Faculty of Chemistry and Geosciences

Sukurta: 09 April 2024

chf

24 Naugarduko st., LT-03225 Vilnius
Tel. (85) 219 3105
E-mail:
Dean – Prof. Aivaras Kareiva

STAFF
120 teachers (incl. 108 holding research degree), 20 research fellows (incl. 16 holding research degree).

INSTITUTES OF THE FACULTY
Institute of Chemistry
Institute of Geosciences

INSTITUTE OF CHEMISTRY
Naugarduko 24, LT-03225 Vilnius
Tel. 85 219 3100
E-mail:
http://www.chgf.vu.lt
Director –Dr Lina Mikoliūnaitė

DEPARTMENTS OF THE FACULTY
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 2023
I. Fiodorova. Pyrimidine-based thermally activated delayed fluorescence emitters: design, synthesis and photophysical properties.
A. Diktanaitė. Synthesis and investigation of the multicomponent oxides.
D. Budrevičius. Synthesis and characterisation of lanthanide phosphates for biomedical applications.
R. Karalkevičienė. Development of new methods for the synthesis of bulk and coatings of calcium hydroxyapatite.
P. Virbickas. Development of Sensors and Biosensors Based on Prussian Blue and Cobalt Hexacyanoferrate.
J. Grigorjevaitė. Upconversion luminescence study: materials’ synthesis and optical properties.
B. Bugelytė. Viršerdvės dujų chromatografija karboksirūgščių ir heksanalio nustatymui.

MAIN CONFERENCES ORGANIZED IN 2023
International conference „International Conference on the History of Chemistry – 13ICHC2023“
https://www.ichc2023vilnius.chgf.vu.lt/
International conference „Chemistry and Chemical Technology 2023“
https://www.ichc2023vilnius.chgf.vu.lt/
International Conference EcoBalt 2023 "Chemicals & Environment" 09 – 11 October 2023, Tallinn, Estonia.
25th International Conference-School “Advanced Materials and Technologies 2023”. 22-26 August 2022, Palanga, Lithuania.
Conference on Excited States of Transition Elements (ESTE 2023), September 3-8, 2023, Świeradów Zdrój, Poland.

MAIN SCIENTIFIC ACHIEVEMENTS IN 2023
Greta Merkininkaitė. Winner of the LMA Young scientists’ and doctoral students’ research competition (Technical sciences)
Almira Ramanavičienė. UNESCO-Equatorial Guinea International Prize for Research in the Life Sciences.
Aivaras Kareiva. The Honorary International Chair Professor at National Taipei University of Technology, Taiwan.
Aivaras Kareiva. Honorary member of the Geological Society of Lithuania
Article: P.-W. Lu, Y.-T. Wu, L.-Y. Chang, T.-W. Lu, C. Jaihao, C.-S. Huang, M.-F. Murphy Chuang, C. Lin, I. Chen, A. Brangule, A. Zarkov, A. Kareiva, J.-C. Yang. The biocompatibility and hemostatic efficacy of silk fibroin nanofibrils fabricated by Shear-Induced phase separation process. Chem. Eng. J. 474 (2023) 145731.
Mannual: A. Kareiva, R. Skaudzius, S. Tutliene. The Chemistry of Human Nature and Chemistry at Home. (Žmogaus prigimties ir buities chemija). Vilniaus universiteto leidykla, Vilnius, 2023, 202 psl.

DEPARTMENT OF ANALYTICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMISTRY

Naugarduko 24, LT-03225 Vilnius
Tel. 219 3114, 219 3119
E-mail:
Head – Prof. Dr Habil. Audrius Padarauskas

STAFF
Professors: Dr A. Kaušaitė-Minkštimienė, Dr A. Katelnikovas, Dr E. Naujalis (part-time), Dr Habil. A. Padarauskas, Dr A. Ramanavičienė, Dr V. Vičkačkaitė (part-time), Dr A. Žarkov (part-time).
Associate professors: Dr V. Olšauskaitė, Dr A. Popov.
Assistant professors: Dr V. Poškus.
Senior researchers: Dr V. Vičkačkaitė (part-time), Dr A. Žarkov (part-time).
Researchers: Dr A. Popov (part-time), B. Brasiūnas (part-time).
Junior assistant professors: B. Brasiūnas (part-time).
Doctoral students: S. Balčiūnas, K. Blaževič, B. Brasiūnas, V. Kavaliauskas, A. Kizalaitė, G. Laurinavičius, V. Lisytė, S. Pazylbek, L. Sakalauskienė.

RESEARCH INTERESTS
• Analytical, inorganic, solid-state and materials chemistry
• Wet chemical synthesis of calcium phosphates, metal leaching from printed circuit boards, inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES)
• Ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) techniques for the characterization and determination of organic and bioorganic compounds
• New generation solvents for microextraction of organic pollutants
• Novel microextraction techniques for chromatographic analysis
• Biosensors, immunosensors, nanobiotechnology and biofuel cells
• Upconverting nanoparticles for biomedical applications
• Inorganic quantum-cutting phosphors, phosphors for horticultural lighting, rare earth and transition metal dopped phosphors and anti-counterfeiting pigments
• Hydrothermal synthesis of luminescent nanoparticles
• Perovskite nanoparticles for solar cells

RESEARCH PROJECTS CARRIED OUT IN 2023
Projects Supported by the University Budget
Metal leaching from printed circuit boards by improved electrochemical hydrochlorination technique using alternating current. Prof. Dr A. Žarkov.
This work presents the results of the leaching of metals from computer PCBs by electrochemical hydrochlorination using alternating current (AC) with an industrial frequency (50 Hz). Leaching was carried out with a disintegrator-crushed computer motherboard with a particle size (d) of <90 μm. In the course of the research, the leaching efficiency of metals including Fe, Sn, Mn, Al, Cu, Zn, Pb, Ni, Ti, Sb, Cr, Co and V was evaluated depending on process parameters, such as AC density, experiment duration, hydrochloric acid concentration in the electrolyte solution, solid/liquid ratio, electrolyte temperature, and the loading option of raw material. The research results showed that AC superimposition significantly intensifies the leaching of metals.
Main publication:
1. V. Serga, A. Zarkov, A. Shishkin, E. Elsts, M. Melnichuks, M. Maiorov, E. Blumbergs, V. Pankratov. Study of metal leaching from printed circuit boards by improved electrochemical hydrochlorination technique using alternating current. Metals, 13(4) (2023) 662.

New generation solvents for microextraction of organic pollutants. Prof. Dr Habil. A. Padarauskas, Assoc. Prof. Dr V. Olšauskaitė, PhD student V. Kavaliauskas.
Eight hydrophobic supramolecular solvents composed of quaternary ammonium salts as amphiphiles and perfluorinated compounds as coacervation-inducing agents were developed. The extraction properties of the solvents for the extraction of phthalates from model aqueous solutions were investigated and their applicability as sample diluents for HPLC separations of phthalates was tested. Finally, solvent consisting of tetradecyltrimethylammonium bromide and hexafluoroisopropanol was applied for dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction of phthalates from wastewater samples.

