Institute of Fundamental Technological Research
Polish Academy of Sciences

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Activities at IPPT PAN

Career development support at the Institute is supported by Magdalena Chomicka, the Director's Representative for Research Career Development. The following activities are planned:

individual consultations,,
training courses and workshops..

During individual consultations, PhD candidates will be able to discuss their current career path, identify their strengths and weaknesses and obtain information on opportunities for further development. It will also be possible to obtain information on the possibilities of continuing scientific work and carrying out postdocs in Poland and abroad.

Trainings and workshops will address issues such as drawing up individual career development plans, introductions to career development tools, writing applications for individual grants, searching for research funding opportunities, etc.

Contact for consultations at IPPT PAN:
Magdalena Chomicka
e-mail: '',this)">
phone: (+48) 22 826 12 81 ext. 102
mobile: (+48) 538 133 289
room: 612

Activities under the Cooperation Agreement between IPPT PAN and the Warsaw University of Technology

Under the Cooperation Agreement IPPT PAN and the Warsaw University of Technology cordially invite IPPT PAN doctoral students to take part in processes supporting their professional development*.

We would like to invite you to individual meetings with career counsellors and coaches from the Career Services Office of the Warsaw University of Technology, the topics of which may include:

planning further professional development;
deepening self-awareness in the areas of interpersonal communication, strengths and teamwork;
building personal well-being (alignment with values, dealing with stress, prevention of burnout);
diagnosis of mental resilience based on the MTQ48 test.

At the first meeting expectations and needs will be discussed, as well as the framework for cooperation.

To arrange an appointment please contact us on 22 234 63 67 or at

Meetings held online or offline. Places are limited – based first come, first served principle.

* Development processes are implemented within the framework of the „Human Resources Strategy for Researchers – HRS4R”

We support the innovators of tomorrow

The Center for Research Programmes of the European Union (CRP EU) acts as a Think Tank of the Institute of Fundamental Technological Research of the Polish Academy of Sciences (IPPT PAN) in the field of research and innovation policies. It also conducts projects supporting the innovative activity of enterprises and increases the participation of Polish entities in research and innovation programmes of the European Union.

The Center for Research Programmes of the European Union also carries out the tasks of the National Contact Point for Research Programmes of the EU operating at IPPT PAN in the years 1998-2020, which have not been transferred to the National Centre for Research and Development.

➤Our Partners

➤Conference “How effectively implement R&D strategies in the Polish industry?”

Implemented Projects

CRP is carrying out two successful projects: Innovation Coach - support in starting R&D&I activities and Horizontal Contact Point to the Horizon Europe Programme for Central Poland.

➤Innovation Coach

➤Horizontal Contact Point to the Horizon Europe for Central Poland

Completed Projects

Until October 2020, IPPT PAN carried out the tasks of the National Contact Point for Research Programmes of the UE (NCP), supporting the participation of Polish institutions in the EU Framework Programmes.

In the years 2014-2020, the tasks of the National Contact Point for the Horizon 2020 program were performed.

➤National Contact Point for the Horizon 2020 program

Contact

Center for Research Programmes of the European Union
Institute of Fundamental Technological Research of the Polish Academy of Sciences
Hrubieszowska street 6A, 01-209 Warsaw

539 694 903

➤Selected scientific achievements in the reporting year of 2021

Selected scientific achievements in the reporting year of 2021

Selected achievements in projects/research studies conducted in the reporting year of 2021

We designed a phased-field model of multivariant martensitic transformation in shape memory materials within finite deformations. The model underwent computer implementation. The most important achievements of this research have been: (i) performing a 3D simulation of the evolution of complex martensitic microstructures in a CuAlNi single crystal during nano-indentation – a unique process on a global scale; (ii) the implementation has been proven successful, and we demonstrated the parallel scaling performance with the problem size reaching 150 million degrees of freedom. The so-called scalability of the method has been demonstrated to be weak.

We designed a new method of transfer learning that makes better use of the convolutional neural networks initially trained on large non-medical data sets for ultrasound image analyses. In standard methods of transfer training (e.g. in fine-tuning), the already trained networks are additionally trained on medical data. Thus, all convolutional parameters are modified within the chosen network blocks. In the proposed method, the parameters of convolutional operators were assumed to be specifically grouped and modified together in an additional training process (e.g. in the linear scaling of the whole blocks). The experiments have demonstrated that the proposed approach improves the effectiveness of neural networks in ultrasound image analyses, thus contributing to the greater usefulness of the techniques.

Most important scientific achievements of the Institute in the report year of 2021 of general socio- and economic importance

The partnership cooperation with a world renowned company – Altair Engineering Ltd – has resulted in designing a sintering model (of powder metallurgy) with the use of discrete element method. The model has been developed at the IPPT PAN and implemented in the EDEM commercial program, which will enable a much wider use of the model and its verification in the real engineering environment.

