Search Results (29)
Radon as a tool in geophysical research
Radon (222Rn, half-life 3.82 days) is a natural radioactive noble gas which originates from the radioactive decay of radium (226Ra) in the Earth's crust. It is a known hazard to humans, due to its radioactivity. Moreover, radon can also be used as a versatile tool in geophysical research. In order …
Controlled synthesis of TiO2 nanoparticles and their application in photovoltaics
Titanium dioxide (TiO2) in nanoparticle form has recently gained a lot of attention, in both the scientific and industrial communities. This is due to the fact that it exhibits various interesting chemical and physical characteristics, for example, a high photocatalytic activity and the absorption of incident UV light. Many applications …
Giant energy-conversion effects in soft and solid advanced materials
This thesis presents the results of our experimental work in the field of new advanced materials such as liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs), electrocalorics and magnetoelectrics. In the first part, the conversion of thermal to mechanical energy is addressed in LCEs. The three important, newly discovered, chemical and physical parameters for …
Development of new anti-bioadhesive surfaces for specific neurodegenerative agents
The research work presented in this thesis considers the development of new biocompatible surfaces that are able to control the adhesion of specific proteins responsible for the development of neurodegenerative diseases such as Creutzfeldt–Jakob, Alzheimer, Parkinson and Lewis body disease. Our approach was focused on problems prior to the detection …
Synthesis and Characterization of Aluminium Foams
Aluminium foams are prospective class of cell materials that offer a variety of applications in fields such as lightweight structures or crash-energy management. Due to interesting combination of physical and mechanical properties, such as high stiffness at low density, high impact energy absorption, flame and heat resistance, sound absorption, aluminium …
Hydraulic load cells for measurement of small loads
This work deals with the design of a small kitchen appliance with a weighing function integrated into a control loop in order to prevent unbalanced movement of the appliance during operation. In this particular case, the weighing should be appropriate for larger amounts (up to 5 kg) of ingredients. The …
Microstructural investigations of rare-earth transition-metal-based magnetocaloric materials for near-room-temperature applications
Magnetocaloric materials are promising materials for magnetic refrigerators which would substitute present compressor refrigerators. They work on the principle of the magnetocaloric effect (MCE), where the magnetocaloric material increases its temperature when exposed to an external magnetic field. These new type of refrigerators are energetically more efficient and environmentally friendly. …
High-alumina porcelain with improved mechanical and thermal properties
The study presents the influence of increasing the amount of β-spodumene (LiAlSi2O6) as Li2O-content flux on phase composition, microstructural evolution and physical properties of high alumina porcelain material containing ~61% of Al2O3. New porcelain compositions based on clays and high amount of calcined alumina were developed with the introduction of …
Network Models of Self-Assembled Functional Materials
The fabrication of functional materials composed of metallic nanoparticles is one of the most important steps in the contemporary nanotechnology. Nonlinear selfassembly of nanoparticles into macroscopic aggregates are promising methods in which various structures can be obtained by tuning certain control parameters. Such large-scale aggregates exhibit new physical features, which …