Synthesis, investigation and application of deep eutectic solvents. Prof. Dr V. Vičkačkaitė, Assist. Prof. Dr V. Poškus, PhD student G. Laurinavičius.
Six deep eutectic solvents were synthesised in a microwave reactor and investigated as a calibration media in headspace analysis of residual organic solvents from the pharmaceuticals.
Monolithic solid phase microextraction silica sorbent coated with silver nanoparticles was successfully synthesized in a small quartz capillary. The sorbent was tested in a headspace microextraction mode using various aromatic compounds followed by gas chromatography analysis. Due to the π-π electronic interaction between analytes aromatic systems and silver particles immobilized on the sorbent surface, the analytes were successfully extracted from a sample headspace and determined by gas chromatographic analysis.
Main publication:
1. G. Laurinavičius, V. Poškus. Synthesis and investigation of silver-coated monolithic solid phase microextraction silica sorbent. Chemija, 34(1) (2023) 41.

Development and investigation of bioanalytical systems. Prof. Dr A. Ramanavičienė, Prof. Dr A. Kaušaitė-Minkštimienė, Assist. Prof. Dr A. Popov, PhD students: B. Brasiūnas, L. Sakalauskienė, V. Lisytė.
Two types of reagentless electrochemical glucose biosensors were developed and investigated. The first biosensor was based on graphite rod (GR) electrode premodified by electrochemically deposited dendritic gold nanostructures and modified by three fold-layer-by-layer-deposited 1,10-phenathroline-5,6-dione and glucose oxidase (GOx). To improve the performance of the developed biosensor, the surface of the electrode was additionally modified with polypyrrole. In another research, a first-generation reagentless amperometric glucose biosensor was developed by combining the GR electrode electrochemical modification by gold nanostructures and Prussian blue, and GOx immobilizion over the formed nanocomposite with the assistance of Nafion. The developed biosensors are convenient for the determination of glucose in the physiological environment.
The highly sensitive biosensors for L-Lactate determination using flavocytochrome b2 as a bio-recognition element, and electroactive nanoparticles for enzyme immobilization were developed. The fabricated biosensors exhibited high sensitivity, fast responses, and low limits of detection.
Main publications:
1. N. German, A. Popov, A. Ramanaviciene. The development and evaluation of reagent-less glucose biosensors using dendritic gold nanostructures as a promising sensing platform. Biosensors,13 (2023) 727.
2. L. Sakalauskiene, B. Brasiunas, A. Popov, A. Kausaite-Minkstimiene, A. Ramanaviciene. The development of reagent-less amperometric glucose biosensor based on Prussian blue and gold nanostructures. Biosensors, 13 (2023) 942.
3. O. Demkiv, G. Gayda, N. Stasyuk, A. Moroz, R. Serkiz, A. Kausaite-Minkstimiene, M. Gonchar, M. Nisnevitch. Flavocytochrome b2-mediated electroactive nanoparticles for developing amperometric L-lactate biosensors. Biosensors, 13 (2023) 587.

Phosphors for horticultural lighting. Prof. Dr A. Katelnikovas.
A novel Y3Al3MgSiO12:Ce3+,Cr3+ phosphor excitable with blue LED was developed and its optical properties investigated. It turned out that the emission spectra of these phosphors overlap well with the plants photosynthesis pigments, indicating high potential for application in horticultural lighting.
Main publication:
1. G. Merkininkaite, A. Zabiliute-Karaliune, T. Jüstel, V. Klimkevicius, S. Sakirzanovas, A. Katelnikovas. Ce3+ → Cr3+ energy transfer in Y3Al3MgSiO12 garnet host and application in horticultural lighting. Ceramics International, 49 (2023) 16796.

Perovskite nanoparticles for solar cells. Prof. Dr A. Katelnikovas.
A method for altering the optical properties of all-inorganic perovskite nanoparticles was developed. The proposed method reduces the synthesis time and significantly increases the quantum efficiency of the respective colloidal solutions. The proposed method also offers excellent reproducibility.
Main publication:
1. E. Ezerskyte, M. Malikenas, S. Sakirzanovas, A. Katelnikovas, V. Klimkevicius. Real-time observation of ion exchange dynamics during surface treatment of all-inorganic Perovskite quantum dots with Zn-halogenide complexes for color tuning and enhanced quantum efficiency. RSC Advances, 13 (2023) 14370.

Rare earth and transition metal doped phosphors and anti-counterfeiting pigments. Prof. Dr A. Katelnikovas.
Three novel upconverting phosphor systems (K2Bi(PO4)(MoO4):Yb3+,Ho3+, K2Bi(PO4)(MoO4):Yb3+,Tm3+, and K2Bi(PO4)(MoO4):Yb3+,Tb3+,Er3+) were developed. The phosphors showed bright upconversion and downshifting luminescence in the green (~530 nm) and red (~660 nm) spectral areas if excited with a 980 nm continuous wave laser. The ratio between red and green luminescence can be tuned by adjusting the activator concentration. The synthesized compounds showed potential for anti-counterfeiting pigments.
Main publication:
1. J. Grigorjevaite, A. Katelnikovas. Synthesis and luminescence properties of green to red color tunable upconverting K2Gd(PO4)(WO4):Yb3+,Tb3+,Eu3+ phosphors. Crystals, 13 (2023) 479.

National Research Projects
Phase transitions in calcium phosphates (PHATRACAP) (No. S-MIP-23-85). National Grant from Research Council of Lithuania. Project leader: Prof. Dr A. Žarkov. 2023-2026.
Magnesium whitlockite (Mg-WH) powders were synthesized via a low-temperature dissolution-precipitation process using gypsum as a starting material. The phase evolution and formation of Mg-WH in an aqueous medium in the presence of magnesium and phosphate ions under static and rotating conditions were investigated. Powder XRD patterns, FTIR spectra and SEM images were obtained for samples synthesized for different times to monitor the gradual phase transformation.
Main publication:
1. Afonina, A. Dubauskas, V. Klimavicius, A. Zarkov, A. Kareiva, I. Grigoraviciute. Phase transformations during the dissolution-precipitation synthesis of magnesium whitlockite nanopowders from gypsum. Ceramics International, 49 (23, Part A) (2023) 38157.

