Access profile

Given the multidisciplinary nature of the scientific field of the programme, there are a wide range of degrees that qualify applicants for admission. The most suitable applicants to the doctoral programme in Computational and Applied Physics will, in the near future, be those with scientific and technological profiles who have completed the master’s programme in Computational and Applied Physics or a master’s-level programme in a similar scientific field. In addition to this academic background, certain personal characteristics are also considered important, such as interest in the research projects being carried out in the programme, critical and analytical capacities, having initiative, being consistent and persistent with work, being able to work in a team and being able to communicate properly both in writing and orally.

Output profile

Doctoral candidates who complete a doctoral degree will have acquired the following competencies, which are needed to carry out quality research (Royal Decree 99/2011, of 28 January, which regulates official doctoral studies):

a) A systematic understanding of the field of study and a mastery of the research skills and methods related to the field.
b) An ability to conceive, design or create, put into practice and adopt a substantial process of research or creation.
c) An ability to contribute to pushing back the frontiers of knowledge through original research.
d) A capacity for critical analysis and an ability to assess and summarise new and complex ideas.
e) An ability to communicate with the academic and scientific community and with society in general as regards their fields of knowledge in the manner and languages that are typical of the international scientific community to which they belong.
f) An ability to foster scientific, technological, social, artistic and cultural progress in academic and professional contexts within a knowledge-based society.

The award of a doctoral degree must equip the graduate for work in a variety of settings, especially those requiring creativity and innovation. Doctoral graduates must have at least acquired the personal skills needed to:

a) Develop in contexts in which there is little specific information.
b) Find the key questions that must be answered to solve a complex problem.
c) Design, create, develop and undertake original, innovative projects in their field.
d) Work as part of a team and independently in an international or multidisciplinary context.
e) Integrate knowledge, deal with complexity and make judgements with limited information.
f) Offer criticism on and intellectually defend solutions.

Finally, with respect to competencies, doctoral students must:
a) have acquired advanced knowledge at the frontier of their discipline and demonstrated, in the context of internationally recognised scientific research, a deep, detailed and well-grounded understanding of theoretical and practical issues and scientific methodology in one or more research fields;
b) have made an original and significant contribution to scientific research in their field of expertise that has been recognised as such by the international scientific community;
c) have demonstrated that they are capable of designing a research project that serves as a framework for carrying out a critical analysis and assessment of imprecise situations, in which they are able to apply their contributions, expertise and working method to synthesise new and complex ideas that yield a deeper knowledge of the research context in which they work;
d) have developed sufficient autonomy to set up, manage and lead innovative research teams and projects and scientific collaborations (both national and international) within their subject area, in multidisciplinary contexts and, where appropriate, with a substantial element of knowledge transfer;
e) have demonstrated that they are able to carry out their research activity in a socially responsible manner and with scientific integrity;
f) have demonstrated, within their specific scientific context, that they are able to make cultural, social or technological advances and promote innovation in all areas within a knowledge-based society;
g) have demonstrated that they are able to participate in scientific discussions at the international level in their field of expertise and disseminate the results of their research activity to audiences of all kinds.

Number of places

15

Duration of studies and dedication regime

Duration
The maximum period of study for full-time doctoral studies is three years, counted from the date of admission to the programme to the date of submission of the doctoral thesis. The academic committee of the doctoral programme may authorise a doctoral candidate to pursue doctoral studies on a part-time basis. In this case, the maximum period of study is five years, counting from the date of admission to the programme to the date of submission of the doctoral thesis. For calculating these periods, the date of admission is considered to be the date of the first enrolment for tutorials, and the date of submission the moment in which the Doctoral School officially deposits the doctoral thesis.

For full-time doctoral candidates, the minimum period of study is two years, counted from the date of an applicant's admission to the programme until the date on which the doctoral thesis is deposited; for part-time doctoral candidates it is four years. When there are justified grounds for doing so, and the thesis supervisor and academic tutor have given their authorisation, doctoral candidates may request that the academic committee of their doctoral programme exempt them from the minimum period of study requirement.

The calculation of periods of study will not include periods of absence due to illness, pregnancy or any other reason provided for in the regulations in force. Students who find themselves in any of these circumstances must notify the academic committee of the doctoral programme, which, where appropriate, must inform the Doctoral School. Doctoral candidates may also temporarily withdraw from the programme for up to one year, and this period may be extended for an additional year. Doctoral candidates who wish to interrupt their studies must submit a justified request to the academic committee of the doctoral programme, which will decide whether or not to approve the request. Each programme will establish conditions for readmission to doctoral studies.

Extension
If full-time doctoral candidates have not applied to deposit their thesis by the end of the three-year period of study, the academic committee of the programme may authorise an extension of up to one year. In exceptional circumstances, a further one-year extension may be granted, subject to the conditions established by the corresponding doctoral programme. In the case of part-time doctoral candidates, an extension of two years may be authorised. In both cases, in exceptional circumstances a further one-year extension may be granted by the Doctoral School's Standing Committee, upon the submission of a reasoned application by the academic committee of the doctoral programme.

Dismissal from the doctoral programme
A doctoral candidate may be dismissed from a doctoral programme for the following reasons:

• The doctoral candidate submitting a justified application to withdraw from the programme.
• The maximum period of study and of extensions thereof ending.
• The doctoral candidate not having enrolled every academic year (unless he or she has been authorised to temporarily withdraw).
• The doctoral candidate failing two consecutive assessments.
• The doctoral candidate having disciplinary proceedings filed against him or her that rule that he or she must be dismissed from the UPC.

Dismissal from the programme implies that doctoral candidates cannot continue studying at the UPC and the closing of their academic record. This notwithstanding, they may apply to the academic committee of the programme for readmission and the committee must reevaluate them in accordance with the criteria established in the regulations.

