Projects

International

SIMUFER – Feroelektrické a magnetoelektrické materiály
Ferroelectrics and magnetoelectric multiferroics
Program: COST
Project leader: RNDr. Kovaľ Vladimír, DrSc.
Annotation: The goal of the Action is to build a high level European scientific knowledge platform in the field of single and multiphase nanoscale ferroic and multiferroic oxides with restricted geometries, in which new properties are driven by engineering size, shape and interface-mediated phenomena.
Project webpage: http://stoner.phys.uaic.ro/cost/
Duration: 13.1.2010 – 31.5.2014
NCM – Kompozity s novými funkčnými a štruktúrnymi vlastnosťami prostredníctvom nanomateriálov
Composites with Novel Functional and Structural Properties by Nanoscale Materials (Nano Composite Materials-NCM)
Program: COST
Project leader: Ing. Medvecký Ľubomír, DrSc.
Duration: 1.1.2008 – 31.3.2012
ELENA – Štúdium vzájomného vzťahu medzi mikroštruktúrou a vlastnosťami v progresívnych elektrokeramických materiáloch pripravených z nanopráškov
Structure-property Relationship Study in Advanced Nanostructured Electroceramic Materials
Program: COST
Project leader: RNDr. Kovaľ Vladimír, DrSc.
Annotation: no description
Project webpage: www.cost539.cms-bg.net
Duration: 27.5.2005 – 22.6.2009

National

VEGA – Kalcium fosfátové biocementy s biologicky aktívnou kvapalnou zložkou
Program: VEGA
Project leader: MVDr. Giretová Mária, PhD.
Duration: 1.1.2023 – 31.12.2025
Katalyzátory pre elektrolýzu vody v membránových elektrolyzéroch.
Catalysts for water splitting in membrane electrolyzers.
Program: VEGA
Project leader: RNDr. Strečková Magdaléna, PhD.
Annotation: Hydrogen is a flexible and clean energy carrier because it offers not only the prospect of large green electricity storage capacities, but also a wide range of industry decarbonisation. The development of hydrogen technology activities has been supported by the European Commission as "A hydrogen strategy for a climate-neutral Europe". Slovakia has developed a national hydrogen strategy and at present, the Hydrogen technology center is being established in Košice with the main concept "Power-to-Gas" using renewable energy sources. Water electrolysis appears to be the most promising technology for hydrogen production. Bimetallic phosphide nanoparticles represent future substitutes for noble-free metals and critical materials in electrolysers and fuel cells. The main challenge of this project is to reduce hydrogen production and at the same time maintain the high efficiency of water electrolysis in membrane electrolysers. The main goal of the project will be dedicated to the improvement of electrode material.
Duration: 1.1.2023 – 31.12.2025
HERO – Elektrokatalyzátory pre efektívnu produkciu vodíka pre budúce elektrolyzéry a palivové články
Hydrogen evolution electrocatalysts for future electrolyser and fuel cells
Program: SRDA
Project leader: RNDr. Strečková Magdaléna, PhD.
Annotation: The development of activities in the field of hydrogen technologies was also supported by the EuropeanCommission in the strategic document "Hydrogen Strategy for a Climate Neutral Europe". Today, Slovakia hassuggested own national hydrogen strategy. Already in 2015, the National Hydrogen Association has founded tosupport research, implementation and use of hydrogen technologies. The Hydrogen Technology Center is beingestablished in Košice with the main "Power-to-Gas" concept using renewable power energy sources with nonegative impact on human life and without dependence on fossil fuels. A significant source of hydrogen is waterand the electrolysis of water is the most promising technology for hydrogen production. However, before it can berecognized as an economically significant resource for large scale application with an exceptional energy potential,the simple, efficient, and secure methods of hydrogen retrieval have to be developed. For the time being, the mostefficient electrocatalysts in terms of overpotential for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) are noble metals.Unfortunately the high cost and scarcity of noble metals motivate the scientists to find the rival low-costalternatives. Intrinsic structures of TMP meet the criteria of outstanding electrocatalysts that could further improve their HER performance in membrane electrode assembly. Excellent dispersity of electrocatalysts allows full use ofactive sites on catalysts to participate in electrode reaction to improve the electrocatalytic efficiency. Therefore, themain challenge in this project is to reduce the production cost of HER and at the same time to maintain the highefficiency of polymer electrode water electrolysis. Substantial aim of the project will be devoted to improve the PEM water electrolysis components mainly electrode materials based on modified carbon fibers electrocatalysts result in the technology which should be more approached to commercial markets.