Flexible piezoelectric nanogenerators based on BaTiO3/PDMS composites (P-PD-22-076). Post-doctoral fellowship project from Research Council of Lithuania. Supervisor – Prof. Dr A. Žarkov. 2022-2024.
A series of highly flexible and environmentally friendly composites based on polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) filled with 200 nm size ferroelectric BaTiO3 (BTO) particles at different concentrations (from 7 to 23 vol %) have been fabricated by a simple dispersion method. The dielectric, piezoelectric, and ultrasonic properties have been studied. The proposed BTO/PDMS composite system is thus a potential candidate for nanogenerators, namely, a simple, flexible, and lead-free device converting high-frequency (10 MHz) mechanical vibrations into electrical voltage.
Main publication:
1. D. Meisak, M. Kinka, A. Plyushch, J. Macutkevič, A. Zarkov, S. Schaefer, A. Selskis, V. Samulionis, P. Kuzhir, J. Banys, V. Fierro, A. Celzard. Piezoelectric nanogenerators based on BaTiO3/PDMS composites for high-frequency applications. ACS Omega, 8(15) (2023) 13911.

Surface plasmon resonance and spectroscopic ellipsometry based immunosensors for the detection of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 proteins. (No. S-MIP-22-46). Researcher groups project from Research Council of Lithuania. Project leader: Prof. Dr A. Ramanavičienė. Researchers: Prof. Dr A. Kaušaitė-Minkštimienė, Assoc. Prof. A. Popov, Assoc. Prof. I. Plikusienė. PhD students: B. Brasiūnas, V. Mačiulis. 2022-2025.
The spike (S) protein and its receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 have been continually evolving, yielding the majority of significant missense mutations and new variants of concern. In this study, we examined how monoclonal antibodies against RBD (mAbs-SCoV2-RBD) and polyclonal antibodies present in convalescent human serum specifically interact with the S protein of wild-type and SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOCs) in real time and how this can be reflected through surface mass density.
Main publications:
1. Plikusiene, A. Ramanaviciene. Investigation of biomolecules interactions: Optical, electrochemical and acoustic methods based biosensors. Biosensors, 13(2) (2023) 292.
2. Plikusiene, V. Maciulis, S. Juciute, A. Ramanavicius, A. Ramanaviciene. Quantitate study of SARS-CoV-2 S protein wild-type and mutants immune complex formation with monoclonal antibodies and convalescent human serum. Biosensors, 13 (2023) 784.

European Regional Development Fund project under Measure 01.2.2-LMT-K-718 “Targeted Research in Smart Specialization Areas” and under grant agreement with the Research Council of Lithuania (LMTLT) “The investigation, evaluation, and practical application aspects of SARS-CoV-2-virus proteins interaction with specific antibodies” (COVID-19 R&D Implementation scheme (SMART)). (No. 13.1.1-LMT-K-718-05-0033). Funding institution: Research Council of Lithuania. Project leader: Prof. Dr A. Ramanavičienė. Researchers: Prof. Dr A. Kaušaitė-Minkštimienė, Prof. Dr A. Ramanavičius, Prof. Dr S. Balevičius, Assoc. Prof. A. Popov, Assoc. Prof. I. Plikusienė. PhD students: B. Brasiūnas, V. Mačiulis, V. Lisytė, S. Juciūtė. 2021-2023
In this project, advanced and highly surface-sensitive methods and devices (total internal reflection ellipsometry, spectral ellipsometry combined with quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation and surface plasmon resonance-based devices) were used to register specific interactions between immobilized structural proteins of SARS-CoV-2 virus and specific antibodies present in the solution. The obtained information provided knowledge about the kinetic and thermodynamic characteristics of the interaction of mutated viral proteins with antibodies, which helped to evaluate the suitability of selected antigen-antibody pairs for further improvements of analytical systems.

Perovskite-Based Quantum-Cutting Materials and Their Application for Efficient Composite Solar Cells. Project financed by the European Regional Development Fund according to the supported activity ‘Research Projects Implemented by World-class Researcher Groups’ under Measure No. 01.2.2-LMT-K-718. (No. 01.2.2-LMT-K-718-03-0048). Implementing institution: Center for Physical Sciences and Technology (project leader: Dr V. Gulbinas). Partner institution: Vilnius University (project leader: Prof. Dr A. Katelnikovas). 2020-2023.

Engineering of biocompatible upconverting polymeric-inorganic hybrid nanomaterials. (No. S-MIP-22-68). Project financed by the Research Council of Lithuania (LMTLT) under grant agreement. Project leader: Prof. Dr A. Katelnikovas). 2022-2024.

International Research Projects
New calcium phosphates with whitlockite structure for regenerative medicine purposes: advanced synthesis and fabrication of ceramics (WHITCERAM) (No. P-LJB-22-1). Lithuania-Japan Cooperation Project. Project leader: Prof. Dr A. Žarkov. 2022-2024.
Magnesium whitlockite (Mg-WH, Ca18Mg2(HPO4)(2)(PO4)(12)) was synthesized by a dissolution-precipitation process under hydrothermal conditions. Thermally induced degradation of the synthesized powders was investigated in detail by combining X-ray diffraction analysis, infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy as well as H-1 and P-31 solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance.
The effects of sodium lauryl sulfate and various amino acids on the formation of calcium-deficient hydroxyapatite via hydrolysis of alpha-tricalcium phosphate were investigated. It was demonstrated that the nature and the concentration of organic additives influence the phase purity and morphology of the final product.
Main publications:
1. Kizalaite, V. Klimavicius, V. Balevicius, G. Niaura, A.N. Salak, J.-C. Yang, S.H. Cho, T. Goto, T. Sekino, A. Zarkov. Dissolution–precipitation synthesis and thermal stability of magnesium whitlockite. CrystEngComm, 25(30) (2023) 4370.
2. R. Karalkeviciene, E. Raudonyte-Svirbutaviciene, A. Zarkov, J.-C. Yang, A.I. Popov, A. Kareiva. Solvothermal synthesis of calcium hydroxyapatite via hydrolysis of alpha-tricalcium phosphate in the presence of different organic additives. Crystals, 13(2) (2023) 265.

Electro-conductive polymeric 3D scaffolds as novel strategies for biomedical applications (ESCULAPE) (No. 101131147/EU). HORIZON TMA MSCA Staff Exchanges (HORIZON-MSCA-2022-SE-01-01) project. Funding institution: European Commission. Project leader: Prof. Dr A. Ramanavičienė. 2023-2027. The start of project 2023.11.01.

Novel 1D photonic metal oxide nanostructures for early stage cancer detection (CanBioSe) (No. 778157/EU). Horizon 2020 Marie-Sklodowska-Curie Action Research and Innovation Staff Exchange (H2020-MSCA-RISE-2017) project. Funding institution: European Commission. Project leader: Prof. Dr A. Ramanavičienė. 2018-2023.