Enrollment aid

Organization

• Mazzanti Castrillejo, Ferran

• Batiste Boleda, Oriol
• Guardia Manuel, Elvira
• Lopez Codina, Daniel
• Masoller, Cristina
• Mazzanti Castrillejo, Ferran
• Ortega Fernandez, Ana Maria
• Pineda Soler, Eloi
• Sánchez Baena, Juan
• Torres Gil, Santiago
• Vazquez Arenas, Beni

• Department of Physics (PROMOTORA)

doctorat.fa@upc.edu

Access profile

Given the multidisciplinary nature of the scientific field of the programme, there are a wide range of degrees that qualify applicants for admission. The most suitable applicants to the doctoral programme in Computational and Applied Physics will, in the near future, be those with scientific and technological profiles who have completed the master’s programme in Computational and Applied Physics or a master’s-level programme in a similar scientific field. In addition to this academic background, certain personal characteristics are also considered important, such as interest in the research projects being carried out in the programme, critical and analytical capacities, having initiative, being consistent and persistent with work, being able to work in a team and being able to communicate properly both in writing and orally.

Access requirements

Applicants must hold a Spanish bachelor’s degree or equivalent and a Spanish master’s degree or equivalent, provided they have completed a minimum of 300 ECTS credits on the two degrees (Royal Decree 43/2015, of 2 February)

In addition, the following may apply:

• Holders of an official degree awarded by a university in Spain or any other country in the European Higher Education Area, pursuant to the provisions of Article 16 of Royal Decree 1393/2007, of 29 October, which establishes official university course regulations, who have completed a minimum of 300 ECTS credits on official university degrees, of which at least 60 must be at the master's degree level.
• Holders of an official Spanish bachelor’s degree comprising at least 300 credits, as provided for by EU regulations. Holder of degrees of this kind must complete bridging courses unless the curriculum of the bachelor’s degree in question included research training credits equivalent in value to those which would be earned on a master's degree.
• Holders of an official university qualification who, having passed the entrance examination for specialised medical training, have completed at least two years of a training course leading to an official degree in a health-sciences specialisation.
• Holders of a degree issued under a foreign education system. In these cases, homologation is not required, but the UPC must verify that the degree certifies a level of training equivalent to an official Spanish master's degree and qualifies the holder for admission to doctoral studies in the country where it was issued. Admission on this basis does not imply homologation of the foreign degree or its recognition for any purpose other than admission to doctoral studies.
• Holders of a Spanish doctoral qualification issued under previous university regulations.

Note 1: Doctoral studies entrance regulations for holders of an undergraduate degree awarded before the introduction of the EHEA (CG 47/02 2014)

Note 2: Governing Council Decision 64/2014, which approves the procedure and criteria for assessing the fulfilment of academic admission requirements for doctoral studies by holders of non-homologated foreign degrees (CG 25/03 2014)

Admission criteria and merits assessment

Training complements

The academic committee for the programme may require that doctoral students pass specific bridging courses. In this case, the committee will monitor the bridging courses and set up appropriate criteria to limit their length.

The courses could involve training in research or transversal education, but in no case will candidates be required to enrol in 60 or more ECTS credits (according to the academic regulations for doctoral studies, bridging courses could include transversal education, but there are plans to change to this so that these bridging courses exclusively provide research credits, especially in cases involving 300-ECTS-credit doctoral programmes).

Depending on the activities completed by the candidates, the programme’s Academic Committee may propose measures, in addition to those established by current regulations, that would disassociate candidates who do not meet the established requisites.

The doctoral programme may require potential candidates to complete certain bridging courses in order to better adapt their profiles to the programme’s requirements regarding the knowledge necessary to properly complete the doctoral studies.

The quantity of bridging courses required will depend on the education and training that students accredit having achieved, but candidates could be required to complete 10 to 30 additional ECTS credits at the master’s level. The decision regarding which master’s courses students will have to take to complete the bridging courses will be made jointly by the programme’s Academic Committee and the student’s tutor. In any case, the aim of the courses will always be to fill in the gaps that students are seen to have in their academic transcripts.

Enrolment period for new doctoral students

Students enrolling in the doctoral programme for the first time must do so by the deadline specified in the admission decision.
Unless otherwise expressly indicated, enrolments corresponding to admission decisions issued from the second half of April on must be completed within the ordinary enrolment period for the current academic year.

More information at the registration section for new doctoral students

Enrolment period

Ordinary period for second and successive enrolments: first half of October.

More information at the general registration section

Procedure for the preparation and defense of the research plan

Doctoral candidates must submit a research plan, which will be included in their doctoral student activity report, before the end of the first year. The plan may be improved over the course of the doctoral degree. It must be endorsed by the tutor and the supervisor, and it must include the method that is to be followed and the aims of the research.

At least one of these annual assessments will include a public presentation and defence of the research plan and work done before a committee composed of three doctoral degree holders, which will be conducted in the manner determined by each academic committee. The examination committee awards a Pass or Fail mark. A Pass mark is a prerequisite for continuing on the doctoral programme. Doctoral candidates awarded a Fail mark must submit a new research plan for assessment by the academic committee of the doctoral programme within six months.

The committee assesses the research plan every year, in addition to all of the other activities in the doctoral student activity report. Doctoral candidates who are awarded two consecutive Fail marks for the research plan will be obliged to definitely withdraw from the programme.

If they change the subject of their thesis, they must submit a new research plan.

Formation activities

1. Activity: Tutorial.

Description: Counselling, assistance, supervision and follow-up regarding the candidate’s activities.

Type of activity: compulsory.

Number of hours: 288.

2. Activity: Mobility.

Description: Stays in foreign centres to carry out research activities and/or participate in conferences directly related with the candidate’s thesis or with another topic of interest to the candidate’s education.

Type of activity: optional.

Number of hours: 480.

3. Activity: Assessment based on follow-up with the Doctoral Student Activity Report and the research plan.

Description: Annual assessment report on the candidates by the Academic Committee.

Type of activity: compulsory.

Number of hours: 4.

4. Activity: Training in information skills.

Description: Learn to identify when and why information is needed, where to find it and how to ethically evaluate, use and communicate that information.

Type of activity: optional.

Number of hours: 1,5.

