Communication activities during Open Days of ZUT, 6-7 March 2024
Getting experience in biodegradable polymers containing vegetable oil processing at Cragill Bioindustrial, NL
Transferring knowledge about Life Cycle Assessment at PAN, PL
Dr Simone Maranghi, ER35 from Ecoinnovazione (ECOI 🇮🇹) has delivered a lecture on “The use of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology to evaluate the environmental sustainability of products and processes” as a part of the transfer of knowledge from ECOI to PAN.
Dr. Simone Maranghi (left) and Prof. Marek Kowalczuk from PAN (right)
Transfer of knowledge at The Ohio State University, OH (USA)
Malwina Niedźwiedź (ESR 43, ZUT 🇵🇱) and Konrad Walkowiak (ESR 17, ZUT 🇵🇱) are getting experience in conducting anaerobic degradation of novel green polymeric materials during their secondments at the Ohio State University (OSU). Moreover, they will also get training on modifying Cargill’s products into new biodegradable biopolymers using reversible recombination radical polymerization (3RP) technique.
Groundbreaking work in film blowing and thermoforming at BME (HU)
Enchanting Xmas party at OSU (USA)
An exciting time at The Ohio State University was celebrated during an enchanting Xmas party on December 12, 2023! It was an event filled with joy, laughter, and scientific camaraderie. ESR-6, PhD student, Nina Kantor-Malujdy (ESR 6, ZUT 🇵🇱) and Prof. Judit Puskas (ER 12, OSU 🇺🇸), along with her research group, were part of this festive gathering. The highlight of the evening was the "White Elephant" game, a fun and often hilarious tradition during holiday parties. Here's a quick rundown of how it works:
- Preparation: Everyone brings a wrapped, anonymous gift. These gifts are usually quirky or humorous, with a set price limit to keep things fair.
- Drawing Numbers: Each participant draws a number to determine the order of gift selection.
- The Unveiling: The person with the number one picks and unwraps a gift, revealing it to everyone.
- The Choice: From the second person onwards, participants can either choose a new gift to unwrap or "steal" an already opened gift from someone else. If your gift is stolen, you get to either open a new one or steal from someone else.
- The Twist: A gift can only be stolen a limited number of times, often three, after which it's locked and cannot be stolen again.
- The Finale: The game ends with the final person's turn, sometimes giving the first player a final chance to swap their gift.
The game was a blast and added a spirited dynamic to the party. It's always a delight to see the mix of creative and whimsical gifts exchanged, adding a touch of light-hearted fun to the scientific community. Looking forward to more such gatherings in the future!
Meeting of Work Package leaders in Vienna, November 26-28, 2023.
A summary of the project's progress to date and plans for the implementation of tasks for 2024 were the objectives of the meeting of the Work Package leaders held in Vienna on November 26-28, 2023. During the meeting, which was opened by the director of the Station of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Vienna, Prof. Piotr Szlanta, the progress of individual Work Packages was discussed and tasks, especially the preparation of deliverables, were discussed. The meeting was attended by representatives of all beneficiaries, including a representative of the project partner, Prof. Judit Puskas from the USA. The awarding of Prof. Puskas with the honorary degree of Doctor Honoris Causa by ZUT was an occasion for the director of the Center for Polymer and Carbon Materials of the Polish Academy of Sciences Prof. Barbara Trzebicka, to extend her wishes to Prof. Dr. dr. h.c. Judit E. Puskas.
Sharing experience on polymer characterization at ZUT, Szczecin, PL
The GREEN-MAP project is not only focused on exchange of scientific, but also cultural and culinary experiences. Prof. Puskas spent the Thanksgiving holiday in Poland preparing a traditional turkey!
Our project team has been awarded with the Polish Intelligent Development Award 2023
The Intelligent Development Forum is a "unique congress of the future," a unique scientific and technological event dedicated to the dissemination of cutting-edge scientific research and innovative technologies that have great chance of market success and improving the standard and safety of our lives now or in the coming years.
This national congress serves to establish lasting relationships between visionary entrepreneurs, outstanding Polish scientists focused on cooperation with business, investors and local government officials creating attractive conditions for locating business in their regions.