ZnO nanostructures with different types of morphologies and particle sizes were evaluated and applied for the development of an immunosensor. The first material was composed of spherical, polydisperse nanostructures with a particle size in the range of 10–160 nm. The second was made up of more compact rod-like spherical nanostructures with the diameter of these rods in the range of 50–400 nm, and approximately 98% of the particles were in the range of 20–70 nm. The last sample of ZnO was made up of rod-shaped particles with a diameter of 10–80 nm. These ZnO nanostructures were mixed with Nafion solution and drop-casted onto screenprinted carbon electrode, followed by a further immobilization of the prostate-specific antigen (PSA). The affinity interaction of PSA with monoclonal antibodies against PSA (anti-PSA) was evaluated using the differential pulse voltammetry technique.
Main publications:
1. V. Liustrovaite, D. Karoblis, B. Brasiunas, A. Popov, A. Katelnikovas, A. Kareiva, A. Ramanavicius, R. Viter, M. T. Giardi, D. Erts, A. Ramanaviciene. Electrochemical immunosensor for the determination of antibodies against prostate-specific antigen based on ZnO nanostructures. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 24 (2023) 5803.
2. B. Brasiunas, A. Popov, V. Lisyte, A. Kausaite-Minkstimiene, A. Ramanaviciene. ZnO nanostructures: A promising frontier in immunosensor development. Biosensors and Bioelectronics 2024. (In Press, Available online 19 November 2023, 115848).

MAIN R&D&I (RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT AND INNOVATION) PARTNERS
Centre for Physical Sciences and Technology (Lithuania)
State Cultural Rezerve of Kernavė (Lithuania)
Institute of Archaeology University of Wrocław (Poland)
University of Copenhagen (Denmark)
University of Latvia (Latvia)
University of Tartu (Estonia)
Biosensor Srl, (Rome, Italy)
Université D’Artois (France)
Münster University of Applied Sciences (Germany)
Université du Québec (Canada)

OTHER RESEARCH ACTIVITIES
Prof. Dr A. Žarkov
• Guest editor for Special Issue “Advances in Functional Inorganic Materials Prepared by Wet Chemical Methods (Third Edition)” of “Crystals” (2023 – 2024) https://www.mdpi.com/journal/crystals/special_issues/5R52P7FP40#editors
• Guest editor for Special Issue “Sol-Gel Technology Applied to Materials Science: Synthesis, Characterization and Applications” of “Materials” (2021 – 2023) https://www.mdpi.com/journal/materials/special_issues/Sol_Gel_Materials_Science#editors
• Guest editor for Special Issue “Advances in Functional Inorganic Materials Prepared by Wet Chemical Methods (Volume II)” of “Crystals” (2021 – 2023) https://www.mdpi.com/journal/crystals/special_issues/Functional_Inorganic_Materials#editors

Prof. Dr A. Ramanavičienė
• Editorial board member of the journal „Sensors“ MDPI, Biosensors section
https://www.mdpi.com/journal/sensors/sectioneditors/biosensors?page_no=5
• Editorial board member of the journal „Targets“ MDPI,
https://www.mdpi.com/journal/targets/editors
• Guest editor “International Journal of Molecular Sciences” MDPI, Special Issue “Immunoanalytical and Bioinformatics Methods in Immunology Research”.
https://www.mdpi.com/journal/ijms/special_issues/TD2UCXS1QU
• Member of the scientific committee at international conference „12th Aegean Analytical Chemistry Days“, 19-22 October 2023, Istanbul, Turkey. https://aacd2023.yildiz.edu.tr/
• Member of the local organizing committee at international conference „The 13th International Conference on the “History of Chemistry” (13ICHC2023)“, May 23–26, 2023, Vilnius, Lithuania. https://www.ichc2023vilnius.chgf.vu.lt/conference-2/organizing-committee
Prof. Dr Habil. A. Padarauskas
• Editorial board member of the journal Chemija (Chemistry). https://www.lmaleidykla.lt/ojs/public/journals/13/Redkolegija.pdf
• Member of the scientific committee at international conference „Chemistry and Chemical Technology“, 10-12 March 2023, Vilnius, Lithuania. https://www.cct2023.chgf.vu.lt/conference-2/scientific-committee
Assoc. Prof. Dr A. Popov
• Guest editor “International Journal of Molecular Sciences” MDPI, Special Issue “Immunoanalytical and Bioinformatics Methods in Immunology Research”.
https://www.mdpi.com/journal/ijms/special_issues/TD2UCXS1QU

BEST REPORTS DELIVERED AT CONFERENCES ABROAD
• A. Žarkov. Magnesium and Transition Metal Whitlockite: Synthesis and Characterization. 11th International Symposium on Inorganic Phosphate Materials, November 22-24, 2023, Venice, Italy.
• A. Ramanaviciene, A. Kausaite-Minkstimiene, B. Brasiunas, K. Blazevic, K. Sobol, A. Popov. Application of nanomaterials for the design of immunosensors. 24th Annual Conference on Material Science (YUCOMAT), September 4-8, 2023, Herceg Novi, Montenegro.
• A. Popov, V. Lisyte, A. Treimakas, B. Brasiunas, A. Kausaite-Minkstimiene, A. Ramanaviciene. Nanoparticles and Immunosensors: A Promising Combination for Sensitive Biomarker Detection, Advanced Materials and Technologies, August 21-25, 2023, Palanga, Lithuania.

MOST IMPORTANT NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL AWARDS RECEIVED FOR R&D ACTIVITIES
Prof. Dr A. Ramanavičienė. 2023 UNESCO – Equatorial Guinea International Prize for Research in the Life Sciences. https://www.unesco.org/en/prizes/equatorial-guinea

MOST IMPORTANT RESEARCH DISSEMINATION ACTIVITIES
Prof. Dr A. Ramanavičienė. Interview/article about the importance of immunosensors for the diagnosis of diseases. 2023-04-10. https://www.15min.lt/verslas/naujiena/mokslas-it/unesco-apdovanojima-pelniusi-a-ramanaviciene-apie-lietuvos-indeli-i-gyvybes-mokslus-ir-nanotechnologijas-1290-2031682?fbclid=IwAR2Xz_ohmI0cvKpWuQ7y6XgBHsw42TZNjSnMKLAnWTrjPS-Mp4rIros21Wc

DEPARTMENT OF APPLIED CHEMISTRY

Naugarduko 24, LT-03225 Vilnius
Tel. +370 5 2193176
E-mail:
Head – Prof. Dr Simas Sakirzanovas

STAFF
Professors: Dr R. Raudonis, Dr S. Šakirzanovas (part-time).
Associate professors: Dr A. Žalga, Dr L. Vilčiauskas (part-time), Dr Ž Stankevičiūtė (part-time)
Lecturers: Dr Kiuberis, Dr T. Murauskas (part-time)
Research professor: Dr S. Šakirzanovas (part-time).
Researcher: Dr T. Murauskas (part-time).
Teaching assistant: Dr G. Merkininkaitė (part-time), Dr J. Grigorjevaitė (part-time).
Doctoral students: D. Tediashvili, J. Januškevičius, L. Šerpytis, G. Bilvinaitė.

