MSAGroup

On May 19, 2025, our colleague and fellow researcher, Monika Białoszewska, MSc, successfully defended her doctoral dissertation entitled:
“Functionalized sorption materials from fly ash for the removal of pharmaceuticals from wastewater”
and was awarded the title of Doctor of Engineering and Technology in the discipline of Environmental Engineering, Mining and Power Engineering.
Monika was a member of our research team for four years, diligently conducting multiple experimental series, repeating tests, and tirelessly seeking solutions. The result of her efforts is a thoroughly refined dissertation and a successful defense!
👥 Supervisor: Prof. Wojciech Franus, DSc, Eng.
👥 Assistant supervisor: Dr. Lidia Bandura
📚 Reviewers:
– Prof. Dorota Papciak, DSc, Eng. (Rzeszów University of Technology)
– Prof. Maria Włodarczyk-Makuła, DSc, Eng. (Czestochowa University of Technology)
– Prof. Czesława Rosik-Dulewska, DSc, Eng. (Institute of Environmental Engineering, Polish Academy of Sciences)
🧪 The dissertation was completed within the framework of the TEAM-NET project funded by the Foundation for Polish Science, titled:
“Fly ash as precursors of functionalized materials for applications in environmental engineering, construction and agriculture.”
Monika – congratulations from all of us!
We’re proud to have accompanied you on this journey! 💙
hasztag#PhD hasztag#research hasztag#environmentalengineering hasztag#womeninscience hasztag#TEAMNET hasztag#FNP hasztag#flyash hasztag#sorbents hasztag#congratulations hasztag#researchteam hasztag#doctoraldissertation

We are pleased to announce that three talented Civil Engineering students from Lublin University of Technology have joined our team: Zuzanna Piechota, Natalia Pajdosz, and Mateusz Golda.

These new team members were selected through the prestigious “Pearls of Lublin University of Technology” program. During the presentation of their research projects, they demonstrated not only extensive knowledge and passion but also remarkable dedication, which was highly appreciated by the expert committee.

🔹 Zuzanna Piechota – a third-year student, is conducting a research project titled “The effect of shale from Lubelski Węgiel ‘Bogdanka’ S.A. on the properties of selected cements.” The aim of the study is to reduce the carbon footprint of cements by partially replacing clinker with shale in amounts ranging from 5% to 15%.

🔹 Natalia Pajdosz – a third-year student, is researching the modification of foamed asphalts using zeolite–cyclodextrin additives impregnated with a water-oil emulsion. Her project focuses on improving the stability of asphalt foam and increasing the durability of road pavements.

🔹 Mateusz Golda – a first-year master’s student, is working on a project titled “Evaluation of the effectiveness of inhibiting the aging process of road asphalts using starches of various botanical origins.” He analyzes the effects of potato and corn starch on reducing the aging process of 50/70 road asphalt, including both short-term and long-term aging simulations.

Their thesis projects will be carried out in cooperation with our team, and we are proud to support their academic development. We will be sharing updates on their progress on a regular basis – stay tuned!

Welcome on board!

On 05-07.03.2025 Szymon Malinowski and Wojciech Franus represented MSAGroup - Materials/Synthesis/Application at the 16th technical seminar of the Association of Engineers and Technicians of Transportation of the Republic of Poland, Białystok branch “Current issues of traffic construction” in Mikołajki. Within the session “Contemporary climatic and environmental challenges in communication construction” we presented the results obtained during the INNOGLOBO project (INNOGLOBO/I/95/NZeolOx/2022) funded by the National Centre for Research and Development in lecture “Zeolite-oxide composites in the production of durable and environmentally friendly asphalt mixtures”. This seminar is one of the most important events in our conference calendar. A record 215 people attended this year's event, so attending the seminar is a great opportunity to present the research conducted at MSAGroup to a wide range of people involved in the Polish road construction industry. Thank you Marek Motylewicz for the invitation and see you next year!

Members of the MSAGroup - Materials/Synthesis/Application team (Joanna Fronczyk – SGGW, Martyna Janek, and Wojciech Franus, Lublin University of Technology) along with Barbara Gieroba and Anna Sroka-Bartnicka (Medical University of Lublin) have published a study on a method for healing cement composites using microbiologically induced carbonate precipitation (MICP). The article focuses on evaluating the ability of the ureolytic bacteria Bacillus subtilis to precipitate carbonates in the presence of different calcium and magnesium compounds through ureolytic and non-ureolytic pathways, as well as the impact of these processes on the self-healing of cracks in cement composites. The conducted analyses reveal how various factors—bacterial presence, composition of repair solutions, and the Ca/Mg ion ratio in the system—affect the carbonate precipitation process. The authors also highlight differences in the course and efficiency of this process under controlled conditions and within cement mortar environment.
The study has been published in the prestigious journal Composites Part B: Engineering (IF = 12.7). Read the full article here:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1359836825002288

