Doctoral School

Reading date: 01/04/2026

• AGUILAR PLAZAOLA, JOSÉ AGUSTÍN: DATA-DRIVEN MODELLING, STATE ESTIMATION, CELL CONTROL AND MOTION PLANNING FOR PEM FUEL CELL-POWERED VEHICLES
  
  Author: AGUILAR PLAZAOLA, JOSÉ AGUSTÍN
  Thesis file: (contact the Doctoral School to confirm you have a valid doctoral degree and to get the link to the thesis)
  Programme: DOCTORAL DEGREE IN AUTOMATIC CONTROL, ROBOTICS AND VISION
  Department: Institute of Robotics and Industrial Informatics (IRI)
  Mode: Normal
  Deposit date: 05/03/2026
  Reading date: pending
  Reading time: pending
  Reading place: pending
  Thesis director: HUSAR, ATTILA PETER | ANDRADE CETTO, JUAN
  Thesis abstract: This doctoral thesis presents novel advances in the areas of modeling, state estimation, path planning, and control to improve energy efficiency and durability of the powertrain of autonomous robots and electric vehicles driven by proton exchange membrane fuel cells. The main objective of the present work is to design and implement algorithms that, based on a thorough knowledge of the systems in question, improve the characteristics and outperform the state-of-the-art methods. Special emphasis is placed on testing the developed algorithms, as much as possible, with dynamic experimental profile dataIn the area of proton-exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell modelling, a computationally efficient physical model is proposed. Next, a model with a structure based on neural networks, built exclusively from data, is developed and validated. This model is framed within a new paradigm of machine learning, the computation by reservoirs. Subsequently, a hybrid model is built, combining both the physical model and the data-driven model by means of a fusion algorithm based on radial basis functions. The three models are tested with a set of dynamic experimental data, and it is shown how the proposed hybrid structure outperforms each of the individual models.In the area of state estimation, a particle filter is developed with the objective of estimating internal states (or parameters) of the fuel cell, taking into account the nonlinearity of the system and the uncertainty in its model. The algorithm is capable of estimating the internal variables of a nonlinear system with non-Gaussian probabilistic distribution. The algorithm is implemented to estimate the exchange current density of a fuel cell and is tested with two sets of experimental data, outperforming two state-of-the-art estimation algorithms. The exchange current density estimation is then used to fit an auto-regressive model and predict the evolution of the stack voltage in a durability experiment.In the area of PEM fuel cell control, an architecture composed of a high-level controller is proposed, which is in charge of calculating optimal temperature values with the objective of minimizing the degradation of the catalyst layer of the PEM fuel cell and at the same time maximizing its performance. These optimum values are then sent to the local controller of the fuel cell temperature regulation system. The proposed controller is based on the model predictive control paradigm; for this, a multiobjective cost function is designed, based on state-of-the-art models of the platinum degradation process that occurs during stack operation. The controller is validated in simulation tests and shown how it can adapt the temperature according to load conditions, optimizing the performance of the catalyst layer and minimizing its degradation.In the area of path planning, a new planning algorithm is developed taking into consideration the degradation mechanisms in the catalyst caused by the cell voltage profile. The developed algorithm is an extension of the A* algorithm, including new cost and heuristic functions based on the latest degradation models available in the literature. These functions incorporate penalties related to the expected voltage profile in the routes that are more detrimental to the catalyst integrity. Simulation tests are performed with different scenarios and the performance of the developed path planner is compared with the conventional A* algorithm.In the area of energy efficiency control, a controller is developed with the objective of including energy optimization in an adaptive cruise control module. Each part of the controller is designed, including the system model, the cost function, and the constraints. A series of simulation tests are performed to compare the performance between the energy-optimized adaptive cruise controller and the conventional one.
  

• ARIAS CUEVAS, JOSÉ GABRIEL: Proyectos de recuperación de zonas vulnerables con materiales de ciclo cerrado. Casos de estudio, proyectos URBE.
  
