Academic Centre
The project develops novel knowledge on photoinduced and surface processes in 1D ZnO/PDA nanostructures. Researchers envisage a future contribution to scientific fields of material science, surface science and optical sensor technologies, stimulating development of novel composite materials with advanced properties and new optical sensors with high sensitivity and selectivity, increasing the quality of life and health through know-how in new functional materials and development of optical sensor elements for advanced food control (food pathogens, such as Ochratoxin A, Aflatoxin B1). The obtained sensor results could be transferred to medicine and environment fields.
The current research project is implemented under the auspices of the University of Latvia Institute of Atomic Physics and Spectroscopy Laboratory of Optical Biosensors and Functional Nanomaterials headed by Dr. phys. Roman Viter. The proposed research is multidisciplinary, and it involves chemistry, physics, nanotechnology and optoelectronics for the successful implementation of the project. The postdoc works in multidisciplinary team, that allows to improve the skills in optical characterization of nanomaterials, photocatalysis and electrochemistry.
The international team of scientists represent Latvia, Ukraine, Mexico and Turkey, and its international collaboration extends to France (European Institute of Membranes, University of Montpellier, Montpellier), Lithuania (Faculty of Chemistry and Geosciences, Vilnius University, Vilnius) and Poland (Biomedical Center, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznan). The collaboration between University of Latvia, University of Montpellier, Vilnius University and Adam Mickiewicz University will stimulate new proposals in H2020, Erasmus and bilateral programs. The project partners have fundamental skills in the fields related to nanomaterials fabrication and characterization and sensor application, what is confirmed by their publications.
The research is supported by projects “Investigation of photoinduced processes in one-dimensional ZnO/polydopamine nanostructures” (Contract No.: 1.1.1.2/VIAA/2/18/279) and “Development of 1D ZnO / Polydopamine core shell nanostructures with improved sensitivity and improved structural, electronic and optical properties”, Latvian Council of Science funding (Reg. N. LZP 2018 / 1-0394)
On the afternoon of September 25, for the second year in a row, the discovery and innovation event “UL New Technologies and Innovations Day” took place in the premises of the University of Latvia. A significant number of UL researchers participated in the “Agora of Knowledge”, which was one of the most important parts of the event.
“Agora of Knowledge” was an opportunity for researchers within 6 minutes to present and engage the general public with recently completed or newly initiated innovative research in the field of technology, various processes and improving quality of life.
This year, “Agora of Knowledge” featured almost 60 different studies on the development of the microorganism collection, the solar system, nanomaterials, the bioeconomy, magnetic accelerators, material memory, gene data, as well as solutions in the fields of demography, education, ecosystems and medicine.
