Around the world in 16 fellows: Dr. Darío Fernando Zambrano Mera
In 2025 and 2026, sixteen researchers from thirteen countries will be conducting their research and teaching at TH Köln as International Fellows. One of them is Dr. Darío Fernando Zambrano Mera. In this interview, he explains why he wanted to come to Cologne, what makes TH Köln's approach so practice-oriented, and how the polymer laboratory creates the conditions for high-caliber research.
Name: Dr. Darío Fernando Zambrano Mera
Home universitiy: Universidad de Chile
Hosting faculty at TH Köln: Faculty of Computer Science and Engineering Science
Fellowship title: Development and Characterization of Advanced MXene-Polyurethane Coatings for High-Traffic Paint Applications
Duration of stay: 1 September – 31 December 2025
I was interested in the International Fellowship because...
I saw it as a unique opportunity to expand my research on MXene–polyurethane coatings within an interdisciplinary and practice-oriented environment, and to collaborate closely with experts in polymer science and applied materials engineering at TH Köln.
Specifically, during the fellowship I wanted to...
advance the development and characterization of MXene-polyurethane coatings for high-traffic paint applications by studying how polymer-MXene interactions influence their mechanical, thermal, and tribological performance. Working in Prof. Katrakova-Krüger’s Polymer Laboratory enabled me to apply advanced characterization techniques such as FESEM-EDS for microstructural and compositional analysis, nanoindentation for mechanical property mapping, DSC for thermal behavior, and FTIR for chemical bonding and polymer–nanomaterial interactions, which were essential to understanding the role of MXenes within the polyurethane matrix.
During my time in Germany, I wanted to find out...
how universities of applied sciences design and conduct research that closely bridges laboratory innovation with industrial challenges, particularly in the development of functional coatings and polymer-nanomaterial systems.
I think international exchange is...
a catalyst for meaningful scientific innovation, enabling the integration of complementary expertise, new perspectives, and diverse research cultures to address global technological needs.
Something that is different at my home university than at TH Köln is...
the strong practice-oriented approach at TH Köln, where experimental work is tightly linked to industrial applications and supported by easily accessible, advanced characterization facilities.
What I take back to my home university is that...
applied research structures, interdisciplinary collaboration, and industry-focused methodology can significantly accelerate the development, validation, and transfer of advanced materials such as MXene-based coatings.
What I like about TH Köln is that...
the Polymer Laboratory led by Prof. Katrakova-Krüger provides a collaborative, technically robust, and interdisciplinary environment, creating ideal conditions for high-impact research in advanced materials.
What I really wanted to experience in Cologne is...
both the research culture that integrates polymer science and engineering applications, and the vibrant everyday life of a diverse, dynamic, and historically rich city.
About PLan_CV
The International Fellows program is part of the project PLan_CV („Professur-Laufbahn an Hochschulen für angewandte Wissenschaften neu denken: Collaboration und Vernetzung“). Its goal: Finding excellent candidates for professorial careers at TH Köln and achieving greater permeability between the academic world and the business sector. The project’s budget of 12.4 million Euros is funded through the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space program “FH-Personal” (staff for universities of applied sciences).
January 2026