  Author: ARIAS CUEVAS, JOSÉ GABRIEL
  Thesis file: (contact the Doctoral School to confirm you have a valid doctoral degree and to get the link to the thesis)
  Programme: DOCTORAL DEGREE IN ARCHITECTURAL, BUILDING CONSTRUCTION AND URBANISM TECHNOLOGY
  Department: Department of Architectural Technology (TA)
  Mode: Normal
  Deposit date: 05/03/2026
  Reading date: pending
  Reading time: pending
  Reading place: pending
  Thesis director: BOSCH GONZÁLEZ, MONTSERRAT
  Thesis abstract: The Dominican Republic, specifically Santo Domingo, has faced decades of unplanned urbanization in highly vulnerable areas, such as the banks of the Ozama River. This generates a socio-environmental risk intensified by overpopulation and a lack of specific public policies. Simultaneously, the absence of an integrated system for managing Construction and Demolition Waste (CDW), often disposed of improperly, causes critical environmental impacts. This research addresses the integration of CDW management and closed-loop materials into urban redevelopment projects promoted by the State in critical areas. Using La Nueva Barquita and Domingo Savio (URBE Projects) as case studies, the research serves as a starting point for future interventions in the country.The central objective is to propose construction alternatives to existing ones for urbanization projects in flood-prone areas through the systematic use of closed-loop materials and CDW recovery and valorization systems. It seeks to provide strategic knowledge so that these urban interventions can become "waste sinks," driving sustainable, socially committed, and viable development.The research follows a mixed methodology combining: a documentary study and critical analysis of local regulations; international references; and the state of the art regarding vulnerability and river intervention projects. It includes the analysis of the case study settlements, the construction sector and its main stakeholders, and the regulatory framework, alongside successful experiences of urban interventions using recycled products. Field research involved site visits and surveys of both residents of the Nueva Barquita project and key stakeholders in Santo Domingo's construction sector. Finally, a technical-economic analysis of work items was conducted using quantification tools such as TCQ/BEDEC. This triple approach allowed for a comprehensive understanding of local barriers and opportunities.The results are framed within three transformation vectors:Regulatory/Institutional Vector: Although a legal framework exists, technical instruments and specific contractual clauses are needed to integrate CDW management as a mandatory requirement in public works.Socio-Economic Vector: The research identified an active informal reuse market, demonstrating latent demand. Formalizing this sector can generate a new competitive and formalized economic fabric.Technical/Territorial Vector: The real feasibility of replacing conventional materials with CDW in redevelopment projects is validated, optimizing resilience on riverbanks through solutions combined with nature-based solutions (NBS).The findings demonstrate that while the Dominican State has a visible social commitment to relocating vulnerable populations, a critical gap persists in regulatory application and technical CDW integration. The main contribution of this thesis lies in having integrated a technical, regulatory, and territorial diagnosis that validates the hypothesis that urban projects can function as "waste sinks" in the Dominican context.The research establishes technical, institutional, and market foundations for the Dominican Republic to adopt a circular economy model in construction. The sector's robust growth presents an exceptional opportunity to implement this model, attracting sustainable investment and strengthening international competitiveness. This transforms the waste challenge into a strategic lever for resilient urban development and national economic prosperity.
  

Reading date: 07/04/2026

• DOBLAS FONT, MAX: High-Performance Sequence Alignment: Co-Designing Algorithms and Hardware Architectures for Efficient and Scalable Acceleration
  
