
Chemical Engineering

Dani is a Senior Lecturer in Chemical Engineering at the Institute for Multiscale Thermofluids (IMT) at the School of Engineering (SoE) at the University of Edinburgh (UoE) since August 2022 and prior to this, he was a Lecturer since December 2018. In addition, Dani holds a Visiting Associate Professor at WPI-I2CNER (World Premier International Research Center – International Institute for Carbon-Neutral Energy Research) at Kyushu University Japan since April 2019, from the São Carlos School of Engineering at the University of São Paulo in 2024, and a Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA) since May 2021.
Prior to joining the University of Edinburgh Dani was part of the International Institute for Carbon-Neutral Energy Research (I2CNER) at Kyushu University in Japan where he spent 3 years as a Post-Doctoral Research Associate and further 2 years as Assistant Professor. During this time, he also served as Adjunct Assistant Professor at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) in USA for 4 months. Before joining Kyushu University Dani completed PhD at the Institute for Materials and Processes (IMP) at the University of Edinburgh. Before joining the Institute of Materials and Processes (IMP), he carried out an internship at the Institute for Energy Systems (IES) of the UoE. Before joining the University of Edinburgh, Dani was an Undergraduate Research Assistant at AICIA (Andalusian Association for Research and Industrial Cooperation) and at the Chemical Engineering Department at The Higher Technical School of Engineering in Seville Spain where he obtained his 5-years Bachelor’s degree in Environmental and Industrial Chemical Engineering with one year completed at the Scuola di Ingegneria University of Bologna in Italy.
In addition, Dani acted as an Associate Editorship for the International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer (Elsevier) between January 2021 and December 2023 and as Foreign Expert Visitor at the School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, China in 2023.
5-year Bachelor/s in Environmental and Industrial Chemical Engineering (The Higher Technical School of Engineering, Seville, Spain 2009).
PhD Applied Physics of Droplet Phase-Change (Institute of Maerials and Processes, University of Edinburgh, 2013).
Postgraduate Certificate Academia in Practice PgCAP (University of Edinburgh, 2021)
Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA, 2021)
Associate Editor for the International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer (Elsevier, 2021)
WPI-I2CNER Visiting Associate Professor at International Research Center – International Institute for Carbon-Neutral Energy Research (Kyushu University Japan, 2019)
Associate Member Institution of Chemical Engineers (AMIChemE, 2015)
Member of the Asociación de Científicos Españoles en Japón (ACE Japón, 2017)
Member of the American Physical Society (APS, 2016)
Member of the American Chemical Society (ACS, 2012)
School Postgraduate Progression Committee (SPPC) Representative for the Institute for Multiscale Thermofluids (University of Edinburgh, 2019)
School Postgraduate Experience Committee (SPEC) Representative for the Institute for Multiscale Thermofluids (University of Edinburgh, 2019)
Teaching Laboratory Manager for the Chemical Engineering Discipline (University of Edinburgh, 2020)
Course Organiser Practical Skills in Chemical Engineering CHEE08018 (University of Edinburgh, 2021)
Course Organiser CEL3 Chemical Engineering Laboratory 3 CHEE11028 (University of Edinburgh, 2019)
Academic Research Projects 5 CHEE11017 (University of Edinburgh, 2020)
Academic Industrial/Overseas Projects 5 CHEE11031 (University of Edinburgh, 2019)
Academic Study Project 4 CHEE10009 (University of Edinburgh, 2019)
Academic Design: Projects 4 CHEE10002 (University of Edinburgh, 2018-2020)
I am always open to enquire for supervision of self-funded and sponsored PhDs as well as hosting visiting researchers from all over the world.
Here are some useful links with some potential Scholarships:
School of Engineering University of Edinburgh:
https://registryservices.ed.ac.uk/student-funding/postgraduate/international/other-funding
Commonwealth PhD Scholarships for Low Income Countries:
Other issues on concerns please reach at d.orejon@ed.ac.uk

Dani is a Senior Lecturer in Chemical Engineering at the Institute for Multiscale Thermofluids (IMT) at the School of Engineering (SoE) at the University of Edinburgh (UoE) since August 2022 and prior to this, he was a Lecturer since December 2018. In addition, Dani holds a Visiting Associate Professor at WPI-I2CNER (World Premier International Research Center – International Institute for Carbon-Neutral Energy Research) at Kyushu University Japan since April 2019, from the São Carlos School of Engineering at the University of São Paulo in 2024, and a Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA) since May 2021.
