| Topic title |
Possible scientific supervisors |
Source of funding |
| Aditive nano and microfibre technology for the enhancement of aerosol filtration process |
prof. dr. Dainius Martuzevičius |
state-funded |
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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 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.
The goals of this work are:
1) By experiment, evaluate and, according to thermodynamical calculations, validate dibasic calcium silicate hydrates and intermediate compounds formation rates and expand their stability temperature intervals;
2) To determine the effect of additives on the formation kinetics and properties of dibasic calcium silicate hydrates;
3) To investigate the influence of curing conditions on the obtained cement strength properties and the mineral compositions of formed products;
4) To prepare the technological recomendations for the production alternative cement.
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Carbon dioxide-based production of enzymes and nutrients as feed additives using chemolithoautotrophic bacteria
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prof. dr. Naglis Malys |
state-funded |
Research Topic Summary.
The application of enzymes and nutrients as feed additives has become important research area in last few decades. In feed industry, enzymes are used to enhance nutrient digestibility, whereas nutrients provide additional nutritional value. Enzymes such as glycanases and phytases are critical for removing the anti-nutritive effects of non-starch polysaccharides (NSP). Vitamin, protein, and carbohydrate-based nutrients provide multiple benefits ranging from energy source to animal health improvement. Chemolithoautotrophic bacterium Cupriavidus necator is capable of fixing carbon dioxide (CO2) through a reductive pentose phosphate (rPP) cycle contributing to net-zero emissions and CO2 neutrality. The PhD project will be aimed at application and engineering of C. necator to produce enzymes and nutrients as feed additives.
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Valorisation of agro-food processing by-products and waste by developing of their biorefining methods for the extraction of functional components and their application
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doc. dr. Milda Pukalskienė |
state-funded |
Research Topic Summary.
After fruit and vegetables harvest or juice production, a large part of bioactive compounds such as: polyphenolic antioxidants, vitamins, pectins, lipids, unsaturated fatty acids and other compounds with a positive effect on human health remain in the pomace. However, these secondary raw materials are used only as animal feed, fertilizers, and are often simply disposed of to avoid additional drying, storage and transportation costs, resulting in the loss of valuable nutrients and environmental problems, as these wastes contribute to increasing the greenhouse effect when decomposing. Despite the wide utilization of pectin in the food industry, the available knowledge on the complicated extraction process and chemistry of pectin is limited. Pectin is a versatile food ingredient that can be utilized in the development of functional food ingredients. This research covers two main areas of importance on the production and utilization of pectin. The main aim will be focused on optimization of process. The second study will investigate the use of pectin as wall material component for the encapsulation. The incorporation of small amounts of pectin in the wall material can increase the encapsulation efficiency and reduce the particle size and distribution, without affecting the surface morphology of the particles. Chemistry of natural compounds is a rapidly developing area of research which served in isolation and characterization of new valuable materials.
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Metal-Free Organic Emitters Exhibiting Long-Living Emission for Optical Oxygen Sensing Probes
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vyresn.m.d. dr. Asta Dabulienė |
state-funded |
Research Topic Summary.
The aim of this project is to develop organic semiconductors exhibiting room temperature phosphorescence (RTP) and/or thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) for oxygen sensing probes, which could be utilized as ratiometric oxygen sensing systems using suitable host-guest systems. Metal-free organic materials showing RTP or TADF are attractive alternatives to organic metal complexes because of their low cost, abundant and environmentally friendly properties, flexible synthesis, and high stability. The development of oxygen sensing system will be carried out in stages. First of all, new metal-free donor-acceptor (D-A) molecules will be designed and characterized theoretically by density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Then the synthesis and its optimization will be performed. Thermal, photophysical, electrochemical properties will be investigated and oxygen sensors will be fabricated and characterized.
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Biopolymer derivatives for immobilization of active substances
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prof. dr. Ramunė Rutkaitė |
state-funded |
Research Topic Summary.
The current interest in biopolymers is forcing to find the ways for generation of new materials from natural polysaccharides such as cellulose, chitosan, alginates, starch, etc., and to extent the area of their applications. The aim of this project is to design and investigate new immobilization paths by using ionogenic polysaccharides as carriers of active compounds and to assess their performance under simulated conditions. The polysaccharide matrices of different charge density and amphiphilicity will be obtained by the means of chemical and mechanical modification of natural polysaccharides. Afterwards, active ingredients immobilization in biopolymer matrices methods will be determined and their interactions, the kinetics, thermodynamics of the processes will be examined. Consequently, in the frame of this project new immobilization techniques will developed with potential use in medicine, cosmetic, pharmaceutical, nutraceutical industries, etc.