5. Activity: Research methodologies.

Description:Provide conceptual and methodological research tools for qualitative and quantitative research.

Type of activity: optional.

Number of hours: 12.

6. Activity: Innovation and creativity.

Description: Introduction to models of creativity that have been developed in a wide range of disciplines, including marketing, advertising and neurolinguistic programming, all applied to the development of personal and professional projects.

Type of activity: optional.

Number of hours: 8.

7. Activity: Language and communication skills.

Description: Acquire a set of knowledge, capacities and attitudes needed to interpret and produce messages and communicate effectively in a wide range of contexts.

Type of activity: optional.

Number of hours: 18.

8. Activity: Courses and seminars.

Description: Attend courses, conferences and seminars.

Type of activity: optional.

Number of hours: 30.

9. Activity: Publications.

Description: Prepare publications and go through the revision process.

Type of activity: optional.

Number of hours: 250.

Procedure for assignment of tutor and thesis director

The academic committee of the doctoral programme assigns a thesis supervisor to each doctoral candidate when they are admitted or enrol for the first time, taking account of the thesis supervision commitment referred to in the admission decision.

The thesis supervisor will ensure that training activities carried out by the doctoral candidate are coherent and suitable, and that the topic of the candidate’s doctoral thesis will have an impact and make a novel contribution to knowledge in the relevant field. The thesis supervisor will also guide the doctoral candidate in planning the thesis and, if necessary, tailoring it to any other projects or activities undertaken. The thesis supervisor will generally be a UPC professor or researcher who holds a doctoral degree and has documented research experience. This includes PhD-holding staff at associated schools (as determined by the Governing Council) and UPC-affiliated research institutes (in accordance with corresponding collaboration and affiliation agreements). When thesis supervisors are UPC staff members, they also act as the doctoral candidate’s tutor.

PhD holders who do not meet these criteria (as a result of their contractual relationship or the nature of the institution to which they are attached) must be approved by the UPC Doctoral School's Standing Committee in order to participate in a doctoral programme as researchers with documented research experience.

The academic committee of the doctoral programme may approve the appointment of a PhD-holding expert who is not a UPC staff member as a candidate’s thesis supervisor. In such cases, the prior authorisation of the UPC Doctoral School's Standing Committee is required. A UPC staff member who holds a doctoral degree and has documented research experience must also be proposed to act as a co-supervisor, or as the doctoral candidate’s tutor if one has not been assigned.

A thesis supervisor may step down from this role if there are justified reasons (recognised as valid by the committee) for doing so. If this occurs, the academic committee of the doctoral programme will assign the doctoral candidate a new thesis supervisor.

Provided there are justified reasons for doing so, and after hearing any relevant input from the doctoral candidate, the academic committee of the doctoral programme may assign a new thesis supervisor at any time during the period of doctoral study.

If there are academic reasons for doing so (an interdisciplinary topic, joint or international programmes, etc.) and the academic committee of the programme gives its approval, an additional thesis supervisor may be assigned. Supervisors and co-supervisors have the same responsibilities and academic recognition.

The maximum number of supervisors of a doctoral thesis is two: a supervisor and a co-supervisor.

For theses carried out under a cotutelle agreement or as part of an Industrial Doctorate, if necessary and if the agreement foresees it this maximum number of supervisors may not apply. This notwithstanding, the maximum number of supervisors belonging to the UPC is two.

More information at the PhD theses section

Permanence

The academic committee of the programme may authorise an extension of up to one year for full-time doctoral candidates who have not applied to deposit their thesis by the end of the three-year period of study, in the terms outlined in the Academic Regulations for Doctoral Studies of the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya. In the case of part-time candidates, an extension of two years may be authorised. In both cases, in exceptional circumstances a further one-year extension may be granted by the Doctoral School's Standing Committee, upon the submission of a reasoned application by the academic committee of the doctoral programme.

A doctoral candidate may be dismissed from a doctoral programme for the following reasons:

• The doctoral candidate submitting a justified application to withdraw from the programme.
• The maximum period of study and of extensions thereof ending.
• The doctoral candidate not having enrolled every academic year (unless he or she has been authorised to temporarily withdraw).
• The doctoral candidate failing two consecutive assessments.
• The doctoral candidate having disciplinary proceedings filed against him or her that rule that he or she must be dismissed from the UPC.

Dismissal from the programme implies that doctoral candidates cannot continue studying at the UPC and the closing of their academic record. This notwithstanding, they may apply to the academic committee of the programme for readmission and the committee must reevaluate them in accordance with the criteria established in the regulations.

International Mention

The doctoral degree certificate may include International Doctorate mention. In this case, the doctoral candidate must meet the following requirements:

a) During the period of study leading to the award of the doctoral degree, the doctoral candidate must have spent at least three months at a respected higher education institution or research centre outside Spain to complete courses or do research work. The stays and activities carried out must be endorsed by the thesis supervisor and authorised by the academic committee of the programme. The candidate must provide a certifying document issued by the person responsible for the research group of the body or bodies where the stay or activity was completed. This information will be added to the doctoral student’s activity report.
b) Part of the thesis (at least the summary and conclusions) must be written and presented in one of the languages commonly used for science communication in the relevant field of knowledge, which must not be an official language of Spain. This rule does not apply to stays and reports in Spanish or to experts from Spanish-speaking countries.
c) At least two PhD-holding experts belonging to a higher education institution or research centre outside Spain must have issued officially certified reports on the thesis.
d) The thesis examination committee must have included at least one PhD-holding expert from a higher education or research institution outside Spain who was not responsible for the candidate’s stay abroad (point a) above).
e) The thesis defence must have taken place on UPC premises or, in the case of joint programmes, at the location specified in the collaboration agreement.

List of authorized thesis for defense

• DALLA PORTA DORNELLES, LEONARDO: Modelling emergent rhythmic activity in the cerebal cortex.
  