Guaranteeing the safety of coal miners is of the highest importance in the processes of industrial coal mining. In cooperation with SKALA 3D company, we designed a specialized system called MMS (Mapping Mine Shafts). It is a fully-automatized mobile system of laser scanning dedicated to mapping deep mine shafts. We have proposed innovative methods of calibrating laser rangefinders which will enhance their precision of adjusting point clouds, and consequently, the precision of the created maps. The solution is calibrated to adjust to the conditions prevailing in mine shafts. The resulted shaft maps enable a precise assessment of the technical condition of the shafts and further decisions about their future use. With minimum cost, our solution will significantly contribute to miners’ safety.

We have designed a technical project encompassing the specifications of optimum configurations and types of ultrasound transducers designed for on-line rails diagnostics. The system of transducers has been configured to enable the most effective detection of transversal wear cracks that are the hardest to detect, especially the ones vertically-orientated with regard to the rail’s axis. The project was handed in to a private company called ZBM Ultra SA, which used it to build a complete prototype of the computerized diagnostics cart that will help to detect interior damages in rails, as specified in the PLK SA catalogue of damages. The diagnostics cart passed a cycle of performance tests on test sections of rails.

Selected, most important applications of research results of public importance from the reporting period of 2011 (eg. in public health care) and economic importance (e.g. new technologies, implementations, licenses) from the reporting period of 2021

We have demonstrated that the optimum non-medical strategy for containing the pandemic that minimizes both the socio-economic impact and protects the public health lies in imposing a fast (but short-term) lockdown. It has also been demonstrated that the Alpha SARS-CoV-2 variant has a twofold replicative advantage over the previous variants of the virus, and that Omicron is able to break herd immunity of a given population developed through vaccinations or infections with Delta, the previous SARS-CoV variant. Our research on the COVID-19 epidemiology has been mentioned by the WHO bulletin, Wikipedia, three times by the BBC, and by several other world news media outlets.

We designed a technological platform in the form of injectable microscaffolds as carriers in cell therapy and drug delivery systems. The microscaffolds of a biomimetic, fibrous structure, together with the adherent cells, can be applied to tissue in the least invasive way – a real breakthrough in implanting electrospun nanofibers. The patented technology is currently being put onto market by a spin-off company selling microscaffolds for research purposes.

➤Selected scientific achievements in the reporting year of 2020

Selected scientific achievements in the reporting year of 2020

Selected achievements in projects/research studies conducted in the reporting year of 2020

An extensive research program of the properties on composite materials AlSi12/Al2O3 was created with the use of two techniques – pressure infiltration and pressure-assisted sintering, which have shown the advantage of infiltrated composite over the sintered one. A chrome cast iron/electrochorundum composite was researched in terms of its possible applications in carbon mills. The research was made in cooperation with FPM S.A. Mikołów and with the use of industrial press. Results were published in a couple of the most prestigious journals. Some of the research was conducted internationally.

A concept of adaptable sound-absorbing porous metamaterial was designed and verified. The material consists of a rigid frame, void spaces of periodic microgeometry linked with microchannels, and modifying metal balls – depending on the location of the material in the gravitational field. Research verified the repetitiveness of periodic sound-absorbing microgeometries produced by additive manufacturing technologies. A new porous sound-absorbing metamaterial of adaptable microgeometry was proposed. A set of benchmarking microgeometries of porous sound-absorbing materials with a rigid frame was designed. Results were published in some of the most prestigious journals. Some of the research was conducted internationally.

Most important scientific achievements of the Institute in the report year of 2020 of general socio- and economic importance.

With respect to the planned development of Polish nuclear power industry, basic designs were made on the composition of high-durability shield concrete with low reaction to ionizing radiation susceptibility. Apart from the criteria of carbonation resistance and chloride ion penetration, a new criterion was proposed of the content of long-lived activated radioisotopes in concrete. Investigations have shown a positive influence of low-carbon cement on the reduction of concrete permeability. Experiments have proven the significance of Europiun-152, Cobalt-60 and Caesium-134 induced by neutron radiation, which led to providing recommendations for the selection of concrete mixtures to limit the amount of radioactive waste.

In cooperation with doctors from the Military Institute of Medicine in Warsaw, scientists have completed designing an innovative, biodegradable external stent for applications in blood vessels. It inhibits wall hypertrophy of the vein used as a bypass in coronary-aortic bypass surgeries, and simultaneously supports the positive reconstruction of the vein towards its arterialization. It also eases the adjustment of the diameter of the implanted vein to the diameter of the bypassed artery and protects against kinking of the coronary aortic bypass. The project has been formalized and was granted funds from the National Centre for Research and Development for the further development of its commercial use.

Selected, most important applications of research results of public importance from the reporting period of 2020 (eg. in public health care)

It has been shown that the basic SARs CoV 2 reproductive number lies between 4.7-11.4, therefore proving that it is much greater than it had been estimated. Conducted research showed mechanical properties of SARs CoV 2 spike protein. The research may trigger further inquiries into the analysis of influence of the protein mutation on the virus pathogenicity and vaccine effectiveness. It has been shown that high sensitivity of the influenza virus to the pre-stimulation of cells with beta interferon causes the cell population which had been infected with RSV to develop immunity against the virus.

