Projects

Project Duration: 1.5.2025 – 30.4.2029

Project Leader/coordinator: Lidja Fras Zemljič/FS coordinator

Description:.

The food packaging industry requires innovative, circular, bio-based solutions to replace complex, multi-material structures that rely on fossil fuels. The EU-funded GRECO project will demonstrate the life cycle and economic feasibility of safer bioplastic value chains for food packaging using a safe and sustainable by design (SSbD) strategy. It will develop new biodegradable and recyclable packaging with PLA copolymers, coatings, additives, and surface treatments. The project will also ensure regulatory compliance, propose new standards and labelling guidelines, and use digital tools for simulation and modelling. Overall, the project aims to facilitate the introduction of sustainable products, contributing to the Plastics Strategy, the Single-Use Plastics Directive (SUP), and the EU Circular Economy Action Plan (CEAP).

Project Duration: 1.5.2021 – 30.4.2025

Project leader/coordinator: Lidija Fras Zemljič/FS coordinator

Project Duration: 2018-ends May 2022
Project Leader/coordinator: Rupert Kargl/FS coordinator

Description:
FibreNet­­­ was a consortium of 15 European academic and industrial organizations. Together we strove to bridge the knowledge-gap between the properties of fibres and fibre-based products in order to enable product tailoring, products with new functionalities and brand-new fibre products.Traditional bio-fibre based industry is undergoing an intensive transformation phase. This is due to overcapacity, push towards bio-based economy, and changes in the end users and their needs. Thus, there is an increasing need for totally new environmentally friendly products and for products with new functionalities. This transformation requires very specific research and professionals with new types of skill sets and competences. The education and research in FibreNet specifically addressed this combined challenge to both understanding deeply the materials and the broad field of applications, thus contributing to creating a new set of professionals capable to meet the challenges of the industrial change and of sustainable development.

Project Duration: 2018-2020
Project Leader/coordinator: Karin Stana Kleinschek/FS coordinator

Description:
CONQUER is a multi-disciplinary FET Open project focusing on the development of a radically new type of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents for molecular imaging (MI). It combines the expertise of quantum physics, chemical and biomedical engineering, material characterization as well as nanotoxicology. Today, European scientists and companies are already leading global players in the development of contrast agents (CA). CONQUER will significantly fertilise this field and lay the scientific foundations for a new technology by providing theoretical groundwork, synthesis guidelines, imaging instrumentation and toxicological references.

Project Duration: 2015-2023
Project Leader/coordinator: Karin Stana Kleinschek, Silvo Hribernik/FS coordinator

Project Duration: 2016-2021
Project Leader/coordinator: Mojca Božič/FS coordinator

Description:
Strategic direction of the programme is to exploit the potential of biomass for development of advanced materials and bio-based products, by creating new value chains for cascading use of biomass. The programme is placed within priority area S4 – The natural and traditional resources for the future, Networks for the transition to the circular economy – and is co-financed by EU Structural Funds in Slovenia. It comprises all of the identified focus areas and technologies: technologies for development of new bio based materials, technologies for utilisation of secondary and raw materials and reuse of waste and technologies for production of energy from alternative sources.

Project Duration: 2016-2019
Project Leader/coordinator: Zdenka Peršin Fratnik/FS coordinator

Description:
Members of our group participated in the TOGETHER project at the Faculty of Energy, University of Maribor. The aim of the project was to raise awareness among owners, managers, and users of public buildings to use energy more efficiently (heating/cooling, water, electricity, etc.). To this end, tools were developed, manuals written, and a number of workshops were held, presenting an integrated approach with financial and demand-side energy management and the use of materials to achieve efficient energy performance. Preserving the environment and using energy efficiently is important for all of us, because each of us, through our behaviour and habits, has a direct impact on the use of energy resources and the protection of the environment for a better tomorrow. We have therefore prepared a colouring book for the youngest children (see pdf)), which presents the importance of energy saving in a friendly way through a story. For the slightly older ones we have prepared ORIGAMI and for the general public we have prepared an e-book, which includes the results achieved, with a focus on their realisation in the pilot buildings in the 8 regions of the project partners, and a collection of “true stories” written by all the project partners.

