Research Groups

URJC EXCELLENCE

Doctorate Supervisor Contact	URJC EXCELLENCE RESEARCH GROUPS	SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH LINES
Marcos Martínez, Esperanza; esperanza.marcos@urjc.es	Group of Excellence in Service Science, Management and Engineering (GES2ME)	Smart Transport. Servitization. Strategic management of knowledge and innovation. Interaction Management. Advertising and media.
Fajardo González, Mariano; mariano.fajardo@urjc.es	King Juan Carlos University Chemical Compounds and Nanostructured Materials in Advanced Applications Group (QUINANOAP)	The preparation, characterisation, and study of the catalytic properties of new metal complexes and nanostructured materials. The preparation, characterisation, and study of the biological properties of new metal complexes and nanostructured materials. The production of polymer biomaterials via heteroscorpionate complexes of group 2 metals and analogues. The synthesis, characterisation, and optoelectronic applications of new molecular organic materials. The study of the molecular bases of the relationship between diabetes and cancers. The study of metabolic therapeutic targets. Cell death studies. The optic characterisation of organic materials and photoluminescent organometallics and the manufacturing and electro-optical characterisation of nanostructured organic electroluminescent devices. The mathematical modelling of real physical and biological processes; non-linear systems; precise solutions; numerical calculation; soliton equations. Self-healing materials.
Rams Ramos, Joaquín; joaquin.rams@urjc.es	The Materials Science and Engineering group (CIM)	Light alloys for transport. Modification and coating of magnesium alloys for use in the transport industry. Development of Al-SiC composite materials for applications in the automotive sector. PROCESSING AND CHARACTERIZATION OF POLYMER MATRIX COMPOSITES AND MATERIALS NANOCOMPOSITES. Manufacture of epoxy matrix materials nanorreforzados with CNF and CNT. Development of nanoreinforced conductive adhesives. Manufacturing of composite materials with multiscale reinforcement. Application of multifunctional composite materials for applications in structural health monitoring (SHM). Nanostructured epoxy resins based on addition of thermoplastic block copolymers.
Maestre Gil, Fernando; Tomás, fernando.maestre@urjc.es	Global Change and Ecosystem Impacts (CAMGLO)	Climate change and ecosystem processes. Impacts of global change on biodiversity and forest ecosystems. Biotechnology and Global Change.
Criado Herrero, Regino; regino.criado@urjc.es	Complex Networks in Sciences, Society, and Technology Analysis Group (GARECOM)	Structural analysis and complex modelling and socioeconomic networks. Biological network analysis, modelling, and testing. Data and Security Network Analysis. Smart cities transport network analysis.
Rodríguez Pérez, Jesús; jesus.rodriguez.perez@urjc.es	Experimental and computational mechanics: simulation and analysis (GMEC)	Deformation and mechanical integrity of materials.
Ramos López, Francisco Javier; javier.ramos@urjc.es	Information and Communications Technologies (ICT)	ICT for Biomedical Engineering. ICT for development. Networking Signal Processing. Aerospace Engineering. The Internet of the future. Distributed Systems. Free software.
Hernández Tamames, Juan Antonio; juan.tamames@urjc.es	Computer Vision and Image Processing (CVIP)	Mathematical methods applied to machine vision. Medical Imaging. Facial analysis in images and video. Information technology biometrics. High Performance Computation and Robotic and home automation optimisation. Remote sensing imaging analysis applied to geology.
Guillermo Calleja Pardo; guillermo.calleja@urjc.es	Chemical and Environmental Engineering Group (GIQA)	Biomass and Bioenergy. Production, Characterization and Polymer Recycling. Environmental Management and Technology. Sustainable Energy Technologies for Fossil Fuels. Hydrogen Production and Storage. Water Treatment.
Ríos Insua, David; david.rios@urjc.es	URJC Applied Social Research Methods Group (METHAODOS.ORG)	Statistical Methods for Risk Analysis. Analytics, Data Mining, and Big Data. Optimisation Methods and the Decision Sciences. Sociology, Applied communication, and Culture.

