Opening of a modern laboratory for radiocarbon research
The Institute of Physics - Scientific and Didactic Centre of the Silesian University of Technology has been enriched with a state-of-the-art laboratory - the CEMIZ Centre for Isotope Methods. The research method used in the laboratory enables precise verification of the presence of biocomponents in fuels or plastics.
Head of the laboratory - dr. hab. Eng. Natalia Piotrowska, prof. SUT admitted that having such equipment enables the implementation of new research and ambitious projects. - Previously, we focused mainly on dating various objects and determining their age. Over time, we expanded this spectrum of research to determine the content of biochar using the radiocarbon method. We are currently carrying out such work. We are now planning to start research on the carbon cycle in soils. We will certainly not run out of topics - said Natalia Piotrowska.
In the opinion of the director of the Institute of Physics - Science and Didactic Centre, dr hab. Eng. Adam Michczyński, prof. SUT, the new equipment gives world-class measurement capabilities.
- In recent years, we had to outsource this research, now we can carry it out in-house - not only for scientific purposes, but also for commercial purposes. Until now, our commercial research was mainly related to orders from other scientific institutions, and now we can go a step further, because we have the only tool that allows us to verify biocomponents in biofuels. It is necessary to control their quality. We are able to check whether these biocomponents are actually present in this biofuel, as declared by the manufacturer - explained Adam Michczyński.
The Vice-Rector for Student Affairs and Education, prof. Wojciech Szkliniarz emphasized that the establishment and operation of the Centre for Isotope Methods is in line with both the Development Strategy of the Silesian University of Technology and the implementation of the ambitious UN sustainable development goals by influencing sustainable production and consumption.
- The Centre, equipped with the world's most modern research infrastructure, will enable conducting the highest quality scientific research as part of internal cooperation and with the external environment of the university, extensive cooperation with the socio-economic environment and expanding the package of service activities of the Silesian University of Technology - said prof. Wojciech Szkliniarz.
The opening of the Centre is the culmination of a project implemented by the Department of Geochronology and Environmental Isotopic Research of the Institute of Physics-CND, co-financed by the Regional Operational Program of the Silesian Voivodeship for 2014-2020 under the European Regional Development Fund. The cost of the new laboratory is over PLN 7 million.
The opening of the Centre was combined with the Professor Mieczysław F. Pazdur 7th Dating Methods Workshop. Its participants will learn the basics of the radiocarbon method and its latest applications.
The CEMIZ Isotope Methods Centre is located on the ground floor of the Faculty of Civil Engineering of the Silesian University of Technology.
A more extensive article will be published in the January issue of the Silesian University of Technology Newsletter.