Prior to joining the University of Edinburgh Dani was part of the International Institute for Carbon-Neutral Energy Research (I2CNER) at Kyushu University in Japan where he spent 3 years as a Post-Doctoral Research Associate and further 2 years as Assistant Professor. During this time, he also served as Adjunct Assistant Professor at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) in USA for 4 months. Before joining Kyushu University Dani completed PhD at the Institute for Materials and Processes (IMP) at the University of Edinburgh. Before joining the Institute of Materials and Processes (IMP), he carried out an internship at the Institute for Energy Systems (IES) of the UoE. Before joining the University of Edinburgh, Dani was an Undergraduate Research Assistant at AICIA (Andalusian Association for Research and Industrial Cooperation) and at the Chemical Engineering Department at The Higher Technical School of Engineering in Seville Spain where he obtained his 5-years Bachelor’s degree in Environmental and Industrial Chemical Engineering with one year completed at the Scuola di Ingegneria University of Bologna in Italy.
In addition, Dani acted as an Associate Editorship for the International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer (Elsevier) between January 2021 and December 2023 and as Foreign Expert Visitor at the School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, China in 2023.
5-year Bachelor/s in Environmental and Industrial Chemical Engineering (The Higher Technical School of Engineering, Seville, Spain 2009).
PhD Applied Physics of Droplet Phase-Change (Institute of Maerials and Processes, University of Edinburgh, 2013).
Postgraduate Certificate Academia in Practice PgCAP (University of Edinburgh, 2021)
Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA, 2021)
Associate Editor for the International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer (Elsevier, 2021)
WPI-I2CNER Visiting Associate Professor at International Research Center – International Institute for Carbon-Neutral Energy Research (Kyushu University Japan, 2019)
Associate Member Institution of Chemical Engineers (AMIChemE, 2015)
Member of the Asociación de Científicos Españoles en Japón (ACE Japón, 2017)
Member of the American Physical Society (APS, 2016)
Member of the American Chemical Society (ACS, 2012)
School Postgraduate Progression Committee (SPPC) Representative for the Institute for Multiscale Thermofluids (University of Edinburgh, 2019)
School Postgraduate Experience Committee (SPEC) Representative for the Institute for Multiscale Thermofluids (University of Edinburgh, 2019)
Teaching Laboratory Manager for the Chemical Engineering Discipline (University of Edinburgh, 2020)
Course Organiser Practical Skills in Chemical Engineering CHEE08018 (University of Edinburgh, 2021)
Course Organiser CEL3 Chemical Engineering Laboratory 3 CHEE11028 (University of Edinburgh, 2019)
Academic Research Projects 5 CHEE11017 (University of Edinburgh, 2020)
Academic Industrial/Overseas Projects 5 CHEE11031 (University of Edinburgh, 2019)
Academic Study Project 4 CHEE10009 (University of Edinburgh, 2019)
Academic Design: Projects 4 CHEE10002 (University of Edinburgh, 2018-2020)
I am always open to enquire for supervision of self-funded and sponsored PhDs as well as hosting visiting researchers from all over the world.
Here are some useful links with some potential Scholarships:
School of Engineering University of Edinburgh:
https://registryservices.ed.ac.uk/student-funding/postgraduate/international/other-funding
Commonwealth PhD Scholarships for Low Income Countries:
Other issues on concerns please reach at d.orejon@ed.ac.uk

Join our research group
Interested in joining a young research group conducting cutting-edge research at a World Top 50 university? We are always looking for people who shar our passion for science and engineering. Please have a read of the 'Further Information' section below for any current vacancies and PhD projects currently available and contact Dr Tudela-Montes if you want to discuss any potential opportunities.
