| Topic title |
Possible scientific supervisors |
Source of funding |
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Sustainable extraction technologies for isolation of valuable components from microalgae and development of new products
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doc. dr. Michail Syrpas |
state-funded |
Research Topic Summary.
Over the last years, interest in natural algal products is high, as they could have economic significance and serve as important lead compounds towards specific applications. Algae, due to their production of structurally diverse compounds, constitute one of the most promising and relatively underexplored sources of novel food, nutraceutical, biotechnological and pharmaceutical products. The aim of this study is the development of novel strategies, based on green solvent/extraction principles, for the utilization of algae biomass as a source of higher-added value components and development of novel formulations. Mathematical models are expected to play an essential part in driving microalgal production towards more profitable and sustainable processes. Several parameters need to be evaluated in order to develop optimized extraction models that could be used as tools for prediction and process optimization. Recovery of target components relies on several process variables (i.e., temperature, pressure etc.). Design of experiments will be utilized to optimize extraction conditions in terms of target compound(s) content. A statistical analysis demonstrating the influence of each variable and their interactions thereof will be conducted. Isolation of targeted fractions for functional food and biotechnological/ cosmetic applications will be performed. Moreover, novel neoteric solvents (i.e., deep eutectic solvents) and green extraction techniques such as supercritical fluid, pressurized liquid, ultrasound-assisted extraction will be optimized and compared with conventional methods. The obtained fractions will be further screened for the identification of bioactive compounds and will serve as a basis for the development of novel formulations (i.e nutraceutical, cosmetic). For more details please contact the supervisor of the topic.
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Use of natural flocculants in wastewater treatment and biomass compaction
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doc. dr. Joana BENDORAITIENĖ |
state-funded |
Research Topic Summary.
In recent years, the concept of circular economy has gained significant momentum worldwide, as the traditionally known linear economy, based on the “take – make – dispose” model, is failing to meet the sustainability challenges of a world that concurrently requires sustained economic growth, environmental protection, and societal wellbeing. Sustainable value creation has multiple forms and means, and in the manufacturing context, it is of strategic significance. Separation of dispersion systems is a daily process in many industries for water treatment, wastewater treatment or extraction of value-added products. Sedimentation technology often uses large amounts of inorganic or synthetic coagulants / flocculants that can have adverse effects on the environment. Therefore, it is important to use safe, natural materials based biodegradable flocculants in water treatment plants, where compacted / dried sludge, biomass (such as microalgae) could be used in closed life cycle processes to support changes in materials. Polysaccharides e.g., starch are of great interest as a low-cost renewable raw material for the production of natural organic flocculants. In recent years, KTU researchers have developed flocculants of natural origin which work effectively and are compatible to synthetic flocculants. The aim of the work: to evaluate the possibilities of using flocculants produced on the basis of natural materials in water treatment and biomass compaction and to develop new dispersions systems separation technologies. For more details please contact the supervisor of the topic.
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The synthesis and properties of alternative binding materials
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prof. dr. Kęstutis BALTAKYS |
state-funded |
Research Topic Summary.
The enormous increment of greenhouse gas emission and wastes generation leads to environmental concerns: air, water and soil pollution, global warming, health issues and others. In fact, the production of cementitious materials accounts ~50 % of global production, consequently cement industry emit 6-8 % of anthropogenic CO2 emissions and 7-12 % of industrial sources emissions. In addition, the production of cementitious materials requires a huge amount of natural resources and energy (4.7-6.3 GJ of energy is used in order to produce 1 ton of ordinary Portland cement (OPC) (12-15 % of industrial consumption and 3-5 % of the world's total energy consumption)). For these reasons, the cement industry and the scientific community have been looking for alternative approaches in order to reduce the harmful effects on the environment. Seeking these goals, the cement industry not only uses alternative fuels, various additives and waste but also focuses on the development of new production technologies. However, the application of the above mentioned technologies can only partially reduce the negative effects on the environment. Thus it is generally recognized that, in order to reduce CO2 emission and energy consumption, a new environmentally friendly cementitious materials, which requires lower calcination temperatures and/or lower CaO/SiO2 molar ratio (in OPC ~3), should be created and applied worldwide. The aim of work is to determine the influence of the nature of raw materials, synthesis conditions and additives on the formation and properties of dibasic calcium silicate hydrates and related compounds. For more details please contact the supervisor of the topic.
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Synthesis and studies of organic hole-transporting materials with low ionization potentials
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prof. habil. dr. Juozas Vidas GRAŽULEVIČIUS |
state-funded |
Research Topic Summary.
