Projects

International

H2MobilHydride – Vývoj a spracovanie pokročilých metalhydridových kompozitných materiálov pre uskladnenie vodíka určených pre mobilné aplikácie
Developoment and processing of advanced metal hydride composites with specific microstructure properties for mobile hydrogen storage applications
Program: ERANET
Project leader: RNDr. Nigutová Katarína, PhD.
Annotation: The innovation goals of this project are to provide a novel metal hydride composite offering hydrogenation capacity close to Mg alloys, faster kinetics, higher dehydrogenation capacity, and limited material degradation per cycle. The material will be based on the concept of high entropy alloy with the addition of catalysts and will be produced not only in the conventional powder form, but also as thin sheets and bulk materials. The project will improve the fundamental understanding of the mechanisms governing the hydrogenation and high-temperature behavior of HEA-based composites and also provide a functional model of a new composite material for hydrogen storage, followed by a technology for its fabrication.
Duration: 1.5.2023 – 30.4.2026
EHSAL – Zvýšenie uskladňovacej schopnosti vodíka v ľahkých vysoko-entropických zliatinách (HEA) typu AlTiVCr prídavkom Ti3C2 Mxenu a veľkej plastickej deformácie
Enhancement of Hydrogen Storage Properties of AlTiVCr Light Weight High Entropy Alloys (HEA) by Ti3C2 Mxene and Several Plastic Deformation
Program: European Interest Group (EIG) CONCERT-Japan
Project leader: doc. Ing. Saksl Karel, DrSc.
Annotation: Recently discovered AlTiVCr high entropy alloy (HEA) exhibits about 70x increase in equilibrium pressure, ~20 kJ/mol H2 decrease in desorption enthalpy (ΔH) relative to the benchmark TiVZrNbHf HEA possessing H/M ratio > 2 with 2.7 wt % hydrogens at 53 bar H2. The AlTiVCr HEA desorption enthalpy ΔH is ~40 kJ/mol and H/M ratio ~1. Since AlTiVCr alloy includes lighter-weight elements relative to earlier studied refractory HEAs, it is envisaged that AlTiVCr can be a potential lightweight metal hydride for future hydrogen storage application if its H/m ratio and hydrogenation/dehydrogenation kinetics can be improved. So far, the addition of Mxene (Ti3C2) as catalyst and nanosizing exhibited a significant influence on the kinetics and hydrogenation capacity of Mg metal hydrides independently. Therefore, in this study, we aim to develop a lightweight metal hydride composite of AlTiVCr HEA by the combination of three concepts of HEA, Mxenes (Ti3C2 Mxene) and nanosizing by high-pressure torsion (HPT). The influence of Mxene and deformation heterogeneities will be investigated and will be tailored for achieving lower ΔH, higher H/M ratio and faster kinetics.
Duration: 1.4.2022 – 31.3.2025

National

PNMHCS – Výskum a vývoj prototypu nízkotlakovej čerpacej stanice pre zásobovanie metalhydridových zariadení zeleným vodíkom
Research and development of a prototype of a low-pressure refuelling station for refuelling metal hydride equipment with green hydrogen
Program: SRDA
Project leader: RNDr. Nigutová Katarína, PhD.
Annotation: The purpose of the project is the research, development and designing of a prototype of a low-pressure refuelling station intended for refuelling mobile technical equipment for hydrogen storage at low pressure in metal hydrides (MH). The existing infrastructure for hydrogen production that applies a renewable energy source in water electrolysis will be used, while the green hydrogen generated in the process of electrolysis will be stored in stationary tanks with an absorption-based storage system. A strategic objective of the project is to interconnect the system for green hydrogen production operated in the island mode, installed at the Centre for Hydrogen Technologies at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, with a system for stationary low-pressure hydrogen storage in metal hydrides, which will then facilitate refuelling mobile MH equipment using a newly developed prototype of a refuelling stand. An important milestone in the project is the research into a design of stationary tanks with an inbuilt thermal management system. Developing the thermal management system is crucial for operational safety and for increasing the efficiency of hydrogen storage while considering the overall reduction of energy consumption in the process of hydrogen absorption and subsequent desorption. The research of novel MH alloys, while respecting equilibrium pressures at predefined operating temperatures, is therefore a primary input parameter for designing the thermal management system. The use of MH alloys for increasing hydrogen pressure eliminates the risks related to the compression process when compared to mechanical compression. The thermal management system will also include a system for cooling hydrogen during refuelling; hence, reduction of the time of refuelling MH tanks for consumers will be verified.
Duration: 1.7.2022 – 30.6.2025
Vývoj a výskum vysokoentropických zliatin určených na efektívne uskladnenie vodíka
Research and development of highentropy alloys for efficient hydrogen storage
Program: VEGA
Project leader: doc. Ing. Saksl Karel, DrSc.