Bio
Applied Electrochemistry has always been at the core of Dr Ignacio Tudela-Montes' work since his early research days. Whether it was the development of novel sonoelectrochemical methods to remediate polluted drinking water, the manufacture of anode materials for electrochemical processes, the design and optimisation of electrochemical reactors for different applications or the development of novel tribological materials and the evaluation of their corrosion performance in non-conductive oils, Electrochemistry has always been an intrinsic part of his research career.
Dr Tudela-Montes started his research career in April 2007 as part of the former NDTESB Research Group (New Technological Developments in Electrochemistry: Sonoelectrochemistry and Bioelectrochemistry) under the direction of late Dr José González-García at the University of Alicante, Spain, where he was at the core of the research performed on the design and development of electrochemical and sonoelectrochemical processes for different applications.
In June 2011, Dr Tudela-Montes joined Daido Metal – European Technical Centre UK (ETC UK) as a Materials Researcher involved in a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) project between Coventry University and Daido Industrial Bearings Europe (UK subsidiary of Daido Metal) aiming at the development of novel materials for engine bearing applications. During the KTP he also started his PhD degree, fully sponsored by Daido Metal, which he completed in June 2015. After completing his PhD, he became Senior Materials Researcher at Daido Metal – ETC UK where he led the team responsible for the development of novel material solutions and manufacturing processes for engine bearing and other tribological applications ranging from crankshaft bearings for the automotive industry to large bearings for industrial, power generation and marine engines.
Since July 2018, Dr Tudela-Montes leads research in the area of Electrochemical Engineering as part of the Institute for Materials and Processes within the School of Engineering at the University of Edinburgh. He is also founding lecturer of Electrochemical Engineering within Chemical Engineering, actively driving forward educational and mentoring activities for Chemical Engineering students within the School of Engineering.
PhD in area of Functional Materials - Coventry University (2015) Thesis: Novel Ultrasound-assisted electrodeposited Nickel-based coatings for bearing applications
BEng in Chemical Engineering (equivalent) - University of Alicante (2008)
Royal Society of Chemistry Member - MRSC
Institution of Chemical Engineers Associate Member - AMIChemE
The Electrochemical Society Member
Chemical Engineering (BEng and MEng): - Electrochemical Engineering 5 (CHEE11028) - Course organiser
Advanced Chemical Engineering (MSc): - Electrochemical Engineering MSc (PGEE11177) - Course organiser
Postgraduate Students
Current opportunities - PhD project: Fabrication of electromechanically active electrodes for miniaturised electrochemical devices (self-funded, information about scholarship opportunities below). - PhD project: Ammonia-based ionic liquids for chemical conversion of CO2 (self-funded, information about scholarship opportunities below). - PhD project: Electrochemical preparation of electrocatalysts for the electrochemical conversion of CO2 (self-funded, information about potential scholarship opportunities below).
We are always looking for outstanding prospective students who are interested in conducting a PhD project in our research areas of interest. Self-funded students are welcome to contact Dr Tudela-Montes and discuss potential PhD project topics (information on entry requiremenets, fees and costs is available here). Outstanding applicants with a very strong academic background can also consider applying for one of the several scholarships that may be available for funding PhD studies (please see list with examples below). Exceptional candidates may also be considered for full PhD scholarships from the School of Engineering. - Principal's Career Development PhD Scholarships - Carnegie PhD Scholarships - Perfect Storms: Leverhulme Doctoral Scholarships - Edinburgh Global Research Scholarship (for high quality overseas students only) - China Scholarships Council/University of Edinburgh Scholarships (for Chinese nationals/residents only)
Interational students are also encourage to explore applying for scholarships to conduct PhD studies abroad from their national and regional goverments. Please find below some examples: - CONICYT | Becas de Doctorado - Becas Chile (for Chilean nationals/residents only) - CONACYT | Becas de posgrado en el Extranjero (for Mexican nationals only) - SSMS Scholarchips (for candidates from Punjab/Pakistan only) - La Caixa - Becas para Estudios de Posgrado en Europa (for Spanish nationals only)

Join our research group
Interested in joining a young research group conducting cutting-edge research at a World Top 50 university? We are always looking for people who shar our passion for science and engineering. Please have a read of the 'Further Information' section below for any current vacancies and PhD projects currently available and contact Dr Tudela-Montes if you want to discuss any potential opportunities.
