Faculty of Chemistry and Geosciences

Faculty of Chemistry and Geosciences

Sukurta: 05 June 2020

chf

 

24 Naugarduko, LT-03225 Vilnius
Tel. 219 3101
E-mail:
www http://www.chgf.vu.lt
Dean – Prof. Dr. Aldona Beganskienė

 

 

STAFF
120 teachers (incl. 111 holding research degree), 20 research fellows (incl. 13 holding research degree), 75 doctoral students.

INSTITUTES OF THE FACULTY

 

INSTITUTE OF CHEMISTRY

24 Naugarduko, LT-03225 Vilnius
Tel. 233 0987, 219 3100, 219 3101, 219 3102, 219 3105
E-mail:
www http://www.chgf.vu.lt
Director – Prof. Habil. Dr. Aivaras Kareiva

DEPARTMENTS OF THE INSTITUTE

Department of Analytical and Environmental Chemistry
Department of Applied Chemistry
Department of Inorganic Chemistry
Department of Organic Chemistry
Department of Physical Chemistry
Department of Polymer Chemistry

RESEARCH AREAS

Synthesis and Investigation of Novel Materials and Nanostructures, Development of Analysis Methods

DOCTORAL DISSERTATIONS MAINTAINED IN 2019

M. Skruodienė. Synthesis and investigation of terbium and chromium co-doped yttrium aluminum garnet.
A. Urbanaitė. Study on cyclization and rearrangement reactions of functionalized alkynes.
V. Poškus. Development and assay of solid phase extraction systems for separation of trans fatty acids.
A. Laurikėnas. Metal organic frameworks (MOF): synthesis and characterization.
S. Kuprėnaitė. Heterogeneous integration of functional thin films for acoustic and optical applications.
E. Vernickaitė. Electrochemical properties of iron group metals alloys with high W/Mo content.
A. I. Rekertaitė. Formation and characterization of Prussian blue, polypyrrole and glucose oxidase modified electrodes for amperometric detection of glucose.
D. Baziulytė-Paulavičienė. Lanthanide-doped upconversion inorganic materials: new insights as luminescent probes.
V. Jonauskė. Synthesis of calcium hydroxyapatite coatings on the stainless steel substrates and investigation of influence of substrates surface modification on the quality of coatings.

MAIN CONFERENCES ORGANIZED IN 2019

Lithuanian chemists conference Chemistry and Chemical Technology 2019 (CCT-2019)
Baltic Polymer Symposium 2019 (BPS-2019)
5th international conference Current Trends in Cancer Theranostics (CTCT-2019)

 

DEPARTMENT OF ANALYTICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMISTRY

24 Naugarduko, LT-03225 Vilnius
Tel. 219 3117, 219 3114
E-mail:

Head – Prof. Dr. Stasys Tautkus

STAFF

Professors: Dr. A. Katelnikovas, Habil. Dr. A. Padarauskas, Dr. A. Ramanavičienė, Dr. S. Tautkus, Dr. V. Vičkačkaitė.
Associate professors: Dr. A. Kaušaitė-Minkštimienė, Dr. V. Olšauskaitė, Dr. E. Naujalis (part-time).
Assistants: Dr. A. Popov (part-time), Dr. V. Poškus (part-time), Dr. A. Žarkov.
Research fellow: Dr. A. Popov (part-time).
Doctoral students: B. Brasiūnas, B. Bugelytė, L. Glumbokaitė, J. Grigorjevaitė, M. Janulevičius, V. Kavaliauskas, L. Sakalauskienė, L. Sinušaitė.

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Inorganic, solid state, materials and analytical chemistry
Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry for organic analysis
Novel microextraction techniques for chromatographic analysis
Development of biosensors and immunosensors
Inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry
Determination of trace elements using atomic absorption spectrometric, atomic emission spectrometric and spectrophotometric methods
Wet chemical synthesis of calcium phosphates, sol-gel synthesis and characterization of multicomponent metal oxide systems
Photochemical synthesis of metal oxide particles
Up-conversion phosphors for bio-imaging
Rare earth and transition metal doped phosphors
Hydrothermal synthesis of luminescent nanoparticles

RESEARCH PROJECTS CARRIED OUT IN 2019

Projects Supported by University Budget

Application of Metallic and Polymeric Nanomaterials in Electrochemical and Optical Biosensors. Prof. A Ramanavičienė, Assoc. Prof. A. Kaušaitė-Minkštimienė, Assist. A. Popov.

A novel reagent-less amperometric glucose biosensor based on nanobiocomposite consisting of poly(1,10-phenanthroline-5,6-dione), poly(pyrrole-2-carboxylic acid), gold nanoparticles and glucose oxidase was designed. ZnO based nanostructures owing unique physical properties – high photoluminescence, biocompatibility and, therefore, they attract attention as building blocks suitable for immunosensor development. ZnO nanorods were applied for the developed of immunosensors for bovine leukemia virus proteins gp51 and human leukemic cell line IM9 detection.

Rare Earth and Transition Metal Doped Phosphors. Prof. A. Katelnikovas.

The year 2019 was dedicated to the synthesis and investigation of the novel phosphors doped with Cr3+, Tb3+, Sm3+, Eu3+, Er3+, Yb3+/Er3+ ions. The research has led to finding several high quality and efficient red phosphors suitable for application as colour converters in near UV based LEDs and luminescent security pigments. Totally eight articles were published in the framework of this project in 2019.

Main publications:

Mackevic, I., Grigorjevaite, J., Janulevicius, M., Linkeviciute, A., Sakirzanovas, S., Katelnikovas, A. Synthesis and optical properties of highly efficient red-emitting K2LaNb5O15:Eu3+ phosphors. Opt. Mater. 2019, vol. 89: 25–33.

Grigorjevaite, J., Ezerskyte, E., Minderyte, A., Stanionytė, S., Juskenas, R., Sakirzanovas, S., Katelnikovas, A. Optical properties of red emitting Rb2Bi(PO4)(MoO4):Eu3+ powders and ceramics with high quantum efficiency for white LEDs. Materials. 2019, vol. 12, Art. No. 3275.

Ultra-High Performance Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry for the Investigation of Organic and Bioorganic Compounds. Prof. A. Padarauskas, Assoc. Prof. V. Olšauskaitė.

The influence of iminium ions’ structures on their stability by comparing six nitrogen-containing cyclic compounds as derivatization reagents for tandem mass spectrometric analysis of amino group-containing analyte was studied. Piperidine, 2,6-dimethylpiperidine, 1-methylpiperazine, morpholine, pyrrolidine and 1-cyanomethyl-3-methylimidazolium were used for the synthesis of corresponding carboxylic acids which were further used for derivatization of tryptamine. Morpholine moiety was shown being the most promising iminium ion source among tested compounds.

Gas Chromatographic Analysis of Volatile Food Constituents. Prof. V. Vičkačkaitė, Assist. V. Poškus.

Direct and headspace gas chromatographic analysis was compared for the determination of lactic, oxalic, succinic, malic and citric acids. Prior to analysis carboxylic acids were derivatized using BSTFA as a silylation reagent. Three solvents – acetone, diethyl ether and dimethylformamide – were tested as a derivatization medium and dimethylformamide was considered as the best. Derivatization conditions were optimized and analytical characteristics of direct gas chromatographic determination of the analytes in the solutions were determined.

Main publication:

Bugelytė, B., Ilonina, K., Poškus, V., Vičkačkaitė, V. Gas chromatographic determination of some carboxylic acids: comparison between solution and headspace analysis. Chemija. 2019, vol. 30: 227–233.

Synthesis, Characterization and Analysis of Functional Materials. Assist. A. Žarkov.

Wet chemical synthesis of tricalcium phosphate polymorphs, synthesis and characterization of lanthanide diselenide nanosheets.

Main publications:

Atif, R., Zarkov, A., Asuigui, D. R. C., Glaser, P., Stewart, O., Stoll, S. L. Single-source precursors for lanthanide diselenide nanosheets. Chem. Mater. 2019, vol. 31: 7779–7789.

Sinusaite, L., Renner, A. M., Schutz, M. B., Antuzevics, A., Rogulis, U., Grigoraviciute Puroniene, I., Mathur, S., Zarkov, A. Effect of Mn doping on the low-temperature synthesis of tricalcium phosphate (TCP) polymorphs. J. Eur. Ceram. Soc., vol. 39 p. 3257–3263.

Sinusaite, L., Grigoraviciute Puroniene, I., Popov, A., Ishikawa, K., Kareiva, A., Zarkov, A. Controllable synthesis of tricalcium phosphate (TCP) polymorphs by wet precipitation: effect of washing procedure. Ceram. Int. 2019, vol. 45: 12423–12428.

Investigation of Instrumental Methods of Analysis of Environmental, Industrial, Biological and Cultural Heritage Objects. Prof. S. Tautkus.

The influence of various parameters (gas pressure, nature of the acid) on the atomic absorbance of cobalt was investigated. The linear concentration range of cobalt was 0.1–4.0 µg/ml. The detection limit was found to be 0.08 µg/ml. The methodology for the determination of cobalt in different samples of raisins by FAAS after extraction by a microwave system has been suggested. The obtained results demonstrated that the suggested methodology has a good reproducibility (RSD in the range from 1.3 to 3.5%) and high precision (recovery in the range from 96 to 102%).

National Research Projects

Research Council of Lithuania. Synthesis and Investigation of Novel Luminescent Anti-Counterfeiting Pigments (S-MIP-17-48). Prof. A. Katelnikovas. 2017–2019.

During the third year of the project it was concentrated on marking the selected products with the prepared anti-counterfeiting pigments. It was shown, that several phosphors change colour upon changing temperature, what will definitely make the falsification of such marked products much more complicated.

International Research Projects

Horizon 2020 Marie-Sklodowska-Curie Action Research and Innovation Staff Exchange (H2020-MSCA-RISE-2017) project. Novel 1D Photonic Metal Oxide Nanostructures for Early Stage Cancer Detection – CanBioSe. Prof. A. Ramanavičienė. 2018–2021.

During the second year of the project different biosensors based on ZnO nanorods pre-modified with biomolecules or molecularly imprinted polymers were developed. The formation of antigen-antibody complexes on the ZnO/glass for bovine leukemia virus detection was investigated by the determination of changes in ZnO photoluminescence. ZnO nanorods exhibit a photoluminescence signal suitable for the determination of human leukemic cells labeled with antibody-FITC conjugate. A photoelectrochemical sensor based on ZnO premodified with molecularly imprinted polypyrole for selective bisphenol determination was reported.

Main publications:

Viter, R., Savchuk, M., Starodub, N., Balevicius, Z., Tumenas, S., Ramanaviciene, A., Jevdokimovs, D., Erts, D., Iatsunskyi, I., Ramanavicius, A. Photoluminescence immunosensor based on bovine leukemia virus proteins immobilized on the ZnO nanorods. Sens. Actuators B-Chem. 2019, vol. 285: 601–606.

Tamashevski, A., Harmaza, Y., Viter, R., Jevdokimovs, D., Poplausks, R., Slobozhanina, E., Mikoliunaite, L., Erts, D., Ramanaviciene, A., Ramanavicius, A. Zinc oxide nanorod based immunosensing platform for the determination of human leukemic cells. Talanta. 2019, vol. 200: 378–386.

Viter, R., Kunene, G., Genys, P., Jevdokimovs, D., Erts, D., Sutka, A., Bisetty, K., Viksna, A., Ramanaviciene, A., Ramanavicius, A. Photoelectrochemical Bisphenol S sensor based on ZnO-nanoroads modified by molecularly imprinted polypyrrole. Macromol. Chem. Phys. 2019, Art. No.1900232.