In this project, new, effective and inexpensive hole-transporting materials with ionization potentials below 5.2 eV will be synthesized. The compounds will be designed using planar electronically active moieties such as carbazole, fluorene, xanthone, thiazolothiazole etc. which will ensure high hole-drift mobilities. Photophysical, thermal, electrochemical, charge-transporting properties of the synthesized compounds will be studied. The obtained hole-transporting compounds will be tested in perovskite solar cells.
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Valorisation of agrofood processing by-products and waste using biorefinery concept
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prof. dr. Petras Rimantas VENSKUTONIS |
state-funded |
Research Topic Summary.
Large amounts of by-products and waste are produced during storage and processing of fruits, vegetables and other agro-food raw materials. Processing residues of food materials in many cases contain high amounts of valuable substances such as polyphenolics, vitamins, and saccharides; however, currently they are used rather inefficiently and in many cases wasted, mainly due to a lack of scientific and technological valorization of their processing methods. For instance, many berry species are known for their excellent flavour and abundance of healthy compounds possessing antioxidant and other beneficial properties. However, due to a rapid decay after harvesting, the majority of berry crops are processed into juices and other products. Pressing of juice results in large quantities of by-products, called pomace, press-cake or marc. The main task in this project will be valorization of the selected food grade agromaterials (most likely fruit and/or vegetable processing by-products and/or waste) for the production of valuable natural substances
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Biopolymer sorbents for removal of microcontamnants from water
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prof. dr. Ramunė RUTKAITĖ |
state-funded |
Research Topic Summary.
Water is a precious natural resource and its quality is essential for the survival of living creatures on the earth. However, rapid industrialization is continuously degrading the quality of water due to addition of large amounts of pollutants into the water. In recent years, microcontaminants in effluents have attracted the attention of scientists and technologists because of their toxicity. For example, the concentration of medications residues in soil, surface and ground waters is growing and might constitute serious danger to human health and aquatic ecosystems. Most common pharmaceutical contaminants which could be find in the environment are antidepressants, analgesics, antiphlogistic and hormone drugs, antihypertensives and cardiovascular drugs. Unfortunately, traditional mechanical and biological wastewater treatment technologies are insufficient for the removal of this type of contaminants. The aim of this research work – to obtain the particles of modified biopolymers of different structure and composition having ionogenic, and hydrophobic groups as well as their composites and to apply them for adsorption of microcontaminants from effluents. During the course of the PhD project chemical and physical modification of natural polymers will be performed to obtain the derivatives and hybrid composites of different charge density, amphiphilicity and surface area, porosity, sorption-desorption properties. The tailored methods will be used for investigation of modified biopolymer sorbents properties including different adsorption and kinetic models along with the calculations of thermodynamic parameters. After evaluation of the obtained biopolymer and hybrid sorbents properties the optimized and novel products as well as novel wastewater cleaning technology will be developed.
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Development of dietary fibres for the improving nutritional value and providing additional health benefits to food products
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prof. dr. Daiva LESKAUSKAITĖ |
state-funded |
Research Topic Summary.
The aim of the project is to develop innovative dietary fibres products from berry pomace and adapt them to improve the nutritional value of specific foods and to provide additional health benefits. During this project, the sequential application and research of complex extraction and enzymatic treatment processes of dietary fibres from berry pomace will result in the development of dietary fibres products with different properties, purposefully selected depending on their use in the production of food or beverages. The expected result of the project is dietary fibres from berry pomace with prebiotic, hyperglycemic properties and hypocholesterol effect, suitable for food production.
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Obtaining and application bioactive substances of biological origin in leather manufacturing processes by changing harmful chemicals
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prof. dr. Virgilijus VALEIKA |
state-funded |
Research Topic Summary.
Leather manufacture is one of mostly polluting branch of industry. The wastewater is polluted by sulphides, lime, products of protein degradation, ammonia, acids, chromium salts, dyes, fats etc. Due to complex constitution, the cleaning of the wastewater is very complicated and expensive. Constantly tightening environmental requirements are forcing leather companies to close for these reasons. Accordingly, any partial or complete substitution of any sufficiently harmful substance with a natural substance in any processing process is welcome and welcomed. Such natural substances may include tannins, essential oils, enzymes and the like. Intensive research has been underway recently to find such materials and ways to extract them. Similar studies have been initiated at KTU: preliminary studies have been performed using eucalyptus and thyme essential oils to preserve and fatliquor hides and skins, and Potentilla erecta tannins for tanning. For more details please contact the supervisor of the topic.
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Synthesis of polymers from renewable raw materials by photopolymerization and investigation of their properties
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prof. dr. Jolita OSTRAUSKAITĖ |
state-funded |
Research Topic Summary.
