Institute of Fundamental Technological Research
Polish Academy of Sciences

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We offer exciting doctoral programs in:

Mechanical Engineering
Materials Engineering
Computer Science and Telecommunications
Biomedical Engineering

Our research responds to modern challenges in science in a wide spectrum of areas from nanotechnologies, nanomechanics, artificial intelligence, biomaterials, shape-memory materials, electromechanical coupling, diagnostics and control of mechatronic systems, to digital twins, and many others.

Why us?

Having many years of experience in research, the IPPT PAN has gained international recognition, in keeping with the Institute’s position as one of the biggest technical science institutes of the Polish Academy of Sciences. We have offered doctoral studies since 1968, and, as a valued European technical institute, we conduct interdisciplinary research at the highest standards.

ADVANTAGES

Highly qualified staff and top standards

The Institute was founded by outstanding professors who would certainly recommend our current researchers who keep courses up-to-date at the highest international level. We are proud to bring on board experienced professors and talented new researchers, allowing you to benefit from their expertise and development. Their awards, membership in prestigious academic organizations, and participation in leading international conferences add to their academic prestige.

International cooperation

Since more and more doctoral candidates from abroad are studying at the Institute, we constantly improve our offer to meet their needs. We promote global cooperation by establishing project partnerships with institutions across Asia, the Americas, and Europe. All our research teams can benefit from international exchange programs - IPPT PAN employees and doctoral candidates. Our doctoral candidates actively participate in prestigious scientific conferences and research initiatives, collaborating with leading scientists from around the globe. This results in multiple publications in prestigious science journals. Additionally, doctoral candidates at IPPT PAN are given various opportunities to participate in internships and training programs, significantly contributing to their work experience.

Modernity, innovation, prospects

Dozens of our unique, state-of-the-art research stations and rigorous quality control systems in our laboratories ensure the highest working standards. The exceptional quality of our research and the lavishly-equipped laboratories attract local and international companies. Every year, many of our technologies are patented. To fully harness our intellectual and technical potential and bring our latest developments to the market, we have established the Centre for Commercialization and Technology Development. The Center supports IPPT PAN Staff in implementation and commercialization activities by coordinating the entire process – from identifying promising technologies, connecting with potential business partners, to licensing successful solutions.

One of the key priorities of our doctoral studies are implementation doctorates. This type of doctorate is oriented toward applying advanced technical knowledge to industry challenges.

Optimum conditions for your academic and personal development

The institute offers interdisciplinary cooperation and unhindered networking with outstanding professors and representatives of the most experienced professionals from various fields of the industry. We also encourage our students to cooperate with young research teams and provide support in applying for additional funding and scholarships.

Contrary to standard universities, our doctoral programs are free from didactic work, which increases the time they can spend on researching and self-development.

The Institute takes great pride in its people. Thus, supporting their development is our key priority. Our doctoral candidates are offered individual consultations about their career paths and are presented with ways of developing them further at every stage of their study. They also gain access to post-doctoral positions both in Poland and internationally.

IPPT PAN research departments:

To apply to the Doctoral Schools at IPPT PAN, you must demonstrate outstanding scientific achievements and possess a strong motivation for a career in research.

➤Selected scientific achievements in the reporting year of 2022

Selected scientific achievements in the reporting year of 2022

Selected achievements in projects/research studies conducted in the reporting year of 2022

In the fields of: mechanics of multifunctional materials, micromechanics of materials, surface layers mechanics:

We designed new numerical models for metal crystals, accounting for gradient effects and the selection of active slip-systems
We developed an original specification of twinning kinematics including the effective implementation of the model in the finite element method code
We developed a series of nonlocal elasticity models for the micro- and nonosamples analysis under bending, vibration, and buckling
We demonstrated the increase of hardness, wear resistance and the hardness-to-Young’s modulus ratio in thin layers implanted on 2 high-entropy alloy

In the fields of the microstructures of materials:

We provided a detailed microstructural characterization of sintered materials by FAST/SPS, using micro-computed tomography and EBSD. We made a detailed analysis of the size and shape of grains and pores. The researched microstructure was used for the numerical determination of effective thermal conductivity. The numerical results were validated using experimental results. The final result led to propose an analytical model combining thermal conductivity with the microstructural properties of sintered materials.
We designed numerical models for brittle infiltrated composites consisting of a silicon carbide skeleton (SiC), and an aluminum and 12% silicon alloy (AlSi12). The constitutive model for the skeleton was the model of brittle fracture, and for the filler – the elasto-plastic model. We tested the composite under impact conditions with the use of non-local peridynamics method, which proved the existence of material contact in the interfaces and fragmentation. We designed a method for generating peridynamic models of high density calculation points based on CT scanning.
We developed a methodology for designing new 2D materials and material systems based on molecular dynamics, AI methods, and multiscale approach.

