Latest Academic Works
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 …
Genetic variability and lead exposure biomarkers
The thesis investigates associations between the biomarkers of lead (Pb) exposure (and mercury (Hg), where applicable) and genetic variability in in vulnerable populations, including pregnant women and their newborns from Italy, Slovenia, and Croatia, as well as Slovenian men of reproductive age. The research utilizes data from the Public Health …
Enhancing the performance of highly filled polymerbonded Nd-Fe-B magnets: Integrated advanced surface treatments and additive manufacturing
This doctoral dissertation present research aimed into enhancing polymer-bonded Nd–Fe–B magnets through innovative surface treatments and additive manufacturing techniques, focusing on improving their mechanical strength, magnetic characteristics, and environmental stability. This research is critical for broadening the applicability of these magnets in sectors like green technologies and motion control systems. …
ǂA ǂdecision-support system for the design of a green-hydrogen production system in a hydropower plant
This dissertation combines academic research and the application of its results to a real benchmark process. With the emerging electro-energetic systems that have a large share of renewable sources, hydrogen is becoming an important energy carrier that contributes to the storage and usage of surplus green energy and thus reduces …
Temperature fractionation of mercury in the cement production process
Cement production is one of the main contributors to mercury emissions in to the atmosphere. Many national and international legal i nstruments aim to control and reduce Hg emissions. Hg enters the cement production process as an impurity in fuels and raw materials, with the latter being the main source …
Biotechnological production of insect sex pheromones and potato virus Y infectious clone as tools in plant protection
Rising demands for food, instigated by population growth and urbanization, are calling for advanced agricultural approaches to increase crop yields. However, the expansion of food production should not come with an unmanageable environmental cost. Plant science is therefore challenged to provide sustainable innovations for combating the detrimental effects of unfavourable …
Autonomous generation of robot behaviour for effective task execution
The pursuit of autonomous robot learning is aimed at enabling robots to seamlessly integrate into our daily lives, enhancing our efficiency and convenience. On the other hand, in the industrial sector, autonomous robot learning plays a vital role in keeping up with the rapidly evolving market demands. As products and …
Characteristics of gaseous plasma in a large low-pressure reactor
The scientific backgrounds of technologies involved in the production of headlamps for the automotive industry are elaborated in this thesis. The experimental work was performed using an industrial plasma reactor with a volume of approximately 5 m3. The reactor enables three different operations, i.e., plasma pretreatment of workpieces made from …
Mass Balance of Mercury in the Idrijca River Catchment
Mercury (Hg) pollution has been investigated in the area of the Idrija mercury mine, Slovenia, where the second largest mercury mine in the world operated for more then 500 years. Although the production of mercury at the Idrija mercury mine stopped in 1994, centuries of mining and ore processing operations …