AGH University of Science and Technology
Kraków
3rd Socrates-Erasmus Intensive Programme
on
Materials Research and Application
17th November – 2nd December 2004
Student’s daily report
Thursday, 18.11.2004 (day 2)
After the official opening of the Intensive Programme by Dr. M. Wójcik and Dean Prof. J. Chłopek the first presentation “Application of mercury porosimetry in ceramics” was given by Dr. Z. Pędzich. He presented the method itself and gave some examples of common applications. The principle behind is the fact that mercury can fill up pores of powders and other porous materials under pressure without wetting the surface, while the pressure is proportional to the size of the pores.
After the presentation Dr. Pędzich was guiding us through the ceramic laboratory facilities, including several autoclaves and high temperature (2000°C and more) ovens.
Friday, 19.11.2004 (day 3)
The second day of IP was drawn by the first part of the presentation “Functional Corundum Ceramics – Technology and Application” by Dr. M. Wójcik. He gave us an overview about the so called “Copernicus-Program”, and international project of research in the field of synthesis of Special Alumina. Dr. Wójcik gave us examples showing the different modifications of alumina, their properties and some application for them. Additionally he presented the process of Special Alumina Synthesis, including the starting materials and additives (such as Boron and Fluorine) and the calcination. Following to the presentation we were introduced in the laboratory for alumina. We were ask to prepared each 5 samples of pressed alumina blocks for sintering in order to observe the shrinkage of the material (change of density) during the calcination process.
Saturday/Sunday, 20./21.11.2004 (days 4/5)
Guided tour through Kraków, including Wawel cathedral, Maria cathedral and Collegium Maius/UJ (Saturday) as well as Wawel castle, Kazimierz with Jewish Synagogue and Cemetery Remuh, Barbakan and Czartoryski Museum (Sunday).
Saturday evening we were invited to the “Bal Ceramiki 2004”, where we were welcomed by dean of faculty Prof. J. Lis and vice-dean Prof. J. Chłopek.
Monday, 22.11.2004 (day 6)
The new week started with a presentation of Dr. M. Wójcik about “bioelectromagnetism in service in living organism”. He introduced the components of human nerve system. He gave a review on the history up to modern medical diagnostics (EEG, ECG) and therapeutical methods. A definition of bioelectromagnetism as a combination of physical and engineering sciences was given. Dr. Wójcik showed the theoretical approach for bioelectromagnetism (Maxwell’s equations) and gave us an view on the actual research programmes, which try to use polymer (PAN) fibres with magnetic properties (Magnetite, Fe2O3) to cure diseases such as cerebral haemorrhage and Alzheimer.
The next lecture “Ceramic microstructure” was given by Prof. K. Haberko. After defining the term microstructure he showed as an example the different modification of zirconia, ZrO2.
He demonstrated the principles of grain boundaries in polycrystalline materials. Therefore he showed several images taken by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) if some sintered materials, e.g. WC/t-ZrO2, SiC+B, PSZ (partially stabilised zirconia) together with examples of refractory microscopy. At the end of his presentation he gave a view to the field of materials containing silica, i.e. porcelain, and the methods of their preparation.
Tuesday, 23.11.2004 (day 7)
First lecture “Glass and mineral wool – fibre production and application” was given by Prof. J. Dyczek. By showing the large market for glass and mineral wool in Europe (especially in the building industry) he made clear the importance of these materials. He presented the production process both of mineral wool from basalt stone and glass wool out of sand and glass. He demonstrated the influence of the process parameters on the properties of the products, also mentioning the problems of fibres in Asbestos.
Following the lecture we had the opportunity to do some practical work in the laboratory for material testing with Zwick 1435 material testing machine. MSc P. Rosół gave a presentation about “tensometric measurements of composite implants”, according to the loading experiment on a dogs hip prosthesis made out of composite material (polymer matrix with carbon fibres one- and two-directional). After this Dr. C. Wajler demonstrated us some “Composite properties”, introducing the Zwick material testing software. He showed us a 3-point-bending test on a composite sample.
