Catarina de Carvalho Esteves

Catarina de Carvalho Esteves serves as Associate Professor in the Physical Chemistry group within the Chemical Engineering and Chemistry department at Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e). She is also affiliated with the Institute for Complex Molecular Systems (ICMS) and co-leads the ICMS Core research team.

Her research centers on polymers & colloids, surface & interface science, with emphasis on synthesizing well-defined building blocks and developing "Smart Coatings" including self-healing, self-cleaning, and stimuli-responsive systems. These innovations target applications in automotive, aerospace, marine, and biomedical fields through interdisciplinary collaboration spanning chemistry, physics, and materials engineering.

Her publication portfolio demonstrates consistent advancement in surface-replenishment technologies, with key contributions in stimuli-responsive hydrogels (2016), dual-structured superhydrophobic coatings (2014), and foundational self-replenishing surface mechanisms (2012). This work prioritizes sustainable material design with reduced maintenance requirements.

• Board Editor, Progress in Organic Coatings (Elsevier)
• Chair, Coatings Science International Conference (Cosi)
• Scientific Board Member, NICE Conference

She actively teaches Coatings Science & Technology, Nanochemistry, and Nanotechnology courses to diverse student cohorts, emphasizing knowledge transfer of cutting-edge innovations. Her research integrates experimental and theoretical approaches through collaborations with industrial partners like Philips Lighting.