Topic title |
Possible scientific supervisors |
Source of funding |
Knitted Structures for Smart Textiles with Enhanced Comfort and Functionality
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prof. dr. Daiva Mikučionienė |
state-funded |
Research Topic Summary.
Recently, the high attention has been paid to development, investigation and manufacturing of functional textile. New technologies of textile manufacturing, new designing methods, new functional fibres, yarns and structures are used for the development of functional textile fabrics and garment. Comfort and functional characteristics of smart knitted textiles are correlating. Several studies report about development and Poisson’s ratio characterization of weft knitted auxetic fabrics. However, the comfort and performance attributes study using knitted structural alteration lacks in both smart and auxetic knitted fabrics literature. Moreover, the weft knitted auxetic fabrics hadn’t been employed in sensing and monitoring applications. Designing of size and shape changing weft knitted auxetic fabrics will allow wearing garment for a long time.
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Sustainable functionalization of textiles from natural fibers |
prof. dr. Rimvydas Milašius |
state-funded |
Formation and investigation of thin film superclattice of multiferroic magnetoelectrics
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doc. dr. Vytautas Stankus |
state-funded |
Research Topic Summary.
The new millennium has begun to pay close attention to new materials. Many sensors, controlling devices that transform information and energy are already being successfully used. One class of such materials is inorganic complex metal oxides with so-called active dielectric properties. They are often referred to as "smart materials". It are substances which transform various physical effects (mechanical, thermal, radiative, light, electric or magnetic, etc.) into an electrical signal which can be recorded. In addition, these materials have the opposite effect - when exposed to an electric field, they change their state - ferroelectric, ferroelastic, electrostriction, pyroelectric, magnetoelectric, electro-optical, electrocaloric and other phenomena are observed. For a long time (about 20 years) in the world of science and technology, these materials have been emphasized as necessary for ferromagnetics or ferroelectrics. However, the first multiferroic material with ferroelectric and (albeit weak) ferromagnetic properties was synthesized in 2003, BiFeO3 (BFO). The combined effect of having both properties (ferroelectric and ferromagnetic at room temperature) was discovered only in 2014. Using ferromagnetic additional layers, a team of scientists from the United States developed a multilayer superlattice structure with magnetoelectric properties. These properties make it possible to look at these materials as a completely new type of memory cell, the magnetization (and direction) of which can only be changed by an electric field. Moreover, due to the residual magnetization effect, the storage of information in these memories will not require energy support. The proposed research on this topic will be carried out by synthesizing multiferroic magnetoelectric layers by reactive magnetron sputter deposition. Structures consisting of ferroelectric and ferromagnetic layers will be formed and the magnetoelectric effect will be investigated.
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Micro- and nanotextured functional glass surfaces
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v.m.d. dr. Dalius Jucius |
state-funded |
Research Topic Summary.
Glass is a solid amorphous material widely used due to its optical transparency as well as its thermal and chemical resistance. Optical lenses, mirrors, touch screens, and devices of integrated optics are made of glass. During operation, glass surfaces often become dirty, and when in contact with a warm and humid environment, they tend to fog up. As a result, the optical transmittance of glass decreases and image distortions appear. To increase the operational efficiency and longevity of devices, antifogging, self-cleaning, and antireflective glass surfaces are created, the functionalization of which is performed by changing the surface morphology and chemical composition. Such surface modification can significantly improve the optical properties, but the final result greatly depends on the type and chemical composition of the functionalized glass. There is still a lack of systematic studies that analyze the influence of various factors. The purpose of this work is the functionalization and peculiarity analysis of various types of glass surfaces in order to reduce surface reflections and change the wettability of the glass, thus ensuring self-cleaning and antifogging behaviour of the surfaces, and accelerating the melting of the formed ice. The planned research will lead to the creation of advanced antifouling glass surfaces for optical applications.
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Direct synthesis of the graphene on dielectric surface: study and sensor applications
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vyr.m.d. dr. Šarūnas Meškinis |
state-funded |
Research Topic Summary.
Graphene is a 2D nanocarbon material, carbon atomic hexagons monolayer. It is at the top of the significant interest due to the giant electron and hole mobility, charge carrier multiplication, flexibility, optical transparency, chemical inertness and other outstanding properties. One of the possible applications of the graphene is use of the graphene in Schottky contacts instead of the metal. Due to the very high mobilities the graphene can be used as a channel layer in field effect transistors and transistor based biosensors. Till now graphene was usually synthesized by chemical vapor deposition of the graphene on catalytic Cu, Ni, Co foils. Afterward, the long process of the graphene transfer onto the targeted semiconductor or dielectric substrates was used. It is a complex and time consuming procedure. Control of the graphene/semiconductor contact and graphene nanolayer properties are complicated in such a case. In present study graphene will be directly synthesized on the dielectric surface by plasma assisted processes. Effects of the graphene structure on characteristics of the sensors will be studied. The relation between properties of the synthesized graphene layer and characteristics of the graphene-based field effect transistor type sensors will be studied.