Most important scientific achievements of the Institute in the reporting year of 2022 of general socio- and economic importance

We discovered the influence of boron materials on the kinetics of cement biding and early hardening, and on the phase composition, porosity, early mechanical properties. We identified the sensitivity of boron admixture composites to gamma irradiation and the effects of radiation modification of biding processes and early hardening. We determined gamma radiation effects in modifying pore size distribution, Portland cement content, and alite relics in composite matrices. We determined the temperature-equivalent of gamma irradiation up to 50kGy.
We assessed the results of radiation damage of cement composites and the degradation of protective properties of steel reinforcement, which is of great importance to designing shielding materials for nuclear energy sector and radioactive waste disposal. The results provide guidance on formulating materials specification and materials selection, taking into account the criterion of radiation damage resistance which is of great interest in relation to the designed long-term durability and reliability of nuclear facilities.

We designed, and numerically and experimentally verified, a practical identification method for vehicle parameters and road roughness profile based on a moving vehicle response. The method’s advantage lies in its simplicity of instrumentation (accelerometers installed in the vehicle).
We obtained a series of results concerning the possibility of printing broadband sound-absorbing materials with the use of low-budget 3D printers. The research focused on the possibility of effective use of relatively simple microstructures and imperfections of such printers.
We published a monograph: “Large-Scale Simultaneous Localization and Mapping” (Springer Publishing, 308 pages, doi: 10.1007/978-981-19-1972-5). The monograph provides a practical guide and algorithms for mobile mapping systems.

Selected, most important applications of research results of public importance (e.g. in public health care) and economic importance (e.g. new technologies, implementations, licenses) from the reporting period of 2022

We designed new types of neural network blocks which make ultrasound imaging resemble non-medical images, thus enhancing the effectiveness of transfer learning methods in the context of medical data analysis. Additionally, we created a large set of data out of numerical phantoms, which allows for neural networks training for ultrasonographic diagnostics. The obtained results help to better understand the usefulness of machine learning methods in ultrasonographic data analyses, which, in turn, should ultimately contribute to more accurate diagnostics.

We formalized patent application no. BUP 35/2022, 2022-08-29, and filed the patent application WO/2022/177454, 2022-08-25, for “A method for obtaining injectable biocompatible drug delivery vehicles, cell carriers or combinations thereof, in the form of microscaffolds, an injectable composition containing said vehicles, and its applications”.
We are finalizing another patent application: ”Nośnik współdostarczania leków reagujący na dwie temperatury w formie włókniny oraz sposób jego wytwarzania” [Drug co-delivery carrier sensible to two temperatures in the form of fiber and its manufacturing] and “Proteza do odprowadzenia moczu u pacjentów pozbawionych pęcherza moczowego oraz sposób jej wytwarzania” [A prothesis for urinary diversion for cystectomy patients and a method for its manufacturing].

➤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.

Quality Management Systems in IPPT PAN

In line with the IPPT PAN mission statement, the Institute aims at continuous quality services improvement. These include:

competent, highly qualified research staff,
world-class laboratory equipment,
modern research facilities.

In the current reality, there is an increasing demand that conducting laboratory activities, cooperating with other units, and implementing scientific research should be subject to an objective and independent audit carried out to confirm the competence and credibility in the laboratory, both at the national and international level.

Such confirmation of the laboratory's competence to conduct specific research services is made by an auditing body, independent of the supplier and recipient organizations, which certifies that the quality of a product, process, or service offered by the laboratory complies with a specific standard or relevant regulations. In Poland, the body authorized to certify quality management systems is the Polish Centre for Accreditation (PCA). PCA is a signatory to multilateral agreements within international organizations, including the accreditation of research laboratories - the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation Mutual Recognition Arrangement (ILAC MRA). The purpose of the agreements is the free circulation of accredited test results in Europe and worldwide. The ILAC MRA agreement allows laboratories to access export markets in Europe and the world - according to the principle "once tested or certified - accepted everywhere".

