Search Results (44)
Topology-induced phenomena and caloric effects in condensed matter
The first part of the thesis deals with the impact of surface-functionalized nanoparticles (NP) can have on the stability of liquid crystal (LC) phases. Experimental data of NP concentration-driven phase transition between the isotropic and nematic phase in 5OO8 LCs were used to create a minimal mathematical model that would …
The effect of surface roughness on erosion yields and distribution of impurities on fusion relevant materials
Plasma facing components (PFC) in fusion devices are exposed to plasma. Plasma-wall interaction processes are important as they impose a series of constraints on the components. The lifetime of the PFCs is dominantly determined by two processes: erosion and fuel retention. At the first wall the erosion is caused by …
New methods for the determination of elemental composition and simple phenolic compounds in atmospheric particulate matter
Air pollution is an inevitable problem that modern society has to face today, with particulate matter (PM) being the most dangerous part of it, threatening human health and the environment. Not all PM particles, however, are equally harmful, since the dangerous potential depends on their size and chemical composition, which …
Electrochemically synthesised polyaniline for gas and aqueous detection of ammonia
An everyday awareness of the presence of harmful chemicals around us has led to the development of a way to report overexposure through the reactions of these compounds with specifically prepared materials - sensory elements. In this doctoral dissertation we focused on the electrochemical synthesis (electropolymerization) of conductive polymer polyaniline …
Metrology of mercury measurements in the air
Atmospheric mercury (Hg) plays an important role in the biogeochemical Hg cycle. Hg species in the atmosphere are present in very low concentrations. While gaseous elemental mercury (GEM) is relatively inert, gaseous oxidized (GOM) and particulate-bound (PBM) mercury are highly reactive. These characteristics of atmospheric Hg species make the speciation …
Protection of biomedical alloys by thin films of alumina and hafnia prepared by atomic layer deposition
One of the most commonly used metal materials for the manufacture of biomedical implants are stainless steel and titanium-based alloys. Due to the specific conditions and complex environment in the human body, different strategies have been employed to protect them and improve their functionality in vivo. In this thesis, a …
Time-efficient method for monitoring electrochemical energy conversion systems
According to the EU’s Green Deal plan, one of the main objectives for the EU is to become a net-zero greenhouse emission society by 2050. Achieving this goal requires advancements across many areas ranging from energy production, conversion, distribution and energy storage where the key role is taken by the …
Chirality and nanoparticles enforced stabilization of topological defects in liquid crystals
Of our main interest in this work is the stabilization of assemblies of topological defects (TDs) in liquid crystals (LCs). Due to the topological origin of TDs, the physics of defects is of interest for all branches of physics, including condensed matter systems, particle physics, and cosmology. LCs represent an …
Optical emission spectroscopy as a tool for monitoring cold atmospheric pressure plasma processes
Non-equilibrium atmospheric pressure plasmas are used in many areas, such as food and agriculture, plasma medicine, plasma surface modification, material synthesis and deposition. Because of their versatility, many plasma setups have been developed. Of greater interest are those that operate at atmospheric pressure, like atmospheric pressure plasma jets (APPJs). Regarding …
Plasma-enabled design of hybrid carbon nanostructures for energy storage applications
Carbon, one of the most abundant materials in the earth crust, has gained research attention owing to its high structural stability, electrical conductivity, optical and thermal properties. Additionally, the possibility of tailoring carbon materials at nanoscales makes them promising materials for many applications, including energy storage, sensors, biomedical and electronics. …