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The application of polymeric waste for the creation of new functional materials
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v.m.d. dr. Daiva Milašienė |
state-funded |
Research Topic Summary.
The use of industrial polymeric waste in the development of new functional materials is a promising area for the development of sustainable technologies. One way to give desirable properties for purposive functional materials is to chemically modify their surface. Secondary raw materials are already mixtures, which are hampered by contamination with residues of additives required for the properties of the former product. The aim of the research is to search for new possibilities to use industrial polymer waste (plastic, textile) in the development of new functional materials.
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Creating and varification an individualised 3D phantom |
doc. dr. Judita Puišo |
state-funded |
Gradient Metasurfaces for Ultrafast Laser Beam Shaping
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v.m.d. dr. Mindaugas Juodėnas |
state-funded |
Research Topic Summary.
Ultrafast lasers have revolutionized various scientific and industrial fields, enabling unprecedented precision and control in material processing, imaging, and spectroscopy. Traditional beam shaping tools used in these systems, such as lenses, diffraction gratings, and holograms often suffer from bulkiness, cumbersome alignment, and lack of complex features. Metasurfaces, two-dimensional arrays of subwavelength nanostructures, have recently emerged as a promising avenue to unlock new possibilities for shaping light beams. Drawing inspiration from transmit- and reflect-arrays and leveraging modern nanofabrication, they can tailor the wavefront of visible and infrared light with high efficiency and flexibility. Moreover, a single metasurface can encode multiple optical functionalities, significantly reducing the size and alignment requirements for complete systems.
Despite recent advancements in metaoptics, there have been no comprehensive investigations into the design, fabrication, and application of metasurfaces specifically tailored for ultrafast laser beam shaping. The main objective of this PhD project is therefore to harness the unique properties of metasurfaces and achieve unparalleled control over the spatial and temporal characteristics of ultrafast laser pulses. A successful PhD candidate will pioneer the development of such metaoptics via the following:
• Novel metasurface designs will be developed and tailored for ultrafast laser pulses.
• Fabrication techniques ensuring practicality and reasonable damage threshold will be developed.
• Comprehensive characterization methods to evaluate the performance of metasurfaces in the ultrafast regime will be established.
• Practical applications of metasurfaces in ultrafast photonics will be demonstrated, such as in precision material processing, advanced imaging, and spectroscopy.
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Synthesis and studies of the properties of organic emitters exhibiting emission in near to infrared spectral region
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prof. habil. dr. Juozas Vidas Gražulevičius |
state-funded |
Research Topic Summary.
Extremely relevant area of research is organic emitters with effective emission in the near-infrared (NIR) spectral range. The real or potential areas of their application are organic light-emitting diodes, optical communication, night vision, bioimaging and phototherapy devices, as well as remote sensors. The most promising NIR emitters are organic compounds characterized by the thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF). The aim of the work is to design, synthesize and study organic emitters characterized by efficient delayed emission in the NIR spectral region.
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Development and evaluation of multifunctional polymer systems by chemical and structural modification
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prof. dr. Virginija Jankauskaitė |
state-funded |
Research Topic Summary.
Research topic focusses on the development of sustainable multifunction biopolymers based organic or organic-inorganic compositions possessing antimicrobial, antioxidant, healing, protective or other properties and correlation of properties and behavior in order to get the maximum benefit from the systems developed. The main tools for achieving this are theoretical and experimental research, and imitation and modeling of systems behavior.
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Assessment of Space Radiation Hardness of Thin Films
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doc. dr. Benas Gabrielis Urbonavičius |
state-funded |
Research Topic Summary.
Research in material radiation hardness is a profoundly relevant scientific pursuit due to its critical implications across various industries and technologies. As our reliance on advanced electronics and materials increases, ensuring their resilience to radiation-induced damage becomes paramount.However, deterministic methods for accelerated radiation induced aging are sparse and developed on case-to-cases basis. Proposed topic aims to develop a testing method designed to allow for accelerated radiation degradation of materials’ surface structures.
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Formation and investigation of functional textile
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doc. dr. Erika Adomavičiūtė |
state-funded |
Research Topic Summary.
Functional textile properties (as antimicrobial, antistatic, flame retardance, oil, water repellent, smell elimination) are provided during materials manufacture process or during finishing. In this PhD research work will be created, manufactured and analysed materials for medical application.
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Formation and investigation of thin-film catalytic structures.
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prof. dr. Giedrius Laukaitis |
state-funded |
Research Topic Summary.
