Research areas
The main area of interest of the research team is cement composites. The work carried out by the team is divided into tasks and concerns mainly:
Smart cement composites
The research focuses on cement composites with high electrical conductive additives e.g. expanded graphite, graphene, graphite, steel fibers in an amount exceeding the percolation threshold. The composites gain new features, e.g., they can generate the thermoelectric voltage, their resistance varies as a function of pressure, temperature, etc.
Composites can be used, e.g., to monitor the temperature of buildings, for vehicles weighting by a concrete pavement, monitor the crack's development in construction, etc.
The use of cement composites with the addition of expanded graphite to monitor the temperature of the facade (changes in resistance)
Due to their high electrical conductivity, such composites can be successfully used in house heating or de-icing road surface systems. The concept of an intelligent parking plate for assessing the number of occupied spaces is under development.
The high thermal conductivity of cement composites allows them to play an essential role in geothermal systems. Porous conductive additives can also carriers the phase-change materials that buffer the temperature changes, improve the thermal and humidity comfort, or can be active insulation of water tanks in solar systems.
The use of impedance spectroscopy to determine the percolation threshold of expanded graphite in a cement matrix
Designing cement composites with a photocatalytic decomposition of air pollutants (NOx , SO2 ) under the influence of UV radiation
The work is focused on explaining the mechanisms of deterioration of photocatalytic properties during the application of TiO-cement composites, improving their efficiency and designing new composites. Such composites can be used, e.g., as active elements of acoustic screens along communication routes, coatings in tunnels, fragments of road surfaces, garden architecture elements in parks.
The widespread use of such materials can significantly reduce in pollution generated by cars, especially in large cities. The team uses a unique UV chamber with a laminar flow of various gases (two gases simultaneously), stabilizing the carrier gas humidity and UV radiation intensity within wide range. The use of such a chamber allows for testing, among others synergistic effects occurring in real operating conditions.
Decomposition of NOx by TiO-cement mortar as a function of air humidity
Design and modification of the properties of lightweight mineral fillers
The non-standard approach to modifying of lightweight fillers allows obtaining new features, significantly extending their application. For example, expanded perlite or aluminosilicate microspheres obtained as a by-product of coal combustion in the power plants can be used as carriers for zeolites synthesis or after the metallization process as an element of electromagnetic field screens. Such an approach allows designing new composites with distinctive material properties.
Sodium zeolites on the surface of expanded perlite (left) and aluminosilicate cenospheres (right)
Research on the microstructure, properties and durability of mineral binders, with particular emphasis on the role of mineral additives that can be used as a partial replacement of Portland clinker in cement
For example, the use of waste, such as perlite dust, ashes from hazardous waste incineration plants, ashes from fluidized bed boilers, may entail many benefits, including primarily environmental benefits resulting from the reduction of CO2 emissions (reduction of the clinker factor), no need to store these materials, the possibility of immobilizing hazardous substances in a cement matrix, etc.
Mineral additives significantly affect the cement composite's microstructure, initially playing the role of a filler (with appropriate material grinding), and after a longer hydration time, starting to react chemically. Microstructural changes result in changes in strength and increase material durability. The long-term properties of binders are often characterized by better parameters than "neat" binders. Such solutions can become an alternative to the traditionally used additives, i.e., slags and fly ashes, which availability decreases due to changes in the industry structure.
Study of the behavior and properties of chemical admixtures
Modern chemical admixtures are an advanced mix of polymer compositions, designed for particular applications. Their effectiveness depends on many factors, including the amount and composition of the cement, mineral supplements, grain size, temperature, etc. Analyzing their behavior, especially in the case of the new generation of low-emission binders is crucial from the point of view of their application. Our research is focused on the analysis of surface tension changes and wettability of powders, ion conductivity, etc. as a function of hydration time and temperature.
3D printing of concrete and other materials
3D printing and other additive molding techniques © Shutterstock Modern materials molding techniques are a rapidly evolving field of knowledge. This also applies to concrete, ceramic masses and other building materials. A special direction of research is space construction.
Projects
PROJECTS MANAGED BY THE MEMBERS OF THE TEAM (in the last 5 years):
- Initiative for Excellence – Research University Grants - action 4: "Active smart cement materials", leader: W. PICHÓR (2021-2023),
- 2020/04/X/ST5/00714 The influence of moisture in the cement matrix on the electrical properties of composites with conductive additives, leader: M. FRĄC (2021)
- PBS1/A5/14/2012 Comprehensive use of waste generated during the production or use of expanded perlite, leader: W. PICHÓR (2012-2016)
Scientific cooperation
SCIENTIFIC COOPERATION WITH OTHER CENTERS:
- Auburn University, Department of Civil Engineering, USA
- Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Department of Food Science and Technology, Slovenia
- Warsaw University of Technology, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Institute of Building Engineering
- Institute of Fundamental Technological Research, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw
- Instytut Techniki Budowlanej, Warszawa
DOCTORATES AS PART OF COOPERATION WITH OTHER CENTERS (Supervisor W. Pichór):
dr eng. Paulina Szołdra "Functionalization of the surface of aluminosilicate microspheres with a TiO2 coating"
cooperation with Cenoshpere Trade and Engineering SA
dr eng. Maciek Sypek "The role of sulphates in the effective operation of air entrainers"
cooperation with LafargeHolcim Group
Agnieszka Michalik „Evaluation of the usability of recycled steel fibers from tires as a dispersed reinforcement for concrete"
cooperation with Building Research Institute in Warsaw
Izabela Marchewka „Active plasters and thermal insulation coatings with a polymer matrix"
cooperation with Lakma S.A. Cieszyn
Kornelia Wiśniewska „The influence of mineral additives on the color and functional properties of clinker products"
cooperation with King Klinkier Przysucha