VPP-COVID-2020/1-0004
The Institute of Solid State Physics, together with other institutions, participates in the implementation of the project, which is related to the solution of problems related to COVID-19. The overall goal of the project is to provide medical institutions with up-to-date information and technologies that will help reduce the risk of infection and reduce the workload of medical staff.
Within the framework of the project, the Institute of Solid State Physics study the anti-microbial effect of different types of WO3-x, WO3-x:Cu, Cu, WO3-x/Cu/WO3-x thin coatings, as well as the possibilities of improving the chemical and mechanical strength of these coatings.
Magnetron sputtering technology is used to obtain coatings. Variation of process parameters provides an opportunity to obtain coatings with different physical-chemical properties, and to variate chemical composition.
Obtained coatings ability to transmit visible light provides the possibility to use coatings on protective screens, contact surfaces, and in protective suits visors. The possibilities of practical application of the developing prototype correspond to the project goals.
Project implementation process:
At the beginning of 09.2020, the first batch of samples was tested, anti-microbial activity was observed for several coating types, also physical-chemical properties were tested.
Based on the previously collected data, a second batch of test samples was prepared.
Total cost: 200 000 EUR
Duration (years): 2018-2020
LZP FLPP No.LZP-2018/2-0353
Searching for new high temperature superconductors which could be used in everyday applications is nowadays one of the most important and challenging problems in physics and materials science. A huge step forwad has been made in 2015, when superconductivity has been discovered in hydrogen sulfide with the record-hight critical temperature Tc = 203K. Although the physical mechanisms responsible for superconductivity are known, more detailed experimental information about behaviour of the electrons and their coupling with the phonons is requied. In this project we aim to obtain new information about the evolution of the electronic and the local atomic structures in hydrogen rich metal hydrides as temperature and pressure (200 GPa) are varied. We will apply the novel microbeam synchrotron-radiation based X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) technique at extreme pressure. The Y-H and La-H systems, will be examined where new hydrogen-rich phases are predicted to be formed with the Tc higher than in supfur hydride. The structural information obtained by advanced ab-initio XAFS analysis including including Reverse Monte Carlo will be compared with the theoretically predicted superconducting phases. The project is multidisciplinary and combines materials science, synchrotron radiation technique at extreme pressure, solid state chemistry, physics and computer science.
THEORETICAL PREDICTION OF HYBRID NANOSTRUCTURED PHOTOCATALYTIC MATERIALS FOR EFFICIENT WATER SPLITTING (2018 - 2020)
Project coordinator: Dr. Rer. Nat. Sergei Piskunov
Project leading participant: Dr. Phys. Robert Eglitis
Project participants:
Dr. Phys. Boris Polyakov
M. Sc. Edgar Butanovs
M. Sc. Alexei Gopeyenko
B. Sc. Inta Isakovica
Total cost: 199 508 EUR
Duration (years): 2018-2020
LZP FLPP Nr. lzp-2018/2-0083
The utilization of solar energy to convert water into hydrogen via efficient photocatalysis is an ultimate goal of clean energy society. The current understanding of processes taking place at nanostructured photoelectrode surfaces is insufficient to rationally design the efficient photochemical reactor for visible-light-driven water splitting. Engineering the electronic energy band structure of hybrid nanostructured semiconductor materials through judicious control of their atomic composition is a promising route to increase visible light photoresponse. In this respect, before time-consuming and expensive experimental synthesis of nanophotocatalyst combined with spectroscopy and electrochemical measurements, it is reasonable to perform thorough theoretical modelling of the mid-gap states and band edge positions of promising photoelectrodes. The main goal of our project is to develop a reliable theoretical approach based on multi-scale computer modelling for fundamental understanding of such factors as composition, atomic and electronic structure, and charge transfer processes at hybrid nanostructured photocatalysts vital for their further synthesis and experimental characterization. The project results in improvements in efficiency, durability, and, consequently, the cost of photochemical reactors allowing efficient hydrogen production from water.
Horizon 2020
CO2-BASED ELECTROSYNTHESIS OF ETHYLENE OXIDE – CO2EXIDE (2018 - 2020)
Project coordinator: Fraunhofer Institute for Interfacial Engineering and Biotechnology IGB Germany
Project participants:
Participant organisation name
Country
Fraunhofer Institute for Interfacial Engineering and Biotechnology IGB
Germany
AGH University of Science and Technology, Academic Centre for Materials and Nanotechnology, Kraków
Poland
Institute of Solid State Physics of the University of Latvia
Latvia
Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Department of Atomic Physics
Hungary
University of Southampton
UK
Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
Germany
Siemens AG
Germany
Energieinstitut an der Johannes-Kepler-Universität Linz
Austria
axiom Angewandte Prozesstechnik Ges.m.b.H.
Austria
EPC - PROJEKTGESELLSCHAFT FÜR KLIMA. NACHHALTIGKEIT. KOMMUNIKATION. mbH (gemeinnützig)
Germany
Duration (years): 2018-2020
Grant agreement No 768789.
The CO2EXIDE project aims at the development of a combined electrochemical-chemical technology for the production of ethylene oxide from biobased CO2. Initially, the electrochemical step pursues the simultaneous conversion of CO2 to ethylene at the cathode and water oxidation to hydrogen peroxide at the anode. A subsequent chemical conversion of both intermediates to ethylene oxide will deliver e.g. oligo-/polyethylene glycol in a chemical cascade reaction. The CO2EXIDE technology combines a modular nature for the feasibility of a decentralised application, a high energy and material efficiency/yield and the substitution of fossil based production of ethylene oxide. In line with the energy turnaround, the CO2EXIDE technology will be combinable with renewables and allows for the direct creation of products, which can be integrated into the existing supply chain. The reactions will be operated at low temperatures and pressures and forecast significant improvements in energy and resource efficiency combined with an enormous reduction of GHG emissions. All improvements will be quantitated using life cycle assessment.
The role of the Institute of Solid State Physics, University of Latvia (ISSP UL) in the project is to create an alternative structure of the cathode for electrocatalytic reduction of CO2 to ethylene, based on modified multi-layer graphene stacks obtained from recycled graphite. In addition, the ISSP UL will perform theoretical calculations from the first principles of the graphene sheet modified with copper atom clusters, and will construct innovative electrochemical half-cell to monitor with FTIR spectroscopy the gases in CO2 reduction process. SPEEK polymer composites with zirconium oxide nanoparticles and ionic liquid derived from imidazole compounds will be developed to form a membrane that is compatible with the catalyst materials and stimulates the adsorption of the CO2 on the electrode.
EUROfusion
XAS studies on a 14%Cr ODS alloy and on ion-irradiated RAFM steels (2018 - 2020)
European Regional Development Fund projects
NANOWIRE PHOTODETECTORS (2020)
Project coordinator: Dr.phys. Boris Polyakov
Total budget: 25 000 EUR
Duration: 1.04.2020.-30.09.2020.
Project number: KC-PI-2020/45
The aim of the project is to develop and commercialize cheap nanowire-based photodetectors for the UV-VIS-IR range and nanowire photodetectors for the X-ray range. Inexpensive small photodetectors may be in high demand for the implementation of the Internet of Things concept. Within the first stage of the project, it is planned to carry out a technical and economic feasibility study of the technology transfer project and to develop a commercialization strategy.