{"id":186,"date":"2018-04-03T13:14:45","date_gmt":"2018-04-03T11:14:45","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/localhost\/wordpress\/?page_id=186"},"modified":"2026-01-19T07:37:16","modified_gmt":"2026-01-19T06:37:16","slug":"news","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.mba-group.agh.edu.pl\/","title":{"rendered":"News"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0\"\"\u00a0\u00a0<\/a>\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\n

2026-01-19<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Our one-year research grant financed by AGH University: „Development of effective and selective mineral adsorbents for new immobilization emerging mycotoxins \u2013 towards detoxification of feed and food<\/strong>,\u201d has successfully concluded.<\/p>\n

Over the course of this intensive project, we published 3 scientific papers<\/strong>, reflecting a significant amount of experimental work and collaboration. Our research led to the development of strategies to modify and tune smectite-group minerals for the efficient removal of selected mycotoxins. We have gathered valuable information regarding interaction mechanisms between modified smectites and mycotoxins.<\/p>\n

The results provide a strong foundation for future research, particularly toward mycotoxin removal in more complex feed and food systems. This is not the end<\/strong> \u2014 we will definitely continue this line of research.<\/p>\n

Part of this work was carried out in cooperation with the Department of Chemical Research of Food and Feed, National Veterinary Research Institute<\/strong> (Pu\u0142awy, Poland).<\/p>\n

Thank you to all collaborators and team members who contributed.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\n

2025-12-01<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

We are excited to share that our PhD candidate Anna<\/strong> has been awarded a\u00a0Preludium 24<\/strong> grant financed by Polish National Science Centre (NCN<\/strong>) for her project \u201cNanohybrid LDH\/GCN structures with conductive polymers: an innovative solution for photocatalytic water purification from estrogens in a flow-through reactor.\u201d This funding will support the final year of her doctoral research.<\/p>\n

Her project will focus on developing advanced LDH\/GCN-based photocatalysts<\/strong> embedded in polymer beads to remove estrogens from flowing water using visible light. It will also investigate the degradation pathways of these pollutants through a combination of experimental testing and DFT modelling to ensure the process is both effective and environmentally safe.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\n

2025-11-26<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Last week we had an inspiring visit in Belgium at the University of Antwerp<\/strong> (prof. Pegie Cool with Florian de Wilde d’Estmael) and VITO NV Flemish Institute for Technological Research<\/strong> (Dr. Elena Seftel with David Vogelsang and Leire Navarro Rubio). We reviewed the latest outcomes and outlined the next steps of our joint research project on lithium recovery<\/strong> financed by Research Foundation Flanders (FWO) and Polish National Science Centre (NCN) within Weave initiative.<\/p>\n

We were impressed by the brand-new laboratories in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Antwerp and the wide range of 3D materials-shaping capabilities available at VITO \u2014 both offering great opportunities for future work.<\/p>\n

Beyond the scientific program, we enjoyed a great dinner in the heart of Antwerp and took time to explore some of the city\u2019s historical places.<\/p>\n

We are ready to hit the lab again!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\n

2025-09-03<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Back from Washington, D.C. and the ACS Fall 2025 Conference!<\/strong><\/p>\n

Our group had a great time sharing our research and catching up with the scientific community in such an inspiring setting. Klaudia<\/strong> and Anna\u00a0<\/strong>gave oral presentations on their PhD projects focusing on environmental photocatalysis, while Jakub<\/strong> gave a talk regarding zearalenone mycotoxin adsorption by modified smectites. During poster sessions Monika<\/strong> shared knowledge on the use of thermal methods for characterization of organosmectites, while Klaudia<\/strong> presented latest results on removal of emerging mycotoxins by mineral-based materials (poster no. 666\ud83e\udd18). In the photo with us is\u00a0Bartek<\/strong>, our lab expert and geochemist, who shared a poster about apatites as potential hosts for the I-129 radioisotope.<\/p>\n

Besides the science, it was also a perfect chance to exchange ideas, meet new people, and get inspired for the next steps in our work (and yes \u2013 we did manage to squeeze in a little sightseeing too \ud83d\ude09).<\/p>\n

Now it\u2019s back to the lab with fresh motivation and plenty of new ideas to test!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\n

2025-07-22<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u2600<\/span><\/span>\u2708\ufe0f A busy July for our team!<\/span><\/p>\n

Monika<\/strong> traveled to Salzburg for the 11th European Silicon Days, where she presented her work on thermal processes in clay-polysiloxane nanocomposites using <\/span>high-temperature FTIR and TG\/MS\/FTIR.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

