Dr Cristina Vallés is a Lecturer at the Department of Materials. She leads a research group focused on the development of multifunctional polymer nanocomposites for applications in the aerospace sector, and nanostructured polymer fibres for wearable electronics. In close collaboration with industry, Dr Vallés is also currently working on the development of bio-derived materials that can replace products currently used in the foundation industry. Her research activity in the field of Functional Nanomaterials has been published in more than 60 high-ranking, peer-reviewed international journals. She has presented her research work in more than 50 International Scientific Conferences (including 15 invited seminars) and has two international patents accepted out of her work. In her research career she has formed and actively maintain multiple collaborations in an international and interdisciplinary context, including both academia and industry.

Dr Vallés is currently the Fibre Technology Platform Lead at the Henry Royce Institute, and the MSc programme coordinator (Polymer Materials Science and Engineering, PMSE) at the Department of Materials.

Academic Course 2024/2025:

MATS15551 - Preliminary Chemistry (Unit Coordinator & Lecturer)

MATS68301 - Principles of Polymers & Composites (Unit Coordinator & Lecturer)

MATS32402  - Multiphase Polymers & Nanocomposites (Unit Coordinator & Lecturer)

Current research projects in my group include:

• Epoxy nanocomposites for out-of-autoclave thermosets curing and CFRPs repair through resistive heating.
• Multifunctional polymer composite fibres based on nanomaterials.
• Sustainable replacements for coal tar pitch binders.

• Fellow of the Higher Education Academy