Project Duration: 2017-2020
Project Leader/coordinator: Mojca Božič/FS coordinator

Project Duration: 2014-2017
Project Leader/coordinator: Silvo Hribernik/FS coordinator

Project Duration: 2014-2017
Project Leader/coordinator: Silvo Hribernik/ FS coordinator

Project Duration: 2016- 2021
Project Leader/coordinator: Lidija Fras Zemljič

Project Duration: 2013-2017
Project Leader/coordinator: Karin Stana Kleinschek

Project Duration: 2016-2018
Project Leader/coordinator: Zdenka Peršin Fratnik

Description:
The aim of the project was to promote the acquisition of key competences through experiential learning in order to provide pupils with knowledge that they can apply in different contexts of everyday life. Special attention was also paid to competences that are transferable, which means that they are applicable not only in one situation but also in many other situations and contexts. The teaching material prepared includes : i) Everyday life in the built environment, ii) Healthy lifestyles, iii) Biodiversity and iv) Environmental education from a global perspective. The material is designed to help teachers prepare lessons and contains a theoretical part and methodological approaches, as well as to help pupils acquire the knowledge to think critically and to evaluate the consequences of technological development on the environment.

Project Duration: 2015-2022
Project Leader/coordinator: Zdenka Peršin Fratnik

Description:
The Infrastructure Programme of the University of Maribor (IP UM) consisted of 4 organisational units: the Botanical Garden OU, the UCEM OU, the RCUM OU and the CORE@UM OU. Zdenka Peršin Fratnik and then Manja Kurečič headed the CORE@UM OU, which consisted of 5 member faculties as the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Computer Science and Informatics, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics and Faculty of Medicine. The CORE@UM OU supported research in the following areas: i) materials and technologies (innovative technological and computational approaches), ii) advanced computing (3D modelling, cloud computing), and iii) quantitative methods for dealing with complex systems (diseases, cities, financial markets, entrepreneurship, etc.). To this end, it shared state-of-the-art experimental equipment, which, due to its technical and operational sophistication, is unique in the country and in the wider European area.

Project Duration: 2008-2012
Project Leader/coordinator: Karin Stana Kleinschek/FS coordinator

Description:
Polysaccharides produced by plants and microorganism are the most abundant biopolymers on earth. They are used by manly as low complex and low value products and their exceptional properties are mostly neglected. These biopolymers are multifunctional and stereoregular by nature, show a large variety of complex structures based on small chemical variations. This projects vision was to contribute knowledge how these specific properties can be utilized more effectively in order to transfer these biopolymers into high value products.
The projects main RTD objective was to create new, smart and bio-based surface nanostructured polymer composites providing high value surface functionalities (mechanical, chemical, selective interaction properties). These new materials should be composed of nano-scaled polysaccharide layers with embedded nano-particles, for the coating of different cellulose matrices. The compounding is restricted to the biopolymers surface and outer layers, providing the ‘filler’ to the domain where it is required and avoiding the deterioration of the matrix materials mechanical properties.

Bio-protective cultures and bioactive extracts as sustainable combined strategies to improve the shelf-life of perishable Mediterranean food (BIO PROMED FOOD)
Project Duration: 2020-2023
Project Leader/coordinator: Lidija Fras Zemljič/FS koordinator

Project Duration: 1.7.2025 – 30.6.2028

Project leader/coordinator: Lidija Fras Zemljič/FS coordinator

Project Duration: 1.1.2025 – 31.12.2027

Project leader/coordinator: Lidija Fras Zemljič/FS Coordinator

Project Duration: 1.1.2025 – 31.12.2027

Project Leader/coordinator: Lidija Fras Zemljič/FS coordinator

Project Duration: 1.1.2025 – 31.12.2027
Project Leader/coordinator: Lidija Fras Zemljič/project partner

Project Duration: 1.10.2022-30.9.2025

Project Leader/coordinator: Olivija Plohl/project leader

Description:
The main aim of this project is to prepare novel hybrid nanocomposites based on polysaccharides (chitosan, pullulan, carrageenan, dextrane, focuidan, chondroitin sulfate, etc. with target functional group) together with core-shell magnetic-silica nanoparticles with controlled physicochemical properties. The as-synthesised nanocomposites will serve as modified nanomaterials for further electrochemical electrode modification (from glassy-carbon electrode (GCE) to screen-printed electrodes (SPE)). Subsequently, the analytical performance of the designed electrode will be fully validated for the sensing application of selected (most problematic) antibiotics commonly released in the environment (i.e. sulfonamides, tetracyclines, penicillin and fluoroquinolones). The constructed nanocomposite-based electrochemical sensor is expected to have lower LOD, higher sensitivity, selectivity to specific antibiotic and wider linear concentration range compared to the current state-of-the-art electrochemical sensors.