Wednesday, 24.11.2004 (day 8)
At 9 AM we had the first part of Prof. J. Chłopek’s lecture “Perspective of biomaterials”. He gave us a definition of the term ‘biomaterials’ from the European Society for Biomaterials (ESB) which says that biomaterials are all materials with contact to living bodies. The key words in describing properties of biomaterials are: biocompatibility, biodegradation (biostability) and bioresorption. Prof. Chłopek presented the past, present and history of biomaterials, including the main problems that have been solved or have to be solved in the future, such as corrosion of metallic biomaterials and brittleness of bioceramics. Therefore the actual researches concentrate mostly on composites, e.g. reinforced by ceramic fibres, which can be used as multifunctional implants.
The following lecture “Asbestos Laboratory” by Dr. W. Pichór had to be cancelled because of illness.
The last lecture this day, “Carbon phosphate composites for medical application”, was hold by MSc B. Szaraniec. She presented carbon-carbon-composites and composites with hydroxyapatite (for bioactive properties) and showed the principles of the manufacturing of such multi-phase materials. She told us about the experiment that have been made due to find out the biomedical behaviour of such materials: incubation (distilled water, isotonic fluid and SBF), mechanical testing on Zwick-machine, SEM observation and last not least in-vitro and in-vivo (rabbits, goats) tests. Bioactivity of such materials was shown because of the growth of natural bone tissue on the surface after implantation.
Thursday, 25.11.2004 (day 9)
Thursday was filled with a visit in the Laboratory of thermoelectric materials. First Dr. K.Wójciechowski gave us information about the basic effects of thermoelectricity, e.g. Seebeck’s, Peltier’s and Thomson-effects. He named some examples of materials showing such properties such as BiSb, CuNi, PbTe and others and demonstrated the different effects with a few experiments. M. Schmidt, a student of the lab, gave then a presentation about common application for such materials, like heat pumps, electronic elements, cooling systems and even as generators in space technology. He pointed out that there is a lot of research on this field in action. After this presentation Dr. Wójciechowski told us about the actual investigation in the Department of Inorganic Chemistry, concentrating mainly on the structural and microstructural modification of the materials, including single crystals and nano-grained particles. A closer view on the “Synthesis and samples of CoP3” was then given by J. Leszczyński. He showed us the methods of synthesis including the difficulties of the experimental work, which led to an improved process with special, self-made devices. Analysis of the produced material have been carried out with SEM/XRD and TG/DTA.
In the afternoon we had the opportunity to see a movie from a knee-ligament surgery done in 1991 in Kraków. In this surgery the damaged knee ligament of a sportswoman was replaced by carbon fibres produced at AGH-UST. The responsible surgeon from that surgery commented the movie in polish language.
Friday, 26.11.2004 (day 10)
The originally topic of Dr. M. Wójcik’s presentation this morning was changed into “Organic systems inspiring the ceramic structure”. In his lecture he told us about the common problem of ceramics: the brittleness. He showed us ways to overcome this problems by working on the materials microstructure and by using reinforcing materials such as fibres. As an example he mentioned the web of a spider as paragon for synthetic materials.
Later that day Dr. J. Jedliński gave an additional lecture about “Application of surface techniques to analysis of oxide layers”. He told us about the different systems of oxide layers depending on their thickness. Additionally he gave us an introduction to the principles of surface spectroscopy using electronspectroscopy like XPS (x-ray spectroscopy) and AES (Auger-electron spectroscopy).
This week’s lectures were completed by a presentation of Dr. Eugeniusz Bobula about “Real diffusive processes of structural transformations” in which he developed a mathematical approach to explain processes such as the change from g-corundum to a-corundum.
Saturday/Sunday, 27./28.11.2004 (days 11/12)
On Saturday morning a bus was organised for us to bring us to the popular salt mine of Wieliczka, which is a part of Unesco’s worlds heritage list since 1978. In the mine we had a German speaking guide for our group. On Sunday we took part in a guided excursion to the memorial place of former Nazi concentration and extermination camp “Auschwitz I and II (Birkenau)”, where a German speaking guide gave us the most important historical information about the place.