UAH RESEARCH GROUPS

Research Group Directors contact information	UAH Research Groups	Research Lines
Fernando Cruz Roldán fernando.cruz@uah.es	COMB: Communications, Multirate Signal Processing and Biomedical Engineering	Among the thematic areas of the CEI, the COMB research group focuses its scientific activity in the design and implementation of several narrow and broadband transmission techniques through the power line, using channel partitioning methods such as multicarrier or single carrier modulations with redundant samples. Power line communications (PLC) have multiple applications and advantages, and are therefore a technology of growing scientific and industrial interest. These technologies allow in-door broadband coverage for buildings taking advantage of the existing electrical wiring, and also allow interconnecting all electronic equipment, which enables remote control. These technologies can also be applied to platforms, such as vehicles, ships or aircraft, reducing wiring and consequently, the weight and cost of manufacture. COMB research group studies several issues of communications over the power line network for in-door and platforms, considering both narrow and broadband communications, in the context of Smart Grid. Our research focuses on the medium access techniques recommended in standards, such as OFDM, with and without windowing, and Wavelet OFDM, based on a cosine modulated filter banks. Another innovative research of the group is the proposal of alternative mediuam access techniques, which provide substantial improvements. Among them, the use of discrete trigonometric transforms (DTTs) and filter banks with redundancy. All the above techniques are also applicable to communications between vehicles. Our main research lines include but are not limited to the following: • Design of transceivers for narrow and broadband power line communications, in-doors and platforms. • Channel estimation and synchronization techniques for single- and multi-carrier systems. • Signal Processing in broadband communications.
Cervera Sarda, María; Rosarosa.cervera@uah.es	ECO-FUTURING: Green City Design Laboratory	The Research Group’s main study area involves analysing cities with respect to environmental impact and proposing alternatives that improve energy efficiency in urban areas. Redefining the city model is one of the major challenges of the 21st century. The energy consumed in today’s urban areas and the effects of harmful emissions produced from both buildings and transportation mean new alternatives are required to strike a balance between the environment and the improvement of citizens’ quality of life. The current way results in the systematic destruction of the environment, and whether we humans will be able to survive without the environment is unknown. A priority target is to review the different urban networks and layouts, and assess their consumption and emissions. The Research Group will also develop sustainability indicator studies, using the results to assess their suitability and to put new proposals forward. The study of urban mobility and infrastructure-related aspects is considered essential, given they are largely responsible for the city’s structure and, as such, whether or not an efficient city is built. This will be concluded with case studies, reviewing cities or urban areas that have implemented or are in the process of implementing new alternative policies to transform the concept of a “brown city” to a “green city”, or an energy consuming city to an energy producing city and an environmental balance. The group’s main research lines are as follows: • Urban Sustainability Indicators • Consolidated City adaptation to the new Sustainability challenges of the 21st Century • An analysis of the urban fabric in terms of its environmental impact • The concept of Networks in Urban Morphology • Case Studies • Sustainable Urban Infrastructures • Mobility and Urban Transport • Indicadores de Sostenibilidad Urbana. • Adaptación de la Ciudad Consolidada a los nuevos retos de Sostenibilidad del Siglo XXI. • Análisis de tramas urbanas en relación con su impacto ambiental. • El concepto de Redes en la Morfología Urbana. • Estudio de Casos. • Infraestructuras Urbanas Sostenibles. • Movilidad y Transporte urbano.
Salcedo Sanz, Sancho; sancho.salcedo@uah.es	GHEODE: Modern Heuristic Optimisation Techniques and Communications Network Design	Basic research into the modern heuristic optimisation techniques, essentially evolutionary and heuristic computation techniques. Without ruling out any other possibility, the first line of applications involve optimisation and communications network design issues.
