In collaboration with Materials Science Institute of Madrid we have developed cellulose nanofiber-reinforced engineering electro-conductive ceramics and filed Great Britain patent application. Imparting electrical conductivity to a dielectric ceramic like alumina or zirconia with conducting nanocarbons (nanotubes or graphene) is challenging due to colloidal instability, particle segregation resulting in inhomogeneities. Instead, we used small addition of cellulose nanofibers, which render highly homogeneous ceramic dispersions due to the increased hydrophilicity character. Nanofibers not only significantly reinforce the ceramic green body, but upon sintering also converts to finely distributed graphitic ex-cellulose carbon nanofibers within dense and refined ceramic matrix resulting in highly electro-conducting alumina and zirconia ceramics.
F.32 International patent
COBISS.SI-ID: 29926439The interview was triggered by the TEDx talk of interviewee. In her TEDx talk interviewee pointed out the issues of gender equality in science and that was the starting point for the interview, which was continued by the discussion about her work in the field of nanosciences and nanotechnologies. We talked also about what “nano” means and how do we exploit advantages of nanomaterials in general and in the field of ferrite magnets. In the end we also talked about fusion as a possible source of energy in the future. One of the statements was also picked for the quote of the day (“Bob dneva”) and was published on the cover page. Interview was published in the most read newspaper in Eastern Slovenia, which is also a newspaper with the 3rd biggest printout in Slovenia.
F.30 Professional assessment of the situation
COBISS.SI-ID: 29625127In the invited talk Asst. prof. Andraž Kocjan presented the state of the art of the processing of high-performance zirconia bioceramics developed at Jožes Stefan Institute. Zirconia is nowadays extensively used for aesthetic dental restorations and implants due to its excellent biocompatibility, superior strength and fracture toughness. The latter are attributable to its ability to undergo martensitic phase transformation (t-m) resulting in transformation toughening. The phase instability, however, also has a disadvantageous side, known as low temperature degradation or ageing in humid environments, affecting its reliability. Its additional limitations represent high elastic modulus and chemical inertness resulting in mismatch with dentine/bone and insufficient bonding abilities with luting cements, respectively. The presented issues were solved by co-doping strategies, by employing colloidal processing of a coarse, yet nanostructured, mesoporous powder producing high-performance porous ceramics with hierarchical heterogeneities and by application of non-invasive pretreatment step by application of nanostructured alumina coating
B.05 Guest lecturer at an institute/university
COBISS.SI-ID: 29610535Translucent, self-reinforced mullite ceramic was developed by SPS-sintering. Small amounts of yttria and silica in combination with SPS-sintering provided enhanced densification also provoking anisotropic grain growth at low sintering temperatures and pressures. Thus, it was possible to meet the conflicting demands for obtaining a dense mullite with anisotropic grains ensuring good mechanical properties, while preserving high light transmittance. The results were published in the Journal of the American Ceramic Society and received best poster award among 129 competitors at 41st International Conference and Expo on Advanced Ceramics and Composites, in Daytona Beach, Florida.
E.02 International awards
COBISS.SI-ID: 29677351Dr. Sebastjan Perko, director of Ustna medicine, d.o.o., a former PhD student of the research programme, presented the state-of-the-art in the dental ceramic material field. He presented results from his PhD studies based on processing of high-performance zirconia bioceramics. Among many others he also presented recent results from common collaborative project on advanced bioactive dental ceramic fillings used for endodontically treated teeth, an ongoning project betwen Jožef Stefan Institute (JSI) and Ustna medicina, which started in 2016. From the JSI side the project is coordinated by dr. Nataša Drnovšek and Asst. prof. Andraž Kocjan.
B.04 Guest lecture
COBISS.SI-ID: 30054695