POMERI

Meet the collaborators of the POMERI project

project manager

Assoc. Prof.
Ivna Kavre Piltaver, PhD

  • +385 51 584 618
  • ivna.kavre@uniri.hr
I was born in Rijeka, where I completed elementary and high school education in the Italian language. After completing my studies in physics and mathematics at the Department of Physics, University of Rijeka, I enrolled in a doctoral program at the Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, University of Ljubljana, where I earned my PhD in 2014 with the dissertation "Beyond hard-walled spherical colloids." During my doctoral studies, I gained experience and participated in various seminars and conferences across Europe. Since my employment at the Faculty of Physics (FizRi) and the Center for Micro- and Nanosciences and Technologies (NANORI) at the University of Rijeka in 2015, my scientific work has been primarily focused on scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Since 2018, I have been the head of the Scanning Electron Microscopy Laboratory, a joint laboratory of FizRi and NANORI at the University of Rijeka. During my master's studies and in the period from 2015 to 2024, my work was also related to spectroscopic methods based on the interaction of X-rays with matter: X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy (NEXAFS). I primarily used XPS and NEXAFS techniques for elemental, structural, or chemical analysis of various types of samples, such as boron nitride nanotubes, nitinol, molybdenum, WO3 thin films, and others. In addition, I gained some experience working with atomic layer deposition (ALD) devices and the principles of secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS). Currently, my research focuses on understanding the reduction mechanisms of thin metal oxide films, such as WO3, induced by low-energy hydrogen ion bombardment, the optical and photocatalytic properties of thin semiconductor films (titanium dioxide, zinc oxide) grown using the ALD method, and examining the surface morphology of materials. As the leader of the POMERI project, in addition to research responsibilities (working on the research project, training at foreign institutions, participating in international conferences, etc.), I am also responsible for designing experiments, overseeing and guiding the work of other research group members, coordinating and organizing short-term stays for all members of the research team at foreign institutions, publishing research results, and addressing or mitigating potential project risks.

senior assistant

Martina Kocijan,
PhD

  • +385 51 584 792
  • martina.kocijan@uniri.hr
Martina Kocijan graduated with high honours in 2018 with the Vjera Marjanović Krajovan award for the best Material Science and Engineering graduate student at the Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Technology, University of Zagreb. Within the Erasmus+ program, she spent six months at the Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Portugal, where she worked on the preparation of novel nanocomposite materials for pollutant removal from water under the title "C3N4-based nanohybrids for photocatalytic applications“.

She holds PhD degree (2023) from the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture, University of Zagreb. Her doctoral thesis contributed to developing novel functional materials and their composites with metal oxides as photocatalysts in advanced oxidation technologies, i.e., establishing the correlation between TiO2@rGO composite nanoparticles' structural, optical, and morphological characteristics and their photocatalytic properties. During her postgraduate doctoral studies, she spent several months of scientific research abroad. Under the Erasmus+ program, she spent six months at the Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia, where she conducted research entitled „Graphene-based nanocomposites for photocatalytic applications“. She was awarded the British Scholarship Trust grant entitledMetal oxide catalyst supported on a polymeric mesh for use in wastewater treatment: Preparation, characterization, and performance evaluation“ for a two-month research stay at De Montfort University, Leicester, United Kingdom. She received the Tempus Public Foundation grant from the Hungarian government entitled „Characterization and application of TiO2/rGO composite photocatalysts“ for a two-month research stay at the University of Pannonia, Veszprém, Hungary. Besides, she received the AMAC UK award for a short research stay at De Montfort University in Leicester, United Kingdom. She utilized various synthesis techniques for catalytic materials, including hydrothermal, solvothermal, sol-gel,and spin-coating.She also operated several instruments, such as a fluorescence spectrophotometer, a UV-Vis spectrophotometer with diffuse reflectance measurement, a Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR), and an atomic absorption spectrometer (AAS). She gained experience preparing nanoparticle samples for morphological analysis using a scanning electron microscope and prepared samples for nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis.

For the POMERI project's research purposes, she will operate the equipment available at the Faculty of Physics (FIZRI): a UV-Vis spectrophotometer, an atomic layer deposition (ALD) system with a plasma-enhanced (PEALD) extension, a scanning electron microscope (SEM) with an energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy detector (EDS), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). She also prepares thin film samples for transmission electron microscopy (TEM).

assistant

mag. phys. et matech.
Daria Jardas Babić

  • +385 51 584 768
  • daria.jardas@uniri.hr

I graduated from the Faculty of Physics at the University of Rijeka with a degree in Materials Engineering and Physics. In 2020, I enrolled in the doctoral program in physics at the same faculty. The scientific contribution of my doctoral research focuses on the development of a technology for the degradation of microplastics using non-toxic materials and minimal energy consumption. In my research, I use plasma-enhanced atomic layer deposition (PEALD) for the low-temperature (<100 °C) synthesis of zinc oxide (ZnO) thin films. The focus of my research is to investigate the correlation between the structural and electronic properties of the thin films and their photocatalytic performance.

