Category: news

State of the art infrared spectrophotometer ready for student and researcher activities

Chemistry Department is glad to announce that the state of the art infrared spectrophotometer (Fourier Transformed Infrared Spectrophotometer, with attenuated total reflection, ATR, accessory model IRSpirit, produced by Shimadzu) has been purchased. The purchase was in the frame of two national projects: “Nanochemistry Solutions in Technical Lubricants Additive Improvements” and “Synthesis and Characterization of Siloxane Block Copolymers with Self-Healing Potential” supported by the Ministry of Scientific and Technological Development, Higher Education and Information Society of Republic of Srpska.

Infrared spectrophotometers have become standard equipment in every analytical laboratory. In the first year, this instrument will be used to complete the study of effective dispersion of metal nanoparticles made by Chemistry Department in domestically produced oils and lubricants by “Tehnosint” company and the characterization of poly(siloxane)s intended for use in solar cells. After fulfilling the project goals, the instrument will be fully available to students for experimental work within the final thesis of all study cycles, as well as for research purposes.

The honor of making the first test measurements on the new instrument had our chemistry students of the fourth year in laboratory exercises at the subject of “Nanochemistry”, in which they tested samples of various materials from local sources.

 

Links:

https://www.shimadzu.com/an/products/molecular-spectroscopy/ftir/ftir-spectroscopy/irspirit/index.html

https://www.vladars.net/sr-SP-Cyrl/Vlada/Ministarstva/mnk/Pages/default.aspx

https://www.tehnosint.com/

New website of Chemistry Department

Chemistry Department is proud to announce its new website where readers can actively follow scientific developments and changes in this department of the Faculty of Science.

The website is under development, constantly updated and improved thanks to the engagement of teachers and associates who are preparing news about the activities of our students, new equipment and projects, as well as cooperation with domestic industries, international exchanges – in general, about everything important that Chemistry Department does and provides.

Special thanks of Chemistry Department goes to Mitja Tanjga, head of the computer center of the faculty, who publishes the prepared news on our website, adapted to three variants for all readers, current and future students, scientists and professors.

 

Env.net PROJECT: Tour of the secondary material collection-related companies

The final study visit for Chemistry Department in 2020 for “Env-net” project was a visit to the multiple companies related to the secondary materials collection chain. This time the visit was carried out with students of the 4th year at the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, professors from the High School of Technology Banja Luka and other high school guests. Similar to the previous visit, the goal was to raise awareness of the ongoing developments in the recycling systems in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Most of the public is not aware of the fact that numerous successful companies are engaging in the collection of most material categories: metals, polymers, paper, and glass.

This time the visit included three locations.

Prizma comerc is a private company with over 35 years of tradition in different metal collection and export of these materials on a larger scale along with their partner. The company does not hesitate to buy off small quantities of scrap metal from citizens at their registered counter, as well as collect tons of metal scrap from larger mechanical engineering companies. Young owners are the third generation leadership in this company and while pursuing higher education themselves they set an example for the community and for their employees by evolving in hard every day work as well. However, they are following the scientific developments and look forward to the challenge of green recycling methods in electronic waste as one of their ambitions. 

Euro Beta is the first and currently the only recycling operator working in Banja Luka city. They organize the collection and storage of recyclable materials and promote the recycling culture among young populations. Also, they are in charge of setting the recycling containers around the city. The company staff introduced the visitors to the current legislation and how they can apply for setting up of the recycle “islands” in their local communities by this company.

Grand promet is a busy paper collecting company employing over 30 people at this moment. They also offer the opportunity to small collectors and citizens to sell the collected paper at their counter, while also collecting large quantities of the packing cartons and paper from the shopping centers and factories. Excellently, the paper they collect mostly is processed in the “Natron-Hayat” factory in Maglaj, Bosnia and Herzegovina, which is a large paper production plant with over 65 years of tradition, currently run by Turkish investors and having excellent environmental standards. Depending on the international market prices, the collected paper is sometimes exported but most importantly, it always finds its way from this company to the recycling factories.