Duration: 1.7.2021 – 30.6.2025
Komponat – Kompozitné biomateriály s komplexnými prírodnými aditívami
Composite biomaterials with complex natural additives
Program: SRDA
Project leader: Ing. Medvecký Ľubomír, DrSc.
Annotation: The project is focused on the research of modified and new types of composite biocements with complex natural additives, which will self-hardened as well as injectable according to the need for use and will be characterized by high bioactivity and biocompatibility with bone tissue. In principle, the preparation of composite biocement systems is applied in combination with complex natural additives without specific extraction of selected groups of compounds from natural products what preserves the simplicity of preparation, cheap final form of biomaterial as well as the "green principle" of their nature, composition and response. Composite biocements will be used inorthopedics (treatment of bone and osteochondral defects and fractures) as well as in the reconstruction of bone injuries in the facial part or as filling cements in dentistry.
Duration: 1.7.2021 – 30.6.2024
Kompozitné horčíkovo-vápenato fosforečné biocementy s prídavkom koloidného oxidu kremičitého
Composite magnesium-calcium phosphate biocements with addition of colloidal silicon dioxide
Program: VEGA
Project leader: Ing. Štulajterová Radoslava, PhD.
Annotation: The project is focused on the research and development of composite calcium phosphate biocements containing magnesium and colloidal silica particles, which represents an improvement in particular, in the viscositycharacteristics of cement pastes. The intention is that the addition of colloidal SiO2 will contribute to a fastertransformation of calcium phosphate biocement to calcium deficient hydroxyapatite and change or improving the biocement characteristics, which are important in bone reconstruction. Resulting biocement system should haveenhanced mechanical strength that would be sustained over a longer time period during soaking in body fluids and should positively affect bioresorption with an active influence on specific cell lineages.
Duration: 1.1.2020 – 31.12.2022
Príprava a charakterizácia pórovitých EuTbGd-MOF tenkých filmov pre luminiscenčné senzory.
Preparation and characterization of porous EuTbGd-MOF thin films for luminescent sensors.
Program: VEGA
Project leader: RNDr. Bruncková Helena, PhD.
Annotation: The project is focused on research of structure of porous metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) based onlanthanides (Ln = Eu, Tb, Gd) in the form of hybrid nanomaterials assembled from Ln3+ ions and organic ligands.Nanocrystalline thin films will be prepared individually with europium, therbium, gadolinium and mixedEuxTbyGdz-MOF system by solvothermal method from precursors deposited on silicon substrates byspin-coating method. Determination of concentration effect of acetate agent as modulator in reducing particle sizeof 3D structure will help to clarify the mechanism of phase transformations occurring in films in the heatingprocess. In addition, the project is focused on characterization of luminescent properties. Eu3+, Tb3+ and Gd3+phosphors emitting red, green and blue light will be incorporated into resulting framework capable of generatingwhite light. The results could help to contribute the knowledge about porous films in terms of their possibleapplication as sensors in the electrotechnical industry.
Duration: 1.1.2020 – 31.12.2022
INJEHYB – Injektovateľné hybridné kompozitné biocementy
Injectable hybrid composite biocements
Program: SRDA
Project leader: Ing. Medvecký Ľubomír, DrSc.
Annotation: Project is focused on synthesis, preparation and characterization of modified and novel types of injectable hybridbiocements with high bioactivity, structure and chemical biocompatibility with required properties for medicalapplications. Above biomaterials will have widely utilization in orthopeadics (therapy of bone defects andfractures, stabilization of endoprosthesis etc.), for reconstruction of bone injuries in maxillofacial region and like bioactive adhezive cements in dentistry.
Duration: 1.8.2018 – 30.6.2021
Biomimeticky vytvrdzované hydrogél/kalcium fosfátové cementy
Biomimetically hardened hydrogel/calcium phosphate cements
Program: VEGA
Project leader: Ing. Medvecký Ľubomír, DrSc.
