Full-time study

4 years

prof. Ing. Martin Weiter, Ph.D.

Chairman :
prof. Ing. Martin Weiter, Ph.D.
Councillor internal :
prof. Ing. Petr Ptáček, Ph.D.
prof. Ing. Jaromír Havlica, DrSc.
prof. Ing. Jozef Krajčovič, Ph.D.
doc. Ing. František Šoukal, Ph.D.
prof. Ing. Oldřich Zmeškal, CSc.
prof. RNDr. Vladimír Čech, Ph.D.
Councillor external :
doc. Tomáš Syrový
doc. Ing. Irena Kratochvílová, Ph.D.
prof. Ing. Jozef Vlček, Ph.D.
prof. RNDr. Pavla Rovnaníková, CSc.

1. A Study on Functionalization Methods for 3D Printed Biocomposite Scaffolds in Regenerative Medicine

   Motivation: Biocomposites based on thermoplastic biopolymer matrices and inorganic fillers offer properties suitable for designing materials for the production of biocompatible, resorbable scaffolds for bone tissue regeneration. FDM 3D printing currently provides the ability to produce sophisticated multi-material porous structures with controlled physical properties, tailored to specific applications. For effective scaffold application, in addition to biocompatibility and osteoconduction, it is necessary to ensure suitable conditions for the vascularization of the newly formed tissue. Another challenge is to ensure the controlled release of growth factors and potentially other pharmaceuticals. Objective: The aim of this dissertation is to design a 3D printed scaffold material and study the possibilities of its subsequent functionalization, with a focus on ensuring vascularization and the controlled release of active pharmaceutical substances. The work will be carried out on a model of the femur. Mechanical properties will be predicted using computational models and verified by basic mechanical tests on real samples. Experiments on the controlled release of active substances will be performed on suitable model representatives. Cell interaction tests will be carried out in cooperation with selected workplaces, and vascularization tests with CEITEC VUT. In the case of satisfactory results, in vivo tests will be performed in cooperation with VETUNI. The overall goal of the work is to contribute to the knowledge in the field of controlling the properties of scaffolds for bone tissue regenerative medicine through the chemical and physical structure of a 3D printed composite.

   Tutor: Přikryl Radek, Mgr., Ph.D.

2. Advanced materials for organic and hybrid solar cells

   The work will deal with the preparation and characterization of materials - organic semiconductors, which are perspective for use in the field of organic and hybrid photovoltaics. Organic solar cells will be prepared and characterized by methods of material printing and other methods and their properties will be studied. Attention will be focused on characterization of optical and electrical properties of materials and solar cells. The aim is to optimize the properties of solar cells with respect to their specific application possibilities. It is expected that the PhD student will be involved in an international research project focusing on organic photovoltaics.

   Tutor: Weiter Martin, prof. Ing., Ph.D.

3. Carbon dioxide capture in the production of Portland cement

   The subject of the dissertation will be the investigation of the possibilities of carbon dioxide capture through the carbonation of magnesium ions in alkaline salt melts. Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) technologies based on the carbonation of magnesium minerals and rocks have not been developed yet, because efficient carbonation of magnesium in the solid phase is only possible at high temperatures and pressures. An alternative option for the production of Portland cement is the synthesis of clinker minerals in a melt of alkaline salts, which takes place at significantly lower temperatures compared to conventional technology. The reactivity of the magnesium and carbonate ions in the melt is significantly higher, thus offering a combination of the synthesis of clinker minerals with simultaneous CO2 capture in the form of MgCO3.

   Tutor: Šoukal František, doc. Ing., Ph.D.

4. Engineering the spatial distribution of hydrates in low carbon cements

   The subject of this dissertation is the research of hybrid alkali-activated cements (HAACs) offering low-carbon binders by combining Portland cement and alkali-activated materials. However, improving their competitiveness requires improving their early mechanical properties. Therefore, this topic focuses on the use of synthetic C-(A)-S-H gels as nucleation nucleators to facilitate the formation and spatial distribution of hydration products, along with advanced mechanical analysis. The work is part of a GACR project where a collaboration between two institutions is set up, BUT will synthesize C-(A)-S-H nanorods with different aluminium contents labelled with heavy metals to monitor their spatial distribution during hydration by chemical mapping. CTU will follow up these results with nanoindentation to identify the intrinsic mechanical properties of the HAAC paste components. This will enable mechanical modelling and comparison with macroscopic tests of strength, elasticity, shrinkage and crack resistance, ultimately leading to a comprehensive understanding of the relationships between the spatial distribution of the resulting hydrates and the mechanical behaviour of HAAC.

   Tutor: Šoukal František, doc. Ing., Ph.D.

5. Non-fullerene acceptors based on high performance dyes and pigments for organic photovoltaics

   The work deals with targeted chemical modification of organic dyes and pigments, synthesis of their polymers and co-polymers. The design of molecules will be focused on the study of the effect of chemical modification on the resulting electron-acceptor properties of materials for applications in organic photovoltaics

   Tutor: Krajčovič Jozef, prof. Ing., Ph.D.

6. One-Part Alkali-Activated Systems

   In the research of alkali-activated binders, one-part systems are becoming increasingly popular, where the activator is pre-mixed with the precursor in a solid state, so when using this binder, it is only necessary to add water, similar to conventional Portland cement. From a practical point of view, in addition to the established preparation procedures, it is also advantageous that the storage of highly alkaline solutions and handling with them is eliminated. On the other hand, certain pitfalls are the hygroscopicity of the activator, its dissolution in water, the potentially different kinetics of the formation of reaction products compared to conventional liquid activators, and also the low efficiency in alkaline activation, since activators with a lower pH are usually used in the smallest possible doses due to economic and ecological aspects. One-part systems also differ from two-part systems in terms of rheology and function of admixtures. The work is therefore focused mainly on the early stages of alkaline activation of one-part systems (rheology, temperature development, reaction processes, functionality of organic admixtures) and optimization of their composition also with regard to long-term properties. The work will also include a study of the microstructure of these systems and identification of the forming hydration products.

   Tutor: Kalina Lukáš, doc. Ing., Ph.D.

7. Preparation of reactive monomers from natural sources containing epoxy and radically polymerizable functional groups

   Motivaton: Currently, compounds from petrochemical sources containing reactive epoxy groups (epichlorohydrin) are used, or dangerous and toxic compounds such as 3-chloroperoxobenzoic acid are used to produce special epoxies. Utilization of natural and available sources for this type of process (hydrogen peroxide and its derivatives) can make the preparation of specific material precursors more efficient and at the same time meet the requirements of upcoming legislation taking into account a higher level of sustainability of chemical industry. For these epoxy precursors, their reactions with various derivatives of unsaturated carboxylic acids can be used to prepare thermosets. Some of these acids, which can be obtained from completely renewable sources, exhibit the ability of radically initiated polymerization and can thus serve as suitable alternatives to currently commercially used monomers. This work is motivated by the research into the applicability of nucleophilic substitution of the carboxyl group by the epoxy group for the preparation of resins usable for SLA 3D printing. The subject of the dissertation is the study of chemical reactions enabling the preparation of starting materials along with their derivatives and their functionalization for SLA 3D printing technologies. This includes the evaluation of the achieved chemical structure, rheological properties of the resin, and especially the thermo-mechanical properties of the resulting print or cast. An essential part is also a description of the influence of the chemical structure on the final parameters of the cured material. The aim of the work is to contribute to the knowledge in the field of production and development of thermosetting matrices containing a proportion of bio-components.

   Tutor: Přikryl Radek, Mgr., Ph.D.