Contractual Research

UAB Thermo Fisher Scientific Baltics (Lithuania)
UAB „Elme metalas“ (Lithuania)
UAB “Rho nano” (Lithuania)

MAIN R&D&I (RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT AND INNOVATION) PARTNERS

Institute of Archaeology University of Wrocław (Poland)
University of Copenhagen (Denmark)
University of Latvia (Latvia)
University of Tartu (Estonia)
Tailorlux GmbH (Germany), Centre for Physical Sciences and Technology (Lithuania)

OTHER RESEARCH ACTIVITIES

Prof. A. Padarauskas –

Prof. A. Ramanavičienė –

 

DEPARTMENT OF APPLIED CHEMISTRY

24 Naugarduko, LT-03225 Vilnius
Tel. 219 3176
E-mail:

Head - Prof. Dr. Rimantas Raudonis

STAFF

Professors: Dr. R. Raudonis, Dr. S. Šakirzanovas (part time), Dr. J. Senvaitienė (part time).
Associate professors: Dr. E. Garškaitė, Dr. A. Žalga, Dr. L. Vilčiauskas.
Lecturer: Dr. R. Voronovič (part time).
Assistants: Dr. Kiuberis, Dr. Ž. Stankevičiūtė.
Research fellows: Dr. E. Garškaitė (part time), Dr. S. Šakirzanovas (part time).
Doctoral students: A. Pulmanas, L. Alinauskas, G. Gaidamavičienė, A. Diktanaitė, G. Merkininkaitė, A. Lyskoit, D. Tediashvili.

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Film and powder synthesis by wet chemistry methods, surfaces and interfaces, nanostructural materials, sol-gel chemistry
Ceramics/bioceramics, biocomposites
Luminescent materials for solid state lighting, upconverting materials for theranostics
Solid state materials
Synthesis and investigation of different metal molybdates, vanadates, tungstates and phosphates

RESEARCH PROJECTS CARRIED OUT IN 2019

Projects Supported by University Budget

Ceramics/Bioceramics and Biocomposites. Assoc. Prof. E. Garškaitė.

A simple chemical solution-based synthesis route has been developed to prepare uniform and shape-controllable Ag3PO4 crystals. Tetrapod- and cube-shaped crystals having a size of about 9–10 μm were prepared from AgNO3 and NH4H2PO4 precursors, and pseudo-octahedral (equiaxial) crystals were prepared from AgNO3 and (NH4)2HPO4. Results suggested that the proposed synthesis route and performed spatial reconstruction of Ag3PO4 had the potential for simulating processing conditions to produce various microcrystals.

Main publication:

Raudonienė J., Skaudžius R., Žarkov A., Selskis A., Karlsson O., Kareiva A., Garškaitė E. Wet-chemistry synthesis of chape-controlled Ag3PO4 crystals and their 3D surface reconstruction from SEM imagery. Powder Technology. 2019, vol. 345: 26–34.

Synthesis of Calcium Phosphates by Sol-Gel Method. Ž. Stankevičiūtė.

Synthesis of calcium phosphate powders and coatings on titanium, silica and silicon nitride substrates.

Main publication:

Ušinskas, P., Stankevičiūtė, Ž., Niaura, G., Čeponkus, J., Kareiva, A. 2019. A novel approach for accelerated fabrication of calcium hydroxyapatite thin films. Materials Science-Medžiagotyra. 2019, vol. 25: 365–368.

Upconverting Nanoparticle Synthesis. Study of Optical Properties and Biocompatibility of Na(Gd/Y)F4 Nanoparticles. Prof. S. Šakirzanovas.

Fluoride based nanoparticles exhibit higher upconversion efficiency compared to oxide materials. Reliable and repeatable fluoride nanoparticle synthesis procedure was prepared. Chloride salt thermal decomposition method offers reliable strategy for controllable particle size nanomaterials, starting from 10 nm. Scanning electron microscope images show highly monodisperse samples.

Synthesis and Investigation of Different Metal Molybdates, Vanadates, Tungstates and Phosphates. Assoc. Prof. A. Žalga.

The development of the aqueous sol-gel synthesis technique for the preparation of different oxide materials (MgMoO4, CaMoO4, SrMoO4, BaMoO4, La2Mo2O9, 5Bi2O3•V2O5, La2/3–xLi3xTiO3, LiTi2(PO4)3, La3Li7Zr2O12, Fe3O4, Au#Fe3O4). Nano and micro-sized ceramics have been successfully synthesized by an aqueous sol-gel synthesis method using a tartaric acid as a ligand. Thermal analysis of both as-prepared gel precursors and oxides annealed at different temperatures was performed. The electrical properties of as-synthesized ceramics were additionally investigated.

Main publications:

Gaidamavičienė, G., Abakevičienė, B., Žalga, A. Oxalic acid assisted synthesis of the gadolinium-doped ceria oxide-ion conductor as electrolyte for the solid oxide fuel cells. Chemical Papers. 2019, vol. 73: 891–899.

Kazakevičius, E., Kežionis, A., Kazlauskas, S., Žalga, A., Barre, M., Juškėnas, R. Phase transformations in La2-xYxMo2O9 (x=0.05, x=0.075): temperature cycling and DRT analysis. Solid State Ionics. 2019, vol. 339: 114989.

Kežionis, A., Kazakevičius, E., Kazlauskas, S., Žalga, A. Metal-like temperature dependent conductivity in fast Li+ ionic conductor lithium lanthanum titanate. Solid State Ionics. 2019, vol. 342: 115060.

Fundamental Studies and Applications of Na- and Li-ion Electrochemical Energy Storage Systems by the Methods of Structural Analysis, Electrochemistry and Molecular Modelling. Assoc. Prof. L. Vilčiauskas. 2017–2022.

The search, synthesis, characterization and applications of novel phosphate framework materials suitable for the Na-ion battery electrodes.

MAIN R&D&I (RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT AND INNOVATION) PARTNERS

Foundation for Research and Technology - Hellas (Greece)
Leibniz Institute of Photonic Technology (Germany)
National Cancer Institute (Lithuania)

 

DEPARTMENT OF INORGANIC CHEMISTRY

24 Naugarduko, LT-03225 Vilnius
Tel. 219 3110
E-mail:

Head – Prof. Habil. Dr. Aivaras Kareiva

STAFF

Professors: Dr. J. Barkauskas, Dr. A. Beganskienė, Habil. Dr. A. Kareiva, Dr. R. Pauliukaitė (part-time).
Associate professors: Dr. V. Kubilius, Dr. V. Plaušinaitienė (part time), Dr. R. Skaudžius.
Assistant Professors: Dr. I. Grigoravičiūtė-Puronienė, Dr. M. Misevičius, Dr. J. Dakševič, Dr. A. Laurikėnas (part time), Dr. J. Pilipavičius (part-time).
Research fellows: Dr. V. Plaušinaitienė (part time), Dr. A. Laurikėnas (part time), M. Janulevičius (part time).
Assistant: M. Janulevičius (part time).
Doctoral students: M. Liubinienė, V. Jonauskė, M. Skruodienė, A. Ežerskytė-Misevičienė, O. Opuchovič, A. Laurikėnas, A. Smalenskaitė, M. Vagner, T. Murauskas, M. Norkus, L. Valeikienė, A. Čiuladienė, R. Diliautas, M. Kučinskienė, A. Afonina, D. Budrevičius, R. Raišelienė, R. Karalkevičienė, M. Vagner, M. Norkus.

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Developments of metal-organic chemical vapour deposition technique for oxide films
Transparent conducting oxides
Dielectric, ferroelectric and piezoelectric materials
Superconducting, magnetic and magnetoresistant materials
Sol-gel processing of luminescent and biomaterials
Conservation and restoration chemistry
Synthesis, investigation and application of carbon nanomaterials
Synthesis of nanoparticles of metal, semiconductors and upconversion nanoparticles for biomedical and optic applications
New materials and procedures for conservation and preservation of cultural heritage
Synthesis, investigation and application of lanthanide doped garnets
Hybrid surface formation by plasma polymerization
Reduction of biological polution by cold plasma
Wood hardness and flame-retardancy properties

RESEARCH PROJECTS CARRIED OUT IN 2019

Projects Supported by University Budget

New Functional Materials and Chemical Compounds: Synthesis, Self-Order and Investigation of Properties

1. Synthesis, Characterization and Application of Polycrystalline Materials. Prof. A. Kareiva, Prof. A. Beganskienė, Prof. J. Barkauskas, Assoc. Prof. R. Skaudžius.

Mg-Al layered double hydroxides intercalated with hydroxide, chloride and phosphate anions have been successfully synthesized by vigorous mixing and high power sonication assisted synthesis method. A cost-effective and simple dissolution-precipitation synthesis route for the preparation of low crystalline calcium deficient hydroxyapatite granules using precursor granules has been developed. Single phase Sm3 xYbxFe5O12 (x = 0.75, 1.5, 2.25) and Dy1.5RE1.5Fe5O12 (RE = Ho, Er, Tm) polycrystalline garnet samples were successfully prepared by an aqueous sol-gel method.

Main publications:

Grigoraviciute-Puroniene, I., Tanaka, Y., Vegelyte, V., Nishimoto, Y., Ishikawa K., Kareiva, A. A novel synthetic approach to low-crystallinity calcium deficient hydroxyapatite. Ceram. Int. 2019, vol. 45: 15620–15623.

Opuchovic, O., Salak, A. N., Rehspringer, J. L., Kareiva, A. Lanthanide substitution effects in iron containing garnets. J. Sol-Gel Sci. Technol. 2019, vol. 90: 209–213.

Mikalauskaite, I., Pleckaityte, G., Skapas, M., Zarkov, A., Katelnikovas, A., Beganskiene, A. Emission spectral tuning of upconverting NaGdF4:20%Yb,2%Er nanoparticles by Cr 3+ co-doping for optical temperature sensing. J. Lumin. 2019, vol. 213: 210–217.

2. Synthesis of Functional Oxide Films and Heteroepitaxial Structures by MOCVD (Metalorganic Chemical Vapour Deposition). Assoc. Prof. V. Plaušinaitienė.

LaNiO3 perovskite type conductor was deposited by different chemical vapor deposition methods using different precursor supply systems. The hybrid system consisting of two different magnetoresistive materials – nanostructured Co-doped manganite La1-xSrx(Mn1-yCoy)zO3 and single- and few- layer graphene – were combined and investigated. New sol-gel methods for the preparation of calcium phosphate/hydroxyapatite thin films on different substrates have been developed. New ceramic pigments have been synthesized using an aqueous sol-gel chemistry technique.

Main publications:

Kuprenaite, S., Astie, V., Margueron, S., Millon, C., Decams, J.M., Saltyte, Z., Boulet, P., Plausinaitiene, V., Abrutis, A., Bartasyte, A. Relationship processing-composition-structure-resistivity of LaNiO3 thin films grown by chemical vapor deposition methods. Coatings. 2019, vol. 9, Art. No. 35.

Lukose, R., Zurauskiene, N., Stankevic, V., Vagner, M., Plausinaitiene, V., Niaura, G., Kersulis, S., Balevicius, S., Bolli, E., Mezzi, A., Kaciulis, S. Room temperature Co-doped manganite/graphene sensor operating at high pulsed magnetic fields. Scientific reports. 2019, vol. 9, Art. No. 9497.

Lukose, R., Zurauskiene, N., Balevicius, S., Stankevic, V., Kersulis, S., Plausinaitiene, V., Navickas, R. Hybrid graphene-manganite thin film structure for magnetoresistive sensor application. Nanotechnology. 2019, vol. 30, Art. No. 355503.

National Research Projects

Research Council of Lithuania. LITHUANIA-BELARUS cooperation project. Novel Nanostructured Catalytic Materials Based on Ferrites (NOCAMAT) (No. S-LB-19-2). Prof. A. Kareiva. 2019–2020.

New synthetic approaches for the preparation of thin films of Mg-Al layered double hydroxides (LDHs) have been developed. The LDHs were fabricated by reconstruction of mixed-metal oxides (MMOs) in deionized water. The MMOs were obtained by calcination of the precursor gels. Thin films of sol–gel-derived Mg-Al LDHs were deposited on silicon and stainless-steel substrates using the dip-coating technique by a single dipping process, and the deposited film was dried before the new layer was added.