  Author: DALLA PORTA DORNELLES, LEONARDO
  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 COMPUTATIONAL AND APPLIED PHYSICS
  Department: Department of Physics (FIS)
  Mode: Normal
  Deposit date: 26/07/2022
  Reading date: 07/10/2022
  Reading time: 11:00
  Reading place: FIB- Enllaç de la sala de defensa publica en zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86597459567
  Thesis director: SÁNCHEZ VIVES, MARIA VICTORIA | DESTEXHE, ALAIN
  Committee:
       PRESIDENT: MATTIA, MAURIZIO
       SECRETARI: MASOLLER, CRISTINA
       VOCAL: MASSIMINI, MARCELLO
  Thesis abstract: The brain, a natural adaptive system, can generate a rich dynamic repertoire of spontaneous activity even in the absence of stimulation. The spatiotemporal pattern of this spontaneous activity is determined by the brain state, which can range from highly synchronized to desynchronized states. During slow wave sleep, for example, the cortex operates in synchrony, defined by low-frequency fluctuations, known as slow oscillations (<1Hz). Conversely, during wakefulness, the cortex is characterized mainly by desynchronized activity, where low-frequency fluctuations are suppressed. Thus, an inherent property of the cerebral cortex is to transit between different states characterized by distinct spatiotemporal complexity patterns, varying in a large spectrum between synchronized and desynchronized activity. All these complex emergent patterns are the product of the interaction between tens of billions of neurons endowed with diverse ionic channels with complex biophysical properties. Nevertheless, what are the mechanisms behind these transitions? In this thesis, we sought to understand the mechanisms and properties behind slow oscillations, their modulation and their transitions towards wakefulness by employing experimental data analysis and computational models. We reveal the relevance of specific ionic channels and synaptic properties to maintaining the cortical state and also get out of it, and its spatiotemporal dynamics. Using a mean-field model, we also propose bridging neuronal spiking dynamics to a population description.
  

Last update: 06/10/2022 04:45:23.

List of lodged theses

• KVASHIN, NIKOLAI: Atomistic study of slip transfer in BCC metals
  
  Author: KVASHIN, NIKOLAI
  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 COMPUTATIONAL AND APPLIED PHYSICS
  Department: Department of Physics (FIS)
  Mode: Normal
  Deposit date: 22/09/2022
  Reading date: pending
  Reading time: pending
  Reading place: pending
  Thesis director: ANENTO MORENO, NAPOLEON | TERENTYEV, DMITRY
  Committee:
       PRESIDENT: MALERBA, LORENZO
       SECRETARI: CATURLA TEROL, MARÍA JOSÉ
       VOCAL NO PRESENCIAL: HARDOUIN DUPARC, OLIVIER
  Thesis abstract: The mechanical properties of the structural materials that are polycrystalline in nature are determined by a variety of physical processes taking place at different time and spatial scales. In these processes, bulk dislocations and grain boundaries (GB) play a significant role. Plastic deformation in these materials is mainly related to dislocation mobility, so the interaction of these defects with other pre-existing defects, such as GB, is a key factor explaining the evolution of properties over time. There are many possible types of GBs, and the behavior of one particular GB interacting with dislocations cannot be predicted and, therefore, must be analyzed individually. Macroscopically, these reac60ns are classified as absorption, transmission or refiecion of islocations. The connection of these reactions with the structure of the CBs, as wetl as with enernal parameters (stress, temperature, etc.) is the purpose of this study.The aim of the work is to predict tie result of the interacton of slip bands with CBs based on the multiscale modeling approach. This work presents a report on tie transferability of dislocations through CBs and on fre role of intrinsic defects at GBs. The main objective of this PhD research is to investigate the role of the GB atomic structure in interaction of GB with dislocations in order to be able to proxide a set of interacåon rules that can be easilytransferred to models dealing with higher time and spatial scales, for example, dislocation dynamics or the finite element method. To study the mechanisms of interaction of dislocation with GB, approach to the atomic level is required, for this reason, the molecular dynamics (MD) modeling method was chosen.This work presents the results of MD modeling conducted to studythe mechanisms of interaction between dislocations and symmetric tilt GBs, since they represent a significant number of interfaces present in real materials. For each GB under consideration, an analysis of the results was carried out, being the output a description of the dependence of the reaction type on temperature and applied stress. The obtained results are used as input data for the second stage of the work, which includes the e)Qansion of the simulation box to three-dimensional modeling to studythe interacton of GB defects with irradiation defects at the interface.As a result of the work, a number of new 'Gluable data have been obtained that gi\.es a new insight on the atomic-scale processes ässociated with the interaction ofGB with dislocations in steels. For insta'nce, it has been disco\.ered the key role of elementarydisconnections in the GB-dislocations interactions. Low critical stress for the elementary disconnections in the {1 12} GB allows it to 'very efficiently experience shear-coupled GB migration. This is the only GB where transmission of the pile-up has been observed, as only one elementary disconnection is enough to transform the Burgers vector of the reacted dislocation, so it is able to glide in the adjacent grain. Athe same 6me, there is no transmission in other studied CBs. The {332} GB can accept sexeral crystal dislocation forming new aynmetric interfaces at the reaction site. While the {1 16} GB, having several disconnections with Burgers vector parallel to the interface, is able to accommodate stresses by splitting the initial reaction product into new GB defects. On the other hand, there are no elementary disconnections associated with the {1 1 1} GB. This GB is the only one studied that does not experience shear-couple GB migration, instead the interface at the reaction is changed by shuffing of two atoms forming new interfaces and allowing the growth of one grain at expenses of the other. The appropriate choice ofGB allowed us to draw conclusions sufficiently general to be used in the development of large-scale models, which are indispensable tools for investigating the long-term evolution of these materials.
  

Last update: 06/10/2022 04:30:28.

