RBI Scientists Receive 2.5 Million Kuna UKF Project Grant
Amid stiff competition among 36 submitted projects in the Scientific Cooperation call by the UKF, RBI scientists won 3 out of 9 financed projects with a total funding of 2.5 million kuna. Evaluation and selection of projects was conducted by 120 leading international experts. The projects will lead to major scientific and technological development at Croatian scientific institutions and through collaboration with diaspora scientists help in the transfer of scientific knowledge and the realization of scientific results in the Republic of Croatia.
UKF grantees at RBI
Project leaders: Dr. Irena Cigleneči-Jurić, Department of Marine and Environmental Research and Dr. Nikola Batina, University of Mexico, "Nanoparticles in aqueous enviroment: electrochemical, nanogravimetric, STM and AFM studies", the project will receive 789,900 kuna. With respect to the ever increasing production an use of nanoparticles and nanomaterials this project will aim to develop new methods for the detection and measurement of nanoparticles in natural ecosystems and the assesment of potential risks associated with synthetic and natural nanoparticles.
Dr. Mirjana Maksić, Department of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry and Dr. Tomislav Friščić, Cambridge University, "Mechanochemistry for the clean and efficient metal-catalysed synthesis of pharmaceutical targets and the study of their molecular recognition", funding 819,914.43 kuna. Within the framework of the proposed project catalytic and ecologically friendly methods for the synthesis of novel prepartions of guanidine derivates will be developed with a view to widespread use in the pharmaceutical industry.
Dr. Davor Gracin, Department of Material Physics and Dr. Davor Balzar, University of Denver, "Nano – structural materials fot thin film solar cells", funding 736,000 kuna. The aim of the project is to ascertain the possibility of increasing the efficiency of thin-film solar cells based on silicates using nanokristals and amorphous forms in the production of active and passive elemental cells.
UKF funding aims to stimulate the return of diaspora scientists to Croatia as well as cooperation between domestic and diaspora scientists.