Main publication:

Smalenskaite, A., Kaba, M. M., Grigoraviciute-Puroniene, I., Mikoliunaite, L., Zarkov, A., Ramanauskas, R., Morkan, I.A., Kareiva, A. Sol-gel synthesis and characterization of coatings of Mg-Al layered double hydroxides (LDHs). Materials. 2019, vol. 12, Art. No. 3738.

Research Council of Lithuania. New Generation Materials for Light Technologies: Frontier Research on the Correlation of Optical Properties and Structure for the Purposive Synthesis (NEGEMAT) (No. S-MIP-19-59). Prof. A. Kareiva. 2019–2022.

For the synthesis of bismuth iron garnet (Bi3Fe5O12; BIG) powders an aqueous sol-gel processing route has been used. Due to the metastability Bi3Fe5O12 was mostly prepared in thin films form. The 1,2-ethanediol (EG) and citric acid (CA) were selected as complexing agents to ensure of homogeneity of resulted Bi-Fe-O gels. The obtained results clearly showed that the perovskite BiFeO3 (BIP) crystalline phase instead of garnet has formed confirming the ambiguity of previously published results on the synthesis and characterization of bulk Bi3Fe5O12.

Research Council of Lithuania. MOCVD Growth and Investigations of New Generation Transparent Conducting Oxides (TCO) (No. S-MIP-19-45). Assoc. Prof. V. Plaušinaitienė. 2019–2022.

To apply and develop MOCVD technologies for the deposition of new generation transparent conducting oxides (TCO) - doped perovskite stanates films, to optimize the synthesis process for electrical and optical properties of films.

Main publication:

Murauskas, T., Kubilius, V., Saltyte, Z., Plausinaitiene, V. Metalorganic chemical vapor deposition and investigation of nonstoichiometry of undoped BaSnO3 and La-doped BaSnO3 thin films. Thin Solid Films. 2019, vol. 692, Art. No. 137575.

Research Council of Lithuania. Fast Magnetoresistive Processes in Nanostructured Manganite Film Sensors Used for Monitoring of Electromagnetic Forming (SMAPS), (S-MIP-17-110). Assoc. Prof. V. Plaušinaitienė. 2017–2020.

The main idea of the project is to increase phase transition temperature, to achieve higher magnetoresistance, to reduce magnetoresistance anisotropy and to decrease relaxation time of the films at 273-373 K temperature range by changing chemical composition and deposisition conditions of the manganite films.

Main publication:

Lukose, R., Plausinaitiene, V., Vagner, M., Zurauskiene, N., Kersulis, S., Kubilius, V., Motiejuitis, K., Knasiene, B., Stankevic, V., Saltyte, Z., Skapas, M., Selskis, A., Naujalis, E. Relation between thickness, crystallite size and magnetoresistance of nanostructured La1-xSrxMnyO3+/-δ films for magnetic field sensors, Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2019, vol. 10: 256–261.

Research Council of Lithuania. Novel Bulk and NanoComposite Materials – A Way towards Superior Multiferoic Properties (No. S-MIP-19-9). Prof. A. Beganskienė. 2019– 2022.

The hybrid organic-inorganic Fe3O(TFBDC)3(H2O)3•(DMF)3 compound was synthesized using slow evaporation method. According to magnetization measurements and Mössbauer spectroscopy data the iron-containing hybrid Fe3O(BDC)3(H2O)3•(DMF)3 compound was paramagnetic at any investigated temperature. The synthesized magnetic material could be itself tested for different medical applications and could be used as precursor material for the preparation of nanostructured iron oxides with variety useful properties for biomedicine.

Main publication:

Laurikėnas, A., Mažeika, K., Baltrūnas, D., Skaudžius, R., Beganskienė, A., Kareiva, A. Hybrid orgganic-inorganic Fe3O(TFBDC)3(H2O)3•(DMF)3 compound synthesized by slow evaporation method: characterization and comparison of magnetic properties. Lithuanian Journal of Physics. 2019, vol. 60.

Research Council of Lithuania. Nano Hybrid Fluorescent Materials from Incorporated Silicon Nano Spheres Functionalized by Lanthanide Complexes (No S-LU-18-13). Prof. A. Beganskienė. 2018–2019.

Using one-pot synthetic procedure, different types of amino-containing silica particles: bifunctional silica with aminopropyl or mercapto; silica with aminopropyl surface groups or ethylene organic bridges incorporated in the structure were synthesized. Surface morphology of silica particles, elements composition determination and thermogravimetric analysis were used for functional particles characterization. The ability to absorb lanthanoids ions by nano- and micro-silica particles are assessed using luminescence properties measurements.

Main publication:

Kareiva, A., Beganskiene, A., Senvaitiene, J., Ramanaviciene, A., Vaitkus, R., Barkauskas, J., Ramanavicius, A. Evaluation of carbon-based nanostructures suitable for the development of black pigments and glazes. Colloid Surface A. 2019, vol. 580, Art. No. 123718.

International Research Projects

HORIZON 2020 MSCA-RISE-2017: Marie Skłodowska-Curie Research and Innovation Staff Exchange project. TransFerr: Transition Metal Oxides with Metastable Phases: a Way towards Superior Ferroic Properties. Prof. A. Kareiva. 2017–2021.

The BixLa1-xMnO3 samples (x from 0 to 0.65) were synthesized using sol-gel combustion method with citric acid as fuel and complexing agent. XRD analysis demonstrated that all samples were monophasic. The structural changes depending on the composition of samples were observed. The Rietvield analysis showed that the structure can be indexed by trigonal or cubic unit cell depending on Bi3+ concentration. Barium titanate–bismuth ferrite ((1-x)BaTiO3-(x)BiFeO3, BTO-BFO) solid solutions were prepared using citric acid and ethylene glycol assisted sol-gel synthesis method.

Main publications:

Karoblis, D., Mazeika, K., Baltrunas, D., Lukowiak, A., Strek, W., Zarkov, A., Kareiva, A. Novel synthetic approch for the preparation of single phase BixLa1-xMnOx solid solutions. J. Sol-Gel Sci. Technol. 2019. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10971-019-05098-w.

Karpinsky, D., Fesenko, O., Silibin, M., Dubkov, S., Chaika, M., Yaremkevich, A., Lukowiak, A., Gerasymchuk, Y., Stręk, W., Pakalniškis, A., Skaudzius, R., Kareiva, A., Fomichov, Y., Shvartsman, V., Kalinin, S., Morozovsky, N., Morozovska, A. Ferromagnetic-like behavior of Bi0.9La0.1FeO3 - KBr nanocomposites. Scient. Reports. 2019, vol. 9, Art. No. 10417.

MAIN R&D&I (RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT AND INNOVATION) PARTNERS

Institute of Low Temperature and Structure Research, Polish Academy of Sciences (Poland)
Nanoceramics Spolka Akcyjna (Poland)
Kyushu University (Japan)
Center for Physical Sciences and Technology (Lithuania)
University of Aveiro (Portugal)

OTHER RESEARCH ACTIVITIES

Prof. A. Kareiva –

 

DEPARTMENT OF ORGANIC CHEMISTRY

24 Naugarduko, LT-03225 Vilnius
Tel. 219 3192, 223 4528
E-mail:

Head - Prof. Dr. Edvinas Orentas

STAFF

Professors: Dr. I. Čikotienė (part-time), Dr. V. Masevičius, Dr. E. Orentas (part-time), Habil. Dr. S. Tumkevičius, Dr. A. Žilinskas.
Professor Emeritus: Habil. Dr. P. Vainilavičius.
Associate professors: Dr. A. Brukštus, Dr. J. Dodonova, Dr. V. Jakubkienė, Dr. R. Vaitkus.
Assistants: Dr. Karpavičienė, Dr. G. Petraitytė (part-time), Dr. S. Višniakova (part-time).
Lecturers: Dr. J. Bucevičius, Dr. Karpavičienė (part-time).
Research fellows: Dr. R. Bukšnaitienė, Dr. E. Orentas (part-time), Dr. G. Petraitytė (part-time), T. Javorskis (part-time).
Doctoral students: M. Jonušis, K. Karpavičius, A. Neniškis, V. Vaitkevičius, A. Urbanaitė, I. Fiodorova, A. Jozeliūnaitė.

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Metal-catalyzed organic reactions
Heterocyclic chemistry
Design, synthesis and transformations of novel nitrogen, oxygen and/or sulphur heterocycles, their functional derivatives and structural analogs of natural compounds
Design, synthesis and characterization of AdoMet analogues
Enantioselective synthesis of polycyclic molecules
Chiroptical properties
Functional supramolecular systems
Photochemistry
Self-assembly of organic molecules
Synthesis of supramolecular structures based on chiral bicyclic frameworks fused with heteroaromatic fragments
Light-emitting organic materials
Charge-transporting organic materials
Biological activity of organic compounds
Crystal engineering
X-ray diffraction, NMR, FTIR, Raman, UV, CD spectroscopy of organic compounds
Quantum chemical methods

RESEARCH PROJECTS CARRIED OUT IN 2019

Projects Supported by University Budget

Development and Investigation of Functional Heteroaromatic Materials. Prof. S. Tumkevičius, Assoc. Prof. J. Dodonova, Dr. J. Bucevičius, Assoc. Prof. V. Jakubkienė.

Novel N(9)-alkylated 2-amino-6-triazolylpurine and 7-deazapurine derivatives were synthesized and their photophysical properties investigated. A new C(2)-regioselectivity in the SNAr reactions of 9-alkylated-2,6-diazidopurines and 7-deazapurines with secondary amines has been disclosed. The designed molecules belong to the push–pull systems and possess promising fluorescence properties with quantum yields in the range from 28% to 60% and emission maxima positioned at 442–581 nm.

Main publication:

Šišulins, A., Bucevičius, J., Tseng, Y.T., Novosjolova, I., Traskovskis, K., Bizdena, E., Chang, H.T., Tumkevičius, S., Turks, M. Synthesis and fluorescent properties of N(9)-alkylated 2-amino-6-triazolylpurines and 7-deazapurines. Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2019, vol. 15: 474–489.

Synthesis, Design and Applications of Functional Supramolecular Systems. Prof. E. Orentas.

The cyclic supramolecular coordination constructs were synthesized via metal-directed self-assembly from cis-protected Pd(II) precursor and chiral and racemic C2 symmetric V-shaped bicyclo[3.3.1]nonane-based ligands incorporating pyridyl groups. In the complexes, these ligands act as bridges to connect together metal centers resulting in dinuclear and tetranuclear assemblies capable of further hierarchical aggregation on surfaces as well as in solution. Supramolecular structures obtained were characterized by mass spectrometry and NMR spectroscopy.

Main publication:

Bagdžiūnas, G., Butkus, E., Orentas, E. Hierarchical Assembly toward nanoparticles of a chiral palladium supramolecular complex based on bicyclo [3.3.1] nonane framework. Organometallics. 2019, vol. 38: 2647–2653.

Synthesis of Functionalized Propargylic Substrates and their Application in Construction of Heterocyclic Structures. Prof. I. Čikotienė, Assoc. Prof. A. Brukštus, Assist. I. Karpavičienė, Dr. R. Bukšnaitienė.

Alkynes versatile reactivity to nucleophiles and electrophiles gives broad aproach to consturction of wide range of functionalized materials and heterocyclic systems. In this year we showed that heteroarylmethanethiols and their analogues heteroarylmethyl carbamimidothioates are useful nucleophiles synthesizing various 3,5-diaryl-2-heteroarylthiophenes via Fiesselmann type reaction. These compounds exhibited photoluminescence with quantum yields up to 83%. An evidence of twisted intramolecular charge transfer and singlet emissive states have been demonstrated.