At the same time, <\/span>Anna<\/strong> represented us at the Goldschmidt 2025 Conference in Prague, presenting her PhD research on LDH-based heterostructures<\/span> for photocatalytic removal of estrogens.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Meanwhile, <\/span>Jakub, Klaudia, Krzysiek, and Martyna<\/strong> returned from the International Clay Conference in Dublin. Highlights included:<\/span>
\n– Jakub\u2019s lecture at the kaolin workshop<\/span>
\n– Klaudia\u2019s talk on mycotoxins photodegradation<\/span>
\n– Krzysiek & Martyna\u2019s first major international conference, where they impressed with poster presentations on lithium recovery using LDH adsorbents.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

We\u2019re proud of the whole team for sharing their exciting work and building new collaborations across Europe! \ud83c\udf0d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\n

2025-04-28<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

PhD position available!<\/strong><\/p>\n

We are inviting applications for a fully funded PhD position<\/strong> at the AGH University in Krakow as part of the Opus 26\/LAP project funded by the National Science Centre Poland. The project focuses on lithium recovery by LDH-based adsorbents<\/strong> and will be supervised by Jakub.<\/p>\n

Project title:
\n<\/strong>Unlocking Lithium’s Potential: Dynamic Flow-Through Lithium Extraction from Challenging Aqueous Environments with Engineered 3D-Shaped Layered Double Hydroxide Adsorbents<\/p>\n

International cooperation:<\/strong> Prof. Pegie Cool (University of Antwerp), Dr. Elena Mihaela Seftel (VITO NV Flemish Institute for Technological Research)<\/p>\n

Start date:<\/strong> 1st October 2025
\nDuration:<\/strong> 4 years
\nLocation:<\/strong> Faculty of Geology, Geophysics and Environmental Protection, AGH University of Krak\u00f3w, Poland<\/p>\n

What we offer:
\n<\/strong>+ full funding (details in the announcement below)
\n+ access to labs and facilities
\n+ opportunities for collaboration, conference travel, and professional development<\/p>\n

You will find the requirements, planned research tasks and all other details in the announcement<\/strong>:\u00a0https:\/\/tinyurl.com\/yn9bupes<\/strong><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

For all details please contact Jakub -> jmatusik@agh.edu.pl<\/strong><\/p>\n

We encourage you to contact us and we look forward to receiving your application!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\n

2025-04-09<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Update from Salzburg \u2013 the city of Mozart and\u2026 mycotoxins! <\/span>\ud83c\udf44<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This week, Klaudia<\/strong> and Jakub<\/strong> had the pleasure of attending the 15th edition of The World Mycotoxin Forum<\/strong> in beautiful Salzburg, Austria. They presented their research on the use of modified smectites with varying surface chemistry to remove both well-known mycotoxins like zearalenone, as well as emerging (still unregulated) ones such as beauvericin, enniatin B1, and alternariol. This work was done together with the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology (National Veterinary Research Institute, Pu\u0142awy, Poland).<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It was an exciting opportunity to explore not only new strategies for mycotoxins removal, but also recent advancements \u2013 like the integration of AI in the mycotoxin research and management.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Inspired by the breathtaking Alpine views and energized by fresh motivation to explore new directions in mycotoxin research, we\u2019re excited to announce: the 2025 conference season is officially open!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\n

2025-02-10<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Happy to share Klaudia\u2019s<\/strong> new article published in the Chemical Engineering Journal<\/strong> (Elsevier) as a part of her PhD research under the OPUS 22 project funded by the National Science Centre, Poland. The article demonstrates the potential of kaolin-based materials for breaking down the zearalenone mycotoxin, offering insights into the mechanisms behind this process. Part of the study was conducted during Klaudia\u2019s short stay at the University of Hamburg.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t forget to check it out!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\n

2025-01-16<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Martyna<\/strong> has recently joined our group to perform research in the Opus 26\/LAP project!<\/p>\n

We encourage students to apply for a second scholarship<\/strong> in the same project financed by the National Science Centre (Poland).<\/p>\n

Project title:<\/strong>
\nUnlocking Lithium’s Potential: Dynamic Flow-Through Lithium Extraction from Challenging Aqueous Environments with Engineered 3D-Shaped Layered Double Hydroxide Adsorbents<\/p>\n

You can find more information in the announcement<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Link to the NCN website<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The deadline for applications is February 18th, 2025<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\n

2024-11-04<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Zach\u0119camy student\u00f3w do aplikowania o stypendium w projekcie Opus 26\/LAP<\/strong> finansowanym przez Narodowe Centrum Nauki!<\/p>\n

Tytu\u0142 projektu:<\/strong> Uwolnienie potencja\u0142u litu: ekstrakcja litu w dynamicznych warunkach przep\u0142ywowych z wymagaj\u0105cych \u015brodowisk wodnych za pomoc\u0105 3D kszta\u0142towanych warstwowych adsorbent\u00f3w hydrotalkitopodobnych<\/p>\n

Wi\u0119cej informacji w og\u0142oszeniu oraz pod mailem: jmatusik@agh.edu.pl<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Link do og\u0142oszenia<\/a><\/p>\n