García Barriocanal, Elena; elena.garciab@uah.es	Information Engineering Research Unit	Highly productive development and research group, whose main objective is to bring technology closer to both people’s and organisations’ needs, providing custom applications on demand, creating simple and functional solutions, and providing services adaptable to different contexts and preferences. The group’s main research lines are as follows: • Automatic learning and knowledge engineering • Software engineering and Information systems engineering • Educational technology and knowledge management
Velasco Pérez, Juan Ramón; juanramon.velasco@uah.es	Telematic Services Engineering	The GIST research group is comprised of three research units: IKACS (Intelligence, Knowledge, Agents and Complex Systems). This unit works in the general field of Applied Artificial Intelligence, undertaking research work and developing complex systems in the optimisation field, essentially in vehicle networks, telematic service personalisation, and knowledge based systems. NETSERV (Networks & Services). This unit researches and implements devices and protocols for campus and metropolitan Advanced Ethernet Networks, layer two routing in wired and wireless networks, service quality and MPLS applications, and modelling to access mobile networks. NESIS (Network Systems and information Security). This unit works on security solutions, which include both data protection with cryptographic tools as well as the monitoring and protection of information technology devices. The group’s main research lines are as follows: • Agents and multiagent systems • Analysis and modelling of mobile networks • MPLS technology applications • Network service quality • Applied artificial intelligence • Automated negotiation • Complex systems optimisation • Markov decision processes. Reinforcement learning • Vehicle networks • Mobile scenario security (ad-hoc networks, vehicle networks, Smart Spaces) • Web Services • Knowledge based systems • Security management methodologies and systems, and Security auditing • Cryptographic solutions for corporate and academic domains • Wireless, Mesh and vehicle networks
Mazo Quintas, Manuel R.; jesus.urena@uah.es	GEINTRA: Electronic engineering applied to Smart Spaces and Transport	Audiovisual Sensory Systems: • The detection, location, monitoring, and identification of objects and persons in smart spaces using audio-visual fusion • Audio-visual human-machine interaction in smart spaces • Railway infrastructure security, monitoring, and control Ultrasound and radiofrequency sensory systems: • Local positioning systems (LPS) and relative positioning systems • Advanced sensory systems for mobile robots • The use of ultrasound in subaquatic environments Infrared sensory systems • Sensory systems based on infrared for metrology, localisation, and mobile positioning in smart spaces • Training systems and image transfer systems via optic fibre Network control systems or NCS-y network control systems in real time. Application to ITS (Intelligent Transportation Systems): • Cooperative guiding in ITS. Smart alternative route choice • Diagnostic systems and failure prevention in railway electric substations Support systems and products or Human-Machine Interfaces in support applications and personal robotics: • Localisation and mobility systems in support applications and personal robotics The design, implementation, and testing of electronic systems for: • Tools and methodologies for automating SoC design and development • Scalable architecture with high calculating power based on clusters for parallel processing, using commercial platforms • Sensory platforms and systems based on FPGAs for image and signal processing Electronics and communications in smart spaces and transport systems • Sensor and communications networks for smart spaces • Auxiliary systems for High Speed Lines • Track circuits and track safety systems
Rodríguez Sánchez, Francisco Javier; franciscoj.rodriguez@uah.es	GEISER: Electronic engineering applied to renewable energy systems	Application of measurement electronics, control, communications, and power to renewable energy systems. The group’s main research lines are as follows: • Circuit designs • Control devices • Control electrical equipment • Unconventional energy sources • Energy generation • Control engineering
Sotelo Vázquez, Miguel A.; miguel.sotelo@uah.es	Innovative Sensing and Intelligent Systems	Their activity is undertaken in the area of latest generation sensors to develop high resolution, three dimensional, sensing systems. Additionally, this line of research is aimed at creating sensory systems for use in energy efficiency improvement within the framework of the smart cities of the future. Analysis and interpretation systems use the data provided from the advanced sensory systems based on machine learning techniques and smart systems. Developing this type of systems, heavily based on collective learning algorithms, is the key aim of this group’s research.