“The European strategy for plastics in a circular economy” initiated by the European Commission determines materials derived from renewable sources as a main direction for more sustainable and innovative economic development. In addition, using materials from renewable raw materials, it is possible to obtain both biodegradable and stable polymers that exhibit properties similar to conventional ones, i.e. the properties of the polymers obtained from the petroleum products, and can break down into harmless substances in the environment after use. The following renewable raw materials of plant origin: various natural oils, terpenes and products derived from lignin, are still little used in the synthesis of polymers even they are already produced industrially. The reactive functional groups existing in natural oils, terpenes and products derived from lignin, for example vanillin, make it possible for their molecules to react with each other and with other molecules either directly or after chemical modification. Recycling waste (e.g. composting or anaerobic digestion) from polymeric products from such materials is simple, cheap and environmentally acceptable. In this work, photopolymerization will be used for the synthesis of new polymers from renewable raw materials. This method differs from other polymerization methods by mass, energy, space, and process time efficiency which comply with the principles of green engineering. Investigation of photopolymerization kinetics, characterization of new synthesized polymers and investigation of their rheological, mechanical, thermal and etc. properties is planned.
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Synthesis and properties of calcium silicate binders hardening in the CO2 environment
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prof. dr. Raimundas ŠIAUČIŪNAS |
state-funded |
Research Topic Summary.
Concrete is the second largest commodity after water consumed annually by the population of Earth. Due to such vast demand for the building materials, cement industry is responsible for about 5–7 % of global anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions, with almost equal amount of CO2 emitted to the atmosphere after production of one tonne of cement. Accordingly, the scientific community is struggling to find the solution for greenhouse gas mitigation and reduction of the negative effect of the cement production. Even though, in the past decades many solutions to alleviate the adverse effect of cement production to the environment were proposed, recent studies have shown that strategies like clinker substitutions, alternative fuels and/or improved energy efficiency alone will not be sufficient enough to meet the target CO2 reductions. Thus, finding alternative cementitious materials with lower CO2 footprint than ordinary cement is one the major challenges for the building material industry and the scientific community. One of the most promising approaches is the production of low-lime calcium silicate cement (CSC). This type of binding materials not only requires lower amounts of limestone but, as well as, has lower production temperature thereby resulting in much lower CO2 emissions. Moreover, such binders are environmentally amicable not only due to lower CO2 emissions, but also for the ability to permanently store CO2 in the concrete structure in their carbonation hardening process. Implementation of such efficient carbonation technologies can potentially lead to cementitious materials becoming one of the largest global CO2 sequestration sectors. For more details please contact the supervisor of the topic.
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Aditive nano and microfibre technology for the enhancement of aerosol filtration process
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prof. dr. Dainius MARTUZEVIČIUS |
state-funded |
Research Topic Summary.
During the course of PhD research novel nano and microstructured materials will be developed using aditive manufacturing technique, aiming to apply those for aerosol particle filtration. The work will focus of developing a superior material having high particle retention, good air permeability, low pressure drop and optimal mechanical properties. During the course of PhD research novel nano and microstructured materials will be developed using aditive manufacturing technique, aiming to apply those for aerosol particle filtration. The work will focus of developing a superior material having high particle retention, good air permeability, low pressure drop and optimal mechanical properties.
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Biorefining of birch buds into higher-added value components and their application for development of innovative functional products
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doc. dr. Vaida KITRYTĖ |
state-funded |
Research Topic Summary.
This research project is aimed to isolate valuable biologically active constituents from balsam poplar (Populus balsamifera) and silver birch (Betula pendula) buds applying environmentally and human-friendly multistep biorefining technologies, analysis of their functional properties in vitro and in biological matrices, and targeted applications towards the development and modelling of innovative functional products. The project activities are focused on solving several scientific and practical application problems in this field. Firstly, valuable functional materials of various polarities will be isolated from balsam poplar and birch buds by optimising innovative high pressure and ultrasound-assisted extraction techniques with non-toxic solvents. Secondly, the phytochemical composition of isolated fractions will be determined by employing state of the art chromatographic analysis. Thirdly, functional properties (antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, enzyme activating or inhibiting, oxidative stress-protective) of isolated fractions will be assessed utilising various in vitro model systems and biological matrices. Based on these results, multistep valorisation (biorefining) schemes will be designed to obtain bioactive component-enriched fractions of desired functionality. Finally, these fractions will be utilised to design innovative functional products (e.g., food supplements, phytopreparations, etc.). Functional properties assessment in biological matrices will be achieved collaborating with the scientists from the Department of Clinical Pharmacy of Lithuanian University of Health Sciences. Project implementation will lead towards the creation of new scientific production, publications in high-level scientific journals, dissemination of results in the national and international conferences, production of functional product prototypes, and presentation thereof in the young creators' inventions exhibition TECHNORAMA.