Project Duration: 1.10.2022 – 30.9.2025

Project Leader/coordinator: Lidija Fras Zemljič/FS coordinator

Description:
The main objective of the project is to develop a sustainable integrated process for the production of functional medical devices and materials (wound dressings, dermal and epidermal replacements for the treatment of skin wounds) from natural building blocks isolated from waste biomass. New advanced circular processes will be established that address problematic material streams (feathers, wool) that are produced in significant quantities and are currently not exploited, although they are rich in the valuable polymer keratin. Keratin protein has tremendous commercial potential for medical applications, e.g. for wound healing, biofilm prevention, medical membranes and filters, bone replacements, injection gels and drug delivery. However, so far, few applications based on recycled keratin are known, as a result of harmful, expensive, time-consuming and difficult to implement technologies for recycling keratin from biomass. In addition, with existing conventional technologies, it is possible to obtain keratin mostly with low efficiency, limited solubility, purity and low molecular weight, which greatly complicates its wider use. The bioactivity and biocompatibility of keratin decrease significantly with a decrease in molecular weight, and in the case of too low molecular weight, it is difficult to form nanofibers. The project will develop a new integrated process that will include several stages, namely i) isolation of keratin from feathers and waste wool, ii) copolymerization of isolated keratin with other functional bio-polymers, and iii) preparation of nanofiber structures.

Project Duration: 1.10.2021-30.9.2024
Project Leader/coordinator: Manja Kurečič/ FS coordinator

Project Duration: 1.10.2021-30.9. 2024
Project Leader/coordinator: Lidija Fras Zemljič/FS koordinator 

Project Duration: 1.9.2020-31.8.2023
Project Leader/coordinator: Manja Kurečič/ project leader

Project Duration: 1.9.2020―31.8.2023
Project Leader/coordinator: Lidija Fras Zemljič/FS koordinator

Project Duration: 1.3.2020―28.2.2023
Project Leader/coordinator: Lidija Fras Zemljič/FS koordinator

Project Duration: 1.9.2020―31.8.2023
Project Leader/coordinator: Matej Bračič/FS koordinator

Description:
Research of solid-liquid interactions between polysaccharide model scaffold films and proteins/glycosaminoglycans (e.g. aggrecan, collagen, hyaluronic acid) promoting chondrocyte growth. Development of 3D printed polysaccharide-based scaffolds for cell growth.

Project Duration: 1.7.2019-30.6.2022
Project Leader/coordinator: Manja Kurečič/ project leader

Project Duration: 1.7.2019-31.12.2022
Project Leader/coordinator: Manja Kurečič /FS coordinator

Project Duration: 1.1.2019-31.12.2021
Project Leader/coordinator: Manja Kurečič/ project partner

Project Duration: 07/2019 – 06/2022
Project Leader/coordinator: Matej Bračič

Description:
Research of colloids from alkaline particles (e.g. nano CaCO₃ particles) stabilised by cellulose polymers and their application on acidic paper artifacts including library books. Comparison of the developed treatment processes with the “best practice” processes available.

Project Duration:1.7.2018―30.6.2020
Project Leader/coordinator: Matej Bračič

Project Duration: 1.7.2018-30.6.2021
Project Leader/coordinator: Manja Kurečič/ project partner

Project Duration: 1.10.12016-30.9.2019
Project Leader/coordinator: Manja Kurečič/ project partner

Project Duration: 1.3.2016 – 28.2.2019
Project Leader/coordinator: Manja Kurečič/FS koordinator

Project Duration: 1.3.2016 – 28.2.2019
Project Leader/coordinator: Manja Kurečič/FS koordinator

Project Duration: 1/1/2016 – 31/12/2018
Project Leader/coordinator: Lidija Fras Zemljič/ project leader

Project Duration: 01.01.2022 – 31.12.2024
Project Leader/coordinator: Matej Bračič

Description:
Research of biocompatibility of zinc alloys with blood proteins and osteoblast cells.