For research purposes, I independently operate the equipment available at the Faculty of Physics: atomic layer deposition (ALD) with a plasma-enhanced (PEALD) extension, a scanning electron microscope (SEM) with an energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy detector (EDS) and a UV-Vis spectrophotometer. I also prepare thin film samples for transmission electron microscopy (TEM) using a diamond saw, grinding equipment and a precision ion polishing system (PIPS). During my six-month stay at the Jožef Stefan Institute as part of the HRZZ-MOBDOK program, I independently operated the environmental scanning electron microscope (eSEM), a micro-Raman spectroscopy device and a UV-Vis spectrophotometer for measuring optical reflectance. 

professional associate

mag. oec.
Franko Alač

  • +385 51 584 790
  • franko.alac@phy.uniri.hr

I completed a professional specialist graduate study in Entrepreneurship at the University of Applied Sciences of Rijeka, where I acquired comprehensive knowledge in the fields of entrepreneurship and business management. After graduation, I began working as a consultant for project preparation and implementation, where my responsibilities included monitoring project activities, ensuring the achievement of planned results, and managing project finances. During this period, I gained experience working on various types of projects, including preparing tender documentation, budget planning, and managing financial resources in compliance with contractual obligations and regulations. In 2021, I successfully completed a specialized course in project management, further enhancing my skills in planning, organizing, and leading teams. 

To monitor project progress, I developed systems, procedures, evaluation methods for results, and mechanisms for timely identification and resolution of potential issues to ensure smooth project implementation. As a project associate, my activities include daily monitoring of project tasks, such as analyzing the current project state and comparing it to planned goals, implementing corrective measures when necessary, preparing project progress reports, coordinating and conducting procurement procedures, and overseeing financial tracking and reporting. All activities are carried out using digital tools and analytical spreadsheets to ensure the timely achievement of project outcomes and indicators.

COLLABORATOR ON THE PROJECT

univ. mag. phys.
Mattea Mačkić Jovanović

  • +385 51 584 793
  • mattea.mackicj@uniri.hr

I earned my Master’s degree in Physics and Environmental Science at the Faculty of Physics, University of Rijeka. During my studies, I gained extensive knowledge in physics, mathematics, statistics, environmental physics, chemistry, and programming. Additionally, I developed strong adaptability and teamwork skills. I had the privilege of attending two summer schools dedicated to climate change, which, together with my studies, deepened my interest in exploring ways to protect our environment from pollution. 

I am enthusiastic about contributing to this project, as it offers an excellent opportunity for personal and professional growth. Working with advanced equipment and alongside colleagues from whom I can learn will be invaluable. 

This year, I plan to enroll in the doctoral study program in Physics at the Faculty of Physics, University of Rijeka. My doctoral research will focus on SnO₂2 thin films synthesized through the atomic layer deposition (ALD) method, with an emphasis on their applications as photocatalysts and the study of their antibacterial properties.

 

 

 

ASSISTANT

mag. phys.
Virna Kisiček Flego

  • +385 51 584 645
  • virna.kisicek@uniri.hr

I was born in Rijeka in 1996 and currently live in Istria. After completing my secondary education in 2014, I enrolled in the Physics program at the Faculty of Physics, University of Rijeka. I obtained my bachelor’s degree in 2017 with a thesis titled  "Scanning electron microscopy in the analysis of thin films in cross-section," under the supervision of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ivna Kavre Piltaver. In the same year, I continued my studies in the graduate program for physics and specialized in physics and environmental science. I completed my master’s degree in 2019, defending a thesis on "Photocatalytic properties of zinc oxide thin films synthesized on porous structures by atomic layer deposition" under the supervision of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Aleš Omerzu.

In October 2019, I joined the Institute of Physics in Zagreb as a research assistant on the project "Collective Dynamics in Magnetoelectrics" led by Dr. Tomislav Ivek. At the same time, I began my PhD studies in condensed matter physics at the Faculty of Physics, University of Rijeka. During this period, I participated in numerous workshops, projects, conferences and summer schools across Europe. 

Within the POMERI project, my research focuses on porous structures, especially their characterization using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and the optimization of thin films grown by atomic layer deposition (ALD). I investigate how the morphology of porous materials influences their physical and chemical properties and their potential applications in advanced technologies. I also use UV-Vis spectrophotometry to analyze the optical properties of the samples. 

The project and the creation of the website were co-financed by the European Union from the NextGenerationEU fund. The content of the publication/broadcast material is the sole responsibility of the University of Rijeka.


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POMERI