Prof. El Fray has also been awarded the Prize “Scientist of the Future 2023” in the category: “Woman of Science Who Changes the World”.
Learning in practice about compounding at ZUT, Szczecin, PL
Maximilian Ritschel (left) and Dr. Habil. Magdalena Zdanowicz (right)
Getting experience on biodegradation of green polymers and composites at The Ohio State University, OH, USA
Testing of processability of green polymers at the Centre of Polymer and Carbon Materials Polish Academy of Sciences, Zabrze, PL
Akos Juhasz (right) & Jakub Włodarczyk (left) in the electrospining clean zone
Getting experience on bio-based materials at Cargill Bioindustrail, Gouda, NL
Team building while playing ping-pong (Zarei vs El Fray; El Fray vs Vogel; Zarei vs. Vogel)
Gouda is known worldwide for its famous cheese
Polymer processing at ComriseTec, DE
from left: Prof. Marek Kowalczuk (PAN 🇵🇱) and Simon Kaysser (COMPRISETEC 🇩🇪)
Transfer of knowledge at The Ohio State University, OH (USA)
Dr. Joanna Rydz-Pawlak (ER15, PAN 🇵🇱) and Dr. Kolos Molnar (ER25, )(BME 🇭🇺) getting training and transfer the knowledge on polymers characterization with SEC and other techniques at The Ohio State University in Wooster, in the group of Prof. Judit Puskas. Polyesters containing poly(1,4-butylene adipate-co-1,4-butylene terephthalate) and polylactide as well as oligopeptide (as a marker) are investigated. The properties of labeled polymers, in particular their behavior during UV degradation and biodegradation are investigated in order to assess the stability of the label (oligopeptide) present in the polymer matrix so that it is possible to retrieve the recorded information from (bio)degradable polymer/oligopeptide system also after partial degradation.
Dr. Joanna Pawlak-Rydz
from left: undergraduate student, Eric (OSU 🇺🇸), Dr. Kristor Molnar (OSU 🇺🇸), Prof. Judit Puskas (OSU 🇺🇸), dr Joanna Pawlak-Rydz (PAN 🇵🇱)
Dr. Kolos Molnar (BME 🇭🇺) and Dr. Joanna Pawlak-Rydz (PAN 🇵🇱) are working on UV degradation of biopolymers
Functionalization of plant-based oil derivatives at Cargill Bioindustrial, NL
Dr. Magdalena Zdanowicz (ZUT 🇵🇱) conducted the research on plant-based oil derivatives to increase their functionality as additives/plasticizers for polymers during her secondment at Cargill Bioindustrial (former Croda) in a beautiful Gouda.
2nd Summer School of GREEN-MAP project
The 2nd Summer School of GREEN-MAP project was held on June 28-30, 2023 in Budapest, Hungary. The topic of this summer school was “Processing techniques for medical packaging and disposables”. Interesting aspect of polymer processing were discussed during 12 lectures given by the researcher working on different polymer processing techniques, including injection moulding, 3D printing and electrospinning. The Summer School was organized by Department of Polymer Engineering at the Budapest University of Technology and Economics which is very well equipped in different apparatus for polymer processing. All participant of the summer school had a chance to visit different laboratories of the Department thus to see in practice how biodegradable polymers are processed.
Final point of the summer school for the consortium meeting (for project members only) where current project activities were discussed internally within the consortium members and on-line with the Project Officer.
Transferring knowledge about Life Cycle Assessment at ZUT, PL
Dr Simone Maranghi, ER35 from Ecoinnovazione (ECOI 🇮🇹) is getting experience in polybutylene succinate (PBS) synthesis at ZUT (PL) under the WP1 activities. The synthesis was performed by using succinic acid as a precursor, together with butanediol and catalysts. The synthetic reaction was successful, and the final PBS product has been collected as a filament.
As part of the transfer of knowledge from ECOI to ZUT, Dr Simone Maranghi gave a lecture on “The sustainability evaluation of chemical products and processes through the Life Cycle Assessment”, presenting the LCA methodology and how are the main challenges and advantages in applying it to chemical products and processes.