Main publication:

Karpavičienė, I., Jonušis, M., Leduskrasts, K., Misiūnaitė, I., Suna, E., Čikotienė, I. Synthesis and photophysical properties of 3,5-diaryl-2-heteroarylthiophenes. Dyes and Pigments. 2019, vol. 170, Art. No.107646.

Nucleic Acids Tagging Technologies. Prof. V. Masevičius.

Synthesis and enhanced functionalities of AdoMet Analogues for Nucleic Acids Labeling Biological methylation is a methyl group transfer from S-adenosyl-L-methionine (AdoMet) onto N-, C-, O- or S-nucleophiles in DNA, RNA, proteins or small biomolecules. The reaction is catalyzed by enzymes called AdoMet-dependent methyltransferases (MTases). To expand the practical utility of this important enzymatic reaction, cofactors containing sulfonium-bound side-chains with various functional or signal groups instead of methyl group were synthesized.

Main publication:

Petraitytė, G., Vaitkevičius, V., Özer, B., Masevičius, V. Synthesis of 5-substituted and 5,6-disubstituted furo[2,3-d]pyrimidines from 2-methylthio-4,6-pyrimidindione and bifunctional electrophiles. Tetrahedron Lett. 2019, vol. 60: 1019–1021.

Synthesis of Substituted Pyrazole, Thiadiazole and Phenanthroline Derivatives. Prof. A. Žilinskas, Assist. Dr. S. Višniakova.

The solvothermal synthesis between Me(NO3)x ∙ yH2O (Mex+ = Fe3+, Ni2+, Mn2+, Co2+, Cu2+) and respectively 4-nitrosalycilic (4NSA) and 5-sulfosalicylic (5SSA) acids produced hybrid organic-inorganic compounds composed of Mex+ ions and organic fragments which include three different functional groups, carboxylic, hydroxyl and sulfonic, each coordinated to the Mex+ ions. The phase and chemical composition, microstructure and properties of hybrid compounds were evaluated and discussed.

Main publication:

Laurikėnas, A., Yalcin, F., Žilinskas, R., Morkan, A.U., Žilinskas, A., Morkan, I.A., Kareiva, A. Solvothermally derived Me-2(H2O)(4)(5SSA)(3)center dot DMF and Me-2(H2O)(4) (4NSA)(2)center dot DMF: Application as Biginelli reaction catalysts. Chemija. 2019, vol. 30: 89–97.

National Research Projects

Research Council of Lithuania. Diazine-Based 3rd Generation Emitters for Organic Optoelectronics (No. S-MIP-17-73). Prof. S. Tumkevičius. 2017–2020.

The conformational disorder in solid films of phenothiazine–pyrimidine TADF molecules and its relation to emission properties were investigated. Compounds were designed to have different lability of the molecular structure and different reverse intersystem crossing (rISC) rate. It has been shown that the emission energy of TADF molecules in solid films may depend not only on the conjugation length, but also on some unexpected parameters, such as the rISC rate or molecular core rigidity.

Main publication:

Serevičius, T., Skaisgiris, R., Dodonova, J., Jagintavičius, L., Bucevičius, J., Kazlauskas, K., Juršėnas, S., Tumkevičius, S. Emission wavelength dependence on the rISC rate in TADF compounds with large conformational disorder. Chem. Commun. 2019, vol. 55: 1975–1978.

Research Council of Lithuania. Next Generation Fluorescent Viscosity Sensors. (No. MIP-19-6). Assoc. Prof. J. Dodonova. 2019–2022.

Boron-dipyrromethene (BODIPY) moiety containing molecular rotors have been synthesized and their viscosity sensitivity investigated. Introducing a -NO2 group into the structure of a BODIPY molecular rotor was found to improve its viscosity-sensing properties drastically: viscosity-sensitive range expanded from 5–1500 cP to 0.5–50000 cP. The improved range makes it the first hydrophobic molecular rotor applicable for viscosity measurements in highly viscous samples. The photophysical mechanism of BODIPY rotors has been determined.

Main publication:

Toliautas, S., Dodonova, J., Žvirblis, A., Čiplys, I., Polita, A., Devižis, A., Tumkevičius, S., Šulskus, J., Vyšniauskas, A. Enhancing the viscosity-sensitive range of a BODIPY molecular rotor by two orders of magnitude. Chem. Eur. J. 2019, vol. 25: 10342–10349.

Research Council of Lithuania. Development of Advanced Optoelectronic Materials via Smart Molecular Engineering (No. 09.3.3-LMT-K-718-01-0026). Prof. S. Tumkevičius, Assoc. Prof. J. Dodonova. 2018–2022.

A series of phenoxazine – phenyl – pyrimidine compounds with high TADF efficiency and rapid delayed fluorescence decay have been developed for OLED application. It has been shown that the fine tuning of TADF emitter structure enables the adjustment of rISC rate, which directly controls the OLEDs performance at high current densities. Highly efficient green electroluminescence with weak EQE roll-off was obtained. The external quantum efficiency of OLED made of compound with the shortest TADF lifetime peaked at 29.1%.

Research Council of Lithuania. New Entries into the Chemistry of Organic Free-Radicals (GoRadical) (No. S-MIP-17-46). Prof. E. Orentas. 2018–2021.

A novel design of highly preorganized bicyclic monomers, based on quadruple hydrogen bonding motifs, is proposed to access noncovalent cavitands with large internal volumes and interesting shapes. Selective formation of tetrameric aggregates was demonstrated and the newly obtained cyclic assemblies were fully characterized by NMR and gel permeation chromatography. The high fidelity of the aggregation process, high aggregate stability and simple synthesis open up the way for future use of the herein reported new class of cavitands in various fields of supramolecular chemistry.

Main publication:

Chen, Q., Su, X., Orentas, E., Shi, Q. Supramolecular crowns: a new class of cyclic hydrogen-bonded cavitands. Org. Chem. Front. 2019, vol. 6: 611–617.

MAIN R&D&I (RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT AND INNOVATION) PARTNERS

University of Tokyo (Japan)
Ludwig Maximilians Universität München (Germany)
University of Lund (Sweden)
Nanjing Tech University (China)
University of Santiago de Compostela (Spain)

OTHER RESEARCH ACTIVITIES

Prof. E. Orentas –

Prof. S. Tumkevičius –

Assoc. Prof. J. Dodonova

 

DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY

24 Naugarduko, LT-03225 Vilnius
Tel. 233 4628, 219 3181
E-mail:

Head - Prof. Habil. Dr. Arūnas Ramanavičius

STAFF

Professors: Habil. Dr. A. Ramanavičius, Dr. H. Cesiulis, Habil. Dr. A. Malinauskas (part-time), Habil. Dr. R. Ramanauskas (part-time).
Associated professors: Dr. D. Plaušinaitis, Dr. A. Valiūnienė, Dr. I. Plikusienė.
Lecturer: Dr. L. Mikoliūnaitė.
Doctoral students: E. Vernickaitė, A. Nicolenco, A. Rekertaitė, P. Genys, L. Sinkevičius, E. Andriukonis, Š. Žukauskas, D. Juknelevičius, R. Levinas, M. Vainorius, A. Kisieliūtė, T. Sabirovas, D. Balčiūnas, G. Medvikytė, P Virbickas.

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Bioelectrochemistry, biosensors and biofuel cells
Gas sensors
Scanning electrochemical microscopy, ellipsometry, surface plasmon resonance
Investigation of the electrodeposition and properties of tungsten- and molybdenum-containing alloys
Metals and alloys electrodeposition
Corrosion of metals and alloys
Template-assisted deposition
Electrooxidation of cyanides
Electrochemical treatment of titanium and tungsten
Photoelectrochemistry

RESEARCH PROJECTS CARRIED OUT IN 2019

Projects Supported by University Budget

Application of Electrochemical Methods in Biosensing Technologies. Prof. A. Ramanavičius, Assoc. Prof. I. Plikusienė, Dr. L. Mikoliūnaitė.

Spontaneous oxidation of Prussian white (PW), which is completely reduced form of Prussian blue (PB), has been investigated at ambient conditions and stable form of PW-PB as an intermediate oxidation state was identified and investigated. Two types of optical slides were manufactured by modifying indium tin oxide (ITO) coated glass electrode (glass/ITO) (i) with PW layer (glass/ITO/PW optical slide) and (ii) with PW-PB layer (glass/ITO/PW-PB optical slide). Modification of the developed slides with glucose oxidase showed that glass/ITO/PW/GOx slide acted as glucose biosensor.

Main publication:

Virbickas, P., Valiuniene, A., Kavaliauskaite, G., Ramanavicius, A. Prussian white-based optical glucose biosensor. J. Electrochem. Soc. 2019, vol. 166: B927–B932.

Electrochemical Nanostructuring and Anodizing of Tungsten and Ferrous Metals and their Alloys. Prof. H. Cesiulis.
Iron-phosphorus codeposits appear to be eco-friendly candidates for substitution of hard chromium, and alloys such as Ni–P, Co–Ni etc. The main task in formulating proper electrolytes for Fe–P deposition is the stabilisation of the Fe2+ ion to hinder the oxidation to Fe3+ by air. In this work, Fe–P layers were deposited from a glycine-containing electrolyte at various glycine concentrations, current densities and temperatures. The corrosion resistance of Fe–P layers obtained in this work is comparable to industrially used Ni–P coatings.

Main publication:

Kovalska, N., Hansal, W.E.G., Tsyntsaru, N., Cesiulis, H., Gebert, A., Kautek, W. Electrodeposition and corrosion behaviour of nanocrystalline Fe–P coatings. T.I. Met. Finish. 2019, vol. 97: 89–94.

Electrochemical Oxidation of Cyanide Solutions using Nanostructured Anodes. Assoc. Prof. A. Valiūnienė.

The electrode modified by poly-9,10-phenanthrenequinone (poly-PQ) was studied by means of cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Formed poly-PQ layer demonstrates good electric conductivity, great degree of electrochemical capacitance and unique oxidation/reduction properties, which are suitable for broad technological applications, including applicability in biosensors, supercapacitors and in some other electrochemical systems.

Main publication:

Genys, P., Aksun, E., Tereshchenko, A., Valiuniene, A., Ramanaviciene, A., Ramanavicius, A. Electrochemical deposition and investigation of poly-9,10-phenanthrenequinone layer. Nanomaterials. 2019, vol. 9, Art. No. 702.

Layer Formation and Investigation by Electrochemical and Quartz Microbalance Methods. Assoc. Prof. D. Plaušinatis.

It is shown that positive electrical polarization reduces the drag force on gold- and polyvinyl butyral (PVB)-coated spheres immersed in a stream of aqueous sodium fluoride solution. This effect is related to a decrease in the interfacial viscosity of the solution at the positively polarized gold and PVB surfaces, as obtained from quartz resonator measurements.

Main publication:

Ambrulevicius, F., Pulmanas, A., Plausinaitis, D., Daujotis, V. Effect of electrode potential on the drag force on gold and polyvinyl butyral surfaces in a flowing aqueous fluoride solution. Int. J. Electrochem. Sci. 2019, vol. 14: 441–452.

International Research Projects

HORIZON 2020 research and innovation program under MSCA-RISE-2017. Multiscaled Smart Metallic and Semiconductor Electrodes for Electrochemical Processing and Devices (No. 778357). Prof. H. Cesiulis. 2018–2021.

The electrocatalytic performance of electrodeposited Ni-W, Co-W and Fe-W alloys (0÷30 at% W) as the effective cathodes for the HER was investigated using linear voltammetry technique in 30 wt% NaOH at the temperatures ranging from 25 to 65°C. The electrodeposition of Fe-Co-W alloys was examined using a rotating cylinder Hull cell and conditions were determined to create nanowires. The cobalt foams have been electrodeposited under galvanostatic and current pulse modes, the porous surface was created using a dynamic hydrogen bubble template.

Main publications:

Vernickaite, E., Tsyntsaru, N., Sobczak, K., Cesiulis, H. Electrodeposited tungsten-rich Ni-W, Co-W and Fe-W cathodes for efficient hydrogen evolution in alkaline medium. Electrochim. Acta. 2019, vol. 318: 597–606.

