Latest Academic Works
Model of energy community for sustainable local infrastructure planning and sector coupling
Achieving ambitious targets for energy efficiency, increasing the share of renewable energy and accelerating the transition to a climate-neutral society faces a number of technical, environmental and social barriers. Challenges include the difficulty of siting energy facilities, balancing public benefits, bottlenecks in energy infrastructure, fluctuations in the energy market and …
Different approaches for enhancing dielectric response of polymer and ceramic materials
Dielectric materials are essential components of electronic devices and electric power systems. Consequently, the design and development of new materials with enhanced dielectric response remain of great importance. This dissertation examines three different approaches to enhancing the dielectric response: (i) percolative composites, (ii) polymer blending, and (iii) the induction of …
Source apportionment of Pb in PM10 from the Upper Meža Vally by the use of advanced analytical techniques
Knowledge of the pollution activity at the mining and smelting sites and assessment of contamination levels at different sites is not always sufficient for reliable conclusions regarding lead (Pb) provenance and contributions from sources. Pb isotopes have long been used as ‘fingerprints’ of the source of Pb recorded in environmental …
Local mechanical properties of perovskite oxide ferroelectric materials
Ferroelectric materials have the ability to convert electrical energy into mechanical energy and vice versa, which makes them widely used as sensors, actuators, and ultrasonic transducers. While their electrical and electromechanical properties are well studied, mechanical properties like Young’s modulus (E) and hardness (H) remain known to a lesser extent. …
Feature construction techniques in time-series analysis and single-objective optimization
Feature construction, encompassing both feature engineering, which involves the manual design of features by domain experts, and representation learning, which refers to the automated discovery of useful data representations during model construction, is a fundamental aspect of machine learning. Its goal is to transform raw data into a more suitable …
Detection of food freshness and pesticides through chemical interaction of liquids or gases with surfaces
Food, water, and sleep form the foundation of human needs, all of which are indispensable. However, unlike sleep, food and water have historically been beyond direct human control. Since ancient times, hunter-gatherers have migrated in search of these essential resources. The advent of agriculture marked a turning point, allowing humans …
Nanoengineering for enhanced toxic metals adsorption: Nanoengineering for Enhanced Toxic Metals Adsorption: From Synthesis to Biorecognition
Environmental contamination by toxic metals—such as Pb²⁺, Cr³⁺, and Hg²⁺—and organometallic species like monomethylmercury (MeHg) presents one of the most persistent global challenges due to their bioaccumulation, long-term toxicity, and resistance to degradation. This thesis addresses this critical issue through a multidisciplinary approach combining nanotechnology, environmental chemistry, biosensor engineering, and …
The integrated impact of artificial gravity and vibration exercise training on muscle structure and function
During space sojourns, astronauts experience musculoskeletal deconditioning caused by the lack of gravity. The adaptation of the musculoskeletal system to inactivity and unloading of the weight-bearing limbs may be countered by daily exercise. However, current exercise devices and strategies employed on the International Space Station (ISS) do not appear to …
Ecological modelling of the phytoplankton community in the northern Adriatic sea
This dissertation examines the ecological dynamics of phytoplankton communities in the northern Adriatic Sea, focusing on phenology, environmental drivers, and trophodynamics. The complexity of the region, characterized by the richness of phytoplankton communities, environmental variability and intensive human activities, is not seen as an obstacle but as an opportunity to …
Synthesis and investigation of organofluorosilicate and organofluorogermanate species
Fluorine, though abundant on Earth, is not readily available in a form suitable for organic synthesis. While fluoride salts like fluorite exist, they have limited reactivity due to solubility properties. Converting fluorite to hydrofluoric acid (HF) or fluorine gas (F2) increases reactivity but introduces significant safety concerns due to the …