First implementation doctorate in PORT

The first implementation doctorate in Łukasiewicz – PORT defended! Its author is Kamila Startek, Ph.D. Eng from the Chemical Analysis and Spectroscopy Laboratory. Congratulations!

Ph.D. thesis “The use of the sol-gel method to obtain functional hybrid layers on a flexible substrate with reduced oxygen permeability” was carried out at the Institute of Low Temperature and Structure Research Polish Academy of Sciences in Wrocław. It aimed to develop hybrid organic-inorganic layers on a flexible substrate – polyethylene terephthalate film (PET).

As a result of the research, coatings with reduced oxygen permeability, low surface free energy, and promising optical features were created. Due to their properties, these coatings can be used in packaging for food and oxygen-sensitive products. They also show the potential for use as protective or anti-reflective layers (e.g., in flexible solar cells or photonics).

Kamila Startek was working on this dissertation in the years 2017-2021. The research topics of the work resulted from the interest in hybrid layers initiated by her participation in the project “Flexible polymer solar cells with improved long-term stability” under the LIDER program (2014-2016).

An implementation doctorate is an alternative way of obtaining a doctoral degree, intended for people who want to develop their scientific career without resigning from professional work outside the university.

At our Institute, work is currently underway on several other implementation doctorates.