Maliar, T., Cesiulis, H., Podlaha, E.J. Coupled electrodeposition of Fe-Co-W alloys: thin films and nanowires. Front. Chem. 2019, vol. 7, Art. No. 542.

Vainoris, M., Tsyntsaru, N., Cesiulis, H. Modified Electrodeposited Cobalt Foam Coatings as Sensors for Detection of Free Chlorine in Water. Coatings. 2019, vol. 9, Art. No. 306.

Research Council of Lithuania. Ukrainian-Lithuanian project. Application of Hybrid Nanostructures which are Based on TiO2 or ZnO and Modified by Biomolecules, in Optoelectronic Sensors (No. P-LU-18- 53). Prof. A. Ramanavičius. 2018–2019.

Bovine leukaemia virus (BLV) proteins gp51, which are serving as antigens for specific antibodies against BLV proteins (anti-gp51), were applied as biological recognition part in the design of immunosensor devoted for the determination of anti-gp51. The efficiency of the immobilization of BLV proteins gp51 on ZnO nanorod (ZnO-NR) modified glass surface was evaluated. Some aspects of the mechanism of interaction between biomolecules and ZnO-NR during the preparation and action of immunosensors have been discussed.

Main publication:

Viter, R., Savchuk, M., Starodub, N., Balevicius, Z., Tumenas, S., Ramanaviciene, A., Jevdokimovs, D., Erts, D., Iatsunskyi, I., Ramanavicius, A. Photoluminescence immunosensor based on bovine leukemia virus proteins immobilized on the ZnO nanorods. Sens. Actuators B-Chem. 2019, vol. 285: 601–606.

MAIN R&D&I (RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT AND INNOVATION) PARTNERS

Centre for Physical Sciences and Technology (Lithuania)
Institute of Biochemistry, Life Sciences Centre, Vilnius University (Lithuania)
Poznan University (Poland)
Sumy State University (Ukraine)
Clarkson University (USA)

OTHER RESEARCH ACTIVITIES

Prof. A. Ramanavičius –

Dr. L. Mikoliūnaitė –

 

DEPARTMENT OF POLYMER CHEMISTRY

24 Naugarduko, LT-03225 Vilnius
Tel. 223 4529, 219 3227
E-mail:

Head - Prof. Dr. Ričardas Makuška

STAFF

Professors: Dr. R. Makuška, Dr. S. Budrienė.
Associate professors: Dr. A. Vareikis, Dr. T. Kochanė, Dr. K. Radzevičius (part time).
Assistant professors: Dr. A. Bočkuvienė, Dr. J. Jonikaitė-Švėgždienė, Dr. V. Klimkevičius (part time).
Research fellows: Dr. T. Krivorotova, Dr. V. Klimkevičius (part time).
Doctoral students: M. Steponavičiūtė, M. Jurkūnas.

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Synthesis and modification of polymers
Controlled radical polymerization
Polyelectrolytes from natural and synthetic building blocks
Amphiphilic and charge-carrying brush polymers
Surface modification by polymeric nanostructures
Polymeric carriers for bioactive compounds
Immobilization of biocatalysts onto polymeric carriers
Encapsulation of hydrophilic and lipophilic materials within polymeric shells
Synthesis and investigation of elastomers for artificial polymeric tissues

RESEARCH PROJECTS CARRIED OUT IN 2019

Projects Supported by University Budget

Synthesis and Study of Brush Polymers for Surface Modification. Prof. R. Makuška.

A nanotribological scanning probe method was utilized to evaluate the wear resistance of the layers of statistical copolymers containing medium-length poly(ethylene oxide) side chains and randomly distributed dopamine groups. New method to study kinetics of homo- and copolymerization of vinyl monomers based on SEC was developed. The developed method is especially efficient in the case of SEC with triple detection since it allows estimation of polymerization kinetics in parallel to the development of molecular weight and dispersity of the polymers.

Main publications:

Dobryden, I., Steponaviciute, M., Klimkevicius, V., Makuska, R., Dedinaite, A., Liu, X., Corkery, R. W., Claesson, P. M. Bioinspired adhesion polymers: wear resistance of adsorption layers. Langmuir. 2019, vol. 35: 15515–15525.

Klimkevicius, V., Steponaviciute, M., Makuska R. Kinetics of RAFT polymerization and copolymerization of vinyl monomers by size exclusion chromatography. Eur. Polym. J. 2019.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2019.109356.

Dagys, L., Klimkevičius, V., Klimavicius, V., Aidas, K., Makuška, R., Balevicius V. CP MAS kinetics in soft matter: spin diffusion, local disorder and thermal equilibration in poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate). Solid State Nucl. Magn. Reson. 2019. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssnmr.2019.101641.

Synthesis of Polymeric Carriers for Immobilization of Enzymes and Investigation of the Activity of the Immobilized Enzymes. Prof. S. Budrienė.

Maltogenase (MG) was immobilized onto modified poly(urethane-urea) microparticles (PUU) synthesized from poly(vinyl alcohol) and isophorone diisocyanate. Surface properties of the carriers were evaluated. Efficiency and yield of enzyme immobilization were determined, and the values of Michaelis-Menten constants were estimated. Immobilized MG and cross-linked MG aggregates are stable in time. Hydrolysis of wheat starch catalyzed by using cross-linked or immobilized MG was performed in continuous flow mini-reactor.

Main publication:

Kochanė, T., Zabarauskė, I., Klimkevičienė, L., Strakšys, A., Mačiulytė, S., Navickaitė, L., Gailiūnaitė, S., Budrienė, S. Starch hydrolysis using maltogenase immobilized via different techniques. Int. J. Biol. Macromol. 2019. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2019.12.131.

National Research Projects

Lithuanian Business Support Agency at the Ministry of the Economy and Innovation of Lithuania. Innovative Anti-Corrosion Coatings for Industrial and Transport Applications (No. S-J05-LVPA-K-03-0139). Prof. R. Makuška, 2018–2021.

Implementing the project, four different innovative anti-corrosion coatings that are either scratch-resistant, or underwater-curing, or contaminant-repelling, or do not contain volatile organic compounds, are under development. The effect of particle size and form of various fillers, and their dispersion in paint formulations by the use of various additives were studied and evaluated.

Contractual Research

UAB Thermo Fisher Scientific Baltics. Dr. V. Klimkevičius.

MAIN R&D&I (RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT AND INNOVATION) PARTNERS

Thermo Fisher Scientific Baltics (Lithuania)
Institute of Biochemistry, Life Sciences Centre, Vilnius University (Lithuania)
Centre for Physical Sciences and Technology (Lithuania)
Royal Institute of Technology (Sweden)

OTHER RESEARCH ACTIVITIES

Prof. R. Makuška –

Prof. S. Budrienė, Assoc. Prof. T. Kochanė, Assoc. Prof. A. Vareikis, Dr. J. Jonikaitė-Švėgždienė, Dr. A. Bočkuvienė, Dr. V. Klimkevičius –

 

BEST REPORTS DELIVERED AT CONFERENCES ABROAD

  • Ramanaviciene, A. Kausaite-Minkstimiene, A. Makaraviciute, A. Popov, B. Brasiunas, A. Ramanavicius. Some aspects in the development of immunosensors. Euroanalysis 2019, Istanbul, Turkey, September 1–5.
  • Ramanavicius, M. Gicevicius, P. Genys, S. Zukauskas, L. Sinkevicius, V. Aukscionis, A. Zinovicius, I. Vilkonciene, A. Valiuniene, L. Mikoliunaite, J. Petroniene, E. Andriukonis, A. Kausaite, A. Kisieliute, U. Bubnienė, A. Ramanaviciene. Sensors and Biosensors based on Conducting Polymers. 1st International Congress on Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry 2019, Antalya, Turkey, March 27–30. 
  • Ramanavicius, A. Kausaite-Minkstiemiene, A. Popov, A. Kisieliute, E. Andriukonis, A. Ramanaviciene. Conducting Polymers in Sensor Design. Nanomaterials: Applications & Properties 2019, Odesa, Ukraine, September 10–15.
  • M. Steponaviciute, V. Klimkevicius, R.Makuska. Random and diblock polymethacrylate-based brush copolymers carrying catechol groups. European Polymer Congress EPF 2019, Heraklion, Crete, June 9–14.
  • S. Budrienė, T. Kochanė, A. Poškutė, N. Žurauskaitė, S. Gailiūnaite, Ž. Drabavičius, S. Mačiulytė, E. Balčiūnas, V. Bukelskienė, D. Baltriukienė. Synthesis and investigation of biocompatible films from hydrophilic copolymers with vinyl-poly(dimethylsiloxane) units. European Polymer Congress EPF 2019, Heraklion, Crete, June 9–14.

MOST IMPORTANT NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL AWARDS RECEIVED FOR R&D ACTIVITIES

  • Prof. A. Kareiva - visiting professor at the Department of Biomaterials, Kyushu University, (Fukuoka, Japan), financed by JSPS Foundation.
  • Dr. A. Žarkov, Fulbright Fellowship at Georgetown University, USA.
  • Prof. A. Ramanavičius, the best publication of the year 2018 at Vilnius University. Bagdžiūnas, G., Žukauskas, Š., Ramanavičius, A. Insights into Hole Transfer Mechanism between Glucose Oxidase and p-Type Organic Semiconductor. Biosensors and Bioelectronics. 2018, vol. 102: 449–455.

MOST IMPORTANT PARTICIPATION CASES OF RESEARCHERS IN WORKING GROUPS OR COMMISSIONS SET UP BY STATE AUTHORITIES, STATE AND MUNICIPAL INSTITUTIONS, ORGANISATIONS, BUSINESS ENTITIES

  • Prof. A. Kareiva, member of Scientific Council of Center for Physical Sciences and Technology, member of Advisory Committee of the Lithuanian Republic Academic Ethics and Procedures Office.
  • Prof. A. Ramanavičius, chairman of Council of Technology Committee in MITA (National Science and Technology Foundation), member of Vilnius University Council.

MOST IMPORTANT RESEARCH DISSEMINATION ACTIVITIES

  • Prof. A. Kareiva. Mineral Chemistry of Domeika. Lithuanian Academy News. 2019, 2: 23.
  • Assoc. Prof. R. Skaudžius. The laboratory for young scientists: gathered the group to organize experimental activities for schoolchildren.
  • Prof. R. Makuška. Participation in LNK and DELFI TV, and M-1 and Znad Wilii radiobroadcasts on the problems of pollution by burning tyres and plastics waste.
  • Prof. A. Žilinskas. Participation in National TV and DELFI TV broadcasts on the problems of food quality and ecology.

 

INSTITUTE OF GEOSCIENCES


gmf21/27 M. K. Čiurlionio, LT-01513 Vilnius
Tel. 239 8268
E-mail:

Director – Prof. Dr. Egidijus Rimkus

 

 

DEPARTMENTS OF THE INSTITUTE

Department of Cartography and Geoinformatics
Department of Geography and Land Management
Department of Geology and Mineralogy
Department of Hydrogeology and Engineering Geology
Department of Hydrology and Climatology

RESEARCH AREAS

Geographical differentiation of Lithuania’s territory in terms of state development and territorial planning
Changes in ecosystems and climate, conservation of the environment and the use of natural resources

MAIN CONFERENCES ORGANIZED IN 2019

National conference on Geographic Information Science and Technology CartoCon2019: Space. The environment. Maps (Together with the Lithuanian Cartography Society). Vilnius, November 22, 2019
VIII national conference Geography: Science and Education (together with Geographical society of Lithuania). Vilnius, December 6, 2019.

BEST PRESENTATIONS AT CONFERENCES ABROAD

Samalavičius V. Integrated studies of 4He and 81Kr noble gas ages of the deep aquifers with coupled particles track modelling in the Baltic Artesian Basin. International Symposium on Isotope Hydrology: Advancing the Understanding of Water Cycle Processes, Vienna (Austria), May 20–24, 2019.

