Moltes felicitats, Dr. Ibáñez-Alé!

15th juliol 2025 – Enric Ibañez Alé, a PhD student who is under Prof. Núria López’ supervision and Dr. Rodrigo García-Muelas co-supervision, has successfully defended his PhD thesis entitled “Key Aspects Steering Selectivity in Cu-based CO(2) Electroreduction Analysed by Advanced Modelling” publicly on Tuesday, 15 July.

The members of the evaluation committee were Prof. Ward van der Stam (Utrecht University, The Netherlands), Dr. Lulu Li (ICIQ) and Dr. Federico Dattila (Politecnico Di Torino, Italy).

Enric Ibañez Alé is originally from Barcelona, where he completed his degree in Chemical Engineering. He later moved to Tarragona to pursue his Master’s studies, supported by the URV “Work Experience” grant. After six years living in Tarragona and during his PhD, he has come to consider the city home. He became involved in the local “castells” tradition — a meaningful Catalan cultural activity that helped him integrate and connect with close friends. In his free time, he enjoys reading, cooking, and socializing with friends, although he admits feeling increasingly lazier about going out each year.

He received an FPI fellowship from the Spanish Ministry of Science, as well as additional funding from COSY Cost Action to carry out a research visit in Vienna.

Why did you become a scientist?

Since I was a child, my parents complained always that I was so logical and had adult behaviors, and they used to call this “you are so scientific”. I suppose this influenced me…

What is your thesis about?

I use computational methods to study the electroreduction of CO₂ into sustainable fuels.

What applications can your thesis have in the future?

Over the next years, CO₂ valorization technologies will play an important role in the decarbonization of the industry. I hope my thesis can add some insights that serve as design guidelines for this new generation of catalyzers that can enable the recirculation of CO₂ emissions.

The thing that I like most about my thesis is…. 

That most of the work was carried out by my own, so this enabled me to learn how to work autonomously and having a whole book to remember this feels great!

What ICIQ moment you´ll never forget? 

My first Computationa Group’s calçotada, where they trusted me for preparing the calçots sauce and everyone love it.

What will you miss the most from ICIQ?

The great work environment that people in all 3 computational groups generated when I arrived.

What do you wish you had known at the beginning of your PhD?

I would love to have started with more experience in research and specifically in DFT! Starting directly with the PhD coming for a different background can feel sometimes like learning to swim by directly jumping to the water.

Who/What has been your biggest influence/motivation?

All my labmates, as they have shown to be both high quality professionals and humans.

Chemistry/Science is fun because…

It is like playing a game where you try to change things to see how the output is affected.

What is your favourite molecule? 

The equilibrium CO₂ – HCO₃^– – CO₃^2–, apart from being an important part of my thesis it is also used to produce “Vichy Catalan” sparkling water which is one of my favourite drinks.

Tell us something about you that people might not know… 

I am a pure left-handed, which means that I use better my left hand, my left leg, I see better with my left eye, I hear better with my left ear… We are less than 1% of the left-handed people!