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
• Materials for electrochemical energy conversion and storage. Ion insertion framework materials. Molecular modelling and materials informatics.
• Materials for endodontic treatment.

RESEARCH PROJECTS CARRIED OUT IN 2023
Projects Supported by the University Budget
Synthesis of selected mixed-metal ferrites. Assoc. Prof. Dr Ž. Stankevičiūtė, PhD student Justinas Januškevičius.
A series of syntheses of orthoferrite compounds with a general formula of R1R2FexO3 were carried out, where R1, R2= La-Lu-Sc, and x is from 0.25 to 1. Some preliminary investigation into the properties of these materials was made. A different syntheses series of pure (as well as erbium and ytterbium doped versions) interlanthanide compounds LaScO3, LuScO3 and LaLuO3 was carried out as well. Also, there was participation in the conference "Membrane Materials - Modification and Separation" (M3-S)" in Torun, Poland, with an oral presentation of Justinas Januškevičius titled "Polycarbonate membrane template-assisted sol-gel synthesis of rare-earth orthoferrite nanotubes".
Main publication:
1. Januškevičius, Justinas; Stankevičiūtė, Živilė; Baltrūnas, Dalis Antanas; Mažeika, Kęstutis; Murauskas, Tomas; Drabavičius, Audrius; Kareiva, Aivaras. Membrane-assisted synthesis of selected mixed-metal ferrite nanotubes using sol-gel derived precursors // Solid state sciences. Amsterdam: Elsevier BV. ISSN 1293-2558. eISSN 1873-3085. 2022, vol. 132, art. no. 106983, p. 1-10. DOI: 10.1016/j.solidstatesciences.2022.106983

Advanced Precursors for Fabrication of Novel Nano/Micro Non-Stoichiometric Inorganic Ceramic Structures Using Laser 3D Printing Technology. Prof. Dr S. Šakirzanovas, Dr G. Merkininkaitė.
Precursors possessing the proper chemical and physical properties are an essential prerequisite for the formation of 3D micro- and nano-dimension ceramic structures by laser lithography. Thus, finding new chemical precursors suitable for laser 3D polymerisation remains an urgent and timely task. The aim of this project is to prepare and investigate mixtures of metallo-organic compounds with various composition and stoichiometry in order to employ it for printing 3D derivatives.
Main publication:
1. G. Merkininkaitė, D. Gailevicius, L. Staisiunas, E. Ezerskyte, R. Vargalis, M. Malinauskas, S. Sakirzanovas, „Additive Manufacturing of SiOC, SiC, and Si3N4 Ceramic 3D Microstructures“. ADVANCED ENGINEERING MATERIALS 25 (17) (2023). doi: 10.1002/adem.202300639.

Synthesis and Investigation of Different Metal Molybdates, Vanadates, Tungstates, Phosphates, and Titanates. Assoc. Prof. Dr Artūras Žalga, Dr Giedrė Gaidamavičienė.
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 by a broadband high temperature impedance spectroscopy technique.
Main publication:
1. Arturas Zalga and Giedre Gaidamaviciene, „Themoanalytical and X-ray diffraction studies on the phase transition of the calcium-substituted La2Mo2O9 system“. Materials 16 (2) (2023) 813.

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, PhD student D. Tediashvili. 2017–2023.
The search, synthesis, characterization and applications of novel phosphate framework materials suitable for the Na-ion battery electrodes.
Main publications:
1. Staišiūnas, Laurynas; Pilipavičius, Jurgis; Tediashvili, Davit; Juodkazytė, Jurga; Vilčiauskas, Linas; Engineering of Conformal Electrode Coatings by Atomic Layer Deposition for Aqueous Na-ion Battery Electrodes, Journal of The Electrochemical Society, 170, 050533 (2023). doi:10.1149/1945-7111/acd4ee
2. Jozeliūnaitė, Augustina; Neniškis, Algirdas; Bertran, Arnau; Bowen, Alice M.; Di Valentin, Marilena; Raišys, Steponas; Baronas, Paulius; Kazlauskas, Karolis; Vilčiauskas, Linas; Orentas, Edvinas; Fullerene complexation in a hydrogen-bonded porphyrin receptor via induced-fit: cooperative action of tautomerization and C-H···π Interactions, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 145, 455–464 (2023). doi:10.1021/jacs.2c10668
3. Pilipavičius, Jurgis; Traškina, Nadežda; Juodkazytė, Jurga; Vilčiauskas, Linas; The mechanism of NaTi2(PO4)3 aqueous electrochemical degradation revisited, Electrochimica Acta, 465, 142993 (2023). doi:10.1016/j.electacta.2023.142993
4. Traškina, Nadežda; Gečė, Gintarė; Pilipavičius, Jurgis; Vilčiauskas, Linas; Polydopamine Derived NaTi2(PO4)3 - Carbon Core-Shell Nanostructures for Aqueous Batteries and Deionization Cells, ACS Applied Nano Materials, 6, 11780 (2023). doi: 10.1021/acsanm.3c01687
5. Petrulevičienė, Milda; Traškina, Nadežda; Pilipavičius, Jurgis; Juodkazytė, Jurga; Vilčiauskas, Linas; The Use of Reductive Agents for Developing Capacity Balanced Aqueous Sodium Ion Batteries, Batteries & Supercapacitors, 6, e202300129 (2023). doi:10.1002/batt.202300129

Contractual Research
Bateris UAB (Lithuania)

MAIN R&D&I (RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT AND INNOVATION) PARTNERS
Center for Physical Sciences and Technology
UAB Femtika (Lithuania)
UAB Thermo Fisher Scientific Baltics (Lithuania)

BEST REPORTS DELIVERED AT CONFERENCES ABROAD
L. Vilčiauskas. „Understanding and applications of phosphate framework materials in electrochemistry“, (oral presentation) ISSFIT-15: 15th International Symposium on Systems with Fast Ionic Transport, 18 – 22 April, Dubrovnik, Croatia (2023).
L. Vilčiauskas. „Aqueous Electrochemical Degradation of Phosphate Framework Materials: Mechanisms and Mitigation Strategies“ (oral presentation) 244th Meeting of the Electrochemical Society, 08 – 13 October, Göteborg, Sweden (2023)

DEPARTMENT OF INORGANIC CHEMISTRY

Naugarduko 24, LT-03225 Vilnius
Tel. 8 (5) 219 3173
E-mail:
Head – Dr Justina Gaidukevič