  Author: DOBLAS FONT, MAX
  Thesis file: (contact the Doctoral School to confirm you have a valid doctoral degree and to get the link to the thesis)
  Programme: DOCTORAL DEGREE IN COMPUTER ARCHITECTURE
  Department: Department of Computer Architecture (DAC)
  Mode: Normal
  Deposit date: 20/02/2026
  Reading date: 07/04/2026
  Reading time: 16:00
  Reading place: C6-E106
  Thesis director: MORETÓ PLANAS, MIQUEL | MARCO SOLA, SANTIAGO
  Thesis abstract: Over the past decade, the exponential growth of genomic data has driven significant advancements in genomics and healthcare, enabling breakthroughs in large-scale genomic studies, personalized medicine, and epidemiological surveillance. However, this rapid data expansion has also posed substantial computational challenges, particularly in sequence alignment, a cornerstone of genomic analysis. Sequence alignment is critical for applications such as disease diagnostics, population-wide genetic research, and outbreak tracking, yet it demands scalable and efficient solutions to handle the increasing data volumes and diverse use cases.This thesis addresses the efficiency-flexibility gap in sequence alignment through three key contributions. First, it introduces QuickEd, a novel sequence alignment algorithm that reduces computational complexity by combining heuristic bounding with optimal alignment. QuickEd achieves O(nŝ) complexity, where n is the sequence length and ŝ is an estimated upper bound of the alignment score, significantly improving upon the O(n²) complexity of traditional dynamic programming algorithms. By efficiently bounding the maximum alignment score, QuickEd reduces the computational burden while maintaining accuracy, making it well-suited for long-read sequencing and other demanding applications.Second, this thesis proposes GMX, a set of instruction set architecture (ISA) extensions designed to enhance the efficiency of dynamic programming-based alignment algorithms. GMX provides fundamental building-block operations for fast, tile-wise computations of the DP matrix, reducing memory footprint and computational overhead. These extensions enable seamless integration into widely used algorithms and tools, offering a cost-effective alternative to domain-specific accelerators (DSAs) while achieving comparable performance improvements.Third, the thesis presents SMX, a heterogeneous architecture that balances flexibility and performance to address the diverse requirements of real-world sequence alignment tasks. SMX integrates an ISA extension (SMX-1D) for irregular and sequential tasks and a specialized coprocessor (SMX-2D) for regular and parallel tasks, all orchestrated by a general-purpose core. This architecture supports various configurations for different sequence types (DNA, protein, and ASCII text) and alignment models, including weighted gaps and substitution matrices. By combining high performance with adaptability, SMX enables efficient acceleration of a wide range of sequence alignment applications.Together, these contributions advance the state of the art in sequence alignment, providing scalable, flexible, and efficient solutions to meet the demands of modern genomic analysis. The innovations presented in this thesis pave the way for faster and more reliable genomic analyses, facilitating critical applications such as personalized medicine, population-scale sequencing, and epidemiological surveillance in the era of long-read sequencing technologies.
  

Reading date: 08/04/2026

• DE SANTIAGO GARCIA, JAVIER NICOLAS: La imagen poética en los procesos de producción, proyectuales y habitar de la vivienda de autoproducción en Lomas del Centinela.
  
  Author: DE SANTIAGO GARCIA, JAVIER NICOLAS
  Thesis file: (contact the Doctoral School to confirm you have a valid doctoral degree and to get the link to the thesis)
  Programme: DOCTORAL DEGREE IN THEORY AND HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE
  Department: Department of History and Theory of Architecture and Communication Techniques (THATC)
  Mode: Normal
  Deposit date: 09/02/2026
  Reading date: 08/04/2026
  Reading time: 16:00
  Reading place: ETSAB (Esc.Técn.Sup.Arquitect.Bcn)-Sala GradosAv. Diagonal, 649-BCNVideoconfer.: https://meet.google.com/qfv-wpcj-hnoInicio conexión: 15:30h local
  Thesis director: USANDIZAGA CALPARSORO, MIGUEL M. | SERRA PERMANYER, MARTA
  Thesis abstract: This thesis addresses the search for the poetic image in self-built housing in the Lomas del Centinela neighborhood, in Zapopan, Jalisco, Mexico. This search focuses on some of the processes identified with self-built housing, particularly in the production processes, design processes, and the dwelling process.The concept of poetic image is constructed through the discourses of authors such as Gaston Bachelard, Carlos González y Lobo, Steven Holl, Manuel Martín Hernández, Juhanni Pallasmaa, and Alberto Pérez-Gómez. It can be defined as the element that results from having imagined something with a specific purpose in mind. It is referred to as an element because it can manifest as a thought, a written text, a goal, a conceptual drawing, a method to achieve an end, a way of experiencing a place, of appropriating it, and of recognizing oneself in that journey.This study examines women from Lomas del Centinela who have self-built their homes, approaching their history and the forms of production they engaged in during the years they, along with their families, pursued the dream of building their own homes.During this research, they were interviewed, seeking in their discourses elements that could be considered poetic images, with the aim of exploring their self-building processes through the lens of the poetic image. Through this search, not only is the importance of imagination emphasized, but also the fact that self-building processes are not spontaneous. Rather, in much of their conception, construction, and inhabitation, they respond—beyond the management of minimal resources—to a strong imaginative component. This entails a profound reflection on the potential of self-built housing in terms of creative achievement.
  