Getting industrial experience at KB Folie, PL
Training at the University of Bologna, IT
Intermediate conference of GREEN-MAP project was held in Bertinoro, Italy
International Conference on “Bio-based polymers at the forefront of innovation in materials science” was held in Bertinoro (Emilia Romagna – Italy) at the University Residential Centre from April 12 to 14 , 2023. The conference venue was located at the University Residential Center of Bertinoro which is an outstanding conference center located inside the ancient Fortress. The conference program included five plenary lectures given by outstanding scientists performing their research on bio-based polymers and representing EC's policy on biobased, biodegradable and compostable plastics. The conference was attended by 66 participants, including ERs and ESRs active within GREEN-MAP project, who had a chance to listen 23 presentations and view over 20 posters. The conference was held in a beautiful location surrounded by mountains on one side and overlooking the sea on the other.
Learning about the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), discovering Bologna, and more…
Discovering cultural diversity during the Celebration of Nations event (OSU, USA)
Top panel:
photo from left: Prof. Judit Puskas, PhD student, Aswathy, graduate student, Eric (OSU 🇺🇸)
photo in middle: PhD student, Tomasz Konieczny (PAN 🇵🇱), PhD student, Aswathy (OSU 🇺🇸), dr Piegat (ZUT 🇵🇱)
photo from right: prof. El Fray (ZUT 🇵🇱), PhD student, Aswathy (OSU 🇺🇸)
Bottom panel:
Left: delicious tortillas prepared by Mexican student
Right: hot chocolate served by students from Salvador
Transfer of knowledge at The Ohio State University, OH (USA)
Researchers from (ZUT 🇵🇱): prof. Miroslawa El Fray (ER8), Dr Agnieszka Piegat (ER7), an Assistant Professor, and PhD student, Nina Kantor-Malujdy (ESR6) are getting training and transfer the knowledge on polymers characterization with SEC and rheometric measurements at The Ohio State University in Wooster, in the group of Prof. Judit Puskas. Polyesters containing vegetable oil monomers and adipate, succinate, and furanoate esters are investigated towards bioconversion using deep eutectic solvents and the enzyme - Candida antarctica lipase B. Characterization of derived products with SEC, NMR, IR and HPLC is made to establish their properties and plan future work on preparation of new products (preferably paper coatings for packaging of medical devices).
Dr. Agnieszka Piegat
PhD students: Nina Kantor-Malujdy and Martyna Sokołowska
Conference on "Bio-based polymers at the forefront of innovation in materials science"
We would like to invite you to participate in the International Conference on “Bio-based polymers at the forefront of innovation in materials science” taking place in Bertinoro (Italy), April 12-14, 2023.
This intermediate conference of GREEN-MAP project aims to provide a forum for experts from university and industry, as well as young researchers, to share current research on the latest innovations in the biobased polymers field. The conference will be based on plenary lectures, oral communications, and poster presentations.
For all details please visit the website of the conference: https://eventi.unibo.it/convegno-greenmap-chim2023
Cultural (and culinary) presentation during secondments at The Ohio State University, USA
from left: Nina Kantor-Malujdy, Martyna Sokołowska, Tomasz Konieczny
Culinary delicacies prepared by young scientists
Advanced polymer processing at CompriseTec, DE
Getting industrial experience at Cargill Bioindustrial, Gouda, NL
Szymon Macieja in the lab
(from left): Wouter Vogel and Szymon Macieja
Processing of biopolymers foaming at Comprisetech GmbH Hamburg, DE
Training at the Ohio State University, OH, USA
From left: P. Polyak, T. Konieczny, K. Molnar
Getting training on polymer processing at CompriseTec, Hamburg, DE
Workshop on “Team skills development, dissemination and commercial exploitation of results, career perspectives” – 5 December, 2022, KB File, Brzeziny/Warsaw, Poland
An interesting agenda of a meeting has been prepared and distinguished speakers and experienced practitioners shared their knowledge on practical communication and etiquette in international projects and working environment. Prof. dr hab. Marek Matejun and Dr. Izabela Różańska-Bińczyk were talking about “Green human resources management: Environmental challenges for modern enterprises” using interactive tool menti.com to stimulate discussion and making a quiz with prizes. Mr Adam Jarczyński has shared his knowledge on social and business etiquette. Jan Marcinkowski introduced all attendees to the world of colors and printing of packaging materials.