Chías Navarro, Pilar; pilar.chias@uah.es	IPAS: Heritage Intervention and Sustainable Architecture	The group’s main research lines are as follows: • Refitting architecture and the city for the disabled • The application of perceptive qualitative aspects in urban planning • Sustainable Architecture. Ecodesign • Heritage intervention. Intervention techniques • Foundations intervention • Cultural Interest Asset Inventory • Sound and Visual Perception in Architecture and the City Research Laboratory (LIPSVAC) • Soundscapes • Geographical Hypermedia Information Systems
Gutiérrez Martínez, José María; josem.gutierrez@uah.es	Smart Mobile Platforms	Research and development into new mobile platforms to improve process efficiency. The group’s approach targets the development of software components and their integration. Advanced data processing using these technologies will enable knowledge management to go further than simply data processing. • Data transfer devices • Software Project Management • Software engineering and Information systems engineering
Maldonado Bascón, Saturnino; saturnino.maldonado@uah.es	Multisensory Analysis and Recognition (GRAM)	The group has extensive experience in developing and implementing algorithms for advanced image processing and machine vision. The group has successfully worked with images and video sequences from infra-red cameras, time-of-flight cameras (ToF), gas sensors or liquid sensors. Similarly, they have extensive experience in developing pattern recognition algorithms applied to analysing and classifying signals coming from the aforementioned sensors. Some of the most important applications tackled by this research group include: • An analysis of road infrastructures through digital image processing, providing a range of solutions to the following problems: • Traffic sign detection and recognition. • Vehicle class detection and recognition. • Asphalt condition analysis. • Traffic sign retroreflectivity calculation. • Vehicle number plate recognition. • Development of smart surveillance video systems, dealing with the following issues: • Detection and recognition of object types in complex scenes. • Recognition of journeys and activities in dynamic environments. • An estimation of the posture of objects in the urban setting. • Recognition of objects from time-of-flight camera point clouds.
Bergasa Pascual, Luis M.; luism.bergasa@uah.es	Service Robotics and Road Safety Technologies	The group’s main objective is to study and research in the fields of Service Robotics and Road Safety. On the one hand, the aim is to develop basic research that can become consolidated science over the years, and as such, create new knowledge in the proposed study areas. On the other, application of consolidated knowledge from the research group’s previous work is considered a priority. Technology Transfer is a basic aim for the group for that precise reason, and in fact, fluid collaboration is currently ongoing with companies in both the Automotive sector and Service Robotics sector. The following specific areas are included: -Smart control applied to robotics -Multisensory perception systems (machine vision and others) -Localisation systems, mapping, and navigation of mobile robots in indoor and outdoor environments -Advanced assisted driving systems -Transport infrastructure monitoring systems -Road infrastructure inspection system -Automatic vehicle driving The group has developed a range of technologies which include: -Lane departure warnings and ACC using vision and laser -Pedestrian and traffic sign detection and recognition -Blind spot vehicle detection -Drowsiness and distraction detection in both drivers and passengers -Automatic switching between full and dipped beam vehicle lights -Road potholes detection -Automatic vertical and gantry sign inspection on roads -Intersection monitoring and automatic traffic light activation -An autonomous robotic system to help elderly people: autonomous navigation and automatic monitoring -Guidance for blind persons using visual maps and semantic information
Rodríguez Moreno, M.; Dolores mdolores@aut.uah.es	Smart Systems	The group’s main aim is to study and apply smart systems to the field of wireless and self-regulating personal communications. The aim is to fully implement mobile and multi-user mobile communications systems, from their initial design until they are fully operational. The most modern and functional hardware like Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, RFID, etc. will be used to that end. With respect to software, Artificial Intelligence techniques will be used, such as Planning and Scheduling and simulation applications. Some members of the group have completed these types of developments in spatial applications. The group’s main research lines are as follows: • Application of artificial intelligence systems to real domains such as: work flow, web, spatial missions or e-Learning • Final applications of wireless communication technologies • Implementation of OSI level internal communication architectures • Integration of smart systems in lower communication levels • Artificial intelligence: planning, scheduling, monitoring, and replanning • Automatic reasoning • Multi-user communication systems and socio-environmental intelligence, the scaling up of current techniques and methodologies to high density environments
Jarabo Amores, M. Pilar; mpilar.jarabo@uah.es	High Frequency Technologies (GTAF)	The High Frequency Technologies Group (GTAF) came into being in September 2006 as part of the University of Alcalá (UAH) Signalling and Communications Theory Department, through the collaboration of several professors from the aforementioned department with research lines in the high frequency technologies area. The GTAF’s research activity falls within the area of communication systems design, radiodetermination and radar: – Acquired signal processing with active and passive radar sensors (conventional, HRR, SAR, and ISAR) in detection, classification, and monitoring tasks. – Electromagnetic field propagation and dispersion. – Microwave circuits design: antennas, transmitters and receivers. – Digital communications system design. Software-defined radio. – Electromagnetic compatibility.
