Prof. Javier Gonzalez-Benito
J. González began his scientific career at the Complutense U. of Madrid in 1992 studying cyclodextrins inclusion complexes. He joined UC3M in 1993 to carry out his PhD thesis on polymer composite materials. He was specialized in characterization of polymers and composites. In 2001, he carried out a research stay with the Polymers + Technologies group at the U. País Vasco and later, for one year, at the Macromolecular Department of Case Western Reserve University studying dissolution processes of polymers. In 2003, he obtained a position as tenured at UC3M and began a new line of research on composite materials seeking new applications in dentistry. In 2022 he gets the Full professor position at the UC3M. Thanks to a stay at the University of California Santa Bárbara in 2005 he was specialized in atomic force microscopy, AFM, being the head of the AFM Laboratory at the UC3M. In 2006 he created the research group "Group of Polymeric Composite Materials and Interphases", with the new line of research, Multifunctional Nanocomposite Materials based on Thermoplastic matrices”. One of its biggest challenges has been to achieve uniform dispersion of nanoparticles within thermoplastic polymers. In order to do this, a new method based on high-energy ball milling was developed, being able to prepare and study new materials with special electrical and antibacterial properties with potential applications in electronics, medicine and food industry. Besides, he has made several basic scientific contributions with high impact. He studied macromolecular dynamics through the use of spectroscopic techniques and he developed nanoscale experimental methods for determining key parameters in the area of materials science, such as the coefficient of thermal expansion. In recent years he has collaborated with the Group of Chemistry of the University of Navarra studying antibacterial nanocomposite materials. At this time, one of his main aims is focused on developing new methods of preparation of nanocomposite materials based on a technique called "Solution Blow Spinning", SBS, which allows preparing polymeric nonwoven nanofiber mats with potential applications in medicine among others. In 2015, J. González joined the Biomaterials Group of the NIST (USA) to increase his knowledge on polymer preparation using SBS and cell adhesion using Single Cell Force Spectroscopy. He collaborates within the framework of a confidentiality agreement with the Foundation of the Health Institute of La Paz on a "Method of application of polymers in the healing process of biological tissues" and also with the Institute of Tropical Health of the U. de Navarra. He is a member of the Royal Spanish Chemical Society and of the Specialized Polymers Group. He has participated in more than 25 national, regional or European research projects, being the IP in 8 of them. His entire scientific career has allowed him to publish 120 articles in SCI journals, several book chapters, 106 communications to congresses and he participates as Editorial Board member of Polymer Composites and Nanocomposites Section of the scientific journal “Polymers” being also guest editor in three special issues.