Spiridonov A., Balakauskas L., Stankevič R., Kluczynska G., Gedminienė L., Stančikaitė M. 2019. A case of astronomical forcing – evidence from the south east Baltics. 20th Congress of the International Union for Quaternary Research (INQUA), Dublin (Ireland), July 25–31, 2019.

Radzevičius S., Stankevič R., Spiridonov A. 2019. Augmenting gamma ray log correlation with biostratigraphic data using cross-recurrence approach – a case of Wenlock – Ludlow boundary in Baubliai – 2 well (Lithuania). 3rd International Congress on Stratigraphy, STRATI 2019, Milano (Italy), July 2–5, 2019.

Pupienis D., Buynevich I., Jarmalavičius D., Žilinskas G., Karlonienė D., Dubikaltienė, A., Viršilaitė, K. 2019. Assessment of spatial fluctuations in rhythmic shoreline patterns related to sediment magnetic characteristics. Baltic Sea Science Congress, Stockholm (Sweden), August 19–23, 2019.

Cichon-Pupienis A., Ralf L., Felix F., Lazauskienė J. 2019. Petroleum generation potential of the Lower Palaeozoic organic matter-rich shales in the central part of the Baltic Sedimentary Basin. 2nd Conference of the Arabian Journal of Geosciences, Sousse (Tunisia), November 25–28, 2019.

 

DEPARTMENT OF CARTOGRAPHY AND GEOINFORMATICS

21/27 M. K. Čiurlionio, LT-03101 Vilnius
Tel. 239 82 96
E-mail:

Head - Prof. Habil. Dr. Algimantas Česnulevičius

STAFF

Professors: Dr. G. Beconytė, Habil. Dr. A. Česnulevičius.
Associate professor: Dr. A. Bautrėnas.
Assistant professors: Dr. A. Balčiūnas (part-time), Dr. L.Bevainis, Dr. D. Ovodas (part-time) Dr. K. Papšys (part-time).
Research fellows: V. Krikščiūnienė (part-time), N. Mačiulevičiūtė-Turlienė (part-time), L. Šutinienė (part-time).
Doctoral students: J.D. Budrevičius, D. Gudelis, N.Mačiulevičiūtė – Turlienė, R. Skapaitė, L. Šutinienė, R. Viliuvienė.

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Methods of cartographic visualization
Unmanned aircraft vehicles using for dynamic surface research
History of Lithuanian cartography
Mapping of natural, social and economic phenomena of Lithuanian territory

RESEARCH PROJECTS CARRIED OUT IN 2019

Projects Supported by University Budget

Creation of Methodology for Unmanned Aircraft Vehicles (UAV) Aerial-images Using for the Forest Plantation Condition and Wood Quantity Assessment. Prof A. Česnulevičius. 2019–2020.

The aim of the project is to develop a methodology for assessing the condition, age, species composition and wood content of forest plantations using achromatic and chromatic aerial photographs of unmanned aircraft. The tasks include development a methodology for optimal planning of unmanned aircraft flight routes (optimal flight altitude, aerial photo overlay, aerial photo spectrum selection), development a methodology to optimize achromatic aerial photographs histograms, a methods of photogrammetric measurement of aerial photographs, which allows estimation of the exact volume of the growing trees, a methodology for optimization of chromatic aerial photographs histograms, an economic calculation methodology for the application of unmanned aerial photographs to the assessment of forest plantations for specific project cases.

Main publication:

Govorov M., Beconytė G., Gienko G., Putrenko V. Spatially constrained regionalization with multilayer perceptron. Transactions in GIS. 2019, vol. 23 (5): 1048–1077.

Cartographic Modelling of Lithuanian Natural and Social Phenomenon. Prof. A. Česnulevičius. 2015–2020.

Spatial data of social and economic phenomenon was analysed and completed for National Atlas of Lithuania. Demographic, fertility-mortality, migratory, labour and unemployment, health and public health status, education of the population, economic activity of the population, mineral extraction, industry, domestic and foreign trade, finance, agriculture and forestry, service, transport, communications phenomena, its spatial dispersion and intensity were investigated.

MAIN R&D&I (RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT AND INNOVATION) PARTNERS

State Enterprise GIS-Centras (Lithuania)
Lithuanian Cartographic Society
Warsaw University, Faculty of Geography and Regional Development, Departments of Physical Geography and Geomatics and Information Systems (Poland)

OTHER RESEARCH ACTIVITIES

Prof. G. Beconytė –

  • scientific committee member of AGILE International Conference on Geographic Information Science;
  • editorial board member of the journal Kartographische Nachrichten – Journal of Cartography and Geographic Information;
  • editorial board member of the journal Geodesy and Cartography;
  • member of Commission for Geovisualization and Commission for Children and Cartography (International Cartographic Association);
  • editorial board member of the international Journal of Maps;
  • executive secretary of Lithuania Cartographic Society.

Prof. A. Česnulevičius –

  • international editorial board member of the journal Baltica (Lithuania);
  • editorial board member of the journal Geology, Geography (Lithuania);
  • editorial board member of the journal Geodesy and Cartography (Lithuania);
  • editorial board member of the journal Polish Cartographical Review (Poland).

Dr. L. Bevainis –

  • editorial board member of the journal Surveying and Mapping Engineering (JSME).

Dr. A. Balčiūnas –

  • President of Lithuanian Cartographic Society.

MOST IMPORTANT PARTICIPATION CASES OF RESEARCHERS IN WORKING GROUPS OR COMMISSIONS SET UP BY STATE AUTHORITIES, STATE AND MUNICIPAL INSTITUTIONS AND ORGANISATIONS, AND BUSINESS ENTITIES

  • Beconytė G. Member of United Nations group of experts on geographical names (National Land Service).
  • Česnulevičius A. Member of United Nations Lithuanian group of experts on geographical names (National Land Service).

CONSULTATIONS PROVIDED BY THE UNIT TO THE PUBLIC OR ECONOMIC ENTITIES

  • Beconytė G. Consulting on spatial information terminology and geographical names (State Commission for Lithuanian language; Department for Standardisation).
  • Česnulevičius A. Consulting on geographical names (Department for Standardisation).
  • Česnulevičius A. Consultation on monument construction in Lukiškės Square (Law Department of Vilnius Municipality).
    MOST IMPORTANT RESEARCH DISSEMINATION ACTIVITIES
  • Beconytė G., Bevainis L. R. Radio broadcast for geographic information systems. Profession. Cartographic Winding: How are Maps Made? (Lithuanian Radio Opus). November 29, 2019, https://www.lrt.lt/mediateka/irasas/2000085815/profession-cartographies-very-how-what-maps?
  • Bevainis L., Mačiulevičiūtė – Turlienė N. Organized creative map competition for the school My Map for Lithuania (together with social partners). 2019, https://www.gismokykla.lt/2019/09/19/mano-zemelapis-lists-2020/
  • Beconytė G. National Selection and Exhibition of B. Petchenik International Children's Map Contest in Vilnius, June 01–30, 2019 (together with Lithuanian Cartographer Society; two international awards won) http://kc.gf.vu.lt/?page_id= 792
  • Česnulevičius A., Krikščiūnienė V., Svilienė R., Valiuškevičius G. Professor Vaclovas Chomskis 110th Annual Conference. Vilnius, November 14, 2019.
  • Bugorevičienė R., Česnulevičius A., Šutinienė L., Mačiulevičiūtė – Turlienė N. History of Lithuania in cartography works. Centre for Civil Education. Vilnius, June 11, 2019.

 

DEPARTMENT OF GEOGRAPHY AND LAND MANAGEMENT

21/27 M.K.Čiurlionio, LT-03101 Vilnius
Tel. 268 8287
E-mail:

Head – Prof. Dr. Darijus Veteikis

STAFF

Professors: Dr. D. Veteikis, Dr. D. Krupickaitė, Dr. J. Mačiulytė (part time), Dr. D. Burneika (part-time).
Professor emeritus: Dr. P. Kavaliauskas.
Associate professors: Dr. R. Prapiestienė, Dr. F. Kavoliutė, Dr. R. Šimanauskienė, Dr. R. Tučas, Dr. R. Skorupskas, Dr. J. Volungevičius.
Assistants: Dr. L. Jukna, Dr. M. Jankauskaitė (part-time), Dr. S. Šabanovas (part-time), Dr. G. Godienė (part-time).
Lecturer: V. Bezaras (part-time).
Doctoral students: A. Jasinavičiūtė, A. Lukoševičienė, G. Tuskaitė.

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Remote sensing and spatial analysis of landscape, biotopes and soils
History and monitoring of landscapes
Land use change analysis
Spatial analysis of political, social and economic processes
Prognoses of spatial changes of society
Urban geography
Migration studies
Rural geography
Optimization of land management and strategic planning
Geographical groundings of regional policy
Medical and health geography
Electoral geography Mapping and visualization of geographical processes

RESEARCH PROJECTS CARRIED OUT IN 2019

Projects Supported by University Budget

Study of Lithuanian Landscape and Political, Cultural, Social and Economical Territorial Structure in the Context of Optimization of the Country’s Spatial Organization and Planning. Prof. D. Veteikis. 2016–2020.

Physical geographical research of the department focused on 1) soil evolution and anthropogenization studies, mapping of the soils of Curonian Spit and 2) studies of the bogs based on remote sensing data (Terra MODIS images). Landscape research is aimed at: 1) creating the landscape classification system in local level in national and regional parks and 2) reviewing the land use change studies in Lithuania. Human geographical research focused on: 1) social, demographic, and economic diversification of rural territories in Lithuania and France; 2) optimisation of electoral territorial units and electoral studies; 3) demographic structure and its change trajectories in Lithuanian regions; 4) development of Lithuanian settlements during the 2nd part of the 20th century and the beginning of the 21st century; 5) impact of gated settlements and communities; 6) evaluation of condition of heritage objects in protected areas; 7) city image studies.

Main publication:

Šimanauskiene, R., Linkevičienė, R., Bartold, M., Dąbrowska‐Zielińska, K., Slavinskienė, G., Veteikis, D., Taminskas, J. Peatland degradation: The relationship between raised bog hydrology and normalized difference vegetation index. Ecohydrology. 2019, e2159. https://doi.org/10.1002/eco.2159.

National Research Projects

European innovation partnership project. Remote Sensing of Soil and Consulting. Dr. R. Skorupskas. 2018–2020.
The aim of this study is to support creation of new technologies for agriculture employing remote sensing from aerial photography to assess physical features of the arable layer of the soil (granulometric composition, aggregated structures, density, water capacity) as well as degree of erosion and percentage of organic matter.

Main publication:

Kazlauskaite-Jadzevice, A., Tripolskaja, L., Volungevicius, J., Baksiene, E. Impact of land use change on organic carbon sequestration in Arenosol. Agricultural and Food Science. 2019, vol. 28(1): 9–17.

Post-doctoral studies project. Analysis of the Stakeholder Priorities in the Assessment of Urban Ecosystem Services Demand (Vilnius city case study). Dr. I. Misiūnė. Prof. D. Veteikis. 2018–2019.

This interdisciplinary project will contribute to the achievement of the goals set in the EU and national documents, related to the sustainable urban development and preservation of biodiversity, including ecosystems services it provides. The aim of this project is to assess the demand for urban ecosystems services (ES) through the perceptions and priorities of the stakeholders. To achieve the main aim the conceptual framework will be built on the ES cascade model and applied for the case study of the selected urban ecosystem services in Vilnius city.