List of defended theses by year

• ARCOS GUTIÉRREZ, DAVID: Caracterització optoelectrònica de materials bidimensionals a altes freqüencies
  
  Author: ARCOS GUTIÉRREZ, DAVID
  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 COMPUTATIONAL AND APPLIED PHYSICS
  Department: Department of Physics (FIS)
  Mode: Normal
  Reading date: 19/07/2022
  Thesis director: AMETLLER CONGOST, LLUIS | FERRER ANGLADA, NURIA
  

  Committee:
       PRESIDENT: BERTRAN SERRA, ENRIC
       SECRETARI: TOBIAS ROSSELL, GERARD
       VOCAL: ROMEU ROBERT, JORDI
  Thesis abstract: Two-dimensional materials have a lot of applications in the electronic and photonic device design field, especially when they need to be flexible and transparent. In particular, high frequency applications, above 100MHz, are promising because of its unique optoelectronic properties. In addition, due to their low dimensionality, to obtain, handle and characterise the properties of these materials is challenging, especially when several layers of different materials are combined in a single heterostructure. The main objective of this research is to apply and to compare some high-frequency optoelectronic charac-terization techniques on two-dimensional materials. Specifically, graphene, MoS2 and WS2, on different substrates and heterostructures composed by graphene/MoS2 and graphene/WS2 are analysed. Samples of compacted two-dimensional materials, without substrate, such as graphene oxide, reduced graphene oxide and compacted carbon nanotubes (buckypaper) are also analysed. Raman spectroscopy is used in order to ensure the two-dimensionality of the samples and to analyse their structural properties. The surface conductivity of the samples and their transmittance between 200 GHz and 1.5 THz are analysed by terahertz time-domain spectroscopy (THz-TDS) in a transmission setup and also by using a setup based on a Michelson interferometer. A rutile dielectric resonator is used to analyse the surface resis-tance at the resonance frequency, around 10GHz, of compacted materials¿ samples. Finally, FTIR and optical spectroscopies are used to obtain the transmittance of the heterostructures with respect to the individual layers in near-infrared, visible and near-ultraviolet ranges. The values obtained are in good agreement with the nature and composition of the samples and it is confirmed that the techniques are non-destructive and that they allow the extraction of information about quality, optical transmittance and surface conductivity of the conductive and semi-conductive samples. THz-TDS allows performing a measurement of conductivity without electrical contacts in two-dimensional materials and it is sensitive enough to detect differences in similar materials or in heterostructures made by two different layers of materials.
  

• DE SWART, RINSE LEENDERT: Development and interactions of surfzone morphological patterns
  
  Author: DE SWART, RINSE LEENDERT
  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 COMPUTATIONAL AND APPLIED PHYSICS
  Department: Department of Physics (FIS)
  Mode: Normal
  Reading date: 19/07/2022
  Thesis director: RIBAS PRATS, FRANCESCA | CALVETE MANRIQUE, DANIEL
  

  Committee:
       PRESIDENT: FALQUES SERRA, ALBERTO
       SECRETARI: FERNÁNDEZ MORA, MARIA DE LOS ANGELES
       VOCAL: CASTELLE, BRUNO
  Thesis abstract: A variety of morphodynamic patterns are typically present in the nearshore zone of sandy beaches that develop due to the interactions between waves, currents and the morphology. The most common are one or several nearshore sandbars that vary in configuration from shore-parallel to crescentic, the latter consisting of alongshore-rhythmic (i.e., undulating) bars (also called rip-channel systems). Crescentic bars are often coupled to similar undulations in the shoreline called megacusps. Understanding the evolution of nearshore sandbars and their coupling to the shoreline is important as they significantly affect the nearshore morphology and hydrodynamics. Alongshore sandbar variability has been studied extensively, but mostly at beaches with substantial tidal range and medium-high energetic waves. Furthermore, the dynamics of megacusps and their coupling with crescentic bars are much less understood.This thesis uses nearly 8 years of hourly time-exposure video images to study the development and interactions of crescentic bars and megacusps at the open, low-energetic, tideless beach of Castelldefels (northwestern Mediterranean Sea, Spain). This requires accurate directional wave conditions at shallow water which can be obtained in various ways. Here, the accuracy of two available large-scale wave models and propagating measured wave conditions (integrated wave parameters and 2D frequency-direction spectra) using wave ray theory or the SWAN wave model was assessed. Comparing the results of the different methods to a short-term dataset of in-situ measurements showed that propagating measured 2D frequency-direction spectra using SWAN yielded the most accurate predictions for all wave parameters. The other methods resulted in increased errors in wave direction, particularly for shore-oblique and bimodal wave climates due to underestimation of refraction.The video images together with the hourly wave conditions at shallow water in front of Castelldefels beach (obtained with the optimal propagation method) were subsequently used to investigate the dynamics of crescentic bars and megacusps as well as the corresponding coupling. Crescentic bars were present during 48% of the study period, but only when the bar-shoreline distance exceeded 10 m. They showed a wide range in wavelengths (100¿700 m), alongshore migration speeds (0¿50 m/day) and cross-shore amplitudes (5¿20 m). Low-medium energetic waves with limited obliquity (¿ = 20° at 10-m depth) dominated during crescentic bar formation, whereas medium-high energetic waves with strong obliquity (¿ = 15°) prevailed during their straightening. These observed angle ranges contradict the results of existing models. Megacusps were present during 24% of the study period and crescentic bars were present during 91% of all days with megacusps, whilst megacusps only occurred during 50% of all days with crescentic bars. Megacusp and crescentic bar wavelengths were similar (100-700 m), but the cross-shore amplitudes (3-8 m) and alongshore migration speeds (0-15 m/day) of the former were significantly smaller. Megacusp dynamics were not strongly linked to wave conditions and they mostly developed a few days after the formation of a crescentic bar, confirming that the presence of the latter induces megacusp formation. Significant sandbar-shoreline coupling was observed during 74% of the time when megacusps and crescentic bars occurred simultaneously. The type of coupling pattern was variable and depended on the wave height and angle, as they probably determine the flow pattern over the inner crescentic bar (single or double rip cell circulations versus meandering currents). Overall, this thesis shows that crescentic bar dynamics strongly depend on the wave direction and initial bathymetric configuration, highlights the strong dependence of megacusp development on crescentic bar presence and provides some ideas regarding the underlying coupling mechanisms.
  