In cooperation with the Medical University of Warsaw, IPPT PAN conducted research on the correlations between aortic root motion and heart function. One hundred and one healthy volunteers have been examined to study their B-mode cardiac cycle and clinical parameters of heart function. The artery root motion was determined with the help of a tracking algorithm. Movement parameters substantially corelated with selected clinical parameters. Results indicate that movement parameters can be potentially used in heart function examinations, especially in patients for whom determination of clinical parameters is difficult.

➤Selected scientific achievements in the reporting year of 2019

Selected scientific achievements in the reporting year of 2019

Selected, more important achievements in projects/research studies conducted in the reporting year of 2019

A number of new results have been achieved in micromechanics of materials, particularly:

Three-scale crystal plasticity model for modelling the development of microstructure in two different stainless steels has been applied (published in METALLURGICAL AND MATERIALS TRANSACTIONS A-PHYSICAL METALLURGY AND MATERIALS SCIENCE).
Elastic properties of nanocrystals of metals using atomistic estimates and the micromechanical two-phased model have been estimated (published in INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENGINEERING SCIENCE).
FEM numerical simulations and microtomographic imagery of microstructures allowed for the explanation for scale effect observed in thermal measurement of residual stress in Cr/Al2O3 composite (published in MATERIALS SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING A-STRUCTURAL MATERIALS PROPERTIES MICROSTRUCTURE AND PROCESSING).
Scale effects have been analyzed during a stress-induced martensitic transformation in 2-dimensional nano-indentation (published in MECHANISC OF MATERIALS).
Texture and twinning-induced plastic anisotropy in AZ31B magnesium alloy extruded rods have been examined (published in MATERIALS SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING A-STRUCTURAL MATERIALS PROPERTIES MICROSTRUCTURE AND PROCESSING).

Forming droplets is one of the most important processes in microfluidic devices; droplets separated by continuous phase may be biochemical substances carriers or even small isolated bioreactors. The so far unexplored droplet formulation regime in T-junction for small shear values has been characterized. In such regime, the droplets size raises along with the decreasing shear value resulting from continuous phase leakage at corners of a channel (square or rectangular). Precise control over the creation of droplets of the desired size is incredibly significant for the development of microfluidic technique and breakthrough research solutions in biochemical analytics, applied in: e.g. single-cell sequencing.
The works were carried out as part of the FIRST TEAM FNP project. The results were published in Nature Communications, among others.

Most important scientific achievements of the Institute in the report year of 2019 of general socio- and economic importance.

The designed classification system for mineral aggregates, including methods and assessment criteria for estimating their reactiveness, documented in Wytyczne techniczne klasyfikacji kruszyw krajowych i zapobiegania reakcji alkalicznej w betonie stosowanym w nawierzchniach dróg i drogowych obiektach inżynierskich has been implemented by the Generalna Dyrekcja Dróg Krajowych i Autostrad (General Directorate for National Road and Motorways – Polish road authority) for building road infrastructure of increased durability. The development has high economic importance – it helps to prevent the occurrence of harmful alkali-aggregate reaction in building concrete, which otherwise leads to premature structural damage. The developed methods for testing aggregate reactivity are used in regional GDDKiA laboratories together with the original measuring device invented by IPPT PAN.

Another scientific achievement of potential economic importance is the development of new chromium cast iron matrix composite material reinforced by electrocorundum particles and the development of process parameters of its production. Results of linear method wear resistance test and SEVNB test for bending and fracture toughness are comparable to the properties of the XWIN® commercial material, used in coal mills. FPM S.A Mikołów is interested in implementing this composite.

Selected 2 most important applications of research results or development papers of public importance from the last reporting period of 2019

Automated USG-guided HIFU device for thermal solid tumor ablation in small animals have been built. This device can also be used for new cancer drug testing in preclinical trials. The device allows for thermal destruction of primary solid tumors located deep under skin, without damaging the surrounding tissue. Main advantages of HIFU therapy are its non-invasive character, lack of ionization, significant reduction in side effects after therapy, possibility of its many repetitions and shorter recovery time with respect to other surgical methods and radio/chemotherapy (patent no. 233294).

Designing real-size new technologies demonstrator (12m) of aerodynamically stable anchored helium aerostats (so-called heli-kites and moni-kites). Potential application in: telecommunications and monitoring systems for “smart cities”. Application examples: monitoring city traffic, estimation of generated exhaust fumes pollution and then forecasting migration of smog clouds; fire monitoring of forest complexes; monitoring of extensive building construction sites and mass events; local delivery of Internet connection, e.g. during mass events. The helium base and demonstrator dock station have been placed in PAS Research Center in Jabłonna near Warsaw.