Bio
Applied Electrochemistry has always been at the core of Dr Ignacio Tudela-Montes' work since his early research days. Whether it was the development of novel sonoelectrochemical methods to remediate polluted drinking water, the manufacture of anode materials for electrochemical processes, the design and optimisation of electrochemical reactors for different applications or the development of novel tribological materials and the evaluation of their corrosion performance in non-conductive oils, Electrochemistry has always been an intrinsic part of his research career.
Dr Tudela-Montes started his research career in April 2007 as part of the former NDTESB Research Group (New Technological Developments in Electrochemistry: Sonoelectrochemistry and Bioelectrochemistry) under the direction of late Dr José González-García at the University of Alicante, Spain, where he was at the core of the research performed on the design and development of electrochemical and sonoelectrochemical processes for different applications.
In June 2011, Dr Tudela-Montes joined Daido Metal – European Technical Centre UK (ETC UK) as a Materials Researcher involved in a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) project between Coventry University and Daido Industrial Bearings Europe (UK subsidiary of Daido Metal) aiming at the development of novel materials for engine bearing applications. During the KTP he also started his PhD degree, fully sponsored by Daido Metal, which he completed in June 2015. After completing his PhD, he became Senior Materials Researcher at Daido Metal – ETC UK where he led the team responsible for the development of novel material solutions and manufacturing processes for engine bearing and other tribological applications ranging from crankshaft bearings for the automotive industry to large bearings for industrial, power generation and marine engines.
Since July 2018, Dr Tudela-Montes leads research in the area of Electrochemical Engineering as part of the Institute for Materials and Processes within the School of Engineering at the University of Edinburgh. He is also founding lecturer of Electrochemical Engineering within Chemical Engineering, actively driving forward educational and mentoring activities for Chemical Engineering students within the School of Engineering.
PhD in area of Functional Materials - Coventry University (2015) Thesis: Novel Ultrasound-assisted electrodeposited Nickel-based coatings for bearing applications
BEng in Chemical Engineering (equivalent) - University of Alicante (2008)
Royal Society of Chemistry Member - MRSC
Institution of Chemical Engineers Associate Member - AMIChemE
The Electrochemical Society Member
Chemical Engineering (BEng and MEng): - Electrochemical Engineering 5 (CHEE11028) - Course organiser
Advanced Chemical Engineering (MSc): - Electrochemical Engineering MSc (PGEE11177) - Course organiser
Postgraduate Students
Current opportunities - PhD project: Fabrication of electromechanically active electrodes for miniaturised electrochemical devices (self-funded, information about scholarship opportunities below). - PhD project: Ammonia-based ionic liquids for chemical conversion of CO2 (self-funded, information about scholarship opportunities below). - PhD project: Electrochemical preparation of electrocatalysts for the electrochemical conversion of CO2 (self-funded, information about potential scholarship opportunities below).
We are always looking for outstanding prospective students who are interested in conducting a PhD project in our research areas of interest. Self-funded students are welcome to contact Dr Tudela-Montes and discuss potential PhD project topics (information on entry requiremenets, fees and costs is available here). Outstanding applicants with a very strong academic background can also consider applying for one of the several scholarships that may be available for funding PhD studies (please see list with examples below). Exceptional candidates may also be considered for full PhD scholarships from the School of Engineering. - Principal's Career Development PhD Scholarships - Carnegie PhD Scholarships - Perfect Storms: Leverhulme Doctoral Scholarships - Edinburgh Global Research Scholarship (for high quality overseas students only) - China Scholarships Council/University of Edinburgh Scholarships (for Chinese nationals/residents only)
Interational students are also encourage to explore applying for scholarships to conduct PhD studies abroad from their national and regional goverments. Please find below some examples: - CONICYT | Becas de Doctorado - Becas Chile (for Chilean nationals/residents only) - CONACYT | Becas de posgrado en el Extranjero (for Mexican nationals only) - SSMS Scholarchips (for candidates from Punjab/Pakistan only) - La Caixa - Becas para Estudios de Posgrado en Europa (for Spanish nationals only)

My group is interested in using materials science to achieve solutions that find applications in chemical engineering, particularly in separations.