• FLORES GARCÍA, JUAN CARLOS: Síntesis de nanoparticulas multifuncionalizadas tipo Core-Shell mediante rutas quimicas.
  
  Author: FLORES GARCÍA, JUAN CARLOS
  Thesis link: http://hdl.handle.net/10803/674650
  Programme: DOCTORAL DEGREE IN COMPUTATIONAL AND APPLIED PHYSICS
  Department: Department of Physics (FIS)
  Mode: Normal
  Reading date: 20/06/2022
  Thesis director: CALDERON MORENO, JOSE MARIA | CRESPO ARTIAGA, DANIEL
  

  Committee:
       PRESIDENT: BATLLE GELABERT, XAVIER
       SECRETARI: PRADELL CARA, TRINITAT
       VOCAL: MOLERA I MARIMÓN, JUDIT
  Thesis abstract: In this thesis, the results ofdifferentcore-shell structures are presented after having been synthesized bythe modified Stober method, results of UV-Vis, SEM, TEM, XRD, among others, are shown, which determined the composition, morphology, and crystalline structure of particles of subm icron and even nanom etric size. Each chapter shows the results of the production and characterization of core-shell structures. Different core-shell structures with a varietyof morphologies were produced using a simple, robust and rapid chem ical m ethod, without the addition of coupling agents or surface modifications of the silica.In the first chapter, SiO2@ core-shell nanospheres ("50±10nm) were prepared, whose silver nanoparticles have sizes of - 4±2 nm in diameter. The preparation route is a modification ofthe Stober method, and im.olves the preparation of homogeneous silica spheres at room temperature, combined with the deposition of silver nanoparticles + in solution, by using water/ethanol mixtures, tetraethyl-orthos ilicate as Si source and silver nitrate as a source in a wet chem ical method in one pot, without the addition of coupling agents or surface modification, leading to the formation of homogeneous core­ shell nanospheres. The preparation and characterization ofSiO2@ core-shell nanospheres and also ofnal<ednanospheres, in the absence of silver, are presented, and the reaction mechanism s for the form ation of core-s hell structures are proposed.The second chapter presents three differ-ent silver nanoshells morphologies, produced on silica spheres using the módified Stober method, previous ly proposed, adding a second supply of silver nanoparticles, which leads to the form ation of silica core-silver nanoshells with silica cores from 50 to 600 nm in diameter and silver shells morphologies ranging from continuous, uniform and smooth layer about 10 nm thick, to rough surfaces of 3-5 nm nanoparticles to sharp spikes-like silver protrusions extending outward from the surface of the silica. We propose reaction mechanisms for the form ation of the different silica-silver core-shell nanostructures.In the third chapter we describe the production of a smooth and uniform silver outer nanoshell with a thickness of - 15 nm on submicrospheric silica, using a rapid and simple one pot chemical route. The reaction mechanisms proposed for the formation of silver nanoshell is the reactivity of silver nanoparticles with surface silanols at high pH, without added coupling¿. agents or surface m odification of silica, leading to the form ation of the continuous and hom ogeneous silver nanoshell on the silica spheres.The fourth chapter reviews the deposition of silver nanoparticles on the surface of silica us ing our simple, robust and fast chemical method without surface modification of silica or added coupling agents. The process was carried out at room temperature, in a single reaction process, using water/methanol mixtures, tetraethyl-orthosilicate as a Si source and silver nanoparticles (NPs). Using EDS, XRD, HRTEM and High Angle Annular Dark Field (HAADF) STEM characterization techniques, we have found the coexistence of silver NPs and silver oxide NPs anchored to the surface of subm icron silica spheres, with NPs predominating sizes around 2-3 nm approximately, and 20 NPs sizes over 1O nm.Each ofthese presented articles describe the preparation and characterization ofthe core-shell SiO2@ structures and propase the reaction mechanisms. Finally, we presented the analysis and conclusion ofthis work.
  

• MORENO RAMOS, EDUARDO: Computer modeling of the polarity and amoeboid motion of living cells.
  
  Author: MORENO RAMOS, EDUARDO
  Thesis link: http://hdl.handle.net/10803/674382
  Programme: DOCTORAL DEGREE IN COMPUTATIONAL AND APPLIED PHYSICS
  Department: Department of Physics (FIS)
  Mode: Normal
  Reading date: 30/05/2022
  Thesis director: ALONSO MUÑOZ, SERGIO
  

  Committee:
       PRESIDENT: RAMIREZ DE LA PISCINA MILLAN, LAUREANO
       SECRETARI: IBAÑES MIGUEZ, MARTA
       VOCAL: BUCETA FERNÁNDEZ, JAVIER
  Thesis abstract: Cell motility is important in many biological processes. Some examples relay in epidermal cells moving towards lesions during wound healing, neutrophils cells migrating towards sites of bacterial infection as part of the immune response, or sperm cells following chemical gradient to reach the ovum.Migration is a process observed in both, prokaryotes and eukaryotes cells. There exist many different mechanisms of migration depending on the particular cell, such as flagella, amoeboid, crawling or gliding motility. This work focus on the mathematical description of amoeboid crawling-like movement which is one of the most common type of locomotion in eukaryotic cells.Motility involves a network of interactions among multiple biochemical components. For example, before moving, cells produce an accumulation of proteins/lipids at the membrane in response to an external signal. This process is known as polarization. Next step is the activation of the cytoskeleton, which is the responsible of the locomotion of the cell. Consequently, actin microfilament network forming the cytoskeleton, pushes the membrane and triggers the formation of pseudopods, blebs or filopodia giving rise to the motion of the cell.One well studied system for this purpose is the amoeba Dictyostelium Discoideum, which is a eukaryotic cell that moves in presence (chemotaxis) or absence of external signals. Experiments show that Dictyostelium Discoideum present different shapes during motion, perform directed motion inside micro channels, and interact/trasport with micro-objects like small beads.In this work, a mathematical nonlinear reaction-diffusion model in combination with a dynamic phase field is proposed to reproduce different motility scenarios as amoeboid and fan-shape. Experimental data related with the dynamics of Dictyostelium Discoideum were supplied by the Biological Physics Group at the University of Potsdam. A comparison between the numerical simulations and live cell experiments of D. Discoideum cells under different developmental conditions permits the optimization of the model.Alternatively, the model is extended to analyze the effects of the formation of clusters by the interaction with a group of cells and when a single cell is confined inside a microchannel.Two more complex biochemical models that take into account a more detailed dynamics of the intracellular reactions of D. Discoideum cells were also coupled to a dynamic phase field.This work produces a computational synthetic cell that mimic the dynamics of experimental cells. The use of numeric methods and mathematical models helps with the understanding of the biological process involved in cell locomotion.
  