STAFF
Professors: Dr A. Beganskienė, Dr Habil. A. Kareiva (part-time), Dr R. Pauliukaitė (part-time), Dr R. Skaudžius (part-time), Dr V. Plaušinaitienė (part-time)
Associate professors: Dr I. Grigoravičiūtė (part-time), Dr V. Kubilius, Dr J. Gaidukevič, Dr M. Misevičius (part-time), Dr J. Pilipavičius (part-time)
Assistant professors: Dr G. Gaidamavičienė (part-time), Dr A. Laurikėnas (part-time).
Senior researchers: Dr J. Barkauskas, Dr I. Grigoravičiūtė (part-time), Dr V. Plaušinaitienė (part-time).
Researchers: Dr M. Vagner (part-time), Dr G. Gaidamavičienė (part-time), Dr R. Levinas (part-time).
Junior Assistant professors: G. Inkrataitė (part-time), D. Karoblis (part-time), A. Pakalniškis (part-time).
Doctoral students: R. Aukštakojytė, E. Bajorinaitė, G. Rimkutė, G. Inkrataitė, A. Pakalniškis, J. Karčiauskaitė, R. Raišelienė, L. Lukavičiūtė, D. Karoblis, G. Klydžiūtė, E. Brimas, M. Baublytė, O. Shalkhar.

RESEARCH INTERESTS
• Developments of metal-organic chemical vapour deposition technique for oxide films
• Transparent conducting oxides
• Dielectric, ferroelectric and piezoelectric materials
• Sol-gel processing of magnetic, 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 garnet structure materials
• Reduction of biological polution by cold plasma
• Wood hardness and flame-retardancy properties
• Synthesis and investigation of solid oxide fuel cell electrolytes
• Thermoanalytical, structural, and surface morphological studies
• Synthesis, investigation and application of functional inorganic materials for environmental pollution control.

RESEARCH PROJECTS CARRIED OUT IN 2023
Projects Supported by the University Budget
Synthesis, Characterization and Application of Polycrystalline Materials. Prof. A. Kareiva, Prof. R. Skaudžius. 2020–2025.
The introduction of Mn2+ and Cu2+ ions to the hydrothermal synthesis solution had a significant impact on the hydrolysis process of α-TCP. Depending on the synthesis conditions and amount of the foreign cation in the system, they have either inhibited the hydrolysis reaction of α-TCP or induced the formation of β-TCP in addition to the CDHA. The presented synthesis methods resulted in HA with diverse morphologies and a moderate surface area; rod-like particles had a lower surface area if compared to plate-like samples. Moreover, the study revealed that EPR is an excellent technique to monitor synthesis reactions in calcium phosphates using transition metal ions as paramagnetic probes. A low-temperature synthetic approach was developed for the fabrication of calcium hydroxyapatite (CHAp) coatings on a titanium substrate. The titanium substrates were first coated with CaCO3 by a spin-coating technique using a sol–gel chemistry approach, and the obtained product was transformed into CHAp during a dissolution–precipitation reaction. The phase purity and structural and morphological features of the obtained CHAp coatings were evaluated by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, FTIR spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and using a 3D optical profilometer. It was demonstrated that almost-single-phase CHAp formed on the titanium substrate with a negligible number of side phases, such as Na2HPO4 (starting material) and TiO2. In the Raman spectrum of the CHAp coating, the peaks of phosphate group vibrations were clearly seen. Thus, the obtained results of Raman spectroscopy correlated well with the results of X-ray diffraction analysis. The corrosive behaviour of CHAp coatings on a titanium substrate was also evaluated using electrochemical methods. It was found that the corrosion resistance of titanium coated with CHAp increased significantly. These CHAp thin films may be potential candidates for use in not only in regenerative medicine but also in the development of different sensors.
Main publication:
1. R. Karalkeviciene, G. Briedyte, A. Popov, S. Tutliene, A. Zarkov, A. Kareiva. Low-Temperature Synthesis Approach for Calcium Hydroxyapatite Coatings
on Titanium Substrate. Inorganics, 11 (2023) 33.

Synthesis and investigation of new materials and nanomaterials. Prof. Dr A. Beganskienė, Assist. prof. Dr A. Laurikėnas.
Historical documents, crucial parts of cultural heritage, can suffer damage from both external and internal factors. The study of cotton fiber sheets treated with iron gall ink and then treated with stabilization materials has been done. Nanosized Mg(OH)2 was used as a deacidification material and potassium bromide, tetrabutylammonium bromide, or propyl gallate as antioxidant materials were investigated as a stabilization system for iron gall ink-damaged paper. The experiment results show that using alkali materials with antioxidants, such as nano-Mg(OH)2 and propyl gallate, positively affects color changes of ink-damaged paper. Treatment with a stabilization system such as nanosized Mg(OH)2, a binder hydroxypropyl cellulose (Klucel), and an antioxidant as propyl gallate is a suitable method for iron gall inked damaged paper stabilization and preservation.
Main publications:
1. Jarmulkienė, Olga; Liubinienė, Milda; Beganskienė, Aldona. Stabilization of iron gall ink damaged paper with nanosized magnesium hydroxide and antioxidants // Studies in conservation. Abingdon: Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group. ISSN 0039-3630. eISSN 2047-0584. 2023, first published online, p. [1-9]. DOI: 10.1080/00393630.2023.2250195. [DB: Science Citation Index Expanded (Web of Science), Arts & Humanities Citation Index (Web of Science), Scopus] [M. kr.: N 003]
2. Beganskienė, Aldona; Johnson, Kevin E.; Phan, Nathan A.; Dobson, Timothy J.; Valente, Edward J.; Urnezius, Eugenijus. Complexes of Ni(II) with triphosphine-phosphite ligand P(OCH2PPh2)(3): syntheses, structures, and electronic properties // Zeitschrift Fur Anorganische und Allgemeine Chemie. Weinheim : Wiley-VCH GmbH. ISSN 0044-2313. eISSN 1521-3749. 2023, vol. 649, iss. 18, art. no. e202300098, p. [1-15]. DOI: 10.1002/zaac.202300098. [DB: Science Citation Index Expanded (Web of Science), Scopus] [M. kr.: N 003]

Synthesis and Characterization of Multicomponent Oxide Materials Prepared by an Aqueous Sol-Gel Method. Assist. prof. Dr Giedrė Gaidamavičienė
An aqueous sol-gel synthesis was successfully applied for the synthesis of calcium-substituted lanthanum molybdate with the initial composition of La2-xCaxMo2O9-x/2 (0.001 ≤ x ≤ 0.3). Thermoanalytical, structural, and morphological properties of the synthesized materials were investigated using TG/DSC, XRD, and SEM analyses. It was found that homogeneous substitution of lanthanum by calcium ions occurs up to x=0.05. The results of thermal analysis indicated that the substitution effect reduces the phase transition from the cubic β-phase to the monoclinic α-phase and vice versa.
Main publications:
1. A. Žalga, G. Gaidamavičienė, Thermoanalytical and X-ray Diffraction Studies on the Phase Transition of the Calcium-Substituted La2Mo2O9 System, Materials 16 (2023) 813.

