Ongoing Projects:
Role of extracellular DNA, generated during communal wastes treatment, indissemination of virulence and antibiotic resistance genes in aquatic ecosystems
NCN 2019/34/H/NZ2/00584
Project duration: 2022 – 2026
Description:
Antibiotics are commonly used for bacterial infections, but overuse and misuse in human, veterinary, agriculture, and animal farming have resulted in antibiotic residues and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) disseminated in the environment. ARGs and virulence genes (VGs) have become abundant due to their mobility, and they pose a serious risk to animal and public health. Moreover, wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are a source of accumulation and dissemination of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, ARGs, and VGs. To address this issue, we plan to develop a novel technology using mineral sorbents to remove exDNA from treated communal effluents at the last stage of the waste purification process combined with nutrients removal and recycling.
Application of functionalized zeolite materials for the separation of selected rare earth elements (REE) from aqueous solutions
AGH Excellence Initiative – Research University
Project duration: 2023 – 2025
Description:
The project aims to use natural, synthetic, and functionalized zeolites for REE separation and recovery. Natural zeolites (clinoptilolite, chabazite) and zeolites synthesized from fly ash (NaP1, NaX) are used. A technique that allows precise control of pore size and shape in functionalized materials is 3D printing. The DIW (Direct Ink Writing) method of preparing sorption monoliths is used. Zeolites will be utilized for adsorptive selective removal (separation) of selected REE group metals, i.e., Ce, Eu, La, Y (4REE). The project is being carried out in collaboration with the team of Prof. Rossella Arletti of the Department of Chemical and Geological Sciences at the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia (UNIMORE), Italy.
Completed projects
Fly ash as the precursors of functionalized materials for applications in environmental engineering, civil engineering and agriculture
TEAM-NET POIR.04.04.00-00-14E6/18-00
Project duration: 2020 – 2023
Description:
Fly ash produced during coal combustion harms people and the environment, exacerbating the problem of smog. Scientists from Krakow, Lublin, and Warsaw want to transform this waste into valuable functional materials that can be used for preserving historic buildings, purifying wastewater, and fertilizing soil.
This work is being carried out by the FUNash consortium, which brings together researchers from the Lublin University of Technology, the AGH University of Science and Technology in Krakow, and the University of Warsaw. The project has received over 21 million PLN from the Foundation for Polish Science as part of the TEAM-NET program.
Our team designs materials for adsoprtion procesess for removal of Voltile organic compounds, Pesticides, Radionuclides, Pharmaceuticals.
Development of an innovative and ecological metallurgical process for the refining of cast iron in a casting mold reactor
Project duration: 2014 – 2017
NCBiR INNOTECH (3/IN3/54/227695/NCBR/14)
Description:
The main goal of the project was to develop an innovative and ecological process of metallurgical cast iron processing, including operations: desulfurization, spheroidization, or vermicularyization and its modification, in a reactor placed in a casting mold, to produce high-quality castings. As a result of the research carried out, a new method was developed, and cast iron was refined, involving the use of the reactor in the casting mold. The reactor can refine the cast iron output in an electric or cupola furnace. When cast iron is used in the electric process, using a reaction chamber (reactor), there is no problem obtaining high-quality castings with spheroidal or vermicular graphite with the required properties.
The work’s positive result allowed us to master the method of making reactors and then launch the experimental workstation at the PEDMO Tychy plant. Two pilot foundries, i.e., KAW-MET, Orłów near Przemyśl, and Odlewnia „DRAWSKI” S.A., also participated in the development works under the project as project consortium members. The use of the new method in foundries will allow for the reduction of the emission of a large amount of harmful gases released into the atmosphere as a result of unproductive oxidation of magnesium with oxygen from the air, as well as to eliminate the light effects caused by magnesium oxidation.