Annotation: The aim of this project is the development and research of high-entropy alloys – HEA whose primary function will be in hydrogen storage. Commercial use of H2 relies on its efficient and safe storage. One of the most efficient ways to store H2 is chemically bond it to an alloy lattice in a form of metalhydrides. The TiVZrNbHf alloy is capable of storing far greater amounts of H2 up to 210 kg.m-3. The problem of the alloy is its relatively high density of 7.81 g.cm-3, for transport applications. Much higher mass storage capacities are expected to be achieved with other HEA, consisting of lighter elements. In the project, we will design, prepare and fully characterize a series of new HEA with a low density of <7 g.cm-3. Materials that meet the targets of absorption capacity (>2wt% and>220 kgH2/m3), low desorption temperature <140°C and high cyclic absorption/desorption stability (>1000 cycles with a capacity drop of less than 10%). In the project, we will use our knowledge and expertise in the design and preparation of HEA.
Duration: 1.1.2022 – 31.12.2024
NOVEMBER – Vývoj nových 3D materiálov pre post Li-iónové batérie s vysokou energetickou hustotou
Development of novel 3D materials for post lithium ion batteries with high energy density
Program: SRDA
Project leader: Ing. Ballóková Beáta, PhD.
Annotation: The overall objective of NOVEMBER is to prepare and characterize new materials and concepts with self-healing functionalities integrated within the battery cell. These new composite 3-D materials will enable a variety of critical features including fail-safe and self-healing technologies to improve the battery performance, and greatly extended lifetimes. Special emphasis will be on in-operando electrochemical measurements using impedance spectroscopy and structural measurements. Validation of new materials will be done in small laboratory prototypes. This small prototypes are important in order to demonstrate scalability to battery cell production processes. To reach this goal, NOVEMBER has identified three specific objectives: 1. Development of novel high entropy oxides and sulfur based materials with self-healing functionalities. 2. Development of new physico-chemical in-operando techniques and solutions for monitoring of agign and degradation mechanisms 3. Validation and exploitation of the developed materials in prototypes. In summary, this project combines materials research advances and sophisticated in-operando technology development in order to obtain new materials for post Li -ion batteries with enhanced life-time and performances.
Duration: 1.7.2021 – 31.12.2024
HydroHEA – Výskum a vývoj nových vysokoentropických zliatin určených na efektívne uskladnenie vodíka v energetických aplikáciách
Research and development of new high – entropy alloys for efficient hydrogen storage in energy applications
Program: SRDA
Project leader: doc. Ing. Saksl Karel, DrSc.
Annotation: The presented project aims to development and research of metal hydride materials of the latest generation – highentropyalloys, which report the highest volumetric storage capacity of hydrogen among all materials used so far.We intend to utilize these materials in metal hydride tanks of hydrogen compressors, which are being developed inSlovakia by the project cooperating organisation – FME TUKE.In June 2020, the European Commission presented the Union\’s hydrogen strategy, which states that hydrogen andthe hydrogen economy are among the key technologies for the future of industry in the EU.The presented project aims to meet the goal of efficient and safe hydrogen storage. Up to date studies show thehighest volumetric hydrogen storage capacity of 150 kg/m3, out of all conventional alloys, is reached by Mg2FeH6metal hydride. In 2016, Sahlberg et al. in a publication entitled "Superior hydrogen storage in high entropy alloys"confirmed that the high-entropy alloy TiVZrNbHf can store an incredible "superior" of 210 kg/m3 of hydrogen in itsstructure with a ratio of hydrogen atoms to metal (H / M) 2.5. However, the problem of the alloy is its relatively high density of 7.81 g/cm3, which makes it too high for transport applications. In the project, we will design, prepare andfully characterize a series of completely new high-entropy materials with a low density <7 g/cm3. Materials thatmeet the targets of absorption capacity (> 2 wt% and> 220 kg H2/m3), low desorption temperature (<140C) andhigh cyclic absorption / desorption stability (> 1000 cycles with capacity drop of less than 10%) we will patent. Thealloys will also be tested in a hydrogen compressor, which will undoubtedly contribute to the further evaluation ofthe outputs of this project. In the project we will use our long-term knowledge and expertise in the design,preparation and characterization of high-entropy alloys.
Duration: 1.7.2021 – 30.6.2024
BiAll-2 – Vývoj nových bioresorbovateľných zliatin pre vnútrotelové implantáty
Development of new bioresorbable alloys for intracorporeal implants
Program: SRDA
Project leader: Ing. Molčanová Zuzana, PhD.