At the end of the workshop all attendees had a chance to visit the KB Folie Polska Research and Development Centre + Laboratory and production site.
GREEN-MAP project workshop on “Team skills development, dissemination and commercial exploitation of results, career perspectives” – 5 December, 2022, KB File, Brzeziny/Warsaw, Poland
An interesting agenda of a meeting has been prepared and distinguished speakers and experienced practitioners will share their knowledge on practical communication and etiquette in international projects. Prof. dr hab. Marek Matejun and Dr. Izabela Różańska-Bińczyk will talk about “Green human resources management: Environmental challenges for modern enterprises”.
This exciting workshop will be combined with the visit to the KB Folie Polska Research and Development Centre + Laboratory.
Please feel free to contact us (project coordinator: mirfray@zut.edu.pl) if you are interested to join this meeting.
Training at the Ohio State University, OH, USA
Group meeting: from left: M. Sokolowska, P. Polyak, J. Puskas, M. El Fray
Group meeting
Martna Sokolowska working with SEC/MALS
M. Sokolowska and M. El Fray working with rheometer
From left: Prof. M. El Fray, T. Konieczny, M. Sokołowska
City of Woosetr
Halloween Pumpkins
1st Summer School on Polymeric Materials for Circular Economy
On September 19-21, 2022, the Nanotechnology Center for Education and Research hosted the Summer School of the "GREEN-MAP" project “Novel green polymeric materials for medical packaging and disposables to improve hospital sustainability" dedicated to the topic of sustainable development of polymeric materials for a circular economy titled "Designing bio-based polymers for circular economy: from green monomers to green polymers." The meeting, which was conducted in a hybrid form (online and stationary), featured a rich and interesting program of lectures on the use of plant-derived monomers/ oligomers to produce "green" and biodegradable polymers. Issues of the circular economy in the disposable medical device industry and the use of green chemistry in the synthesis of new polymeric materials using enzymes and alternative, non-toxic catalysts were discussed.
During the four thematic sessions: I - Synthesis of monomers and polymers of biological origin, II - Material design, physicochemical and microstructural analysis of biological polymers, III - Functionalization and high performance of biological polymers, and IV - Session on industrial production and applications of biological polymers, 15 lectures were delivered by prominent specialists from the Netherlands, Germany, Italy and Poland. Participants of the Summer School were not only students and doctoral students, but also students of high school classes from the High School in Gryfice and IX High School in Szczecin.
On the last day, there was a meeting of the Consortium participants summarizing the Summer School. They also discussed the next activities in the GREEN-MAP project.
Processing of “green” polymers at CompriseTec in Hamburg, DE
Prof. El Fray (ZUT) and Dr. Christian-André Keun (CEO of CompriseTec)
Getting training on polymer rheology at Cargill Bioindustrial, NL
Dr. Wouter Vogel and Abris Virag
Topics Webinar | Advanced Polymer Materials for Sustainable Development and Health Care
https://topics-4.sciforum.net/
Getting experience on composting biodegradable polymers at OSU, OH, Wooster
Prof. Puskas (second from left) and Dr. Sobolewski (second from right)
dr. Sobolewski
dr Sobolewski and PhD student, Aswathy
Composting prisms at OSU
Wooster downtown
Transatlantic transfer of knowledge from OSU to ZUT, PL
Dr. Kristof Molnar (OSU) and PhD student, Martyna Sokołowska (ZUT) synthesizing PSI.
An important part of a collaboration was networking and team building.
