The scientist from the Institute of Materials Science of Seville, Rafael Álvarez Molina, has been awarded the III Manuel Losada Villasante Award in the category of ‘Research in Innovation’.

This recognition, convened by the Cadena SER in Seville and the City Council of Carmona with the collaboration of the University of Seville, the Cajasol Foundation and the Interalimentario Forum, is endowed with 4000 euros, and its main objective is to support young researchers who develop their work in Seville.

Rafael Álvarez’s line of research is framed within the problem of the synthesis of thin films with “tailored” nanostructures for functional applications. Among his most notable results is the development of a general synthesis protocol for these materials using plasma techniques in a single step, at room temperature, and without needing high-cost reagents.

The jury of the III Manuel Losada Villasante Award for Excellence in Research has been composed of the rector of the University of Seville, Antonio Ramírez de Arellano; the director of Radio Sevilla, Antonio Yélamo; the mayor of Carmona, Juan Ávila; the professor of Organic Chemistry at the US, Rosario Fernández; the director of Institutional Relations of the Cajasol Foundation, Pilar Lacasta; the professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the US, Guillermo Antiñolo and the director-general of the Interalimentary Forum, Víctor Yuste; and the journalist from Radio Sevilla, Salomón Hachuel.

The award ceremony took place at the Parador de Carmona on March 19, 2015.