Azqueta Oyarzun, Diego; diego.azqueta@uah.es	Environmental Economy	Environmental economy is a sub-discipline that aims to use economic analysis to focus on the adverse environmental effects of production processes and goods and services consumption, and put forward economic tools to prevent and manage environmental impacts. Important concepts to know for the first area include externalities, market failures, property rights (public assets and free access resources), the highest level of environmental degradation, and the total economic value. When it comes to actual problem solving applications, the basic framework to help decision making is through cost-benefit analysis (complemented with economic evaluation techniques specially developed for the environmental economy) and the effects of a set of financial tools (taxes, subsidies, tradable permits, etc.) on economic agent behaviour are also known. Overall, it can be said that the foundations and tools of environmental economy are based around the idea of estimating the impacts of environmental quality changes on wellbeing. The group’s main research lines are as follows: • The analysis of public policies with environmental implications • Environmental and natural resources accounting • The energy economy • The water economy • Economic evaluation of ecosystem services
Esteve Núñez, Abraham; abraham.esteve@uah.es	Bioelectrogenesis	The idea of renewable energy sources could be impacted by a recent and exciting discovery, bioelectrogenesis, a process whereby bacteria can directly transfer electrons to conducting surfaces such as graphite, meaning clean energy can be stored. Our activity is particularly focused on researching and developing bioelectrogenic devices with the aim of understanding bacteria-electrode interaction, but also includes a strong practical component. We strongly believe that investing time to study aspects of this new technology will accelerate its development. The group’s main research lines are as follows: • Physiology and Biochemistry of microbial electrogenesis aimed at understanding the exocelular transfer of electrons, to identify electrogenic biomolecules in the bacterial membrane, to optimise bacteria-electrode interaction using nanotechnology, and to study microbial electrogenesis from Systems Biology. • Environmental microbial electrogenesis aimed at studying microbial electrogenesis in natural environments, to stimulate biorecovery in situ with pollutants, to characterise electrogenic populations in natural environments, to investigate electrogenic bacteria-plant interaction. • Microbial electrogenesis and bioengineering aimed at developing electrogenic waste water treatments, to develop desalination systems based on microbial electrogenesis, to build devices to store and use bioelectricity, to design electrogenic biosensors
Pérez Díaz, José Luis; pablo.diaz@uah.es	Mechanical, electric, and thermal technology for energy applications	Applied multidisciplinary research in mechanical, electric, and thermal technologies integrated in energy systems The group’s main research lines are as follows: • Electric grid quality • Energy conversion or unconventional energy sources • Energy efficiency. • Rural electrification with renewable energies. • Photovoltaic installations connected to the grid. • High and low temperature solar thermal installations. • Wind generator maintenance. • Monitoring and vibration dampening in aerospace structures.