• NAVARRO BOSQUE, JAVIER: Organització espacial i temporal de la pluja a l'àrea metropolitana de Barcelona
  
  Author: NAVARRO BOSQUE, JAVIER
  Thesis link: http://hdl.handle.net/10803/673995
  Programme: DOCTORAL DEGREE IN COMPUTATIONAL AND APPLIED PHYSICS
  Department: Department of Physics (FIS)
  Mode: Normal
  Reading date: 17/03/2022
  Thesis director: RODRIGUEZ SOLA, RAUL | CASAS CASTILLO, M. DEL CARMEN
  

  Committee:
       PRESIDENT: LORENTE CASTELLO, JERÓNIMO
       SECRETARI: ALARCON JORDAN, MARTA
       VOCAL: REDAÑO XIPELL, ANGEL
  Thesis abstract: In order to avoid the catastrophes caused by intense or even moderately intense, rainfall episodes, it is essential to have as exhaustive a knowledge as possible of the behaviour of the same. We have a source of information to study these behaviours with the data provided by rain gauges. Our work is based on data obtained from the dense network of rain gauges that the companies CLABSA / BCASA have been managing in the metropolitan area of Barcelona. Chronological series of rainfall data from 1994 to 2019, over 25 years, are currently available. This means that the results obtained with them are beginning to have climatic significance and statistical robustness. With this information we have done three types of studies, temporal, spatial and kinematic. With the first two we have completed and updated previous studies with more data, while the kinematic studies are the first to be obtained in the Barcelona area. Temporality studies are made by obtaining the intensity-duration-frequency (IDF) curves where we present the rainfall intensity as a function of its duration for different return periods. We do this individually for each of the stations in the network as well as for certain groupings of them, for example maximum value groupings. In all cases we can say that the results obtained are compatible and complement the results obtained previously with less data.Having the data from a network of rain gauges allows, among other things, to study the spatial structure of storms. In relation to this study we have calculated the number of independent stations which are equivalent to the network for the different rainfall durations. It is seen that this number is a value that decreases exponentially with the duration of the storms towards the value 1 (an independent station) and that for short durations five independent stations are enough to represent the urban network . We have designed a network of points, with a spacing of 300 m between them, so that with the Barnes interpolation method we assign to each of them a precipitation value. Using the experimental data of the stations we have studied the areal reduction factors (ARF) which should also allow us to obtain estimates of precipitation in a given area as a function of its value at a point. These calculations are again fundamentally compatible with the results obtained previously.We continue our work, taking advantage again that we have data from the network of rain gauges, with a study of the kinematics of rainfall. We assume that the storms are endowed with a constant speed and that the different properties studied, such as the "beginning of the rain" or the "first maximum intensity", have the same speed. The results indicate that not all the properties studied have exactly the same speed and to think that a rain has a constant speed is only an approximation.We end our work by extrapolating the temporary study methods to the data provided by different climate models applied in the Barcelona area and for the 21st century. These models provide data for daily time intervals, and we used downscaling techniques to obtain sub-daily time estimates so that we were able to perform a complete IDF time study.
  

• SILINI, RICCARDO: Causal inference and forecasting methods for climate data analysis
  
  Author: SILINI, RICCARDO
  Thesis link: http://hdl.handle.net/10803/674798
  Programme: DOCTORAL DEGREE IN COMPUTATIONAL AND APPLIED PHYSICS
  Department: Department of Physics (FIS)
  Mode: Normal
  Reading date: 05/07/2022
  Thesis director: MASOLLER, CRISTINA | BARREIRO PARRILLO, MARCELO
  

  Committee:
       PRESIDENT: PÉREZ MUÑUZURI, VICENTE
       SECRETARI: CORRAL CANO, ÁLVARO
       VOCAL: DONNER, REIK
  Thesis abstract: To advance time series forecasting we need to progress on multiple fronts. In this thesis, we develop algorithms to identify causal relations which allow to identify the driving processes containing useful information for the prediction of the process of interest. Complementing this, machine learning algorithms allow to exploit such information to build data-driven forecast models, and to correct the prediction of dynamical models. The identification from time series analysis of reliable indicators of causal relationships, is essential for many disciplines. Main challenges are distinguishing correlation from causality and discriminating between direct and indirect interactions. Over the years, many methods for data-driven causal inference have been proposed; however, their success largely depends on the characteristics of the system under investigation. Often, their data requirements, computational cost or number of parameters, limit their applicability. In this thesis, we propose a computationally efficient measure for causality testing, with the goal of overcoming the limitations of information-theoretic measures, due their high computational cost. The proposed metric is useful when causality networks need to be inferred from the analysis of a large number of relatively short time series. It can also be very useful for the selection of the inputs for the machine learning algorithms; in fact, it allows to identify those processes which contain useful information for the prediction of a given process. This is particularly useful for systems composed of a large number of processes, whose interactions are poorly understood. On the other hand, the socioeconomic impact of weather extremes draws the attention of researchers to the development of novel methodologies to make more accurate weather predictions. The Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO), which is the dominant mode of variability in the tropical atmosphere on sub-seasonal time scales, is particularly important because it can promote or enhance extreme events in both, the tropics and the extratropics.Currently, the prediction skill of MJO is receiving a lot of attention, and in this thesis we take two machine learning approaches; first we use machine learning as a stand-alone technique to analyze observed data, showing that two artificial neural networks, a feed-forward neural network and a recurrent neural network, allow a competitive prediction, yet not exceeding the skill of the state-of-art dynamical models. Then, we combine dynamical models with machine learning, which allows to improve the predictions of the best dynamical model. In particular, machine learning allows to improve the prediction of the MJO intensity and geographical localization
  

Last update: 06/10/2022 05:01:04.