This visit, similarly to the previous ones carried out thanks to the “Env-net” project, was all about raising awareness. The visitors, especially teachers from the high school and also students who are soon to become teachers, will be able to encourage their communities and pupils to collect the secondary raw materials and explain to them exactly where they go. Suspicion of the citizens about the real destiny of the raw materials separated in the colorful containers at the recycling “islands” is the main problem slowing effective recycling. By spreading the word this way, little by little from mouth to mouth, sharing the experiences gained at the real companies making efforts to collect and live from recycling, the citizens will start to trust the chain and contribute to the increase in recycling, making the environment cleaner. Finally, the goal of having Bosnia and Herzegovina without landfills is maybe not that far.

Links:

http://env-net.org/

https://prizmacomerc.ba/

http://www.eurobeta.ba/

https://bl.komorars.ba/en/companies/1345

TRAKMAT project: International award for Sunčica Sukur, a young researcher

Sunčica Sukur, who is employed as a research assistant at the Chemistry Department on the RIS RESTORE project, and is also a master student, won the 3rd place in the international competition for innovative ideas in the field of material science.

Sunčica presented the result of her graduation thesis defended in July 2020, which brought a significant potentially applicative result on domestic pyrophyllite. Pyrophyllite is an aluminosilicate of which we have in Bosnia and Herzegovina about 38 million tons in the Parsovići deposit near Konjic, which makes it probably the largest deposit of this mineral in the world.

After a detailed examination of the kinetics of neutralization of acid solutions with micronized pyrophyllite powder, Sunčica came to the conclusion that this kinetics is very fast, ie that pyrophyllite completely neutralizes acidic solutions up to pH=2 in less than one minute, and then buffers them into a slightly basic area of about pH=8. This phenomenon could be applied in the rapid treatment of acid injuries in work, industry or in cases of acid attacks which are unfortunately very common in the world. It would be a convenient packaging of pyrophyllite in bottles similar to baby powder bottles that should be on hand in first aid kits in every home or workplace where there is a possibility of these injuries. Proving this application continues in collaboration with colleagues from Department of Biology.

The award includes a modest amount of money, but is prestigious given that Sunčica’s result was achieved in modest laboratory conditions, on a device purchased from TRAKMAT project (support from Ministry of Scientific and Technological Development, Higher Education and Information Society). On the other hand, other competitors presented results supported by valuable internationally funded projects. The award also represents a motivation for other students to continue to achieve such notable results through project activities at Chemistry Department.

Links:

https://pmf.unibl.org/trakmat-national-project/

https://eitrawmaterials.eu/

https://www.eitrawmaterials-rcadria.eu/events/adria-innovation-day-2020

AWARDS WINNERS  OF THE CHEMISTRY DEPARTMENT AT UNIVERSITY OF BANJA LUKA FOR SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH WORK IN 2019.

We are honored and pleased to share the great news about the success of our teachers and associates of the Faculty of Sciences and Mathematics and Chemistry Department at University of Banja Luka.

Out of a total of 67 awarded teachers and associates at the University of Banja Luka, seven teachers and associates of the Chemistry Department are the winners of monetary awards based on the achieved international results in scientific research and educational work for 2019. prof. dr Sasa Zeljkovic, prof. dr Dijana Jelic, prof. dr Biljana Davidović Plavšić and prof. dr Dragana Blagojević were awarded as the first authors of scientific papers in indexed scientific journals, while prof. dr Suzana Gotovac Atlagić, prof. Dr. Milica Balaban and assistant Sanja Pržulj, ma, awarded in the category of international research projects. The contribution of teachers and associates of the Chemistry Department to the total number of awards is more than 10%, which indicates our commitment to scientific research and the promotion of science.

At the conference held on November 10, 2020, at the Faculty of Political Sciences atthe University of Banja Luka, prof. dr Dijana Jelic and prof. dr. Suzana Gotovac Atlagić had the opportunity to introduce the participants and young associates of the University of Banja Luka with the content of their works and projects, but also with the work of awarded colleagues who due to the epidemiological situation were not able to attend the event, as well as with all activities in our study program.

The first prize was won by our colleague professor Saša Zeljković, who published two papers in the journal Ceramics International, whose impact factor is 3.8 and belongs to the highest category of international journals.

Activities and preliminary results of the RIS RESTORE project presented in Poland

The 30th traditional Central European and International Conference ECOPOLE21′ was organized In Krakow, Poland, from 08.-10.10.2020, by the Polish Society for Ecological Chemistry and Engineering. Despite the difficult working conditions, the organizers managed to ensure the live presence of distinguished speakers from European universities and the Polish Academy of Sciences. As part of about 30% of the program that was presented live online, a one-hour presentation was given by Nobel Prize winner Prof. Dr Ada Yonath from Israel. Epidemic protection measures during the meeting were at a high level, but it was still possible to achieve significant communication between colleagues and speakers with a lot of discussion and questions.

