Instytut Podstawowych Problemów Techniki

Abstract:
The advancement of force microsensors has shifted towards alternative fabrication methods offering enhanced flexibility, cost efficiency, and adaptability. Traditional silicon-based sensors face limitations such as mechanical fragility, thermal expansion mismatches, and high fabrication costs, necessitating alternative approaches. This study explores a bottom-up fabrication approach using electro-galvanic deposition to develop nickel-based capacitive force microsensors. Unlike conventional methods, electro-galvanic deposition enables precise control over material thickness and microstructure, allowing for the fabrication of robust, metal-based sensors with superior toughness and mechanical reliability. Nickel, chosen for its high tensile strength, corrosion resistance, and adaptability to high temperatures, is well-suited for demanding applications. The fabrication process involves UV maskless lithography for mold patterning, followed by electro-galvanic deposition in a modified Watt's bath with saccharin additives to control grain structure. This enables fine-tuning of nickel's mechanical properties, enhancing hardness and ductility. The capacitive comb sensor structure, integrated with a high-resolution capacitance-to-digital converter, enables precise force measurements with a linear response and high sensitivity. Experimental validation included mechanical testing, calibration, and stability analysis under controlled loading conditions. Results confirmed a strong linear force-capacitance relationship (R2 = 0.9898) and excellent long-term stability, with minimal capacitance drift under sustained load.

Keywords:
Nickel-based sensor, Bottom-up process for sensor fabrication, Electro-galvanic deposition, Capacitance stability, Silicon sensor limitations, Industrial sensor applications, Sensor durability, Displacement-force calibration

Keywords:
antioxidant capacity, Chrysanthemum × morifolium /Ramat./ Hemsl., molecular markers, nanotechnology, polyphenols, SCoT

Abstract:
The urea oxidation reaction (UOR) is characterized by a lower overpotential compared to the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) during electrolysis, which facilitates the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) at the cathode. Charge
distribution, which can be modulated by the introduction of a heterostructure, plays a key role in enhancing the adsorption and cleavage of chemical groups within urea molecules. Herein, a facile all-room temperature synthesis of functional heterojunction NiCo2 S4 /CoMo 2 S4 grown on carbon cloth (CC) is presented, and the as-prepared electrode served as a catalyst for simultaneous hydrogen evolution and urea oxidation reaction. The Density
Functional Theory (DFT) study reveals spontaneous transfer of charge at the heterointerface of NiCo 2 S4 /CoMo 2 S4 , which triggers the formation of localized electrophilic/nucleophilic regions and facilitates the adsorption of electron donating/electron withdrawing group in urea molecules during the UOR. The NiCo2 S4 /CoMo 2 S4 // NiCo 2 S4 /CoMo 2 S4 electrode pair required only a cell voltage of 1.17 and 1.18 V to deliver a current density of 10 and 100 mA cm−2 respectively in urea electrolysis cell and display very good stability. Tests performed in real urine samples show similar catalytic performance to urea electrolytes, making the work one of the best transition
metal-based catalysts for UOR applications, promising both efficient hydrogen production and urea decomposition.

Abstract:
Catalyst design plays a critical role in ensuring sustainable andeffective energy conversion. Electrocatalytic materials need tobe able to control active sites and introduce defects in bothacidic and alkaline electrolytes. Furthermore, producing efficientcatalysts with a distinct surface structure advances ourcomprehension of the mechanism. Here, a defect-engineeredheterointerface of ruthenium doped cobalt metal organic frame(Ru-CoMOF) core confined in MoS2 is reported. A tailored designapproach at room temperature was used to induce defects andform an electron transfer interface that enhanced the electro-catalytic performance. The Ru-CoMOF@MoS2 heterointerfaceobtains a geometrical current density of 10 mA-2 by providinghydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolutionreaction (OER) at small overpotentials of 240 and 289 mV,respectively. Density functional theory simulation shows thatthe Co-site maximizes the evolution of hydrogen intermediateenergy for adsorption and enhances HER, while the Ru-site, onthe other hand, is where OER happens. The heterointerfaceprovides a channel for electron transfer and promotes reactionsat the solid-liquid interface. The Ru-CoMOF@MoS2 modelexhibits improved OER and HER efficiency, indicating that itcould be a valuable material for the production of water-alkaline and acidic catalysts

