The first implementation doctorate at Łukasiewicz – PORT has been successfully defended! The author is Dr. Kamila Startek from the Laboratory of Chemical and Spectroscopic Analyses at our Materials Science & Engineering Center. Congratulations!
The PhD dissertation entitled “Application of the Sol–Gel Method for the Preparation of Functional Hybrid Coatings on Flexible Substrates with Reduced Oxygen Permeability” was carried out at the Włodzimierz Trzebiatowski Institute of Low Temperature and Structure Research of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Wrocław. Its aim was to develop hybrid organic–inorganic coatings on a flexible substrate—polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film.
As a result of the conducted research, coatings with reduced oxygen permeability, low surface free energy, and promising optical parameters were obtained. Thanks to these properties, they may find industrial applications as an alternative to multilayer packaging, as well as protective or anti-reflective coatings (e.g., in flexible solar cells or photonics).
Dr. Eng. Kamila Startek’s dissertation was developed between 2017 and 2021. The research topic resulted from her interest in hybrid coatings, which began with her participation in the project “Flexible Polymer Solar Cells with Improved Long-Term Stability” carried out under the LIDER program (2014–2016).
An implementation doctorate is an alternative pathway to obtaining a doctoral degree, intended for individuals who wish to develop their scientific careers while continuing professional work outside academia.
Several further implementation doctorates are currently underway at our Institute.
