Projects / Programmes
Research and Development of Analytical Methods and Procedures
January 1, 2020
- December 31, 2027
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 1.04.00 |
Natural sciences and mathematics |
Chemistry |
|
| 1.08.00 |
Natural sciences and mathematics |
Control and care of the environment |
|
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| P003 |
Natural sciences and mathematics |
Chemistry |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| 1.04 |
Natural Sciences |
Chemical sciences |
| 1.05 |
Natural Sciences |
Earth and related Environmental sciences |
Analytical chemistry, spectroscopic methods, separation techniques, sample preparation,
micro extraction, electroanalytical methods, food quality, trace analysis, speciation, corrosion studies, coatings, cultural heritage protection, environmental analysis, miniaturization, biomolecules
Data for the last 5 years (citations for the last 10 years) on
April 25, 2024;
A3 for period
2018-2022
| Database |
Linked records |
Citations |
Pure citations |
Average pure citations |
| WoS |
734 |
15,906 |
13,643 |
18.59 |
| Scopus |
764 |
18,220 |
15,643 |
20.48 |
Researchers (36)
Organisations (1)
Abstract
The submitted research programme focuses on the following research fields: a) new analytical methods and approaches, b) characterisation of cultural heritage materials, c) materials, d) characterization of biomolecules, e) environment and food safety.
Fundamental research of analytical methods and approaches will involve research and development of spectroscopic, electrochemical and chromatographic analysis procedures in all phases; from optimisation of sample preparation to the final quantification and result interpretation. Given the growing need for interdisciplinary research the results from this field will connect to and be implemented in the research of other fields. The research of cultural heritage materials will involve investigation of the influence on the stability of materials and parameters such as volatile organic compounds. This VOCs give us information about the present state and the stability of the material. An important part of the programme will also be the implementation of non-destructive sample preparation techniques. Research in the field of materials will mostly involve the development of new electrochemical and spectroscopic techniques for the characterisation of nanoparticles and materials, which were obtained by doping with various elements. Part of the research in this field will also include removing of metals by means of bioremediation using fungi. In the field of bioanalysis we will follow the global guidelines that focus on research of biologically active molecules such as biomarkers. We will develop modern separation and detection techniques for separation and quantification of proteins, glycoproteins, polysaccharides and other biologically relevant analytes. To avoid using very complex 2D chromatography, we will implement mixed mode chromatography with multiple separation mechanisms. The final field of environment and food safety research will consist of the investigation of emerging pollutants (pesticides, additives, drug residues) and their transformation in the environment. Therefore, we will research and develop sample preparation (such as microextraction) and analysis techniques to improve the sensitivity of analytical procedures. Part of the research in this field will also include research of secondary organic aerosol formation.
Significance for science
As has been outlined in the Resolution on the research and innovation strategy of Slovenia 2011-2020 (ReRISS11-20), fundamental scientific research is of the greatest importance for the development of science. Without excellence in science, no successful applicative work and transfer into the industrial practice is possible. Traditional barrier between fundamental and applicable research is thus disappearing. Fundamental research in the analytical field is important for the development of analytical chemistry as one of the fundamental chemical sciences, and at the same time, it plays a key role in the development and progress in other fields of chemistry and other scientific fields. Many findings in biosciences, medicine, environmental sciences, materials science and others rely on the accurate analytical determination of various components in the biological, environmental, materials and other samples. The proposed research covers all of the above mentioned important scientific fields, which are also the priorities of the Slovenian research and progress strategy: advanced synthetic metal and nonmetal materials; nanotechnologies for the sustainable economy, health, life sciences and environment protection and also cultural and natural heritage.
The results of the proposed research will be new or improved analytical methods, procedures and findings that will be published in the international scientific journals. The planned output is at least 10-15 publications per year, and at least half of them in the journals with high impact in the analytical science field. Young researchers will also participate in the proposed research programme and will be able to improve their knowledge and skills. This will contribute to the transfer of knowledge to younger generation of scientists. Transfer of knowledge will also occur internationally with participation in development of education strategy within the E-RIHS (the European Research Infrastructure for Heritage Science). Our aim is to participate in international projects and to cooperate with the research centres in Slovenia and abroad. This will increase the exchange of knowledge and the researchers on the international scale. The proposed research is original and important also from the viewpoint of the actual scientific problems in the international community. Therefore, the results of our research have a high possibility of a significant scientific impact both on a domestic and on an international scale.
Significance for the country
A great part of the proposed research is related to fundamental analytical applications for the solving several actual socioeconomic problems, as outlined in the Developmental strategy for Slovenia in the years 2014-2020 (MGRT RS).
Research group actively participates with institutions in the field of cultural heritage. In Slovenia, these are: Institute for the Protection of Cultural Heritage of Slovenia, National Museum of Slovenia, Museum of Modern Art, National and University Library and Archives of the Republic of Slovenia. International cooperation in this field are with: University College London, University of Florence, Smithsonian Museum, Rijksmuseum, Gilden Photonics Ltd. And Q-Bot. Researchers currently participate in multiple H2020 EU research programs science for heritage: APACHE, IPERION HS, E-RIHS PP. E-RIHS mission is to integrate world-leading European facilities into a research infrastructure for Heritage Science. Slovenia is currently one of 16 active partners of E-RIHS. Within E-RIHS.si there are currently two active institutions: Protection of cultural heritage and University of Ljubljana, Faculty of chemistry and chemical technology. E-RIHS has been classified as priority in the document of the European Strategy Forum on Research Infrastructures in year 2016 (ESFRI Roadmap). In the second half of 2017 Slovenia has formally joined in the preparation of the project with the goal of becoming the founding member of E-RIHS ERIC.
As a research group at University of Ljubljana we acknowledge that further research in the field of analytical chemistry is an important socioeconomic goal of our programme since university education on all levels is inevitable linked to research excellence. Only close connection between research and education contributes to training specialized experts and thus develops basic and applied knowledge, needed for continuance and advancement of the scientific field. Knowledge is also passed to younger generations with students being actively part of the research group. In the field of doctoral study, we also participated internationally by being part of education strategy development within E-RIHS and also with doctoral study programme SEAHA (EPSRC Centre for doctoral training in science and engineering in arts, heritage and archaeology) at University College London.
Most of the graduates, masters and doctors with the FCCT degree in chemical studies successfully implement their knowledge in the industry and in the research institutions at home and abroad. The researchers of the program group actively participate in educational programs at University of Ljubljana, as it is confirmed by several university textbooks and other study materials.
Next socioeconomic purpose of our research is seen in the development of new high added value products which improve competitiveness of our industry and contribute to the growth of Slovenia. Findings from our fundamental research contribute in such developments, giving our fundamental research an application value. Aforementioned research is directed mainly at solving problems of safe and healthy food (toxins, carcinogenic compounds, allergens, antioxidants, fragrances and other) and pharmaceutical preparations, which will contribute to technological advancement in this fields in Slovenia and wider.
Our research in the field of environmental protection is in accordance with constitutional right to live in healthy environment, which should be ensured to all citizens of RS. Aim of research on transfer and deposition of pollutants into soil and sediment, surface and ground water, air and also food, is to gain new knowledge which will allow implementation of legal constrains for ensuring aforementioned constitutional right. Our focus is on groups of emerging pollutants for which legal limits in drinking water, river and soil are not yet established in Slovenia nor elsewhere in the world. This makes knowledge on their environmental fate especially important. W
