MSAGroup

On January 29, 2025, the public defense of Martyna Janek's doctoral dissertation entitled “Intelligent bionanomaterials in self-healing conrete” took place. On the same day, the Council of the Scientific Discipline of Civil Engineering, Geodesy and Transport of Lublin University of Technology awarded him the doctor of engineering and technical sciences degree, at the same time honoring the dissertation. The thesis was prepared under the supervision of Wojciech Franus, with the invaluable assistance of Joanna Fronczyk, as part of the realization of the Team-Net project entitled “Fly ash as precursors of functionalized materials for use in environmental engineering, construction and agriculture.” The reviewers of the dissertation were prof. Janusz Konkol (Rzeszów University of Technology), prof. Andrzej Mazur (Maria Curie-Skłodowska University) and prof. Krzysztof Schabowicz (Wrocław University of Science and Technology).

This time, members of the MSAGroup team analyzed the effect of mesoporous silica with an MCM-41 type structure on the thermal resistance of cement pastes. A key aspect of the research was tracking the transformation process of air pore structures under thermal load and modeling these changes. The results indicate that the use of this innovative material significantly enhances the microstructural stability of the cement matrix under high temperatures (up to 700 °C), reducing cracking and improving durability.

The addition of just 0.75% by weight of cement of MCM-41 improved compressive strength by as much as 26.9%. We are not aware of any other additive that achieves such impressive results with such a small dosage.

Moreover, the MSAGroup team produces MCM-41 independently, using waste materials derived from the conversion of fly ash into synthetic zeolites. This approach aligns with the principles of a circular economy while also contributing to environmental sustainability.

The research findings have been published in the prestigious journal Cement and Concrete Composites (IF = 10.8).

Full of enthusiasm for work, we start 2025 - but it's also a great time to take stock of what we've achieved in 2024.

Members of the MSAGroup team:

- published 30 articles in JCR-listed journals,

- obtained protection rights from the Patent Office of the Republic of Poland for 6 inventions, 17 more inventions have been submitted for consideration,

- Szymon Malinowski continued the implementation of the Innoglobo project (NCBiR), Maciej Szeląg - SONATA 17 (NCN), Joanna Styczeń -Preludium 20 (NCN) and Wojciech Franus carried out the OPUS 22 project (NCN) together with the Medical University of Lublin and OPUS 23 (NCN) together with the University of Warsaw. 

But this is not the end!

- The realisation of a research project within the SONATA 19 programme (NCN) was started by Jakub Matusiak.

Excellent project news just before Santa Claus we received from the National Science Centre. Our project teams have received funding for 3 further research projects:

- Wojciech Franus within the OPUS 27 programme (in consortium with Poznan University of Technology), Martyna Janek PRELUDIUM 22 and OPUS 27 which Jakub Matusik and Wojciech Franus will carry out in consortium with the Medical University of Lublin.

The inventions developed by the MSAGroup team received:

- platinum medal, gold medal, and an award from the Patent Office at the INTARG® International Trade Fair of Inventions and Innovations (Katowice, 21-23.06.2024)

- gold medal and distinction awarded by the Council of the Lublin District of the Polish Chamber of Patent Attorneys for scientific and technical achievements and contribution to the development of technology at the INNOWINGS 2024 International Exhibition of Inventions (Lublin, 6-7.06.2024) 

- 4 of our business partners have implemented our inventions in their companies.

In the area of staff scientific development:

- Micał Wróbel was awarded a doctoral degree in civil engineering in the discipline of civil engineering, geodesy and transport

- Robert Hunek and Paulina Rozpędowska joined the team and are preparing their doctoral theses as part of the Doctoral School

- Martyna Janek completed a 3-month internship at Pennsylvania State University (USA).

- Wojciech Franus and Maciej Szeląg were once again included in the prestigious group of the world's most influential scientists - the World's TOP 2% Scientists.

Thank you for following the activities of our MSAGroup research team and we wish you all the best and much health in 2025!!!

Large amounts of de-icing salts in the form of NaCl, CaCl2 and MgCl2 are used every year to remove ice and snow from road surfaces. Recent research clearly shows that the resulting salt solution changes the chemical structure of bitumen, leading to a loss of service properties of road surfaces and consequently a shortening of their service life. In response to these challenges, members of the MSAGroup - Materials/Synthesis/Application - Szymon Malinowski, Agnieszka Woszuk and Wojciech Franus - have developed technologies (P.246208, P.246209, P.246210) aimed to minimise this problem, which have been protected by patents from the Patent Office of Poland and published in Patent Office News No. 53/2024. The application of organic-mineral additives has made it possible to significantly reduce the structural changes in the bitumen binders generated by the use of de-icing salts. This achievement is a huge milestone towards the production of durable road pavements in coastal areas and countries in the temperate climate zone, i.e. Poland. Companies in the road sector have already shown interest in our inventions - talks are currently ongoing to commercialise them.