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Polysaccharide Based Biodegradable Thermoplastic Materials
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doc. 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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CO2 aplinkoje kietėjančių kalcio silikatinių rišamųjų medžiagų sintezė ir savybės
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prof. dr. Raimundas Šiaučiūnas |
state-funded |
Research Topic Summary.
the 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.
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Theory and technology for solvent separation of multilayer composites
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prof. dr. Gintaras Denafas |
state-funded |
Research Topic Summary.
Research aim is development and assessment of solvent separation technology for Multilayer Composite Waste (MCW) with subsequent processing of the recovered materials into the valuable products. The following few types of MCW have been selected: • Waste Printed Circuit Boards (WPCB), • Aluminum containing Multilayer Flexible Packaging (for food and medicine) Waste (MFPW), • Waste Photovoltaic Modules (WPhM) and Waste Photovoltaic Cells (WPhC). Objectives: 1. To investigate the process of WMC solvent separation and properties of separated materials; 2. To create and assess the technological concept for investigated separation and processing; 3. To design the prototype device and facility for VMC separation and processing. Working hypotheses: - the dependencies of solvent separation efficiencies on the different technological factors like temperature, mixing rate, etc. for Waste Multilayer Composites (WMC) have a theoretical background which is related with interaction between WMC layers and interaction of used solvents / reagents; - solvent separation of WMC significantly enhances the subsequent reprocessing of separation products into valuable materials.
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Makroskopinių dumblių biomasės perdirbimas į funkcionaliuosius komponentus kuriant inovatyvius fermentacijos procesus
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doc. dr. Michail Syrpas |
state-funded |
Research Topic Summary.
Over the last years' the production and utilization of algae has received increased attention due to the challenges in global food demand, social and environmental sustainability. Algae are also considered sources of various bioactive or high-added value molecules that can be used for food, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical applications. In the last decade, some studies have shown that algal fermentation can lead to products/extracts with enhanced bioactivity. Recent reviews highlight that algal fermentation can be the seed for a new fermentation industry of food and other related products due to algae's extraordinary biodiversity and potential. In addition, current industrial and consumer demands necessitate increasingly complex properties of developed products, which often are impossible without encapsulation. Even though many reports underline various encapsulation strategies to enhance stability and sensorial properties and create products with controlled release, studies focusing on the encapsulation of algal extracts, or especially their combinations with probiotic bacteria, are scarce. This study aims to develop efficient fermentation and encapsulation processes to produce functional fermented macroalgal extracts, tailored for nutraceutical and oral health care applications. Results from this research are expected to lead to at least 3 scientific publications in international peer-reviewed journals, which will also be presented at national and international conferences. Besides the scientific value, successful implementation of this project's activities may lead to practical applications with commercialization potential. Overall, this research is expected to attract interest from various stakeholders and empower future collaborations with academic and industrial partners.
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Development and characterisation of different microencapsulation systems applied in the nutrient-dense food ink formulations
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doc. dr. Viktorija Eisinaitė |
state-funded |
Research Topic Summary.
Innovative 3D food printing technology is attracting increasing interest due to the possibility of creating complex food matrices and personalized food products. The quality of printed objects and the nutritional value of the resulting products depend on the composition and properties of the food ink used. Enriching food ink with bioactive components, their stability can be preserved by using various microencapsulation systems, which also facilitate the distribution of microcomponents in the food ink composition. It is important that these systems are compatible with the composition of the edible ink, have the required rheological properties and a high encapsulation efficiency of the encapsulated components. In this way, the aim of the research is to create different microencapsulation systems for the production of edible ink with high nutritional value and to characterize them.
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Development of encapsulated prebiotic/probiotic food-grade systems with a positive impact on gut microbiota
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prof. dr. Aušra Šipailienė |
state-funded |
Research Topic Summary.
The benefits of probiotics for the human body are well known and undisputed. However, their encapsulation is still a very important topic, as it is necessary not only to combine encapsulating substances suitable for the food, but also to select the right encapsulation parameters. It is equally important that probiotics become established in the large intestine and are able to modify the species composition of the gut microbiota. Therefore, it is also important to investigate the release and viability of encapsulated probiotics during digestion. The aim of this study is to select suitable encapsulation systems for the delivery of prebiotics and live probiotics to the large intestine and to investigate changes in the composition of the microbiota in Simulator of Human Intestinal Microbial Ecosystem (SHIME).
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| Calcium aluminates substituted with Cu2+, Co2+ and Cr3+ ions synthesis, modification, and application |
doc. dr. Anatolijus Eisinas |
state-funded |
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Development of new thermoplastic biocomposites
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doc. dr. Joana Bendoraitienė |
state-funded |
Research Topic Summary.