• PRATS BISBE, ALBA: Nous entorns interactius de realitat virtual immersiva aplicats a la neurorehabilitació de funcions cognitives i sensoriomotores
  
  Author: PRATS BISBE, ALBA
  Thesis file: (contact the Doctoral School to confirm you have a valid doctoral degree and to get the link to the thesis)
  Programme: DOCTORAL DEGREE IN BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING
  Department: Department of Automatic Control (ESAII)
  Mode: Normal
  Deposit date: 29/01/2026
  Reading date: 08/04/2026
  Reading time: 12:00
  Reading place: Sala d'Actes de l'Institut Guttmann (Carretera de Can Ruti, s/n, 08916 Badalona, Barcelona)
  Thesis director: JANE CAMPOS, RAIMON | OPISSO SALLERAS, ELOY
  Thesis abstract: Recovery following an acquired brain injury (ABI) represents a major challenge with significant implications for health, quality of life, and socioeconomic burden. Advances in medicine and neurorehabilitation —particularly personalized, patient-centred clinical practice— have contributed to improved outcomes by promoting autonomy and participation in society. Technology has become a cornerstone in this continuous improvement, and virtual reality (VR) has emerged as a promising therapeutic tool. VR immersive properties, ergonomic interaction capabilities, ecological validity, and intrinsic advantages of digitalisation can enhance motor learning and cognitive improvement. However, there is still no conclusive evidence regarding VR clinically significant effects and consistent adoption in routine hospital practice.The aim of this thesis is to identify the barriers to VR implementation in neurorehabilitation and to elicit the specific requirements for its integration as an effective support tool. To achieve this goal, a systematic review of current applications was first conducted to identify methodologies and features associated with significant therapeutic outcomes. This analysis revealed considerable heterogeneity across clinical protocols, as well as the hardware and software used, highlighting the lack of standards and quality criteria that hinder result generalization. To address this gap, a new conceptual framework for evaluating VR tools in clinical contexts was developed: the Virtual Reality-tools Quality Assessment Framework (VR-tools QAF), which defines technical, functional, and safety requirements for VR equipment and virtual environments. In parallel, a comprehensive methodology for user-centred design, iterative development, and clinical validation was created, termed the Virtual Reality-tools Design and Development Guide (VR-tools DDG).Through the combined model (VR-tools QAF + DDG), eleven multimodal VR environments were developed to support the rehabilitation of cognitive and sensorimotor functions in individuals who have suffered an ABI. These environments integrate principles of repetitive practice, multisensory feedback, adaptive difficulty, and mechanisms for tailoring the experience to the patient’s profile. Validation was carried out in collaboration with a leading hospital in neurorehabilitation and brain health, where usability and feasibility tests were conducted with healthcare professionals and patients with ABI. Proof-of-concept trials demonstrated good acceptance and ease of use among clinicians (n = 26) from different specialties, as well as good tolerance and absence of adverse effects among the 20 patients. Moreover, a longitudinal VR intervention conducted within an efficacy study confirmed the feasibility and safety of delivering a 9-hour VR-based cognitive rehabilitation protocol with 21 patients with ABI, distributed in 20–30-minute sessions, 2–3 times per week.Overall, this research establishes a comprehensive methodological model for effectively integrating immersive VR into neurorehabilitation hospital settings, combining scientific rigour with technical and clinical feasibility. The results lay a solid foundation for future efficacy studies aimed at developing standardized treatment protocols for patients with ABI.