Research groups

• (MC)2-UPC-Computational continuum mechanics
• AIEM-Architecture, energy and environment
• ANCORA-Analisi i control del ritme cardiac
• ANT-Advanced Nuclear Technologies Research Group
• BIOCOM-SC-Computational Biology and Complex Systems Group
• CEBIM-Molecular Biotechnology Centre
• CEMAD-Electrical Characterisation of Materials and Devices
• CPSV-Centre of Land Policy and Valuations
• CREB-Biomedical Engineering Research Centre
• CRnE-Barcelona Research Center in Multiscale Science and Engineering
• CTE-CRAE-Space Science and Technology Research Group
• CTTC - UPC-Heat and Mass Transfer Technological Center
• DF-Dinamica de Fluids: formacio d'estructures i aplicacions geofisiques
• DILAB-Dielectrics materials physic laboratory
• DONLL-Nonlinear dynamics, nonlinear optics and lasers
• DRM-Dosimetry and Medical Radiation Physics
• GAA-Astronomy and Astrophysics Group
• gAGE-Research Group of Astronomy and Geomatics
• GCM-Group of Characterization of Materials
• GICITED-Interdisciplinary Group on Building Scienceand and Technology
• GIES-Geophysics and Earthquake Engineering
• GMNE-Numerical Methods in Engineering Group
• ICARUS-Intelligent Communications and Avionics for Robust Unmanned Aerial Systems
• INSIDE-Innovation in Systems for Engineering Design and Training
• InSup-Surface Interaction in Bioengineering and Materials Science Research Group
• L'AIRE-Laboratory of Aeronautical and Industrial Research and Studies
• LAB-Laboratory of Applied Bioacoustics
• LACAN - UPC-Numerical Methods for Applied Sciences and Engineering
• LiTA-Architectural Innovation and Technology Laboratory
• NEMEN-Nanoengineering of Materials Applied to Energy
• RMEE-Strength of Materials and Structural Engineering Research Group
• RSLAB-Remote Sensing Lab
• SARTI-Technological Development Center for Remote Acquisition and Data Processing System
• SIMCON-First-principles approaches to condensed matter physics: quantum effects and complexity
• STH-Sustainability, Technology and Humanism
• TUAREG-Turbulence and Aerodynamics in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Research Group

Teachers

• Alarcon Jordan, Marta
• Alonso Maleta, Arantxa
• Alonso Muñoz, Sergio
• Alvarez Lacalle, Enric
• Anento Moreno, Napoleon
• Auguet Sangra, Carlota E.
• Batiste Boleda, Oriol
• Belana Punseti, Juan
• Benadero Garcia-Morato, Luis
• Boronat Medico, Jordi
• Botey Cumella, Muriel
• Bravo Guil, Eduardo
• Calvete Manrique, Daniel
• Canales Gabriel, Manel
• Cañadas Lorenzo, Juan Carlos
• Casas Castillo, M. del Carmen
• Casulleras Ambros, Joaquim
• CAZORLA SILVA, CLAUDIO
• Cojocaru, Crina
• Crespo Artiaga, Daniel
• Diego Vives, Jose Antonio
• Echebarria Dominguez, Blas
• Falques Serra, Albert
• Fayos Valles, Francisco
• Ferrer Anglada, Nuria
• Font Garcia, Josep Lluis
• Garcia Garcia, Jose Eduardo
• Garcia Ojalvo, Jordi
• Garcia Senz, Domingo
• Gil Pons, Pilar
• Giro Roca, Antoni
• Gomis Arbones, Vicente
• Gonzalez Cinca, Ricard
• Guardia Manuel, Elvira
• Herrero Simon, Ramon
• Isalgue Buxeda, Antonio
• Jose Pont, Jordi
• Lacasta Palacio, Ana Maria
• Lana Pons, Francisco Javier
• Lloveras Muntane, Pol
• Lopez Codina, Daniel
• Lopez Perez, David O.
• Macovez, Roberto
• Marques Truyol, Francisco
• Marti Rabassa, Jordi
• Martinez Santafe, Maria Dolors
• Martorell Pena, Jordi
• Masoller, Cristina
• Mazzanti Castrillejo, Ferran
• Mercader Calvo, Isabel
• Meseguer Serrano, Alvaro
• Mudarra Lopez, Miguel
• Net Marce, Marta
• Pardo Soto, Luis Carlos
• Pastor Satorras, Romualdo
• Peñaranda Ayllon, Angelina
• Pineda Soler, Eloi
• Pino Gonzalez, David
• Pons Rivero, Antonio Javier
• Pradell Cara, Trinitat
• Prats Soler, Clara
• Ramirez de la Piscina Millan, Laureano
• Redondo Apraiz, Jose Manuel
• Rey Oriol, Rosendo
• Ribas Prats, Cesca
• Rodriguez Cantalapiedra, Inmaculada
• Rodriguez Perez, Ivette Maria
• Rodriguez Sola, Raul
• Roset Calzada, Jaime
• Sala Cladellas, Gloria
• Salud Puig, Josep
• Sanchez Umbria, Juan Jose
• Sellares Gonzalez, Jordi
• Serra de Larrocha, Carina
• Serra Tort, Anna
• Serrat Jurado, Carles
• Sese Castel, Gemma
• Soria Guerrero, Manel
• Staliunas, Kestutis
• Talavera Sanchez, Pere
• Tamarit Mur, Josep Lluis
• Tauste Campo, Adrian Francisco
• Torrent Serra, Carme
• Torres Gil, Santiago
• Trull Silvestre, Jose Francisco
• Trullas Simo, Joaquim
• Valls Ribas, Quim
• Vilaseca Alavedra, Ramon