Annotation: The main goal of submitted project is to develop the new bioresorbable alloys Ca-Mg-Zn-NN and Ca-Mg-Sr-NNwith controlled rate of biodegradation (NN are solid solution strengthening and stabilizing elements). Developed alloys will be preferentially dedicated to fabrication of intracorporal implants for bone tissue engineering field. Members of project research team are highly focused on the investigation of these alloys systems since 2014. Essential and logical continuity of research activities are moving towards to experimental outputs into medical practice. However, this requires a large-scale investments of research capabilities to enhance the plastic deformability of alloys, while maintain their excellent strength properties and slow dissolution rate. Taking into account that healing of traumatic injuries needs different time of implant mechanical support, the great ambition of the project is to prepare alloys with possibility of controlling their dissolution rate. Another research point with hugepotential of success is handling and mastering of 3D printing of well -defined intracorporal implants from proposed alloys. One of the final research tasks will be in-vivo testing of implants dissolution in the environment of animals bone tissue and continuous monitoring of their degredation rate. Several state-of-the-art experimental techniques, such as HR-TEM microscopy or experiments using synchrotron and neutron diffraction techniques, will be used to study the atomic structure and microstructure of materials to meet the project objectives. Modern techniques of selective laser sintering and/or melting will be used for the production of final implants. The achieved outputs of the project research programme will be adapted by contracted private company Biomedical Engineering s.r.o. and displayed into clinical practice.
Duration: 1.7.2021 – 30.6.2024
HYBS – Vývoj technológie prípravy povrchových nano-štruktúr nástrojových ocelí novej generácie za účelom zvyšovania kvality lisovania hybridných karosérií automobilov s nízkymi CO2 – emisiami z vysokopevných TRIP – ocelí
Technology development of surface nanostructuring of new generation tool steel for increasing the quality of low CO2 – emission cars hybrid bodies stampung using high – strength TRIP – assisted sheet metal
Program: SRDA
Project leader: Mgr. Petryshynets Ivan, PhD.
Duration: 1.2.2022 – 31.12.2023
Vysokoentropické zliatiny na uskladnenie vodíka
Program: Other projects
Project leader: Ing. Varcholová Dagmara, PhD.
Duration: 1.1.2022 – 31.12.2022
Vysokoentropické zliatiny určené na efektívne uskladnenie vodíka
Program: DoktoGranty
Project leader: Ing. Varcholová Dagmara, PhD.
Duration: 1.1.2022 – 31.12.2022
VaTRsEDVFsOAM – Vývoj a testovanie respirátorov s efektívnou degradáciou vírusov filtrami s obsahom antivirotických materiálov
Development and Testing of Respirators with Efficient Degradation of Viruses by Filters Containing Antiviral Materials
Program: SRDA
Project leader: Ing. Ballóková Beáta, PhD.
Annotation: In response to the situation resulting from the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, the research and development performed at workplaces of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering of the Technical University of Kosice has been partially transformed into research and development of special respirators and filtration materials. The submitted project is focussed on the development and construction of respirators with separable filters without exhalation valves which provide efficient protection against SARS-CoV-2 virus. The aim of the project is the investigation, development and production of respirators with separable filters and the testing of novel filtration materials. Designing and production of the respirator will be carried out while applying biomimetic and ergonomic principles and modern additive manufacturing technologies, and the production of multicomponent filters will be carried out while applying a combination of powder metallurgy technology and electrospinning which will facilitate combining metal filters and polymer nanofibres. Also, ceramic components produced by 3D printing will be used as a protective packaging of the used nanofibres and nanoparticles. In order to achieve the project objectives, it will be necessary to carry out the fundamental investigation of filtration efficiencies of the suggested materials with virucidal effects based on copper and ions of silver of zinc. The purpose of the project is to develop and construct testing systems intended for identification of resistance coefficients of newly developed filtration materials, filter permeability using a suitable aerosol, as well as mask penetration through the facepiece contact line. Optimisation of the shape of the respirator facepiece will be based on the analysis of biological parameters of at least 20 human facial scans; this will facilitate elimination of potential infection by particles escaping through the space around the mask.
Duration: 16.9.2020 – 31.12.2021
Vývoj nových biodegradovateľných kovových zliatin určených pre medicínske aplikácie
Development of new biodegradable metal alloys for medical applications
Program: VEGA
Project leader: doc. Ing. Saksl Karel, DrSc.
Annotation: In the submitted project we would like to prepare and investigate ultralight amorphous alloys (metallic glasses) which will be produced only from bioabsorbable elements (Ca, Mg, Zn, Sr, Si, Zr and Li). These elements are present in the human body and they are naturally tolerated by the human body.These amorphous alloys are applied in the field of medicine to prepare intracorporeal implants with controlled dissolution in the body of a patient. During the project our research team will design a brand new amorphous alloys. We will perform analysis of their atomic structures, tests of thermal stability, critical casting thickness, mechanical properties, corrosion resistance in environment similar to the human body fluids and cytotoxicity of the osteoblastic cells on the alloys surface. During the evaluation of new alloys we use our knowledge in field of detail study of atomic structure upon highly disorered materials.
Duration: 1.1.2019 – 31.12.2021