We specialize in the design and synthesis of porous frameworks using cost-effective commercial materials. These nanomaterials are used for applications including hydrocarbon purification, energy storage, alcohol recovery and dehydration, and water purification. These materials can be deployed as adsorbents or as additives in polymer membranes.
Moving into a new era of membranes, we also use nanotechnology to fabricate elegant membrane structures to achieve ultrafast molecular separations that require minimal driving forces during operation.
Our aim is to see deployment of our membranes in the real-world. The research underpinning this thrust is scale-up production of materials including polymers and additives. We devise new techniques that are suitable for producing cutting-edge materials from the University of Edinburgh and our international collaborators.
- Bachelor of Science in Nanotechnology (2nd Upper Class)
- Ph. D. in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
- Polymer membrane separations
- Nanotechnology
- Scale-up production and application of porous frameworks
- Polymer characterisation

My group is interested in using materials science to achieve solutions that find applications in chemical engineering, particularly in separations.
We specialize in the design and synthesis of porous frameworks using cost-effective commercial materials. These nanomaterials are used for applications including hydrocarbon purification, energy storage, alcohol recovery and dehydration, and water purification. These materials can be deployed as adsorbents or as additives in polymer membranes.
Moving into a new era of membranes, we also use nanotechnology to fabricate elegant membrane structures to achieve ultrafast molecular separations that require minimal driving forces during operation.
Our aim is to see deployment of our membranes in the real-world. The research underpinning this thrust is scale-up production of materials including polymers and additives. We devise new techniques that are suitable for producing cutting-edge materials from the University of Edinburgh and our international collaborators.
- Bachelor of Science in Nanotechnology (2nd Upper Class)
- Ph. D. in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
- Polymer membrane separations
- Nanotechnology
- Scale-up production and application of porous frameworks
- Polymer characterisation

- PhD in Process and Chemical Engineering, University College Cork, Ireland, 2011
- BE in Process and Chemical Engineering, University College Cork, Ireland, 2008
- Chartered Member, Institution of Chemical Engineers (CEng MIChemE)
- Senior Member, American Institute of Chemical Engineers (MAIChE)
- Member, Engineers Ireland (MIEI)
- Chemical Engineering Design 3 (CHEE09015)
- Engineering Principles 1 (SCEE08012)
- Supervisor of study projects, undergraduate research projects and industry placements
My research focuses on the simulation of systems of granular materials. This has broad applicability including in both the chemical engineering (pneumatic conveyors, silos, granulators) and civil engineering (dams, sand element tests) disciplines. My research also includes improving the fidelity and performance of the simulation tools, in particular of the discrete element method (DEM).
Granular materials are ubiquitous. Around three-quarters of the raw materials used in industry are in a particulate form. Lots of economically significant, and safety-related, problems remain in handling these materials. Another example of a granular material is the soil beneath our feet; understanding the behaviour of the constituent particles has implications for ensuring the safety of structures.
The use of simulation tools such as DEM to study huge particulate systems has become increasingly viable as computational power has become cheaper. A major advantage of simulations is the ready availability of information which is difficult, if not impossible, to measure experimentally such as the forces acting on each individual particle at tiny time intervals. However, physical experiments remain essential to supplement the simulations, e.g., for calibration of model parameters and validation of any implemented model.
- Project Lead of CCC-ParaSolS: if you have an interest in simulations of granular materials and if you are based in the UK, why not join our Collaborative Computational Community in Particulate Solids Simulations?
- Our fork of LAMMPS which includes various additions of use for soil mechanics simulations is now available on GitHub as geoLAMMPS.
Research Profiles
- Discrete element method (DEM)
- Simulation of granular soil behaviour
- Attrition/wear of solid materials
- Pneumatic conveying of powders
I welcome enquiries from any prospective student with the appropriate engineering/science background who is interested in undertaking a PhD. Note that unless a project is advertised which specifies that funding is available, PhD funding would need to be secured in advance through a scholarship, sponsorship of the PhD, e.g., by industry, or self-funding.