Abstract:
The paradigmatic state of a 1D collective metal, the Tomonaga-Luttinger liquid (TLL), offers us an exact
analytic solution for a strongly interacting quantum system not only for infinite systems at zero temperature
but also at finite temperature and with a boundary. These results are potentially of significant relevance for
technology, as they could lay the foundation for a many-body description of various nanostructures. For this
to happen, we need expressions for local (i.e., spatially resolved) correlations as a function of frequency. In
this paper, we find such expressions and study their outcome. Based on our analytic expressions, we are able to
identify two distinct cases of TLL, which we call the Coulomb metal and Hund metal, respectively. We argue that
these two cases span all the situations possible in nanotubes made out of p-block elements. From an applications viewpoint, it is crucial to capture the fact that the end of the 1D system can be coupled to the external environment and emit electrons into it. We discuss such coupling on two levels for both Coulomb and Hund metals: (i) in the zeroth-order approximation, the coupling modifies the 1D system’s boundary conditions; (ii) for stronger coupling, when the environment can self-consistently modify the 1D system, we introduce spatially dependent TLL parameters. In case (ii), we are able to capture the presence of plasmon-polariton particles, thus building a link between TLL and the field of nano-optics.

Abstract:
The global challenges of access to clean water and energy continue to grow, prompting research into sustainable solutions. A promising approach involves the conversion of agricultural waste into high-porosity functional materials for both water purification and energy storage. This study explores the conversion of stale bread into spongy carbon materials, which were evaluated as adsorbents for the removal of cationic dyes and electrodes for supercapacitors. The physical and chemical properties of the material were characterized using standard techniques. In particular, activated carbon produced at 900 °C showed a balanced mixture of micropores and mesopores, with a high specific surface area of ∼1583 m² g-1, making it a low-cost effective adsorbent for the removal of crystal violet dye, showing an adsorption capacity of 753.9 mg g-1, optimal at 10 mg of adsorbent dose with only 10 min of contact time. It performed well in a wide pH range (2–12) and in saline solutions. Furthermore, the material demonstrated a single electrode specific capacitance of ∼155 F g-1, an energy density of 21.6 Wh kg-1, and a power density of 355.9 kW kg-1 in supercapacitor applications. It exhibited high reversibility of charge-storage, retaining ∼85 % of its capacitance after 15,000 cycles. These results highlight the potential of pyrolyzed agricultural waste as a versatile and sustainable material for environmental and energy applications.

Keywords:
Activated carbon, Crystal violet, Dye adsorption, Energy storage application, Supercapacitor

Abstract:
Background: Popular science projects provide an opportunity for
students to explore scientific disciplines in a hands-on manner,
potentially influencing their future career choices, particularly in
science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields.
Purpose: The study aims to explore the potential impact of participation in science popularization workshops on high school students’ perception of STEM fields and their interest in pursuing careers in science. It examines students’ attitudes through survey data, including their self-reported interest in STEM disciplines, career aspirations, and reflections on the role of hands-on experience in shaping their educational choices.
Sample: The study involved high school students who participated
in a series of experimental workshops focused on the synthesis of
superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles.
Design and methods: We analyze the relationship between popular
science projects carried out by high school students on the choice of
field of study and further professional path, i.e. their attitude towards
choosing a career path, and participation in workshops popularizing
science into account exact STEM. To achieve this goal, we designed
a series of experiments tailored to high school students.
Results: Students had the opportunity to study the 3D virtual representations of molecular geometry. Seventy-five percent of participants connected their professional path with the field of chemistry, and 35% declared interest in following an academic career.
Conclusion: These findings indicate that science popularization
workshops can significantly influence students’ perceptions of
STEM education and career paths. Engaging in laboratory activities,
collaborative problem-solving, and direct interactions with scientists
fostered a heightened interest in chemistry and related fields.
Based on the Social Cognitive Career Theory, self-efficacy and outcome expectations play a pivotal role in career choices. Our
results support this perspective, as students with positive workshop
experiences were more inclined to consider STEM studies.
Moreover, the hands-on approach bridged the gap between theoretical
learning and real-world scientific applications.

Keywords:
Science popularization,projects popularizing science,chemical education,chemical education,laboratory instructions

Keywords:
electrochemistry, sensor, bisphenol A, MOF, CNT

Abstract:
Tomonaga–Luttinger liquid (TLL) theory is a canonical formalism used to describe 1D metals, where the low-energy physics is determined by collective Bosonic excitations. Herein, a theoretical model to compute the parameters of Tomonaga–Luttinger liquid (TLL) in multiwalled nanotubes (MWNTs) is presented. MWNTs introduce additional complexity to the usual Fermionic chains due to interactions and hybridization between their multiple coaxial shells. A model in which conducting paths along the length of the MWNTs are randomly distributed among the shells is considered. Since the valley degree of freedom remains a good quantum number, the TLL description in addition to spin and charge contains also valley degree of freedom and hence four-mode description applies. The values of all four TLL parameters are obtained for this model. A surprising outcome is that the compressibility of the holon mode becomes a universal quantity, while the parameters of neutral modes will depend on the details of intershell coupling. Finally, experiments where predictions can be tested are proposed.