MAIN R&D&I (RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT AND INNOVATION) PARTNERS

Lithuanian Social Research Centre (Lithuania)
Nature Research Centre (Lithuania)
Montpellier III University (France)
Bamberg University (Germany)
University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn (Poland)

OTHER RESEARCH ACTIVITIES

Prof. P. Kavaliauskas (emeritus) –

Prof. D. Veteikis –

MOST IMPORTANT PARTICIPATION CASES OF RESEARCHERS IN WORKING GROUPS OR COMMISSIONS SET UP BY STATE AUTHORITIES, STATE AND MUNICIPAL INSTITUTIONS AND ORGANISATIONS, AND BUSINESS ENTITIES

  • Prof. D. Krupickaitė, expert in toponymy working group at State Commission of Lithuanian Language Expert Reviewer of Polish National Science Centre.
  • Dr. R. Skorupskas, expert in the group for preparation of the Comprehensive Plan of Republic of Lithuania (Current State and Conceptual Framework stages).

CONSULTATIONS PROVIDED BY THE UNIT TO THE PUBLIC OR ECONOMIC ENTITIES

  • Prof. D. Krupickaitė, expert in mission within the framework of our Twinning project focused on support to higher education system in Azerbaijan; the objective of this mission was to provide recommendations for the revision of state standards for pilot study programs.
  • Assoc. prof. R. Tučas, preparation of the boundaries of Seimas elections 2020 single-member constituencies; consultations to the members of Central Electoral Commission of the Republic of Lithuania, members of Seimas Committees for state management and local authorities, different members of Parliament fractions.

MOST IMPORTANT RESEACH DISSEMINATION ACTIVITIES

  • Organization of international geographical events in Lithuania (Geography awareness week; Night of geography);
  • 19th ational geographical contest of prof. Č. Kudaba for schoolchildren;
  • 8th national conference Geography: Science and Education;
  • More than 50 interviews, radio and TV broadcasts;
  • More than 20 public lectures.

 

DEPARTMENT OF GEOLOGY AND MINERALOGY

21/27 M.K.Čiurlionio, LT-03101 Vilnius
Tel. 239 8285
E-mail:

Head – Assoc. Prof. Dr. Andrej Spiridonov

STAFF

Professors: Dr. P. Šinkūnas, Dr. S. Radzevičius.
Associated professors: Dr. D. Kaminskas, Dr. G. Skridlaitė (part-time), Dr. A. Spiridonov.
Lecturers: Dr. A. Kleišmantas (part-time), Dr. D. Kisielienė (part time).
Assistant professors: Dr. L. Balakauskas, Dr. A. Čečys, Dr. N. Dobrotin (part-time), Dr. J. Lazauskienė (part-time), Dr. D. Michelevičius (part-time).
Research fellows: Dr. G. Vaikutienė, Dr. I. Bagdanavičiūtė.
Professor emeritus: Dr. G. Motuza-Matuzevičius.
Researcher emeritus: Dr. A. Brazauskas.
In research projects: Dr. A. Venckutė-Aleksienė, Dr. E. Rudnickaitė, Dr. P. Musteikis.
Doctoral students: E. Šinkūnė, A. Ekleris, J. Debesiūnaitė, Ž. Stankevičius, D. Dankina, M. Jankovska, V. Kirkliauskaitė, S. Lozovskis, M. Grendaitė , A. K. Cichon-Pupienis, A. Zans, T. Gečas, R. Stankevič, S. Rinkevičiūtė, T. Žeglaitis.

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Petrology, chronology, tectonic structure and evolution of Precambrian crystalline crust
Taxonomy, evolutionary dynamics, macroecology and stratigraphy of early Paleozoic graptolite and brachiopods, conodonts and other vertebrates
Global patterns of macroevolutionary change
Geochemistry and sedimentalogy of Silurian deposits of the Silurian Baltic Basin
Late Permian vertebrate paleontology and sedimentology of the north-eastern Zechstein basin.
Devonian conodonts and biotic events
Cretaceous extinction events and geobiological perturbations
Late Glacial and Holocene diatom taxonomy and stratigraphy, changes in climate and sea level of the Baltic Sea
Lithostratigraphy of Quaternary tills based on lithological, sedimentological and geochronological data

RESEARCH PROJECTS CARRIED OUT IN 2019

Projects Supported by University Budget

Sedimentology and Stratigraphy of Quaternary Deposits. Dr. G. Vaikutienė researcher. 2016–2021.

Late quaternary of Lithuania and Poland is studied from standpoint of lithostratigraphy, granulometric analysis. Textural analyses of spatial patterns of braided river formations in periglacial environments. Diatom studies of climatic and hydrographical change in Lithuania and Kaliningrad region of Russian Federation.

Main publication:

Kaminskas, D., Rudnickaitė, E., Vaikutienė, G., Bitinas, A., Grigienė, A., Buynevich, I. Damušytė, A., Pupienis, D., Šinkūnas, P. Middle and Late Holocene paleoenvironmental developement of the Curonian Lagoon, Lithuania, Quaternary International. 2019, vol. 501: 240–249.

The Later Silurian Bioevents. Prof. S. Radzevičius. 2016–2020.

Integrated stable isotopic, conodont, brachiopod, graptolite, ostracode analyses of earth-life system in the upper Silurian. The studies of organic matter sedimentation, diagenesis and migration in the Silurian Baltic basin. Construction of high resolution multiproxy time scales for the reconstruction of paleoclimate and sea level.

Main publication:

Radzevicius, S., Raczynski P., Uzomeckas, M., Norkus, A., Spiridonov, A. Graptolite turnover and delta C-13(org) excursion in the upper Wenlock shales (Silurian) of the Holy Cross Mountains (Poland). Geologica Carpathica. 2019, vol.70(30): 209–221.

National Research Projects

Ecosystem Construction and Collapse in the Silurian – Survival of Biodiversity in the Extreme Climate (one of 4 project implementers). Prof. S. Radzevičius. 2019–2022.

Within the framework of the project it is planned to cover the Silurian period and proximate time epochs. Dynamics of marine ecosystem in relation to the global climate forcing will be analysed using advanced statistical techniques of Deep Learning, Random Forests, and forward mathematical modelling. Additionally, we will test the influence of the Milankovitch cycles (changes in the astronomical Earth’s orbit’s parameters) on observed paleoecological patterns and episodic perturbations of oceanic conditions and the carbon cycle. The abundance of geobiological events during the analysed period of time will enable us to distinguish between idiosyncratic (peculiar to the local conditions) and general patterns of ecosystems responses to the large scale physical perturbations, which in turn will help us to accurately and reliably predict possible future changes in the marine ecosystem.

International Research Projects

Grant for Polish-Lithuanian collaboration group (DAINA) project: Ichnological and Sedimentological Evidence of Late Glacial and Holocene Environmental Changes in the Eastern Part of the European Sand Belt. Dr. A. Spiridonov. 2018-2020.

The planned research is based on the field work. Special attention will be paid to humic horizons, including palaeosols, where the most abundant trace fossils and bioturbation structures are expected. Such studies will be accompanied by parallel sedimentological and stratigraphical analyses, with an application of optically stimulated luminescence and radiocarbon datings, georadar and statistical methods. This will allow presentation of the dynamics of the aeolian sediments in space and time and to integrate them with results from the ichnological research.

Contractual Research

2018-2019 VU Geological museum partnering with UAB "Paleo Group" through MITA won 15500 € Inočekiai project on the reconstruction of ancient animals.

MAIN R&D&I (RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT AND INNOVATION) PARTNERS

Krakow University (Poland)
Institute of Oceanology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Kaliningrad (Russia)
Tartu University (Estonia)
Nature Research Centre, Institute of Geology and Geography (Lithuania)
Geological Survey of Lithuanian

OTHER RESEARCH ACTIVITIES

Prof. S. Radzevičius –

  • editorial board member of Geologija, Geografija, Geological Quarterly.

Prof. emeritus G. Motuza Matuzevičius –

  • editorial board member of the journal Geologija, Geografija.

Assoc. Prof. D. Kaminskas –

  • editor-in-chief and reviewer of the journal Geologija, Geografija.

Prof. Dr. P. Šinkūnas –

  • editorial board member of the journal Geologija, Geografija;
  • editorial board member of the journal Baltica;
  • editorial board member of the journal Geologijos akiračiai.

MOST IMPORTANT PARTICIPATION CASES OF RESEARCHERS IN WORKING GROUPS OR COMMISSIONS SET UP BY STATE AUTHORITIES, STATE AND MUNICIPAL INSTITUTIONS AND ORGANISATIONS, AND BUSINESS ENTITIES

  • Dr. J. Lazauskienė –secretary of the Lithuanian Commission on Silurian Stratigraphy;
    expert consultant for the Lithuanian Science and Encyclopaedia Publishing;
  • Prof. S. Radzevičius – corresponding member of the International Subcommittee on Silurian Stratigraphy; head of the Lithuanian Committee on Stratigraphy;
  • Prof. P. Šinkūnas – chairman of the Lithuanian National INQUA Committee;
    chairman of Lithuanian National Committee of Geologists (IUGS);

MOST IMPORTANT RESEARCH DISSEMINATION ACTIVITIES



DEPARTMENT OF HYDROGEOLOGY AND ENGINEERING GEOLOGY

21/27 Čiurlionio, LT-03225 Vilnius
Tel. 239 82 78
E-mail:

Head – Dr. Gintaras Žaržojus

STAFF

Associate professors: Dr. S. Gadeikis, Dr. S. Gadeikytė, Dr. K. Jokšas (part-time), Dr. G. Žaržojus.
Professor emeritus: Habil. Dr. R. Mokrik.
Lecturers: Dr. J. Arustienė (part-time), Dr. Ž. Skuratovič (part-time), V. Samalavičius (part-time).
Research fellows: Dr. V. Jakimavičiūtė Maselienė (part-time).
Junior research fellows: V. Samalavičius (part-time), D. Gribulis (part-time).
Doctoral students: I. Lekstutytė, V. Samalavičius.

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Assessment of groundwater resources of the Quaternary aquifer system
Baltic artesian basin groundwater flow formation
Regional mathematical flow modelling of pre-quaternary aquifer systems
Isotopes and geochemistry of the groundwater
Investigation of engineering geological conditions of urbanized territories and technogenic loading influence to the geo-environment
Geotechnical properties of natural and filled soils

RESEARCH PROJECTS CARRIED OUT IN 2019

Research of the Geoenvironment Changes, Protection and Resources Use. Prof. Habil. Dr. R. Mokrik, Dr. G. Žaržojus.

Investigation of environmental isotopes and noble gases in groundwater of the Baltic Artesian Basin: determination of trace and major elements of groundwater using ICP spectrometric and ion chromatography methods; assessment of groundwater environmental isotopic ages by radioactive isotopes radiocarbon-14, tritium and noble gas isotope ratios of He 4. Modelling of groundwater flow and mass transport processes using MT3D codes GROUNDWATER VISTAS v 6. Solving heat conduction processes according to mesh less numerical scheme as a radial basic function. Engineering geological investigation of soil physical-mechanical properties by static loading, dynamical penetration tests and using laboratory and field tests methods.

Main publication:

Jakimaviciute-Maseliene, V., Cidzikiene, V. Variability of hydrogeological parameters in the environment of new nuclear power plant in Lithuania, Applied Radiation and Isotopes. 2019, vol. 147: 35–39.

International Research Projects

IAEA (Vienna) project CRP F33022 item No. 20467/R0: Integrated Studies of Crustal Permeability Based on Environmental Isotopes, Noble Gases Data and Shallow-Deep Groundwater Mass-Transport Modelling in the Surrounding Area of Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant. Prof. Habil. Dr. R. Mokrik. 2016–2020.