- PhD in Process and Chemical Engineering, University College Cork, Ireland, 2011
- BE in Process and Chemical Engineering, University College Cork, Ireland, 2008
- Chartered Member, Institution of Chemical Engineers (CEng MIChemE)
- Senior Member, American Institute of Chemical Engineers (MAIChE)
- Member, Engineers Ireland (MIEI)
- Chemical Engineering Design 3 (CHEE09015)
- Engineering Principles 1 (SCEE08012)
- Supervisor of study projects, undergraduate research projects and industry placements
My research focuses on the simulation of systems of granular materials. This has broad applicability including in both the chemical engineering (pneumatic conveyors, silos, granulators) and civil engineering (dams, sand element tests) disciplines. My research also includes improving the fidelity and performance of the simulation tools, in particular of the discrete element method (DEM).
Granular materials are ubiquitous. Around three-quarters of the raw materials used in industry are in a particulate form. Lots of economically significant, and safety-related, problems remain in handling these materials. Another example of a granular material is the soil beneath our feet; understanding the behaviour of the constituent particles has implications for ensuring the safety of structures.
The use of simulation tools such as DEM to study huge particulate systems has become increasingly viable as computational power has become cheaper. A major advantage of simulations is the ready availability of information which is difficult, if not impossible, to measure experimentally such as the forces acting on each individual particle at tiny time intervals. However, physical experiments remain essential to supplement the simulations, e.g., for calibration of model parameters and validation of any implemented model.
- Project Lead of CCC-ParaSolS: if you have an interest in simulations of granular materials and if you are based in the UK, why not join our Collaborative Computational Community in Particulate Solids Simulations?
- Our fork of LAMMPS which includes various additions of use for soil mechanics simulations is now available on GitHub as geoLAMMPS.
Research Profiles
- Discrete element method (DEM)
- Simulation of granular soil behaviour
- Attrition/wear of solid materials
- Pneumatic conveying of powders
I welcome enquiries from any prospective student with the appropriate engineering/science background who is interested in undertaking a PhD. Note that unless a project is advertised which specifies that funding is available, PhD funding would need to be secured in advance through a scholarship, sponsorship of the PhD, e.g., by industry, or self-funding.

Professor Guangzhao Mao
Head of the School of Engineering | Chair Professor of Materials Engineering
Professor Guangzhao Mao is a leading innovator in nanotechnology and materials engineering, shaping the future of nanomedicine and advanced sensor systems. As Head of the School of Engineering at the University of Edinburgh, she spearheads cutting-edge research that bridges engineering and medicine, unlocking groundbreaking possibilities in drug delivery and nanoscale material applications.
Her pioneering research focuses on two transformative areas:
Electrocrystallization & Nanosensors. Her research unravels the fundamental processes of nucleation and crystal growth in electrodeposition, applying these insights to develop next-generation gas sensors. Her work enhances sensor scalability, with impactful applications in medical diagnostics, environmental monitoring, and industrial automation. Her breakthroughs in integrating nanosensors into larger systems are redefining their real-world potential.
Nanotechnology & Neuroscience. Merging nanotechnology with neuroscience, Mao’s team is developing revolutionary drug delivery systems targeting the central nervous system. Her protein-drug nanoconjugates offer a novel way to bypass the blood-brain barrier (BBB), a long-standing challenge in treating neurological disorders. This innovative approach has already shown promising results in enhancing respiratory function for spinal cord injury, with significant implications for neurodegenerative disease treatments. Her latest advancements include a microfluidic cell-based assay that accelerates drug screening and preclinical evaluations.
Global Recognition & Leadership
Before joining the University of Edinburgh, Professor Mao led as Head of the School of Chemical Engineering at UNSW Sydney, where she continues as an Adjunct Professor. Her global influence is reflected in prestigious accolades, including:✔ Fulbright Senior Scholarship✔ Visiting Professorship at the Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces✔ Fellow of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE)✔ Career Award from the U.S. National Science Foundation
With an impressive track record of driving scientific innovation, Professor Mao continues to push the boundaries of chemical & materials engineering, shaping the next generation of engineering solutions with real-world impact.
B.Sc., Ph.D.