Project Duration: 1.10.2021-30.9.2024

Project Leader/coordinator: Manja Kurečič/ FS coordinator

Project Duration: 1.10.2021-30.9. 2024

Project Leader/coordinator: Lidija Fras Zemljič/FS koordinator 

Project Duration: 1.9.2020-31.8.2023

Project Leader/coordinator: Manja Kurečič/ FS coordinator

Project Duration: 1.9.2020-31.8.2023

Project Leader/coordinator: Manja Kurečič/ project leader

Project Duration: 1.9.2020―31.8.2023

Project Leader/coordinator: Lidija Fras Zemljič/FS koordinator

Project Duration: 1.3.2020―28.2.2023

Project Leader/coordinator: Lidija Fras Zemljič/FS koordinator

Project Duration: 1.9.2020―31.8.2023

Project Leader/coordinator: Matej Bračič/FS koordinator

Description:
Research of solid-liquid interactions between polysaccharide model scaffold films and proteins/glycosaminoglycans (e.g. aggrecan, collagen, hyaluronic acid) promoting chondrocyte growth. Development of 3D printed polysaccharide-based scaffolds for cell growth.

Project Duration: 1.7.2019-30.6.2022

Project Leader/coordinator: Manja Kurečič/ project leader

Project Duration: 1.7.2019-31.12.2022

Project Leader/coordinator: Manja Kurečič /FS coordinator

Project Duration: 1.1.2019-31.12.2021

Project Leader/coordinator: Manja Kurečič/ FS coordinator

Project Duration: 07/2019 – 06/2022

Project Leader/coordinator: Matej Bračič/project leader

Description:
Research of colloids from alkaline particles (e.g. nano CaCO₃ particles) stabilised by cellulose polymers and their application on acidic paper artifacts including library books. Comparison of the developed treatment processes with the “best practice” processes available.

Project Duration:1.7.2018―30.6.2020

Project Leader/coordinator: Matej Bračič/project leader

Project Duration: 1.7.2018-30.6.2021

Project Leader/coordinator: Manja Kurečič/ FS coordinator

Project Duration: 1.10.12016-30.9.2019

Project Leader/coordinator: Manja Kurečič/ FS coordinator

Project Duration: 1.3.2016 – 28.2.2019

Project Leader/coordinator: Manja Kurečič/FS koordinator

Project Duration: 1.3.2016 – 28.2.2019

Project Leader/coordinator: Manja Kurečič/FS koordinator

Project Duration: 1/1/2016 – 31/12/2018

Project Leader/coordinator: Lidija Fras Zemljič/ project leader

Project Duration: 2019-2022
Project Leader/coordinator: Klementina Pušnik Črešnar

Description:
Focus on preparaation of innovative bioplastics, at the same time with functionality added

Project Duration: 1.6.2017 do 31.7.2020
Project Leader/coordinator: Olivija Plohl

Project Duration: O3/2019 –06/2019
Project Leader/coordinator: Zdenka Peršin Fratnik

Description:
The challenge of the project was to use waste and/or discarded materials and especially their combinations to create a souvenir, highlighting one or more characteristics of the Savinja Valley. The project produced 36 unique products that are aesthetic and useful, which also makes them commercially interesting.

Project Duration: O6/2018 –09/2018
Project Leader/coordinator: Zdenka Peršin Fratnik

Description:
The aim of the project was to develop new and ground-breaking existing products of the project partner (Varstveno delovni center Murska Sobota), which would help to increase the visibility of both the partner and the local environment. Forty unique products were realised, which exude the character of Pomurje, either its geographical or relief structure, or a distinctive element from its gastronomy, historical traditions, or architecture.

Project Duration: In progress
Project Leader/coordinator: Tadej Slatinek

Project Duration: In progress
Project Leader/coordinator: Athira John

Project Duration: In progress
Project Leader/coordinator: Doris Bračič

Project Duration: In progress
Project Leader/coordinator: Saša Kaloper

Project Duration: Finished
Project Leader/coordinator: Andreja Dobaj Štiglic

Description:
PhD research focuses on polysaccharide- or polysaccharide-protein-based hydrogels to develop various three-dimensional (3D) cell-friendly scaffolds with tailored properties suitable for various tissue engineering applications.

Project Duration: Finished
Project Leader/coordinator: Ana Bratuša

Project Duration: Finished
Project Leader/coordinator: Beste Elveren

Project Duration: Finished
Project Leader/coordinator: Katja Kuzmič