Annotation: The project is focused on research and development of hydrogel / calcium phosphate cements with optimized content of calcium and phosphate ions concentrated in hydrogels. This arrangement allows biomimetic precipitation of calcium phosphate nanoparticleswith specific ordering, which will affect the strength of the interface, microstructure and properties of cement composites. The objective of the project will be research and development of new method for creating of larger pores using resorbable macroporous particles added to the cement paste and analysis relation of characterstics of cement particles on the final cement properties. Final systems will mimic the composition of bone tissue and imitate the ossification processes of bone tissue formation via hydrogel component.
Duration: 1.1.2017 – 31.12.2019
Vplyv lantanoidov na štruktúru a nanomechanické vlastnosti pyrochlórových polymorfných Ln(Nb, Ta)O4 tenkých filmov pripravených sol-gel procesom.
Effect of lanthanides on structure and nanomechanical properties of pyrochlore polymorphic Ln(Nb, Ta)O4 thin films prepared by sol-gel process.
Program: VEGA
Project leader: RNDr. Bruncková Helena, PhD.
Annotation: The project is focused on research of structure of transparent nanocrystalline thin films based on lanthanides withNb and Ta in form of pyrochlore niobates and tantalates with ferroelastic properties. Polymorphic LaNbO4 andLaTaO4 films will be prepared individually and with addition of other lanthanides by sol-gel process fromprecursors deposited on silicon substrates using spin-coating method. Determination of effect of Nd, Sm, Eu andGd components on structure of both systems will help to clarify mechanism of phase transformation occurring infilms in heating process. In addition, the project is focused on characterization of mechanical properties offilm/substrate systems by nanoindentation and the relationship between them. Elastic modulus and hardness ofsimple LaNbO4 and LaTaO4 films will be determined from their composite values. The results could help tocontribute the knowledge about ferroelastic films in terms of their possible application as solid electrolytes in theelectrotechnical industry.
Duration: 1.1.2017 – 31.12.2019
Fázové transformácie v sol-gel R1/3(Nb, Ta)O3 keramike a tenkých filmoch na báze prvkov vzácnych zemín
Phase transformation in sol-gel R1/3(Nb, Ta)O3 ceramics and thin films based on rare earth elements.
Program: VEGA
Project leader: RNDr. Bruncková Helena, PhD.
Annotation: The main part of the project is concerned on the study of sol-gel processes during preparation of R1/3MO3 (R = La, Nd, Eu and M = Nb, Ta) precursors perovskite ceramics and thin films and the influence on polymeric M-complex on phase composition, microstructure and mechanical properties. La1/3NbO3 and La1/3TaO3 thin films will be prepared by spin-coatingmethod onto the SiO2/Si substrates from sols with different solvent (methanol, ethanol) and chelating agent (citric, tartaric acid) synthetized by polymeric complex sol-gel process. At preparation rare-earth precursos R (R = La, Nd and Eu) will be studied influence of the transformation temperature of pyrochlore R3MO7 and RMO4 phase on perovskite R1/3MO3 in final ceramics and nanocrystalline films. In addition the project will be oriented on the study of evolution of the morphology and nanoparticle size and measurement of the mechanical properties of ceramic systems by nanoindentation.
Duration: 1.1.2014 – 31.12.2016
Hybridné kompozitné systémy s bioskelnou zložkou
Hybrid composite systems with bioglass component
Program: VEGA
Project leader: Ing. Medvecký Ľubomír, DrSc.
Annotation: Project is focused on research and development of hybride composite systems with bioglass component applicable in reconstruction and regenerative medicine. The aim of the project is a more detailed analysis of relationships between interaction of various types of polymer phase, synthesized during preparation ofcomposites, with surface of bioglass particles and its influence on microstructure, mechanical properties and biodegradation of composites. An important part of the project is study of nanohybride composites with homogeneous silico-organic matrix formed by sol-gel synthesis.
Duration: 1.1.2014 – 31.12.2016
AMETIST – Biologicky odbúrateľné kovové materiály pripravené práškovými technológiami
Biodegradable metallic materials prepared by powder technologies
Program: SRDA
Project leader: RNDr. Kupková Miriam, CSc.
Project webpage: http://ametist.saske.sk
Duration: 1.7.2012 – 31.12.2015
Vývoj mikroštruktúry a fázová transformácia sol-gel prekurzorov bezolovnatých feroelektrických (K, Na)NbO3 tenkých filmov
Evolution of the microstructure and phase transformation of sol-gel precursors in lead-free ferroelectric (K, Na)NbO3 thin films
Program: VEGA
Project leader: RNDr. Bruncková Helena, PhD.
