MINIATURA grants for researchers at the Gdańsk University of Technology | Gdańsk University of Technology

The Gdańsk Tech projects that received funding are as follows:

• Satish Bykkam, PhD, Faculty of Applied Physics and Mathematics
  Project: “Optimisation of transparent perovskite cells with wide band gaps to improve the efficiency of four-terminal (4T) perovskite-silicon tandem cells”
  Amount of funding: PLN 47,850

The project aims to develop wide-bandgap (WBG) perovskite materials for semi-transparent solar cells (ST) to be used in four-terminal (4T) perovskite-silicon tandem systems. The research focuses on optimising the properties of materials and engineering perovskite layers using surface modification and interface passivation techniques.
The stability of the developed cells will be evaluated in accordance with the international ISOS protocol under continuous irradiation conditions (ISOS-L-1; > 1000 hours), which will allow their long-term durability and efficiency to be verified.

• Paweł Dąbrowski, PhD, Eng., Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering
  Project: “Assessment of deformations in mountain road tunnels using the point cloud spatial expansion (PCSE) method”
  Amount of funding: PLN 22,044

The project involves analysing the geometry and deformation of road tunnels in mountainous areas using point clouds from laser scanning. The PCSE (Point Cloud Spatial Expansion) method that is used enables the creation of three-dimensional deformation models and alternative geometric representations that provide additional spatial data not available through classical measurements.
The research will also include the development of algorithms for estimating the 3D axes of elongated objects, cross-sections and slope analysis. Consultations and testing of the methodology will take place at TU Delft (Netherlands), in collaboration with experts in the field of point cloud processing, estimation theory and artificial intelligence (AI).

• Anna Grzegórska, PhD, Eng., Faculty of Chemistry
  Project: “Ultralight MXene-based aerogels as active carriers in gas-phase photocatalysis”
  Amount of funding: PLN 48,950

The project aims to develop a new generation of photocatalytic materials based on MXenes, which are layered transition metal carbides and nitrides. Dr Grzegórska will focus on the synthesis of innovative ultra-light and porous MXene-based aerogels that can act as carriers and co-catalysts.
The research will enable the development of MXene-semiconductor systems with improved efficiency in gas-phase reactions, including CO₂ reduction, degradation of volatile organic compounds, and hydrogen production. The project is an inseparable part of the development of green technologies and activities to foster sustainable development.

• Kamil K. Kolincio, PhD, Eng., Faculty of Applied Physics and Mathematics
  Project: “New possibilities for anisotropic thermoelectric materials” 
  Amount of funding: PLN 38,720

The project concerns anisotropic thermoelectric materials, i.e. materials that exhibit different physical properties depending on the direction. The aim of the research is to improve the efficiency of energy production from low-temperature sources, such as waste heat from industrial processes or conventional energy generation. Thermoelectric materials convert thermal energy into electrical energy using temperature differences.
The project involves international cooperation with researchers from the Vienna University of Technology and Laboratoire Crismat in Caen (France).

• Agata Sommer, PhD, Eng., Faculty of Chemistry
  Project: “Purification of keratin hydrolysates via dialysis and precipitation at the isoelectric point”
  Amount of funding: PLN 41,800

The research concerns the development of a more sustainable and environmentally friendly method for purifying keratin hydrolysates derived from chicken feathers, which are a difficult-to-manage waste product of the poultry meat industry. The project aims to verify whether protein precipitation at the isoelectric point can effectively replace classic dialysis, which requires large amounts of water.
The proposed method could significantly simplify the process, reduce energy and water consumption, and preserve valuable bioactive fractions, which is an important step towards sustainable biotechnology for the recovery of proteins from animal waste.