On 02-06 February 2025, Franus Małgorzata Franus, Agnieszka Woszuk, Szymon Malinowski and Wojciech Franus represented MSAGroup at the International Invention Exhibition (IPITEx) in Bangkok organised by the National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT). This year's event was attended by inventors from 30 countries who presented more than 3,000 inventions. Members of our research team presented 3 inventions. Each of them received recognition from the international jury and were awarded prestigious prizes:
-           The invention entitled “Method for producing lightweight aggregate from volatile ashes and the lightweight aggregate” received gold medal and special award from the National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT).
-           The invention entitled “Method of producing an asphalt mixture using a biopolymer” received gold medal and special award from the World Invention and Intellectual Property Association (WIPA).
-           The invention entitled “An asphalt binder foaming device” received a silver medal and a special award from the Manila Young Inventors Association (MYIA).
The received medals and distinctions are a great honour for us, which motivates us even more to further develop our technology for the production of innovative and ecological building materials. Participation in the fair was related to the implementation of the Strategy ‘Lublin University of Technology - Excellent in Science’ as part of the activity ‘We Present Innovations’.

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.

We are proud to announce the launch of an innovative research project in collaboration with the Medical University of Lublin, funded under the 27th edition of the OPUS program by the National Science Centre Poland!
The project, titled " Multifunctional cold plasma- and magnetic field-activated hydrogel dressing material based on magnetite-clay mineral complex for personalized regenerative medicine applications", aims to develop an advanced biomaterial to support tissue regeneration processes.
Who is behind the project?
The consortium leader is the Medical University of Lublin, with Lublin University of Technology as a key partner. The project team includes:
·      Agata Przekora-Kuśmierz (Principal Investigator), Vladyslav Vivcharenko and Marta Trzaskowska (UMLub)
·   Scientists from @MSAGroup: Jakub Matusiak and Wojciech Franus (POLLub)
What will we develop?
·      A hydrogel material based on natural clay modified with magnetite, activated by cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) and a magnetic field.
·      A product tailored to individual patient needs, supporting wound regeneration.
Where will it be used?
·      As a multifunctional external dressing,
·      A hydrogel face mask,
·      A stem cell delivery system for the treatment of challenging wounds, such as burns.

This is an important step forward in advancing modern treatment methods in regenerative medicine!

“Proving the effect of abiotic processes on the repair of cement composites with carbonates precipitated in the presence of bacteria” is the title of a project funded by the National Science Center, which will be headed by Martyna Janek for the next three years. The scientific supervisor of the project is Wojciech Franus. The project realization is a continuation of the research on microbiological repair of cementitious composites (MICP), which was carried out as part of Martyna's doctoral dissertation with the invaluable help of Joanna Fronczyk (SGGW). Obtaining funding is evidence of the relevance and groundbreaking nature of our research. We are also immensely pleased to have the opportunity to further develop this research area!

We are very glad to announce that the project, submitted to the National Science Centre, has been granted funding in the OPUS competition. The project is implemented as a scientific consortium of Lublin University of Technology (Leader) and Poznan University of Technology (Consortium Member). The team implementing the project within the MSAGroup - Materials/Synthesis/Application are: Agnieszka Woszuk, Szymon Malinowski and Wojciech Franus as project manager. The project implementation team from the Poznan University of Technology are: Agnieszka Ślosarczyk, Maria Ratajczyk and Łukasz Klapiszewski acting as project coordinator. The aim of the project is development of new types of zeolite-organic composites, which will enable the simultaneous foaming ageing process inhibition of bitumen binders. Such functionality will reduce CO2 emitted into the atmosphere during the production of asphalt mixtures and extend the service life of road pavements.

Three new projects implemented by our team will be funded by the National Science Centre. Our Head Wojciech Franus is the project manager of the OPUS-27 action entitled. ‘A new generation of environmentally friendly two-component additives with foaming and anti-aging properties for application in bitumen: experimental and modeling approach’. The project is being carried out in consortium with the Poznań University of Technology. The project budget is PLN 2,660,307.00.
Martyna Janek will lead a project within the PRELUDIUM-23 action entitled ‘Proving the effect of abiotic processes on the repair of cement composites with carbonates precipitated in the presence of bacteria’. The project budget is PLN 207 888.00.
In the third project, the manager is Agata Natalia Przekora-Kuśmierz. The project entitled. ‘Multifunctional cold plasma- and magnetic field-activated hydrogel dressing material based on magnetite-clay mineral complex for personalized regenerative medicine applications’ will be carried out in consortium with the Medical University of Lublin, within the OPUS-27 action. The budget of this project is PLN 2 998 353.00. More details on the new projects in our next posts.

On November 27th, 2024, Michał Wróbel successfully defended his doctoral dissertation entitled “Water and frost resistance of asphalt mixtures produced with zeolite foamed bitumen technology”. 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. The dissertation's supervisor was prof. Wojciech Franus. The reviewers of the dissertation were prof. Anna Chomicz-Kowalska (Kielce University of Technology), prof. Wladyslaw Gardziejczyk (Białystok University of Technology) and prof. Marek Pszczoła (Gdańsk University of Technology). Michał's dissertation is result of a NCBiR LIDER research entitled “Application of zeolite functional structures for the production of asphalt mixtures in the process of bitumen foaming” led by dr Agnieszka Woszuk.