The mechanism of bacterial adhesion to solid surfaces is a complex process affected by multiple factors. The most important property of the bacterial adhesion mechanism is influenced by the physicochemical interaction of the bacterial cells. The bacterial adhesion is determined by surface topography and roughness, free surface energy, including Van der Valse and electrostatic forces or acid-alkaline interactions, the potential arising in the phase boundary, hydrophobicity, and surface charge. Surface derivatives, which are much smaller than bacterial cells, have been found to inhibit binding, reducing the interaction between bacterial cells and solids. The use of nanoparticles (metal and metal oxide) as antibacterial surfaces is a viable way. Most metallic or metal oxide nanoparticles (Ag, Fe3O4, TiO2, CuO, ZnO, etc.) have bactericidal properties through the generation of reactive oxygen species, although some of them are effective due to nanostructures and surface potential. Nano-particles formed on ceramic surfaces can disrupt the integrity of the bacterial cell membrane and its potential and activate the production of oxygen-free radicals acting as nanocatalysts.
The project will investigate: a) the formation of thin ceramic films by physical vapor deposition methods, selecting optimal forming technologies; b) the influence of technological parameters on the catalytic and antibacterial properties of the thin films; and c) the physicochemical investigation of the formed thin films. The aim of the project is to investigate the physical, chemical, and other characteristics of antimicrobial thin films and, on the basis of the research, cause the practical use of such systems.
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Development of smart MXene-based nanocoatings |
prof. dr. Daiva Zeleniakienė |
state-funded |
The formation of chromium oxide composite coatings by plasma spraying
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prof. dr. Liutauras Marcinauskas |
state-funded |
Research Topic Summary.
Chromium oxide coatings, due to its unique properties, are widely used in technical, medical, energetic and electronic applications. However, the application of Cr2O3 coatings for tribological systems is limited by the insufficient adhesion to the substrate, poor fracture toughness, high friction coefficients and low wear resistance at high temperatures. The coatings of Cr2O3 composites (Cr2O3-ZrO2, Cr2O3-TiO2, etc.) deposited by the plasma spraying has higher wear resistance, lower friction coefficient and are more plastic. The use of various materials (SiC, TiC, TiO2, ZrO2, graphite etc.) additions to the Cr2O3 matrix provides formation of self-lubricant composite coatings. The adhesion strength of Crl2O3 composite coating increases with the formation of metallic interlayers. However the investigations related to the influence of origin and thickness of the inter-layer on various types of Cr2O3 composite (COC) coatings are insufficient. The researches of tribological properties of COC coatings at non-lubricated conditions are fragmentary.
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Development of white organic electroluminescent devices using new materials |
vyr.m.d. dr. Dmytro Volyniuk |
state-funded |
Modeling of kinetics of nanocomposites coatings during deposition |
prof. habil. dr. Arvaidas Galdikas |
state-funded |
Development and investigation of multicomponent thin films for radiation shielding |
prof. dr. Diana Adlienė |
state-funded |
Naturally Sourced Hydrogels and Hydrogel Nanocomposites as a Water Reservoir for Forest Restoration |
doc. dr. Kristina Žukienė |
state-funded |
Development of new triphenylamine and carbolinil-based materials for doping-free hole transporting layers of optoelectronic devices |
doc. dr. Audrius Bučinskas |
state-funded |
ZnO nanostructure 3D networks for multifunctional coatings
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vyr.m.d. dr. Simas Račkauskas |
state-funded |
Research Topic Summary.
ZnO nanostructures have attracted a lot of attention in the scientific world due to their unique properties and wide application possibilities in renewable energy and electronics, but integration into functional materials remains a problem, as the synthesis is mainly limited by the growth surface, which hinders their wide application. During the research, multifunctional nanonetwork platform based on ZnO nanowires (NWs) will be developed. A new formation method of ZnO NWs will be implemented.
The research will lead to the development of novel ZnO nanowire 3D networks aiming for the application in electronics and multifunctional coatings. This research will use state-of-the-art synthesis equipment for the large-scale synthesis of ZnO NWs and specialized printing techniques. This research focuses on developing unique printed nanowire network platform for two new applications: neuromorphic computing and selective sensors. These results are important at the international level, as they will open up new areas of application for nanowire 3D networks in the development of next-generation devices.
Since ZnO NWs can be applied in other fields (e.g., electronics, biology, etc.), this equipment and the experience gained will be used in ongoing projects and will enable the development of new products.
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Synthesis of chiral metal nanostructures and application for sensors.
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doc. dr. Asta Tamulevičienė |
state-funded |
Research Topic Summary.
With the development of nanotechnology and the understanding of the plasmonic properties of nanomaterials, Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) is gaining more and more attention as an extremely sensitive and versatile analytical method. One of the most important elements in SERS spectroscopy is noble metal nanostructures, which can enhance the weak Raman scattering signal characteristic for the investigated molecule. The aim of the research is to form Au nanostructures of different geometries (i.e. stars, nanotubes) and form their clusters neatly arranged on the surface by self-assembly. During the research, nanoparticles will be formed and analysed evaluating their structure evolution dependence on synthesis conditions, and optical properties. Particles will be deposited on plain and structured surfaces and its impact on SERS signal and optical properties will be investigated.
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