The RIS RESTORE project, in which the Chemistry Department is participating, was presented by an oral presentation of the preliminary results of four BiH teams, and the speaker was Doc. Dr Suzana Gotovac Atlagić from the University of Banja Luka, who presented live. Important suggestions were received from colleagues, especially from teams from Poland and the Czech Republic that deal with similar topics, such as the management of “hotspots”, ie. locations contaminated with toxic metals in these countries, which will be important for the development of further RIS RESTORE  activities and research.

Links:

https://ecesociety.com/accepted-contributions/

https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/chemistry/2009/yonath/facts/

http://ris-restore.zag.si/

Env.net PROJECT: Visit to the “Omorika reciklaža” PET recycling factory in Doboj

The “Env-Net” project supported a successful visit to the first factory that started recycling PET in Bosnia and Herzegovina, “Omorika reciklaza” in the municipality of Doboj. Numerous activities are possible to take place in Bosnia and Herzegovina if measures are taken to prevent COVID-19 infection and the number of participants is up to 50. Bosnian partner from Env-Net, the project team “LIR-evolution” decided to continue with field visits with protective measures and take students and professors to this environmental best practice location. Recently, several more factories have started working on PET recycling. Nevertheless, “Omorika Recycling”, which uses highly automated process lines, their constant improvement and work on the establishment of a state-of-the-art quality control laboratory, constantly sets an excellent example to others. The factory, which currently has 51 employees, maintains production at a good level, despite the pandemic, taking careful hygienic measures, which were respected during this visit as well.

Habits for recycling PET and other polymers are still not sufficiently promoted in Bosnia and Herzegovina, despite many existing “recycling stations” (special waste separation containers located in schoolyards and large buildings). Many people are skeptical about recycling and are mistaken in thinking that even separate waste is dumped in city landfills. This is a harmful prejudice, given that “Omorika Recycling” is in high demand and currently imports some of the waste.

Since this plant exports 97% of its final products due to its excellent quality, visit participants will now be able to support them by promoting the facts about this example of PET recycling best practice. The focus group of visitors this time were professors of environmental protection and polymer technology from the University of Banja Luka with their students, mostly in the phase of finalizing the thesis or enrolled in master’s studies. The young participants, who will soon be professionals working in industry or government bodies, were able to see how PET waste is processed and will be able to educate their colleagues and families about the results of the plant. Since the factory is licensed to purchase the collected waste even from citizens and small groups, this is a great chance for students to promote PET collection and sale for recycling to achieve some social goals or support humanitarian or sports activities.

 

Links:

http://env-net.org/

https://reciklaza.ba/

EMPOWERING STUDENTS IN SCIENCE: SUCCESS OF CHEMISTRY STUDENTS AT THE CONFERENCE “CONTEMPORARY MATERIALS 2020”

Four graduate students of Chemistry Department, Nina Babić, Dragana Žabić, Zorica Jerkić and Stefan Četić participated in research and experimental work on the scientific research project “Phytosynthesis, characterization and biomedical application of metal (Ag, Si, Cu) and oxide (ZnO, TiO2, CuO, Fe2O3) nanoparticle: microbiological, biokinetic and toxicological aspect” which is financed by the Ministry of Scientific and Technological Development, Higher Education and Information Society of Republic of Srpska, under the mentorship of prof. dr Dijana Jelić and senior assistant Dragana Gajić, from the Department of Physical Chemistry, along with prof. dr Aleksandra Šmitran from the Faculty of Medicine.

Through experimental work, students were introduced and learned to work on several different instruments, necessary for the characterization of the materials they have synthesized. They mastered experiments involving photocatalytic and antimicrobial ability of metallic nanoparticles. The results of their participation in the project were presented at the 13th International Conference Contemporary Materials 2020 entitled “Empowering students in science: Phytosynthesis, characterization and biomedical application of metallic (Ag, Si, Cu) and oxide (ZnO, TiO2, CuO, Fe2O3) nanoparticles: microbiology, biokinetics and toxicology aspect”. At the conference, 84 papers were presented and the  work of our students was awarded along with three others paper by an expert commission consisting of eminent professors and academics as the best poster presentation.

