of the extended model was then carried out to determine the optimal vibration frequency, resulting in an optimal range of 800–1100 Hz. This optimization was performed while keeping the optimal insertion speed fixed. Overall, the combination of an insertion speed of 4.4 mm/s and a vibration frequency of 800–1100 Hz was identified as the optimal condition for minimizing tissue damage in ex vivo turkey breast.This thesis proposes a methodology for optimizing needle insertion parameters in soft tissues, based on fundamental principles of needle–tissue interaction. The developed dynamic friction model can be extended to other soft tissues by applying the same experimental procedure to identify the corresponding interaction parameters. This enables the use of a model-based optimization framework to determine optimal insertion conditions in different case studies.
  

• HAUBENSAK, LUKAS: Optimization and control of multiple fuel cell systems
  
  Author: HAUBENSAK, LUKAS
  Programme: DOCTORAL DEGREE IN AUTOMATIC CONTROL, ROBOTICS AND VISION
  Department: Department of Automatic Control (ESAII)
  Mode: Normal
  Deposit date: 28/05/2026
  Reading date: 21/07/2026
  Reading time: 12:00
  Reading place: Aula Capella, Escola Tècnica Superior d'Enginyeria Industrial de Barcelona (ETSEIB),Planta Baixa, Av. Diagonal, 647 08028 Barcelona
  Thesis director: COSTA CASTELLO, RAMON | STRAHL, STEPHAN
  Thesis abstract: Decarbonizing heavy-duty transportation is a pressing challenge in mitigating climate change. Fuel cell electric vehicles offer a promising zero-emission solution that combines the extended range of chemical fuels with the rapid refueling capabilities required by the freight industry. Commercial trucks increasingly adopt multi-stack fuel cell systems to meet power and redundancy demands. However, the commercial viability of these vehicles depends on minimizing the total cost of ownership. This economic metric directly reflects hydrogen fuel consumption and the degradation of all fuel cell stacks and the traction battery.Minimizing this total cost of ownership requires optimal control strategies that balance fuel economy against component longevity. This control problem is challenging due to stiff system dynamics with widely distributed time scales. Conventional rule-based control strategies react to present conditions and fail to anticipate future loads. Consequently, they schedule start-stop transitions poorly, struggle to prevent thermal derating, and cannot adapt to a declining state-of-health.To overcome these limitations, this dissertation develops a computationally tractable and lifetime-adaptive hierarchical model predictive control framework. A Planning Layer solves a multi-horizon mixed-integer problem to optimize the inter-stack power split, start-stop scheduling, and thermal management over the remaining driving route. Simultaneously, a fast-sampled Operational Layer manages constrained air-system dynamics to satisfy power demands while balancing fuel efficiency against electrochemical surface area loss. A closed-loop estimation scheme monitors stack degradation and automatically refits the internal prediction models to maintain controller accuracy.Simulations on standardized driving cycles demonstrate that this hierarchical controller approximates the global optimum. It consumes only 1.3% more hydrogen than an in-hindsight benchmark while maintaining real-time feasibility. Integrated thermal and energy management preconditions the cooling circuit to prevent thermal derating and enables less conservative component sizing. Furthermore, the proposed adaptive controller shifts its operating strategy over the fuel cell stack's lifetime. At the Begin-of-Life, the controller minimizes fuel cell degradation and reduces electrochemical surface area loss by up to 96.8% As the stack ages and voltage sensitivities decrease, the strategy transitions toward minimizing hydrogen consumption.This framework translates physical degradation mechanisms directly into an economic control objective, integrating electrochemical state-of-health into system-level powertrain management. It shows that predictive and integrated control of thermal, fluid, and power dynamics is a prerequisite to exploit the full hardware potential of hybrid multi-stack powertrains. Resolving these conflicts between fuel economy, component longevity, and computational limits lowers the economic barriers to widespread fuel cell electric vehicle adoption.