Termin nadsy\u0142ania zg\u0142osze\u0144 up\u0142ywa 9 grudnia 2024 roku<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\n

2024-10-28<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Excited\u00a0to\u00a0share\u00a0Monika\u2019s<\/strong>\u00a0latest\u00a0article!<\/p>\n

\u201cClay minerals in Polysiloxane (silicone) systems\u201d is the first comprehensive review focused on clay-polymer nanocomposites (CPNs) with polysiloxane as the matrix. This work explores how clay minerals, both natural and synthetic, enhance silicone materials’ properties, meeting the growing demand for high-performance applications.<\/p>\n

Curious about innovations in advanced polymer materials? Give it a read!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\n

2024-09-25<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Saying goodbye to summer in the best way possible \u2013 by attending the 11th MECC Conference!<\/strong><\/p>\n

Last week our group took part in the 11th Mid-European Clay Conference<\/strong> in Pilsen, Czech Republic. We presented results of our latest studies, got inspired by a lot of presented topics and networked with clay community (usually with a Pilsner Urquell in our hands\ud83d\ude09).<\/p>\n

Congratulations to Klaudia,<\/strong> who won the Best Poster Award<\/strong>!<\/p>\n

Now that the conference season is over, it\u2019s time to once again get lost in our lab. We\u2019ve got our minds full of ideas and hands full with experiments!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\n

2024-09-02<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Exciting times for our research group!<\/p>\n

We had the incredible opportunity to attend the American Chemical Society Fall Meeting <\/strong>in Denver, Colorado. Ania<\/strong>, Klaudia<\/strong>, and Jakub<\/strong> presented their latest research, and it was an amazing experience filled with motivating, inspiring lectures from fellow scientists as well as top notch plenary lectures.<\/p>\n

We were also thrilled to reconnect with our old friend and former group member, Paulina Maziarz<\/strong>. Together, we even conquered Pikes Peak, standing tall at over 4,000 meters above sea level!<\/p>\n

This experience has energized us, and we are motivated to tackle new challenges ahead. Onward, and upward!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\n

2024-08-20<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

New\u00a0papers\u00a0alert!<\/p>\n

Anna\u2019s<\/strong> work on her PhD thesis led to the publication in ACS Langmuir journal<\/strong>. This paper contains results of analyses conducted during her internship in Taiwan.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

The second paper published in Applied Surface Science<\/strong> deals with smectites doped by transition metals for efficient styrene uptake. The results obtained by Kinga Lis<\/strong> in her Msc thesis were additionally supported by molecular modelling.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Thanks to everyone who contributed!<\/p>\n

\n

2024-07-22<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Great news!<\/p>\n

We have received 2 new research grants<\/strong> in July.<\/p>\n

1. International Opus 26\/LAP<\/strong> financed by the NCN Poland and FWO Belgium:<\/p>\n

Unlocking Lithium\u2019s Potential: Dynamic Flow-Through Lithium Extraction from Challenging Aqueous Environments with Engineered 3D-Shaped Layered Double Hydroxide Adsorbents<\/em><\/p>\n

The project will be carried out in cooperation with the groups of Pegie Cool<\/strong> (University of Antwerp, Belgium) and Elena Mihaela Seftel<\/strong> (VITO Flemish Institute for Technological Research, Belgium).<\/p>\n

Full results (in Polish)<\/a><\/p>\n

2. Grant financed by the AGH University<\/strong> within the Excellence Initiative (IDUB) as support for applicants of international projects.<\/p>\n

Development of effective and selective mineral adsorbents for immobilization of emerging mycotoxins \u2013 towards detoxification of feed and food<\/em><\/p>\n

A lot of work ahead of us. Stay tuned for results and effects!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\n

2024-04-26<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Last week, our PhD students Klaudia<\/strong> and Anna<\/strong> attended the EGU General Assembly 2024 in Vienna <\/strong>(Austria). Along with their colleagues from the Lead Apatites Research Group led by Prof. Maciej Manecki, they participated in Europe’s largest geoscience conference. It was such a busy week!<\/p>\n

Klaudia<\/strong> and Anna<\/strong> presented posters highlighting their latest research findings. Additionally, as conference assistants, they had the chance to meet many inspiring scientists. Of course, their trip to Vienna also included savoring the famous Wiener schnitzel!<\/p>\n

Charged with positive energy, we are now looking forward to new challenges and exciting opportunities ahead!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\n

2024-04-08<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

We are thrilled to share exciting news! Klaudia<\/strong> has recently completed a two-week internship at the Physical Chemistry Institute of University of Hamburg<\/strong>, Germany. During her stay, she had the opportunity to collaborate with the research group led by Dr. Eric Hill<\/strong>. Klaudia focused on electrochemical characterization of her materials, a pivotal step forward in her research. These results will contribute to her upcoming manuscript. Stay tuned for more updates on our work!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\n

2024-01-02<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

It’s time to condense the 2023 events!<\/strong><\/p>\n