Two main goals of the project were achieved: successful synthesis of new materials by the method of green chemistry, an economical and environmentally friendly way of synthesis, gaining insight into metallic nanoparticles photocatalytic and antimicrobial potentials, and active involvement of students in projects and scientific research. The achieved results confirm the quality of joint work and the importance of involving students in science, either through work on scientific projects or professional internships, where practical experience is gained and previously acquired knowledge is expanded.

Workshop within the RIS-RESTORE project

On Friday, October 16, 2020, the first Workshop within the RIS-RESTORE project was held. The full name of the Workshop held in the Seminar hall of the Ethno Village – Museum of the Ljubačke doline was the POTENTIAL FOR VALORIZATION OF RED MUD IN BIH. The workshop was attended by project partners from Bosnia and Herzegovina: Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, University of Banja Luka, Faculty of Mining, Geology and Civil Engineering, University of Tuzla, Alumina d.o.o. Zvornik and the Federal Institute of Geology, Sarajevo. The event was also attended by representatives of mines, policy makers in the mining, science, technology and innovation sectors, representatives of companies, development agencies, researchers and investors – in particular, representatives of the Faculty of Mining, University of Banja Luka, Mining Institute in Prijedor, Faculty of Chemistry and Agriculture Belgrade, Institute for Protection and Ecology of the Republic of Srpska and the company for geological research IBIS-ENGINEERING.

The seminar was organized by the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics of the University of Banja Luka, one of the project partners, with colleagues from the consortium. The international RIS-RESTORE project aims to establish a self-sustaining network of stakeholders interested in the processing of red mud tailings in the region of East and Southeast Europe and the extraction of rare earth elements. Dissemination of the project, activities such as this workshop will strengthen the cooperation between local companies and scientific institutions, and enable the practical application of the results of scientific research in the development of new products/processes from waste materials. Due to the epidemiological situation, the workshop was held in accordance with the observance of all protective measures in the semi-open type hall.

Link: http://ris-restore.zag.si/

RIS RESTORE project: start of the field and research activities

Partners on the RIS RESTORE project funded by the EIT RawMaterials met on September 10 in Zvornik in the management of the company “Alumina”. The meeting was attended by representatives of four teams from Bosnia and Herzegovina: Federal Institute of Geology, Faculty of Mining, Geology and Civil Engineering, University of Tuzla, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, University of Banja Luka, and the meeting was chaired by the Director of Integrated Protection B.Eng. Dragana Smiljanic.

The participation of “Alumina” in this project is extremely important since “Alumina” is one of the leading manufacturers of various types of alumina, hydrates, zeolites, silica gel and water glass that are used in various industries. The company currently exports over 95% of its products to more than 40 countries in the EU, Asia, Africa, USA, South and Central America and others. Alumina is the only factory in the Western Balkans that processes bauxite according to the Bayer process and produces various types of hydrates and alumina.

The company currently employs about 1.520 workers, has more than 800 suppliers and business partners from Republika Srpska and the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and the countries of the former Yugoslavia. Thousands of workers rely on the factory’s operations, primarily in Zvornik and the Birač region.

During the processing of bauxite ore, which comes from several deposits in Bosnia and Herzegovina, “Alumina” generates waste material called “red mud”. However, red mud still carries great potential as a secondary raw material. Extraction of useful minerals from such secondary raw materials has been one of the leading research branches in recent years, as well as many successful investments in the economy. For example, Vietnam processes almost all of the red mud from this country into useful products, and China is also achieving a recycling rate of about 5% and is making further progress. It is estimated that there are about 80 million tons of red mud in several landfills in Europe. The coordinator of the project is the Slovenian National Building and Civil Engineering Institute, and the partners are, in addition to those mentioned from B&H, also prestigious universities and institutes from Greece, Spain, Hungary, Switzerland, Croatia and Austria. During the project, the partners will make efforts to define the potentials for processing red mud into useful products, which would be a significant step towards reducing the amount of this waste, so far deposited. It is of great importance for our country that the valorization of red mud would lead to the creation of more workplaces in an already highly successful company such as “Alumina”, which is undoubtedly the most successful company in Bosnia and Herzegovina at the moment.

Link:

http://ris-restore.zag.si/

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