Annotation: The main part of the project is concerned on the study of processes during preparation of lead-free ferroelectricKNbO3 (KN), NaNbO3 (NN) and (K0.5Na0.5)NbO3 (KNN) thin films from sols and their influence on the phasecomposition and microstructure. Environmental acceptable KNN thin films will be prepared by spin-coatingmethod onto the Al2O3 and SiO2/Si substrates from sols with different concentration, synthetized by sol-gelprocess from acetates of K and Na with polymeric Nb-complex. For the preparation of the films will be appliedmodified Pechini method utilized by Nb-ethylene glycol-tartarate complex instead of the classical citrate method.In addition the project will be oriented on the study of transformation processes on amorphous films afterpyrolysis and final 1-3 layered KNN nanocrystalline films with the perovskite phase and development of theirmicrostructure.
Duration: 1.1.2011 – 31.12.2013
MICOMAT – Kompaktizácia, mikroštruktúra a vlastnosti mikrokompozitných materiálov na báze povlakovaných Fe práškov.
Compactizing, Microstructure an Properties of Microcomposite Materials based on Coated Fe Powders
Program: SRDA
Project leader: doc. Ing. Dudrová Eva, CSc.
Annotation: The objective of the project is an investigation of compactizing, microstructure development and properties of microcomposite materials based on metal, ceramic, and polymer coated Fe powders using conventional and innovative techniques of forming and sintering. The research will be focused on the deformation and diffusion processes related to mechanical and chemical interactions during compactizing (forming and sintering). The aim is a) to identify the morphological, chemical and microstructural changes of coating/substrate interfaces relevant to the acting of the pressure and heat during the compactizing, b) to identify the microstructure composition of sintered microcomposite materials, c) to explain micromechanical and diffusion processes realised during the stages of compactizing, d) to analyse the properties of studied microcomposite materials, e) to determine the relationship between the compactizing parameters, microstructure and properties (mechanical, electrical, magnetical) of studied microcomposite materials. Studied systems: coating/substrate: Cu-Ni-X/Fe, Al2O3/Fe, FePO4/Fe, Somaloy. Processing methods: single and multistep cold pressing, sintering with continual monitoring of furnace atmosphere, warm compaction with thermosetting resins. Evaluation methods: compressibility, sinterability, LOM, SEM+EDS, X-ray analyses, digital image and statistical analysis of microstructure, mechanical, electrical, magnetic properties
Duration: 1.9.2008 – 31.12.2010
Sol-gel procesy syntézy feroelektrických nanoprekurzorov a ich vplyv na fázové zloženie a mikroštruktúru v tenkých vrstvách
Sol-gel processes of the synthesis of ferroelectric nanoprecursors and their influence on phase composition and microstructure in thin layers
Program: VEGA
Project leader: RNDr. Bruncková Helena, PhD.
Annotation: The main part of the project is concerned on sol-gel processes of the synthesis of nanoprecursors PZT,PMN, PMnN, PFN and PZN ferroelectric ceramics and thin layers and examines their influence on the phasecomposition in final materials. For the preparation of ferroelectric thin layers from sol-gel solutions onto thesubstrate by spin-coating method, hybrid composite slurrries will be synthetised by sol-gel process from organiccomponents by dispersing of nanoprecursors in the sols. Study of the processes of formation of the resultingperovskite phase in thin layers during the thermal treating and the development of the microstructure andanalysis their relationship to physical properties is also part of the project.
Duration: 1.1.2008 – 31.12.2010
CELMEF – Korelácia elekrofyzikálnych a mechanických vlastností s mikroštruktúrnymi parametrami vo feroelektrických materiáloch perovskitového typu
Correlation between the electrophysical and mechanical properties and microstructural parameters in perovskite-type of ferroelectrics
Program: SRDA
Project leader: prof. RNDr. Dusza Ján, DrSc.
Duration: 1.2.2007 – 30.11.2009
Multikomponentné a dotované relaxátorové feroelektrické systémy na báze PZT a PMN s vysokou povrchovou aktivitou a chemickou homogenitou
Multicomponent and doped ferroelectric systems of relaxor type on PZT and PMN basis with high surface activity and chemical homogeneity
Program: VEGA
Project leader: RNDr. Bruncková Helena, PhD.
Duration: 1.1.2005 – 1.12.2007