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Synthesis, properties and use of environmentally friendly cements
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prof. dr. Rimvydas KAMINSKAS |
state-funded |
Research Topic Summary.
One of the cement industry's main priority is to find additives that may be used as a clinker replacement and which could help to reduce energy consumption and CO2 emissions during cement production. In case of large quantities of the by-products it would be interesting and important issue to know how different wastes complement each other and how affect properties of the Portland cement. This work aim is to investigate the influence of supplementary cementitious materials from different technogenic waste and underutilized natural resources on Portland cement hydration and hardening.
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Polysaccharide based biodegradable thermoplastic materials
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lekt. dr. Laura PEČIULYTĖ |
state-funded |
Research Topic Summary.
The extensive use of synthetic plastics is a worldwide concern due to the huge amounts of waste that take many years to decompose. As alternatives to such synthetic plastics, polysaccharides derived from renewable sources are receiving increasing attention. However, as a rule, polysaccharides are not suitable for thermoplastics processing techniques. The aim of the research is to create a biodegradable products from renewable sources that would have similar properties to commonly used plastics. It’s planned to investigate the possibility to reduce hydrogen bonding by modifying polysaccharides and maintaining their biodegradability at the same time as well as explore the possibilities to use materials and their composites for replacement of conventional plastics. Research would provide new knowledge on the possibilities to control inter- and intramolecular interactions of polysaccharides and their composites by chemical and physical modification methods in order to obtain products with optimal thermal and mechanical properties.
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| Production of bioactive compound fertilizers using waste from other industries and their properties |
doc. dr. Rasa ŠLINKŠIENĖ |
state-funded |
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Modeling of biological value, functional technological and safety properties of sustainable grass raw materials for meat analogue prototipes
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m.d. dr. Alvija ŠALAŠEVIČIENĖ |
state-funded |
Research Topic Summary.
There are no meat analogues research well established that involves usage of tolerant to Lithuania environment herbaceous plants such as representatives of the genus Lathyrus or Faboideae. Balancing the nutritional value, biological value, functional technological, sensory and nutritional safety (anti-nutrients) properties of such matrices of plant-based meat analogues is a challenge that will be addressed by innovative biotechnological and technological measures.
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Peculiarities of the resistance of food systems microorganisms to physicochemical factors
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doc. dr. Antanas ŠARKINAS |
state-funded |
Research Topic Summary.
In the effect of genetic recombinations, the properties of microorganisms are constantly changing. Using new food processing methods can not prevent residual microbial contamination. The detected microorganisms exhibit a change in the resistance to physical chemical agents compared to the collectible characteristics of the cultures of the respective species. Food systems survive microorganisms isolated, species dependence is determined by genetic methods, resistance parameters are analyzed. These changes in the properties of micro-organisms can be used to model new food safety measures.
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| Innovative antibacterial light and ultrasonic technologies for the reduction of mycotoxins and phytoviruses in plant material |
m.d. dr. Darius ČERNAUSKAS |
state-funded |
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Synthesis and application of plasmonic nanoparticles for enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the qualitative and quantitative identification of phytopathogens
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m.d. dr. Lina Trakšelė |
state-funded |
Research Topic Summary.
The protection of humans' health and consumers' interests as well as free circulation of safe and high-quality food on the internal and external market is a key objective of the European Union's food safety policy. For this reason, the idea focuses on the safety and quality studies of one of the food groups – vegetables. Raw plant products (vegetables, fruits) contain not only useful nutrients (protein, fat, carbohydrates, vitamins and micronutrients) but also phytopathogens. Plant-derived viruses are known to degrade the nutritional value of vegetables / fruits and cause phytohormone imbalances. The project aims to synthesize metal nanoparticles which, due to their large surface area, are capable of binding large amounts of antibodies of the phytopathogens. For this reason, testing of untreated vegetable or fruit specimens by immunoassay (nano-ELISA) allows the possibility to "concentrate" a higher content of antigen on nanoparticle-antibody conjugates. Therefore, even with low levels of phytopathogens in the test sample, the sensitivity of the method is improved and the detection limit of phytopathogens is lowered, allowing the detection of plant viruses even at extremely low concentrations. New knowledge gained during the implementation of the project will provide a better understanding of nanoparticles-antibody-antigen interaction mechanisms and provide a solid basis for the preparation of applications for future international / national projects.
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| Genetically-encoded biosensors for metabolic engineering and improved biosynthesis of platform chemicals |
prof. dr. Naglis Malys |
state-funded |