(from left to right): K. Molnar, M. Sokołowska, W. Vogel
(from left to right): W. Vogel and K. Molnar
Szczecin is also perfect for beach volleyball (playing: G. Demirci, M. Sokołowska, W. Vogel, K. Molnar)
Continuation of Life Cycle Analysis at Ecoinnovazione, Bologna, IT
Prof. Miroslawa El Fray (ZUT) and Dr. Simone Maranghi (Ecoinnovazione)
(from left to right): Prof. Marek Kowalczuk (PAN), Dr. Katalin Litauszki (BME), Dr. Simone Maranghi (Ecoinnovazione), Dr. Lorenzo Tosti (Ecoinnovazione)
Bologna is a beautiful city with a monumental civic Fountain of Neptune located in the eponymous square, Piazza del Nettuno, next to the Piazza Maggiore - A. Domiński (PAN) in a front of The Fountain of Netpune
First Summer School - 19-21 September 2022, Szczecin, Poland
We warmly invite you to participate in First Summer School which will be focused on "Designing bio-based polymers for circular economy: from green monomers to green polymers" - 19-21 September 2022, Nanotechnology Center, Al. Piastów 45, Szczecin, Poland. The meeting will be held in a hybrid mode (on-line and on-site).
The registration is free of charge but mandatory.
Abstracts for poster presentations should be submitted by 15 August 2022.
Midterm project meeting of the GREEN-MAP project
Despite the outbreak of the pandemic and the suspension of the project for a year, the project reached the midterm point and the summary of activities took place on June 10, 2022 at the mid-term project meeting held at Nanotechnology Center for Research and Education. The meeting was opened by the Dean of the Faculty of Chemical Technology and Engineering, Prof. Rafał Rakoczy. The meeting was attended by 40 people, out of which 21 were stationary present, including guests from USA, Hungary, Italy and Poland. Also present was the Project Officer from Brussels, who oversees the implementation of the project.
During the meeting, the status of implementation of individual tasks and the intersectoral exchange of scientists and doctoral students was discussed. The result of the work completed so far is 8 publications "Gold Open Access" related to the synthesis of biodegradable polymers, their characterization and processing in terms of production of modern biodegradable packaging for medical industry and disposable equipment.
After the official part of the meeting, all participants had the opportunity for less formal interactions.
Getting academic experience at ZUT, PL
Importantly, Dr Vogel has also been sharing his knowledge on “Healthy and safety in and around the lab” during Department’s seminar.
First secondment from The Ohio State University started in Budapest, HU
Life Cycle Analysis of green polymers at Ecoinnovazione srl., IT
Discussions at www.ecoinnovazione.eu were focused on the progress of WP5 LCA activity.
From right to left: Simone Maranghi, Ing. Paolo MASONI (Presidente Ecoinnovazione srl). Prof. Marek Kowalczuk
Sustainable polymers at the sustainable Department of The Ohio State University, OH, USA
From left to right: Prof. Miroslawa El Fray, Dr. Kristof Molnar, Dr. Gabor Kaszas, Dr. Aswathy Sasidhraran Pillai
Getting industrial experience at CompriseTec in Hamburg, DE
Getting industrial experience at Croda, NL
Our project has restarted and secondments have resumed!
Prof. Focarete had meetings with the colleagues of KBF involved in the Production, Technology, Innovation, and Research and Development Departments, discussing in particular the topics of sustainable packaging technologies and green plastics. She was impressed by the company activities and agenda, consisting of excellent innovation projects. It was also a pleasure to discover that creativity and art permeate everything in the company.
Some of our secondments are continuing, some of them are suspended
Further, our Consortium partners had presentations as part of American Chemical Society #SciMeetings virtual ACS Philadelphia (Spring 2020):
Prof. Puskas (FABE OSU): "Synthesis and characterization of crosslinked electrospun fiber mats from allyl-functionalized polysuccinimide" https://www.morressier.com/article/synthesis-characterization-crosslinked-electrospun-fiber-mats-allylfunctionalized-polysuccinimide/5e7374dacde2b641284ac92c?
Prof. Kowalczuk (CPCM, PAN): "Forensic engineering of advanced polymeric biomaterials”
https://www.morressier.com/article/forensic-engineering-advanced-polymeric-biomaterials/5e73d6ce139645f83c229ab8?
Martyna Mozyc at Croda
NMR and mass spectrometry facility used by Prof. Kowalczuk in OSU
First secondment has started!
Visiting Croda's site in Gouda, with Dr. Wouter Vogel