Monday, 29.11.2004 (day 13)
The first lecture this day was given by Prof. S. Błażewicz, head of the department of biomaterials, about “Composite materials in medicine”. In his presentation he pointed out the important role that composites play in common R&D, including the work done at the department of biomaterials at the AGH-UST. He gave examples of composites application, e.g. carbon-carbon-composites in space technology, in the CERN-project, and the improvement of electrical conductivity of such polymers by different molecules.
After this MSc T. Gumuła showed us the laboratory for biomaterials investigation, including some high temperature ovens (up to 3000°C). She also demonstrated the production of composite materials made out of a polymer resin and carbon fibres.
In the afternoon Prof. L. Stoch gave us a presentation about “nano-crystalline glass-ceramics”. Following to a general introduction into the world of glasses he gave detailed information about the glass production process. He showed examples of different structures of glasses leading to the field of nanocrystalline glass ceramics. These materials consist of crystal phases with diameters <100nm, i.e. they are transparent glass ceramics. At the end of his lecture Prof. Stoch gave an outlook on researches, e.g. oxifluorine glasses, bioglasses (glass with hydroxyapatite) or luminescent glasses.
Tuesday, 30.11.2004 (day 14)
In the morning Dr. D. Kata hold a lecture about “Advanced structure of ceramics”. The lecture was based on the fact that one should distinguish between conventional ceramics (dishes, cups, etc.) and advanced ceramics (in space technology, for biomedical application etc.). For the advanced ceramics he showed us the different preparation methods depending on the compounds of the ceramics (nitrides, carbides, borides, sialons). He also gave us information about the research in progress (keywords: rapid prototyping, CAD, “Printing” of layers). The lecture finished with an outlook to the future, where ceramics may replace metals in most applications.
Later that day Prof. J. Chłopek continued his lecture “principles of biomaterials” containing information about biomimetics, which means that materials and technical processes are inspired by living organisms. The plan is to achieve intelligent materials, e.g. for time-depending drug delivery in the body. Prof. Chłopek introduced the term “biomedical engineering”, which is supposed to be a new branch of study at the AGH-UST in Kraków. The introduction of a new field of study is accompanied by lots of organisational and thematical problems. Even ethical questions should be considered such as: Where is the limit of artificial organs? Should doctors be replaced by computers or robots?
The last presentation of this day, “Resorbable polymer composites”, was given by MSc. A. Morawiec. She and a colleague of her showed us multifunctional materials with biocompatibility use e.g. as a supply for regeneration of new bone tissue. As an example she gave us some facts about the PGLA-copolymer, which degradation in the body leads only to lactic acid, carbon dioxide and water. Reinforced with ceramics like hydroxyapatite (bioactive material) such composites can be used as scaffolds for the growth of bone tissue. The presentation was finished by mentioning some of the most important mechanical properties of these materials compared to natural tissue, including in-vitro and in-vivo studies.
Wednesday, 01.12.2004 (day 15)
Today’s lecture by Dr. M .Środa took place in the “Glass and enamels (amorphous coatings) laboratory”. Dr. Środa introduced us in the analytical methods ob describing thermodynamical properties of glasses like DTA, DSC and TMA. With the laboratory’s equipment it is quite easy to determine information on TC, melting points and glass-transition temperatures TG. Later that day Dr. E. Pomuła showed us the laboratory for surface analytics, containing a drop-size measurement and TEM.
Thursday, 02.12.2004 (day 16)
Lecture from Prof. Bredol about nanoparticles for lighting and display applications
In his lecture he spoke about the general preparation of nanoparticles and later about the preparation of some luminescence materials. He worked out the advantages of nanopartical luminophore and the limit of doped nanoparticles. With some example he shows the effect that the size of the particle has to the property as a luminophore.
After this lecture we had a terminating meeting with Dr. Wójcik and Prof. Bredol before we left Kraków in the afternoon.
Thanks to Dr. Wójcik for great organisation and support during our stay in Kraków.
Alexander Froesch, Tatjana Rat, Carsten Schweder, Thorsten Heinke, Mark Vorsthove, Alexander Sokira, Elodie Breyton, Elodie Froment, Nathalie Moreau