Big congratulations Michał and we wish you further success!

Lublin Mayor Dr. Krzysztof Żuk awarded the Head of our MSAGroup - Materials/Synthesis/Application research team with a commemorative medal. In his laudation, the President writes “In recognition of his valuable contribution to the development and promotion of science and the dissemination of scientific and technological achievements of Lublin's academic community, with thanks for many years of activity integrating the university community with residents and local government, as well as passionate and committed activity for the Lublin Festival.”
Congratulations Chief!!!

Members of our MSAGroup - Materials/Synthesis/Application team Wojciech Franus and Maciej Szeląg have once again been included in the prestigious list of the World's Top 2% Scientists 2024 prepared by Stanford University in cooperation with scientific publisher Elsevier. The ranking identifies exceptional individuals who conduct research that drives science forward and inspires the next generation. The World's Top 2 Percent Scientists 2024 is a list of the most cited scientists, featuring just 2 percent of the world's scientific people. It thus identifies the most influential researchers who have a huge impact on the development of global science.
This year, once again, Wojciech Franus was among the top researchers in the category of total scientific output and both Wojciech Franus and Maciej Szeląg were honored in the category of scientific output for 2023.
We are extremely proud of the achievements of our research teammates. Congratulations!!!

Members of the MSAGroup - Materials/Synthesis/Application research team: Joanna Styczeń, Joanna Fronczyk and Wojciech Franus in cooperation with Aleksandra Radlińska (The Pennsylvania State University) and Piotr Stępień (AGH) presented the results of the latest research on the possibility of substitution of allite (the main component of cement) by zeolites obtained from fly ash. In the article titled. "Investigation of allite hydration in the presence of low- and high-silica zeolites," they discussed the mechanism of the hydration process of such systems and the phase composition of the products of this process. In their study, they showed that partial replacement of allite with zeolites increased the amount of C-S-H gel phases formed and, at the same time, reduced the proportion of portlandite in the hydration products. In addition, they proved that the pozzolanic activity of the studied systems is significantly influenced by the Si/Al ratio in the zeolite backbone. The presented research results are the result of a research project funded by the National Science Center in the Prelude-20 program, contract no. UMO-2021/41/N/ST8/02458. The work was published in open access format in the journal Archives of Civil and Mechanical Engineering (IF = 4.4). More details about the obtained research results can be found at the following link: https://lnkd.in/dy5xiMrG

Jakub Matusiak and Wojciech Franus from MSAGroup, in collaboration with Elżbieta Grządka and Urszula Maciołek (Maria Curie-Skłodowska University in Lublin) as well as Trung-Anh Le (University of Helsinki) and Tan-Phat Huynh (Åbo Akademi University), have addressed this complex question in the latest article, "The interactions between zeolite and two cellulose derivatives: A comprehensive analysis of liquid and solid phase properties," published in the leading journal Carbohydrate Polymers (IF=10.7). The use of cationic and anionic cellulose allowed for the determination of the interactions between polymer macromolecules and zeolite particles. It was observed that the interaction mechanism of these substances is different, and the colloidal and thermal stability of such systems depends on the type and concentration of the selected polymer. The obtained materials, based on zeolite synthesized from an aqueous waste solution after the production of synthetic zeolites from fly ash and biodegradable cellulose ethers, perfectly align with the principles of green chemistry and a circular economy. In the future, these materials may address the needs of the chemical, pharmaceutical, and modern construction industries.

The full text of the article can be found here: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carbpol.2024.122456

The invention of our MSAGroup team entitled "Technology for production of lightweight aggregates using microwave radiation" whose authors are: Franus Małgorzata, Wojciech Franus, Agnieszka Woszuk, Rafał Panek (Lublin University of Technology) and Tomasz Bień (BIKO-SERWIS), won a gold medal at the INNOWINGS 2024 International Exhibition of Inventions (Lublin, 6-7.06.2024). In addition, the Team also received a distinction awarded by the Council of the Lublin District, Polish Chamber of Patent Attorneys for scientific and technical achievements and contributions to the development of technology. The granting of these awards is evidence of effective cooperation between science and industry.

The MSAGroup members including Szymon Malinowski, Agneszka Woszuk and Wojciech Franus in the publication "Anti-aging and rheological performance of bitumen modified with polyaniline nanofibers" presented a novel approach to inhibit the aging processes of bitumen binders, which is one of the main factors negatively affecting the performance of road pavements. The recent paper published in the prestigious international journal Construction and Building Materials (IF=7.40) proves that the application of polyaniline nanofibers (PANI_NFs) for bitumen modification enables inhibition of changes in its physical, chemical and rheological properties occurring due to the aging process. The results presented in the paper are very important for both the road construction sector and society as a whole. The introduction of the developed solution into commercial practice will allow the production of more durable road surfaces. This will have a positive impact on the environment by reducing CO2 emissions into the atmosphere, which is crucial for sustainable development in terms of the latest European Union regulations. For more details, please read: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2024.136810. This research was funded by National Centre for Research and Development of Poland grant number INNOGLOBO/I/95/NZeolOx/2022.