The Technology Innovation Institute (TII) has recently appointed a group of international experts to Board of Advisors at Advanced Materials Research Centre (AMRC), one of the 7 centres established at TII. Professor Fátima Montemor, Vice president of Técnico for Research and International Affairs, professor at the Department of Chemical Engineering (DEQ) and researcher at Centro de Química Estrutural (CQE) is among the 7 international experts appointed by TII.
“I was very surprised when they contacted me and told me that they were looking for the most eminent international researchers in this area to set up a board of advisors who could help them develop their roadmap”, recalls professor Fátima Montemor. “At the time, the conversation went very well and I felt that my work and my knowledge were highly respected. I felt very fulfilled when I was appointed, because I realised that my work had a significant impact and was appreciated and highly respected by TII”, she adds.
Created in November 2020, TII is the applied research pillar of the Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC) that was established to drive the R&D strategy of Abu Dhabi and the wider United Arab Emirates (UAE). The Institute has seven initial dedicated research centres in quantum computing, autonomous robotics, cryptography, advanced materials, digital security, directed energy and secure systems.
The CQE researcher underlines “TII is a great interface for research and technological advances, and aims to lead areas of knowledge and technological advances of great relevance for the future”. “One of these areas focuses on advanced materials, which is very dear to me and where I have been developing scientific activity over the years”, adds the Técnico professor.
AMRC is engaged in deep research on nanomaterials, energy-absorbing materials, additive manufacturing and 3D printing, metamaterials, smart materials and self-healing materials. The newly appointed Board of Advisors will guide efforts to develop breakthrough technologies for global impact.
According to professor Fátima Montemor “joining the Board of Advisors will be a challenge, considering the topics and investments involved, and the importance of these areas for technological advances and for a more sustainable economy”. “I hope to contribute with my skills and knowledge, and above all with an ambitious vision. For the first time, I will have the opportunity to dream big, because TII’s vision is really very ambitious”, says the Vice president of Técnico.
The scientific interests of Professor Fátima Montemor focus on the development of functional and smart coatings, namely smart self-healing coatings with applications in the automotive, aeronautics and offshore industry; biodegradable coatings for protection of metal implants; protective coatings for applications in the area of telecommunications and electronics and highly conductive coatings for energy storage. She authored 260 scientific articles and her name is included in the lists of highly cited researchers worldwide, in her research area.
