Characterization, Corrosion and Degradation of Materials
Scientic Supervisor / Contact Person
Name and Surname
Marta Mohedano
ORCID (link)
Localization & Research Area
Faculty / Institute
Faculty of Chemical Science
Department
chemical and materials engineering
Research Area
Chemistry (CHE), Physics (PHY)
MSCA & ERC experience
Research group / research team hosted any MSCA fellow?
Yes
Research group / research team have any ERC beneficiaries?
No
Research Team & Research Topic
Research Team / Research Group Name (if any)
Characterization, Corrosion and Degradation of Materials
Website of the Research team / Research Group / Department
Brief description of the Research Team / Research Group / Department
The UCM group (www.ucm.es/ccrm), led by Dr. Raúl Arrabal (Associate Professor, UCM), recognized as “Excellent” by the Spanish State Research Agency (AEI), with an outstanding score of 99/100 in 2023, has decades of experience in the study of corrosion, degradation and protection of light alloys, steels and metal matrix composites. In the last years, the group has specialized in advanced anodizing technologies, conversion coatings, plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO), metallic coatings and paints, with a strong emphasis on active corrosion protection by smart coatings for light alloys used in transportation and biomedical applications. The latter is further enhanced by the group’s access to biovalidation facilities at the Pluridisciplinary Institute of UCM, to which one of the group members is ascribed (E. Matykina). The group boasts a solid international recognition with more than 150 JCR publications on light alloy functionalization and several European projects and international patents (see CVs). UCM maintains dynamic collaborations with international partners and companies, including TUDelft, The University of Manchester, Hereon, TUGraz, UMons, MADIT, Sicnova, AkzoNobel and Meotec.
Available Equipment:
*Access to platforms such as Scopus, Sciencedirect, Web of Science and AENORmas. Equipment for metallographic preparation (polishers, cutters, electropolishing, ultrasonic baths, etc.).
*DC and AC anodizing and PEO stations (ET Systems, Delta Elektronika) with 1L, 2L, 5L and 10 L double-jacket cells. 100L anodizing bath for large specimens.
* Corrosion testing: salt spray and humidity chambers (CCM-MX, CCK), 5 potentiostats (GillAC, Autolab, Gamry). Automated scanning platform for localized electrochemical techniques (SVET, SIET and SMOT, Science Wares Inc.).
* Other equipment: Dip-coater (Nadetech). Furnaces and bacteriological incubators, fume hoods, precision scales, pH meters, etc. Vacuum unit (Labolan). Tribometer with corrosion cell (Microtest). Microscopes and stereomicroscopes (Leica, BMS). Profilometers (Taylor Hobson, Alicona). UVVis spectrophotometers (Shimadzu, Ocean Optics). Eddy current probe (Fischer), contact angle (FTA) and adhesion (DeFelsko) testers.
* Access to XRD, AFM, SKPFM, SEM, EPMA, FTIR, TEM, Raman, ICP-OES, ICP-MS, HPLC and specialized sample preparation equipment (ultramicrotomy, PIPS, ultrasonic cutter, sputter coater, evaporator, etc.) through the infrastructures available at the UCM Research Support Centres and the Singular Scientific and Technical Infrastructure National Centre for Electron Microscopy (ICTSCNME). For XPS and RBS characterization, the services available at CENIM, University of Vigo (CACTI) and CMAM-UAM will be used.
* Access to tissue engineering laboratories at the UCM’s Pluridisciplinary Institute for in vitro biocompatibility studies: mammalian cell lines, multiple flow hoods, centrifuges, incubators, fluorescence microscopy and multiple viability assays (proliferation, metabolic activity, cell death). Access to CAI Bioimage Complutense and CAI Biological Techniques.
Available Equipment:
*Access to platforms such as Scopus, Sciencedirect, Web of Science and AENORmas. Equipment for metallographic preparation (polishers, cutters, electropolishing, ultrasonic baths, etc.).
*DC and AC anodizing and PEO stations (ET Systems, Delta Elektronika) with 1L, 2L, 5L and 10 L double-jacket cells. 100L anodizing bath for large specimens.
* Corrosion testing: salt spray and humidity chambers (CCM-MX, CCK), 5 potentiostats (GillAC, Autolab, Gamry). Automated scanning platform for localized electrochemical techniques (SVET, SIET and SMOT, Science Wares Inc.).
* Other equipment: Dip-coater (Nadetech). Furnaces and bacteriological incubators, fume hoods, precision scales, pH meters, etc. Vacuum unit (Labolan). Tribometer with corrosion cell (Microtest). Microscopes and stereomicroscopes (Leica, BMS). Profilometers (Taylor Hobson, Alicona). UVVis spectrophotometers (Shimadzu, Ocean Optics). Eddy current probe (Fischer), contact angle (FTA) and adhesion (DeFelsko) testers.
* Access to XRD, AFM, SKPFM, SEM, EPMA, FTIR, TEM, Raman, ICP-OES, ICP-MS, HPLC and specialized sample preparation equipment (ultramicrotomy, PIPS, ultrasonic cutter, sputter coater, evaporator, etc.) through the infrastructures available at the UCM Research Support Centres and the Singular Scientific and Technical Infrastructure National Centre for Electron Microscopy (ICTSCNME). For XPS and RBS characterization, the services available at CENIM, University of Vigo (CACTI) and CMAM-UAM will be used.
* Access to tissue engineering laboratories at the UCM’s Pluridisciplinary Institute for in vitro biocompatibility studies: mammalian cell lines, multiple flow hoods, centrifuges, incubators, fluorescence microscopy and multiple viability assays (proliferation, metabolic activity, cell death). Access to CAI Bioimage Complutense and CAI Biological Techniques.
Research lines / projects proposed
Development of absorbable implants that can be adapted to each patient's specific health status and physiology. The implants will be individually manufactured using additive manufacturing from powders of Zn-Mg-Ca ternary alloy systems and the candidate will be in charge of characterization (SEM,TEM,XRD,EDS...) and evaluation of the corrosion behavior (Potentiodynamic curves, Impedance) and surface modification. The project aims to simultaneously integrate the influence of individual physiological parameters into the design and material selection, opening new possibilities in personalized medicine.
Key words
Application requirements
Professional Experience & Documents
Have completed PhD in materials science, biomedical engineering, or a related field.
Have published in high-impact journals on topics related to biodegradable metals, additive manufacturing, or implant characterization.
Have experience with characterization techniques (SEM, TEM, XRD...), corrosion evaluation (DC curves, impedance) and surface modification (eg: PEO coatings).
The candidate must submit a CV and a letter of motivation
Have published in high-impact journals on topics related to biodegradable metals, additive manufacturing, or implant characterization.
Have experience with characterization techniques (SEM, TEM, XRD...), corrosion evaluation (DC curves, impedance) and surface modification (eg: PEO coatings).
The candidate must submit a CV and a letter of motivation
One Page Proposal
You can attach the 'One Page Proposal' to enhance the attractiveness of your application. Supervisors usually appreciate it. Please take into account your background and the information provided in Research Team & Research Topic section to fill in it.
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