MATERIALS UNIT
MATERIALS SCIENCE
The Materials Science Division develops polymer and materials technologies for multiple potential applications. Its researchers are addressing recycling and processing, composites and nanomaterials, materials for regenerative medicine and materials for specialized applications. The polymer and materials area focuses on developing new processes and recyclable materials for the construction, automotive and agricultural industries. Research in the composites and nanomaterials area concentrates on creating hierarchical materials based on micro- or nano-fillers for polymeric matrices (thermoplastic and thermoset) to generate new materials with improved sensing capabilities and structural applications. Synthesizing and characterizing polymer-based materials for hard and soft tissue replacement is the main emphasis in the materials for regenerative medicine area. Researchers in the materials for specialized applications area study membranes for gas and liquid separation, electrodes for polymeric supercapacitors and electrocatalysts for PEM fuel cells, among others.
mission
To generate knowledge, develop technologies and train highly-qualified researchers in polymeric materials science with the goals of solving local, national and international challenges through basic and applied research, collaborating with industry and publicizing scientific and technological activities.
vision
The Division will generate cutting-edge research and innovations in polymer and materials science, transfer the knowledge created by producing world-class researchers, be recognized for the quality if its graduates, and become a national and international reference point in polymer materials.
RESEARCH AREAS
1. COMPOSITES AND NANOMATERIALS
Research in this area concentrates on developing hierarchical materials based on micro- and nano-fillers and polymeric matrices to obtain materials with improved properties. Polymeric composite studies are addressing the use of either natural fibers or engineered/synthetic fibers, which are modified to create improved interphases for producing materials with high mechanical performance in structural and advanced applications. Research on nanocomposites focuses on using and functionalizing nanostructures such as carbon nanotubes, graphene and nano-cellulose to develop self-sensing and self-repairing materials for sensing applications.
RESEARCHERS
- Pedro Jesús Herrera Franco, PhD.
- Alex Valadez González, PhD.
- José Gonzalo Carrillo Baeza, PhD.
- Francis Avilés Cetina, PhD.
- Pedro Iván González Chi, PhD.
- Jorge Alonso Uribe Calderón, PhD.
2. MATERIALS RECYCLING AND PROCESSING
In this research area the main objective is to promote recycling culture by developing new processes and recyclable materials for the construction, automotive and agricultural industries. Plastic wood and composite plastic wood has been developed at the Centro de Innovación Tecnológica (CIT). Biofuels are being prepared from non-food crops and organic waste. This includes the production of lignocellulosic ethanol, and biodiesel production from used oils.
RESEARCHERS
- Ricardo Herbé Cruz Estrada, PhD.
- Carlos Rolando Ríos Soberanis, PhD.
- Gonzalo Canché Escamilla, PhD.
- Javier Guillen Mallete, PhD.
3. MATERIALS FOR REGENERATIVE MEDICINE
Researchers in this area synthesize and characterize polymer-based biomaterials for applications such as hard and soft tissue replacement, as well as study structure-property relationships to develop innovative materials. They also create scaffolds with a variety of architectures for tubular tissues (e.g. vascular grafts, urethra).
RESEARCHERS
- Juan Valerio Cauich Rodríguez, PhD.
- José Manuel Cervantes Uc, PhD.
- Fernando Hernández Sánchez, PhD.
- Nayeli Rodríguez Fuentes, PhD.
4. MATERIALS FOR SPECIALIZED APPLICATIONS
Research in this area concentrates on developing membranes for gas and liquid separation. Among the studies done are development of nanostructured electroconductive polymers for use as electrodes in polymeric supercapacitors, electrocatalyst in PEM fuel cells and sensors. Also, inorganic catalysts are being developed for direct ethanol fuel cells, different materials and parts for fuel cells are being created, such as bipolar plates and ion-conductive membranes, as well as fuel cell stacks.
RESEARCHERS
Staff
Researchers
- Alex Valadez González, PhD.
- Angel de Jesús Montes Luna, PhD.
- Aarón Rivas Menchi, PhD.
- Carlos Rolando Ríos Soberanis, PhD.
- Fernando Hernández Sánchez, PhD.
- Francis Avilés Cetina, PhD.
- Gonzalo Canché Escamilla, PhD.
- José Gonzalo Carrillo Baeza, PhD.
- José Manuel Cervantes Uc, PhD.
- Jorge Alonso Uribe Calderón, PhD.
- Juan Valerio Cauich Rodríguez, PhD.
- Manuel de Jesús Aguilar Vega, PhD.
- María Ortencia González Díaz, PhD.
- Nayeli Rodríguez Fuentes, PhD.
- Pedro Jesús Herrera Franco, PhD.
- Pedro Iván González Chi, PhD.
- Ricardo Herbé Cruz Estrada, PhD.
ENGINEER
TECHNICIANS
- Carlos Vidal Cupul-Manzano, MSc.
- José de los Ángeles Rodríguez Laviada, MSc.
- Santiago Duarte Aranda
- Alejandro May Pat, PhD.
- Javier Cauich Cupul, MSc.
- Miguel Angel Rivero Ayala
- María Verónica Moreno Chulim, MSc.
- Cesar Martín Barrera, MSc.
- Rossana Faride Vargas Coronado
- Hugo Joel Carrillo, PhD.
- Wilberth Herrera Kao, PhD.
- María Isabel Loría Bastarrachea, MSc.
- Rita del Rosario Sulub Sulub, PhD.
Contact
Juan Valerio Cauich-Rodríguez (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)
Director, Materials Science Division
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.