Synthesis of Functional Oxide Films by MOCVD (Metalorganic Chemical Vapour Deposition), Properties of the Films and Applied Studies. Prof. Dr V.Plaušinaitienė. 2020-2025.
The PI-MOCVD method was successfully applied to grow transparent and electrically conductive lanthanum-doped strontium (La:SrSnO3) stannate thin films on substrates with various (100), (110) and (111) orientations. In this research we investigate growth possibilities on perovskite (LaAlO3) and non-perovskite (MgO) type substrates, and demonstrate electrical properties of the La:SrSnO3 films which surpass other authors' attempts to achieve high electron mobility. Thin films on LaAlO3 substrates exhibit comparatively high charge carrier mobility values: µ100 = 71 cm2 V-1 s-1, µ110 = 72 cm2 V-1 s-1 and µ111 = 67 cm2 V-1 s-1. Continued collaboration with FTMC physicists to develop and refine magnetic sensors based on La1-xSrxMnyO3 (LSMO) films deposited by Pi-MOCVD.
Main publications:
1. V. Plausinaitiene, T. Murauskas, V. Kubilius, M. Skapas, S. Stanionyte, A. Selskis, R. Raudonis. Transparent and highly conductve La-doped strontium stannate thin film growth by PI-MOCVD method on LaAlO3 and MgO substrates of (100), (110), (111) orientations, Surfaces and Interfaces 40 (2023), no.103035, p. 1-8
2. V. Stankevič, S. Keršulis, J. Dilys, V. Bleizgys, M. Viliūnas, V. Vertelis, A. Maneikis, V. Rudokas, V. Plaušinaitienė, N. Žurauskienė. Measurement system for short-pulsed magnetic fields // Sensors: Magnetic Sensors and Systems for Scientific and Industrial Applications. 23 (2023), no. 1435, p. 1-15

Synthesis, Investigation and Application of Carbon Nanomaterials. Researchers: Prof. Dr Jurgis Barkauskas and Dr Justina Gaidukevič. 2020–2025.
A nitrogen-modified graphene oxide (N-rGO) sample was prepared through a one-pot hydrothermal reduction of graphene oxide (GO) in the presence of 20 wt.% malachite green dye, and it was used for amperometric L-glutamate biosensing. Finally, two different N-rGO samples (N-rGO_850 and N-rGO_950) were obtained through gaseous NH3-assisted thermal modification of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) at temperatures of 850 °C and 950 °C for 4 and 8 h, respectively. The structural properties of these samples were characterized using Raman spectroscopy, XPS, and N2 adsorption-desorption techniques. The resulting material was applied as a metal-free electroactive electrode for the detection of hydrogen peroxide and glucose.
Main publications:
1. J. Razumiene, D. Leo, V. Gureviciene, D. Ratautas, J. Gaidukevic, I. Sakinyte-Urbikiene, L-Glutamate Biosensor for In Vitro Investigations: Application in Brain Extracts, Chemosensors 11 (2023) 418.
2. J. Gaidukevic, R. Aukstakojyte, M. Kozłowski, J. Barkauskas, R. Pauliukaite, A simple preparation of N-doped reduced graphene oxide as an electrode material for the detection of hydrogen peroxide and glucose, Electrochimica Acta 446 (2023) 142113.

National Research Projects
National Grant from Research Council of Lithuania for Postdoctoral studies „Simultaneous one-step synthesis of highly oriented substituted hydroxyapatite for the effective remediation of emerging water contaminants“ (No 09.3.3- LMT-K712-23-0070). Supervisor: Prof. A. Kareiva. 2021-2023
By applying divalent cations as controlling agents for the hydrothermal synthesis, morphology control of doped calcium-deficient hydroxyapatite was achieved. Hydrothermal synthesis conditions (temperature, time) affected the phase purity and morphology of the final products, but the nature and concentration of the foreign ions were the main factors determining the characteristics of the products. Smaller ions (Mn2+ and Mg2+) were found to have a stronger inhibiting effect on the hydrolysis process of α-TCP as compared to larger ions (Ba2+ and Sr2+). Of all the ions investigated, Mn2+ had the highest, and Sr2+ had the lowest inhibiting effect. Ba2+ was characterised by the lowest ability to substitute Ca2+ but had the most prominent effect on the sample morphology. Higher temperatures and longer reaction times lead to the formation of single-phase CDHA in the presence of higher concentrations of the metal ions. This was especially notable in the case of Ba2+ and Sr2+. Moreover, increased temperature and time of the hydrothermal synthesis resulted in an increased crystallinity of the final products.
Main publications:
1. E. Raudonyte-Svirbutaviciene, L. Lukaviciute, Z. Moravec, J. Pinkas, T. Goto, T. Sekino, A. Zarkov, A. Kareiva. Tailoring hydroxyapatite morphology via the effect of divalent cations on the hydrolysis of α-TCP: Oriented crystal growth towards the application in water treatment. Ceram. Int. 49 (2023) 32816-32825.

National Grant from Research Council of Lithuania for Postdoctoral studies „The effect of ion substitution on radiaton-induced defect formation in calcium phosphate biomaterials: brushite, monetite and calcium pyrophosphate” (P-PD-22-018, Andris Antuzevics) Prof. A. Beganskiene 2022-2024.
The objective of the project is to characterize the formation, structure and properties of radiation-induced point defects in brushite (CaHPO4·2H2O), monetite (CaHPO4) and calcium pyrophosphate (Ca2P2O7) polymorphs. The synthesis of different-ion substituted calcium phosphatematerials will be done, also, irradiation of the materials with X-rays and/or γ-rays and analysis of the formed defects by advanced optical and resonance spectroscopy techniques will be done.
Main publication:
1. Antuzevičs, Andris; Cirulis, Jekabs; Krieke, Guna; Griesiūtė, Diana; Beganskienė, Aldona; Kareiva, Aivaras; Dubauskas, Aurimas; Klimavičius, Vytautas; Žarkov, Aleksej. Paramagnetic radiation-induced radicals in calcium pyrophosphate polymorphs // Materials chemistry and physics. Lausanne: Elsevier. ISSN 0254-0584. eISSN 1879-3312. 2023, vol. 310, art. no. 128479, p. [1-9]. DOI: 10.1016/j.matchemphys.2023.128479. [DB: Science Citation Index Expanded (Web of Science), Scopus] [M. kr.: N 003]

