Research experience and interests

Energy and environmental management in the transportation sector

Shipping in the global emissions market: energy challenges, environmental consequences and technical-economic impacts.
Environmental impact analysis of air pollutant emissions from shipping and aviation.
Air emissions’ reduction technologies for the maritime sector.
Policies and techniques to reduce emissions of air pollutants at ports. Energy, environmental analysis and cost-efficiency issues.
Environmental and social consequences of air pollution in the transportation sector.
Alternative technologies and renewable energy implementation in the shipping sector.
Intelligent energy management in ports.

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) study and Eco-efficiency analysis of electrochromic devices, photovoltaic systems and glazing, for energy saving applications in buildings.
Use of commercial computer simulation programs (i.e. Sima Pro) for life cycle analysis of Renewable Energy systems.
Development of a methodology for energy labelling of building elements (i.e. glazing) with a combination of life cycle analysis and ecological performance assessment.
Combined environmental, energy and economic assessment of energy systems (wind-solar-photovoltaic plants, geothermal installations, etc.)

Investigation for the necessary procedures for the integration of RES in remote communities, environmental legislation, public awareness on energy issues: energy savings in buildings, renewable energy for domestic use, environmental issues, large-scale projects.
Recording and modelling of Renewable Energy Sources potential
Planning, design and modelling of decentralized energy networks (distributed energy networks - microgrids).
Development of stochastic models for the management of wind farms and renewable energy systems.

Experimental preparation and characterization of "smart" electrochromic glazing, incorporating thin films of metal oxides (WO3, MoO3, V2O5) and conductive electrodes (ZnS / Ag / ZnS, SnO2:F).
Theoretical design, modelling, preparation and characterization of low emissivity coatings (low-e coatings) for application in energy saving glazing.
Modelling of the operating processes, design and manufacture of solid electrolytes for fuel cells.
Preparation and study of thin film electroluminescent devices using polymers.
Preparation of thin film dielectrics and metals (such as ZnS, TiO2, MgF2, Ag, Al, Cu) with thicknesses ranging from 10 nm to 1 mm, for application in coatings for solar radiation management for energy saving applications in buildings.

Significant experience in the characterization of thin films: Spectroscopy (in the visible and near infrared), FTIR, emissivity measurement, SEM (scanning electron microscopy), XPS (photoelectron spectroscopy of X-rays).
Installation and operation of sterile area (glove box) with fully controlled conditions of moisture and oxygen (<<1 ppm) for the preparation and study of samples.
Installation and operation of potensiostat-galvanostat for electrochemical measurements.
Design and implementation of Cyclic Voltammetry experiments and non-continuous stoichiometric analysis GITT (Galvanostatic Intermittent Titration Technique) to electrochromic and electrochemical devices.
Design and implementation of experiments measuring very small changes in mass of material deposited on an electrode using electrochemical microbalance crystal quartz (Electrochemical Quartz Crystal Microbalance).
Design, installation and operation of high vacuum systems (~10-6 mbar) for thin film preparation (Electron beam deposition and thermal sublimation) and accessories such as vacuum power feedthroughs, water cooling systems, sample rotation provisions, shutters, etc.
Design, installation and operation of instrument for in situ measurement of thin film thickness.

Design and experimental study of various types flat solar collectors: a. with or without transparent cover, b. with coloured absorber for aesthetic integration into building façades and roofs, c. with plain or selective absorber.
Experience in designing, manufacturing and testing of stationary high-efficiency solar collector using asymmetric mirrors (type CPC) and flat or cylindrical absorbers.
Study of high performance solar thermal collectors with reverse absorber.
Design and experimental study of stationary concentrating mirrors to improve the thermal performance of solar collectors.
Design of solar devices, systems and devices for large scale water heating applications (residential buildings, hotels, swimming pools, industry, etc.).
Experience in programming scientific equipment for receiving, recording and analyzing experimental measurements: temperature, solar radiation, wind speed and direction, etc.

Design and experimental study of concentrating photovoltaic cells with enhanced performance for integration into building façades.
Hybrid photovoltaic / thermal systems: experimental study to optimize the electrical and thermal performance of photovoltaic modules with mounted heat exchangers using air or water.
Experimental study for the optimization of the efficiency (electrical and thermal) of photovoltaic modules using diffuse reflectors in order to increase the incident solar radiation uniformly.
Study of the output power of photovoltaic modules on concurrent simulation of their energy behaviour in an annual basis.

Design and fabrication of special chambers (Test Cell) for thermal and energy characterization of structural elements of buildings.
Significant experience in conducting experiments in Test Cells for determining the thermal properties of various building elements (windows, components, façades, solar cells, shades, solar collectors).
Fabrication and calibration of "Hot Box" and "Hot Plate" unit for the thermal characterization of building materials.
Characterization of building components (such as windows, frames, glazing, special walls, energy façades, insulation, etc.). Calculation of thermal conductivity and thermal transmittance (U-Value).
Modelling of building energy consumption and annual energy performance of buildings elements (eg photovoltaic, solar panels), using computer simulation programs (Window, EnergyPlus, ResFen).
Study of the energy performance of buildings incorporating "smart" energy glazing.