The PhD research programme is related with the development of novel biocomposites from renewable raw materials and study of their properties using advanced investigation methods. Biocomposites are developing quickly as a potential alternative for metal, conventional reinforcements-based composites and ceramic-based materials in biomedical engineering applications, aerospace, automotive, sports, packing, electronic sectors, etc. Modified polysaccharides will be chosen as the matrix. Surface modification via physical, and chemical treatments includes modification of carbonyl, and hydroxyl groups in the fiber, a surface properties in the fiber, covalent bond formation, etc. After the evaluation of the research results, the compositions with the best formability and functional properties will be determined and selected as an alternative to synthetic plastics. This work is important as a basis for more research, and industrialization of biocomposites.
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Synthesis and studies of the properties of organic semiconductors characterized by efficient short-lived emission and efficient charge transport
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prof. habil. dr. Juozas Vidas Gražulevičius |
state-funded |
Research Topic Summary.
The goal of the project is to develop organic semiconductors for high-speed organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs), high-sped organic photodetectors (OPDs) or electrically driven short-pulse organic lasers. These devices are required for waveguided and wireless data transmission systems.
The target organic semiconductors will have energy levels that allow energy barrier-free transport of electrons and holes. The compounds will be characterized by ionisation potentials of 5.3-5.7 eV and electron affinities of 2.5-3 eV, emission or absorption in the range of ca. 500-630 nm, and fluorescence lifetimes shorter than 1 ns. Organic semiconductors containing nature inspired and/or synthetic moieties such as indole, indolocarbazole, coumarin, xanthine, fluorene etc. exhibiting high photoluminescence quantum yields and fluorescence lifetimes shorter than 1 ns will be designed, synthesized, characterized and tested in the above mentioned optoelectronic devices.
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Portland cement and supplementary cementitious materials
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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 waste and natural resources on Portland cement hydration and hardening. Based on the obtained research results, the optimal composition of cement with SCM will be determined, and technological recommendations for the production of this binder will be prepared.
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Production of extracts from plants of genus Menyanthaceae and their application in the development of functional products
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doc. dr. Vaida Kitrytė-Syrpa |
state-funded |
Research Topic Summary.
The increasing popularity of phytopreparations (plant-based health products) among health-aware consumers is driven by advancements in modern analytical methods. These methods enable the precise identification of phytochemicals in various plants, validate the health benefits of their bioactive components through in vitro and in vivo studies, and improve techniques for isolating and using these compounds. Bogbean (Menyanthes trifoliata), a plant used in alternative medicine, is particularly noted for its potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This research focuses on extracting valuable compounds from M. trifoliata leaves using eco-friendly and human-friendly multistep biorefining (valorisation) processes. It aims to analyze the phytochemical composition and functional attributes of these extracts and apply them in developing functional phytopreparations. The outcomes of this study will contribute to at least 3 scientific publications in international journals and will be presented in both national and international conferences. Additionally, the functional effectiveness of these extracts will be further explored during Erasmus internships through collaborations with foreign universities. Prototypes of extract-based products will be displayed at the TECHNORAMA exhibition, an annual event hosted by KTU that spotlights innovations by young creators.
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Synthesis of layered silicate compounds (CaO/SiO2=1.0-1.5) for anion adsorption
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doc. dr. Tadas Dambrauskas |
state-funded |
Research Topic Summary.
The dissertation focuses on the synthesis of target compounds and the development of environmentally friendly technologies. The dissertation aims to synthesize silicate sorbents with layered structures by applying hydrothermal and/or high-temperature synthesis and to determine their adsorption capacity for different anions.
The dissertation aims to develop a hydrothermal and/or high-temperature synthesis method for the production of silicate sorbents with a layered structure, to determine their adsorption capacity to CO2 gases and/or phosphate and sulfate anions, and to propose rational applications.
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Smart biopolymers for light-based manufacturing technologies
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prof. dr. Jolita Ostrauskaitė |
state-funded |
Research Topic Summary.
With the development of high technologies, the need for smart materials is growing rapidly, and to solve recent problems of climate change and the state of the environment, it is especially relevant to use sustainable processes and renewable raw materials in manufacturing technologies. The aim of this work is to design, synthesize, and investigate new shape memory polymers from plant-derived materials for modern light-based manufacturing technologies. Such polymers can be widely applied in smart biomedical devices, flexible electronics or robotics, aerospace devices, etc.
During the work, the dependence of the polymerization process, the structure of the obtained polymers, their mechanical, thermal, shape memory, etc. properties on the structure of different plant-derived materials will be investigated. The research will be carried out in collaboration with scientists from Lithuanian and foreign scientific institutions, the most experienced in this field, as well as manufacturing companies using light-based technologies. The results obtained will be reported at international scientific conferences, published in Q1-Q2 scientific journals of the CA WoS database, and disseminated to the general public.
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