İlhan Özen

Professor İlhan Özen is a distinguished academic at Erciyes University's Faculty of Engineering, Department of Textile Engineering. With over two decades of experience in textile and polymer science, he has established himself as a leading researcher in sustainable textile technologies, nanomaterials, and agrotextiles. His academic journey spans multiple prestigious institutions including Ege University, University of Stuttgart, Sabancı University, and Deakin University.

Professor Özen earned his undergraduate and master's degrees in Textile Engineering from Ege University (1993-2001), followed by a PhD in Polymer Chemistry from the University of Stuttgart (2002-2006). He completed postdoctoral studies at Sabancı University (2006-2009) and later at Deakin University (2022-2023). His academic progression at Erciyes University reflects his growing expertise, advancing from Assistant Professor (2009-2013) to Associate Professor (2014-2019) and currently serving as Professor (2019-Present).

His research focuses on polymer blends, reactive extrusion, rheological properties of polymer blends, polymer/clay nanocomposites, breathable films, oil absorptive materials, and controlled release fertilizer systems. Professor Özen has pioneered developments in agrotextiles for sustainable agriculture, nanoemulsion-based delivery systems, and advanced nonwoven materials with specialized functional properties. His work bridges traditional textile engineering with cutting-edge nanotechnology applications, demonstrating remarkable versatility across multiple scientific domains.

Analysis of his recent publications (2020-2025) reveals a strong emphasis on sustainability across multiple fronts: textile recycling, waste reduction in dyeing processes, plant-based materials, and resource-efficient agricultural technologies. His research consistently demonstrates innovation in material modification techniques while addressing pressing environmental concerns through textile science. The interdisciplinary nature of his work connects textile engineering with pharmaceutical applications, agricultural science, and environmental protection.

Professor Özen has successfully supervised 11 graduate students through their thesis work and secured funding for 15 research projects, including multiple TÜBİTAK and BAP grants. His work has resulted in significant intellectual property, including a US patent (US 9,388,527 B2) for spinfinish materials. He serves on editorial boards for prestigious journals including Journal of Plastic Film and Sheeting (since 2015), Coloration Technology (since 2013), and Science Publishing Group (since 2013), demonstrating his standing in the international academic community.