Meeting the need to provide all partners of IPPT PAN with the high quality and reliability of research results, the Institute’s Management enables and supports activities aimed at implementing quality management systems. In 2014-2021, the Professional Electronics Laboratory IPPT PAN implemented and maintained the first Quality Management Systems meeting the requirements of ISO-13485 and ISO-9001, in two areas: "Design and development in the field of ultrasonic medical devices and software for medical purposes" and "Design, development and training in the scope of electronic systems and software".

Recently, measures have been taken to cover other laboratories with the Quality Management Systems. Currently, at the Laboratory for Testing Materials and Structures (LBMK) of the Department of Experimental Mechanics (ZMD), intensive work is underway to prepare appropriate documentation and to help the laboratory to implement the quality management system. The LBMK (research laboratory) quality management system will meet the requirements of the Polish standard PN-EN ISO / IEC 17025: 2018-02 "General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories" and the requirements of the certification body - Polish Centre for Accreditation. We have completed the Management System Manual, processes, procedures and instructions in accordance with the requirements of the standard and documents of the PCA accreditation body. LBMK employees participated in many training courses, both internal and organized by external organizations, on the development, implementation and maintenance of quality management systems.

In terms of technical activities at LBMK, we have calibrated the measurement and research equipment (to international standards), and we have adapted the research facilities and infrastructure to the requirements of the standard. At the stage of implementing the quality management system, the provisions of the system documentation are verified and / or the identified shortcomings in the laboratory's activities are eliminated. In order to confirm the quality of the test results, we have carried out comparative tests with the participation of LBMK and the laboratory, which has been accredited for many years in testing mechanical properties. Interlaboratory comparison confirmed the compliance of the results obtained by LBMK with the results of the accredited laboratory.

Currently, we are progressing with works related to correcting documentation and preparing for the management review and internal audit. Once the internal audit and possible corrective actions have been taken, LBMK will submit an application to PCA for an accreditation audit. A positive result of the accreditation audit will be the basis for issuing the accreditation certificate of the testing laboratory for LBMK in the requested scope of mechanical properties tests.

In addition, LBMK has taken the following actions in connection with the implementation of the quality management system, which will be important for the functioning of the laboratory:

accession of the Department of Experimental Mechanics (LBMK as part of ZMD) to the Polish Research Laboratories Club POLLAB, Material Testing Section, as an actual member of the Club. The representative of ZMD in the POLLAB Club is Prof. Zbigniew Kowalewski. The participation of ZMD in the POLLAB Club allows other Club members (nearly 500 actual members) to cooperate in sections / committees with substantive training and interlaboratory comparisons, activities crucial to assessing the competences of laboratories. The POLLAB Club is an associate member of the European Association of National Organizations of Chemical Laboratories EURACHEM and the Research and Calibration Laboratories EUROLAB.

Klub POLLAB jest członkiem stowarzyszonym Europejskiego Stowarzyszenia Krajowych Organizacji Laboratoriów Chemicznych EURACHEM oraz Laboratoriów Badawczych i Wzorcujących EUROLAB.
accession of IPPT PAN to the Polish Committee for Standardization (PKN), Technical Committee 123 (KT 123) for Metal Property Testing, in which work is carried out on standards directly related to the scope of LBMK activities. Membership in KT PKN offers the following benefits (for the Institute and LBMK):
- it opens the possibility of influencing the content of created standards at international, European and national levels;
- provides access to the content of draft international, European and national standards;
- it gives the possibility of shaping the program of standardization, which allows to properly plan investments and, as a consequence, gain a competitive advantage;
- facilitates business contacts.

The Institute’s representative in PKN KT 123 for Metal Property Research participates in the works of KT 123. One of the effects of his actions included translations of international standards from English into Polish, including PN-EN ISO 6892 1: 2016-09 “Metals. Tensile test. Part 1: Test method at room temperature”. This standard specifies all the relevant test methods that are the subject of the quality management system currently under development at LBMK and will be included in the laboratory's accreditation.

Participation in the works of KT PKN is taken into account in the parametric evaluation of the Institute’s scientific potential in the category of “membership in expert teams appointed by state bodies and institutions”.