Within the Vilnius University and IAEA Research Program F33022 work plan one of the aims for Baltic region was to prepare a new approach of deep aquifer investigation that will be focused on using a wide complex of environmental isotopes, noble gases, groundwater chemistry and hydraulic data via coupled analysis of groundwater flow numerical models. Revealed that the highest accumulation rates of helium in BAB deep aquifers are located near Baltic Sea coast and islands, lowland areas of lakes or rivers where groundwater flow is upward discharged, properly from above tightly protected from meteoric water downward leakage and transected by wide low amplitude fault system networks which are able to reduce or interrupt regional lateral flow path. Radiogenic helium flux from crystalline basement at local level sites have good conditions for accumulation below regional confining aquitard layers system for all beneath placed reservoir traps depending on hydraulic features of aquifers. Due to its atmospheric origin 81Kr pathway should be similar to the modelled particle travel trajectory in the strongly confined aquifer system but it’s not so far same order, because the difference between the 81Kr age and particle travel time is significant. Radiokrypton and 4-helium ages differs 2-3 times, because helium generation and distribution pathway in multi-layered aquifer system over time is uncertain caused by changes of ice sheet loading through Pleistocene. Plausible absence of fault fractures zones in numerical model should be reflected that zone geometry and by certain aperture or these barrier parameters for layers.

Main publication:

Pärn, J., Walraevens, K., Camp, M., Raidla, V., Aeschbach, W., Friedrich, R., Ivask, J., Kaup, E., Martma, T., Mažeika, J., Mokrik, R., Weissbach, T., Vaikmäe, R. Dating of glacial palaeogroundwater in the Ordovician-Cambrian aquifer system, northern Baltic Artesian Basin, Applied Geochemistry. 2019, vol. 102: 64–76.

Contractual Research

Contractual research of soil and ground geotechnical parameters for soil and rocks physical-mechanical properties of urbanistic sites with Limited stock companies Geotestus, Fugro Baltic, Geoinžinerija, Kelprojektas, Sweco Lietuva.

MAIN R&D&I (RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT AND INNOVATION) PARTNERS

Vilnius Gediminas Technical University (Lithuania)
Nature Research Centre (Lithuania)
IAEA, Vienna (Austria)
Tallinn Technical University (Estonia)
Bern University (Swiss)
Heidelberg University (Germany)

OTHER RESEARCH ACTIVITIES

Prof. R. Mokrik –

  • editorial board member of the journal Geologija. Geografija (Geology, Geography).

Dr. G. Žaržojus –

  • editorial board member of the journal Geologija. Geografija (Geology, Geography).

Dr. S. Gadeikis –

  • editorial board member of the journal Geologijos akiračiai (Spheres of Geology).

MOST IMPORTANT PARTICIPATION CASES OF RESEARCHERS IN WORKING GROUPS OR COMMISSIONS SET UP BY STATE AUTHORITIES, STATE AND MUNICIPAL INSTITUTIONS, ORGANISATIONS, BUSINESS ENTITIES

Dr. G. Žaržojus – member of Lithuanian standards board, Technical committee 59, Geotechnics.

 

DEPARTMENT OF HYDROLOGY AND CLIMATOLOGY

21/27 M. K. Čiurlionio, LT-01513 Vilnius
Tel. 239 8292
E-mail:

Head – Prof. Dr. Egidijus Rimkus

STAFF

Professors: Dr. A. Bukantis, Dr. E. Rimkus, Dr. G. Valiuškevičius.
Associate professors: Dr. G. Stankūnavičius, Dr. J. Kažys, Dr. D. Pupienis, Dr. E. Stonevičius.
Assistant professor: Dr. R. Linkevičienė (part-time).
Lecturer: Dr. J. Liukaitytė (part-time).
Doctoral students: L. Šidlauskaitė, J. Kilpys, V. Vilčinska, D. Karlonienė, V. Mačiulytė, A. Dubikaltienė, I. Marcinonienė, D. Grendaitė.

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Indices of climate change in Lithuania and the response of hydrosphere to the long-term climate fluctuations
Extreme climatic phenomena, climatic resources dynamics and forecasting
Regional anthropogenic climate changes, climate change impact on environment and economy
Change and modelling of deposits and morphology of sea shore
Applied and road meteorology, human biometeorology
Use of satellite information for the assessment of hydroclimatic resources

RESEARCH PROJECTS CARRIED OUT IN 2019

Projects Supported by University Budget

Use of Satellite Information for the Assessment of Hydroclimatic Resources. Prof. E. Rimkus. 2019–2020.

The main research task is to develop new algorithms and methods to determine snow water equivalent, freshwater ice parameters and soil moisture from Sentinel-1 SAR. The ground based freshwater ice, snow cover and soil moisture observations have declined in number over last decades. Satellite remote sensing with large spatial coverage and frequent revisit time might be the most robust replacement of in situ measurements of snow and freshwater ice cover parameters. Up to date satellite information provides new assessment capabilities of environment condition.

Main publication:

Rimkus, E., Edvardsson, J., Kažys, J., Pukiene, R., Lukosiunaite, S., Linkeviciene, R., Stoffel, M., Corona, C. Scots pine radial growth response to climate and future projections at peat and mineral soils in the boreo-nemoral zone. Theoretical and Applied Climatology. 2019 vol.136(1–2): 639–650.

Study of the Natural and Social Effects of Climate Change in the Baltic Sea Region. Prof. A. Bukantis. 2019–2020.

The purpose of the present project was to investigate the potential impact of climate change on nutrient (total nitrogen and total phosphorus) loads from four large-scale river catchments in Lithuania. The impact on nitrogen and phosphorus was chosen because they are the main nutrients responsible for the eutrophication of surface waters including the Baltic Sea. The results indicate a decreasing trend in the stream flow and nutrient loads in most of the studied Lithuanian rivers under the projected climate change.

Main publication:

Kriauciuniene, J., Virbickas, T., Sarauskiene, D., Jakimavicius,D., Kazys, J., Bukantis, A., Kesminas, V., Povilaitis, A., Dainys, J., Askstinas, V., Jurgelenaite, A., Meilutyte-Lukauskiene, D., Tomkeviciene, A. Fish assemblages under climate change in Lithuanian rivers, Science of Total Environment. 2019, vol. 661: 563–574.

Investigations of the Effects of Environmental Change on Inland Water Systems. Prof. G. Valiuškevičius. 2019–2020.

In 2019, the long-term impact of climate change on the hydrological regime of Lithuanian inland water objects was analysed. The detailed analysis of the floods in the lower reaches and the delta of the Nemunas River was performed. The study examined the conditions which predetermine the formation of dangerous floods and the probability of their recurrence in the 20th century. Fluctuations of the water table in the Čepkeliai bog have been studied as an additional indicator of the long-term climate change impact.

Main publications:

Taminskas, J., Edvardsson, J., Linkeviciene, R., Stoffel, M., Corona, C., Tamkeviciute, M. Combining multiple proxies to investigate water table fluctuations in wetlands: A case study from the Rekyva wetland complex, Lithuania, Paleogeography. Paleoclimatology. Paleoecology. 2019, vol. 514: 453–463.

Sea Coast Litho-Morphology Dynamic and Modelling. Assoc. Prof. D. Pupienis. 2019–2020.

The main results obtained during 2019 have extended the knowledge about the lithological anomalies, as well impact of natural and anthropogenic factors on the distribution of sands of different grain size along the south-eastern Baltic Sea three spits on the sandy beaches. The integrated approach of dune investigations offered an estimate of the rates of sand accumulation and key phases of aeolian dynamics during both stormy and calm periods, as well as helped extend the record of dune evolution to mid-Holocene.

Main publication:

Kaminskas, D., Rudnickaitė, E., Vaikutienė, G., Bitinas, A., Grigienė, A., Buynevich, I. Damušytė, A., Pupienis, D., Šinkūnas, P. Middle and Late Holocene paleoenvironmental developement of the Curonian Lagoon, Lithuania, Quaternary International. 2019, vol. 501: 240–249.

Use of SENTINEL-1 SAR Poliarimetry to Determine Snow and Ice Cover Characteristics. Prof. E. Rimkus. 2019–2020.

The aim of the project is to develop new algorithms for freshwater ice detection and snow water equivalent determination using ESA Sentinel-1 SAR high temporal and spatial resolution polarimetry. Simulation of the microwave scattering in the snowpack using SMRT snowpack model and the deep learning algorithms to relate the SAR backscattering signal to snow cover characteristics will be used. Project team will develop lake and river ice detection algorithms based on the threshold values of SAR single polarization products and classify ice type using H Alpha Wishart and Cloude-Potter dual polarization decomposition methods. The algorithms and methods will be developed and validated using in situ measurements of snow and ice cover parameters and auxiliary data will be collected from all available sources.

National Research Projects
International Research Projects

European Space Agency. University Course and Public Lectures on Earth Observations (UniEO). J. Kilpys. 2019–2020.

COST activity: Natural Flood Retention on Private Land. Dr. G. Stankūnavičius. 2017–2020.
Climate change increases the frequency and intensity of future flood events, leading to higher costs of flood damages and increasing the public demand for protective measures. Traditional flood protection measures, mainly based on grey infrastructure (i.e. dikes, dams, etc.), are not sufficient to cope with dynamic flood risk alone. Nature-based solutions such as Natural Water Retention Measures (NWRM) are promising options to mitigate flood risks as a complement to grey infrastructure. These types of measures not only serve to reduce risk, they also provide additional ecosystem services including increased biodiversity and recreation opportunities. However, a common characteristic of green infrastructure measures is that they often claim more land than traditional methods.

COST activity CA17109: Understanding and Modelling Compound Climate and Weather Events. Dr. E. Stonevičius. 2018–2022.
The tasks of activity are: to develop a common understanding of Compound Events; to create awareness in climate and climate impact communities about the inherent modelling challenges associated with Compound Events; to provide complementary training for Early Career Investigators (ECIs) in dynamical modelling, multivariate statistics, and extremes, all inherently relevant for studying Compound Events; to improve stakeholders’ understanding of Compound Events and limitations to modelling these, enabling them to plan more targeted; to improve stakeholders’ awareness of the importance to document physical and/or monetary impacts of Compound Events to foster scientific progress.

Contractual Research

Ministry of Agriculture. Development of the Most Suitable Methodology for Definition of Drought in Lithuania. Prof. E. Rimkus.

MAIN R&D&I (RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT AND INNOVATION) PARTNERS

Temple University (USA)
Institute for Environment and Sustainability (EC Joint Research Centre)
Nature Research Centre (Lithuania)
Klaipeda University (Lithuania)
Lithuanian Energy Institute (Lithuania)

OTHER RESEARCH ACTIVITIES

Prof. A. Bukantis –

  • editorial board member of the Journal of Environmental Engineering and Landscape Management;
  • editorial board member of the Journal of Water Security (JWS).

Prof. E. Rimkus –

  • editorial board member of the journal Geologija. Geografija (Geology. Geography).

Dr. E. Kažys –

  • executive editor of the journal Geologija. Geografija (Geology. Geography);
  • editorial board member of the journal International Journal of Ecosystems and Ecology Science (IJEES).

Dr. E. Stonevičius –

  • executive editor of the journal Geologija. Geografija (Geology. Geography);
  • national Correspondent of Euromediterranean Network of Experimental and Representative Basins (ERB).

Dr. R. Linkevičienė ‒

  • editorial board member of the journal Limnological review. The Journal of Polish Limnological Society.

MOST IMPORTANT PARTICIPATION CASES OF RESEARCHERS IN WORKING GROUPS OR COMMISSIONS SET UP BY STATE AUTHORITIES, STATE AND MUNICIPAL INSTITUTIONS AND ORGANISATIONS, AND BUSINESS ENTITIES

  • Prof. A. Bukantis. Member of National Committee on Climate Change.
  • Dr. J. Liukaitytė. Member of Interservice Working Group on Heat Effects Prevention.

CONSULTATIONS PROVIDED BY THE UNIT TO THE PUBLIC OR ECONOMIC ENTITIES

  • Ministry of Environment
  • Ministry of Agriculture
  • Lithuanian Geography Teachers Association

MOST IMPORTANT RESEARCH DISSEMINATION ACTIVITIES

  • More than 50 interviews, radio and TV broadcasts;
  • More than 20 public lectures;
  • Organization of National Geoscience Olympiad for secondary school students;
  • More than 20 excursions to meteorological station at VU.