National Grant from Research Council of Lithuania „New calcium phosphates with whitlockite structure for regenerative medicine purposes: advanced synthesis and fabrication of ceramics” (WHITCERAM; No. S-LJB-22-1) Dr A. Žarkov. One of the project executors: Assoc. Prof. Dr Inga Grigoravičiūtė. (2022-2024).
The main objective of this project considers the synthesis of multifunctional CPs with WH structure (Ca18M2(HPO4)2(PO4)12, where M = Mg2+, Cu2+, Fe2+, Mn2+) and fabrication of ceramics for biomedical application. The project will focus on two main aspects. The first one involves low-temperature synthesis of new multifunctional CPs with WH structure via dissolution-precipitation process from other less stable CPs. This part will be accompanied by in-depth investigation of structural, morphological, biological and physicochemical properties of materials. The employed synthetic approach will allow to obtain WH structure compounds containing different amounts of TM ions, which will provide antibacterial (Cu), magnetic (Fe) and optical properties (Mn) to the synthesized products. The second aspect – investigation of thermal behavior and stability of synthesized WH powders under different conditions, study of sintering characteristics and densification of powders for the fabrication of bulk ceramics and investigation of mechanical properties.
Main publications:
1. Kizalaite, V. Klimavicius, V. Balevicius, G. Niaura, A.N. Salak, J.-C. Yang, S.H. Cho, T. Goto, Tomoyo, T. Sekino, A. Zarkov. Dissolution–precipitation synthesis and thermal stability of magnesium whitlockite, CrystEngComm, 25 (2023) 4370-4379, http://dx.doi.org/10.1039/D3CE00602F.
2. Anastasija Afonina, A. Kizalaite, A. Zarkov, A. Drabavicius, T. Goto, T. Sekino and A. Kareiva, Inga Grigoraviciute-Puroniene. Synthesis of whitlockite nanopowders with different magnesium content, Ceramics International 48 (2022) 32125-32130, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ceramint.2022.07.152.
3. Kizalaite, V. Klimavicius, J. Versockiene, E. Lastauskiene, T. Murauskas, R. Skaudzius, T. Yokoi, M. Kawashita, T. Goto, Tomoyo, T. Sekino, A. Zarkov. Peculiarities of the formation, structural and morphological properties of zinc whitlockite (Ca18Zn2(HPO4)2(PO4)12) synthesized via a phase transformation process under hydrothermal conditions, CrystEngComm, 24 (2022) 5068-5079, http://dx.doi.org/10.1039/D2CE00497F.

International Research Projects
„TransFerr: Transition metal oxides with metastable phases: a way towards superior ferroic properties” (2017-2023). A. Kareiva HORIZON 2020 MSCA-RISE-2017: Marie Skłodowska-Curie Research and Innovation Staff Exchange (RISE) project.
For the first time, an aqueous sol-gel synthetic approach was successfully applied for the preparation of Bi1-xGdxFe0.85Mn0.15O3 solid solutions. The structural, morphological, and magnetic properties were investigated in terms of both annealing temperature and chemical composition. The samples in the whole composition range (x=0-1) were prepared at 650 °C and 800 °C, while only 10 % of Gd3+ ions can be introduced into the BiFe0.85Mn0.15O3 structure at 500 °C. From the XRD analysis, it can be concluded that bismuth ferrite doped with 15 % of Mn3+ ions annealed at 650 °C and 800 °C is not monophasic. Although no impurity phases were detected for BiFe0.85Mn0.15O3 annealed at 500 °C temperature, the Mössbauer results suggest the presence of BiFe(Mn)4O9 phase with poor crystallinity. Introduction of Gd3+ ions into the solid solutions annealed at 800 °C induced different structural regions: trigonal with R3c space group (when x=0), a mixture of trigonal with R3c space group and orthorhombic with Pnma space group (when x=0.1), orthorhombic with Pnma space group (when x≤0.75) and lastly orthorhombic with Pbnm space group (when x≥0.9). At higher Gd3+ concentrations samples consisted of the smallest particles, while the largest particles were observed for BiFe0.85Mn0.15O3 treated at 800 °C. By the intercalation of Gd3+ ions magnetization values increased proportionally, and higher annealing temperature led to a decrease in magnetization. Neel temperature decreased due to the presence of Mn3+ ions in the investigated compounds.
Main publications
1. R. Diliautas, D. Karoblis, K. Mazeika, D. Baltrunas, G. Niaura, M. Talaikis, A. Lukowiak, W. Strek, A. Zarkov, A. Kareiva. Structural, morphological and magnetic properties of novel sol-gel derived Bi1-xGdxFe0.85Mn0.15O3 solid solutions. J. Magn. Magn. Mater. 570 (2023) 170498.
2. P. Gluchowski, R. Nikonkov, D. Kujawa, W. Strek, T. Murauskas, A. Pakalniskis, A. Kareiva, A. Yaremkevych, O. Fesenko, A. Zhaludkevich, D.V. Karpinsky. Controlling the Magnetic Properties of La0.9A0.1Mn0.9Cr0.1O3 (A: Li, K, Na) powders and ceramics by alkali ions doping. Magnetochemistry, 9 (2023) 140.

MAIN R&D&I (RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT AND INNOVATION) PARTNERS
Institute of Low Temperature and Structure Research, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wroclaw (Poland)
Nanoceramics Spolka Akcyjna, Wroclaw (Poland)
Kyushu University, Fukuoka (Japan)
National Taipei University of Technology (Taiwan)
Taipei Medical University (Taiwan)
Center for Physical Sciences and Technology, Vilnius (Lithuania)
University of Aveiro, Aveiro (Portugal)
Semiconductor Electronic Department, Lviv Polytechnic National University (Ukraine)
Chuiko Institute of Surface Chemistry of National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine (Ukraine)
AGH University of Science and Technology in Krakow (Poland)
Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań (Poland)

OTHER RESEARCH ACTIVITIES
Prof. Dr A. Kareiva
• Member of Lithuanian Academy of Sciences. https://www.lma.lt/members-of-the-academy
• Deputy Editor of Lithuanian Journal “Chemija” (Chemistry). https://www.lmaleidykla.lt/ojs/index.php/chemija
• editorial board member of “Materials Science” (Medžiagotyra). https://matsc.ktu.lt/index.php/MatSc/about/editorialTeam
• Member of Editorial Board of “Scientific Reports” (Chemistry). https://www.nature.com/srep/about/editors
• Editorial board member of the Coatings. https://www.mdpi.com/journal/coatings/editors?page_no=7
• Editorial board member of the Materials. https://www.mdpi.com/journal/materials/editors?page_no=17
• Member of scientific committee of international conference EcoBalt 2023 "Chemicals & Environment“. https://www.chgf.vu.lt/files/doc/1st_circular_ecobalt_2023.pdf
• Member of programme committee of international conference Advanced Materials and Technologies 2023. https://ebooks.ktu.edu/pdfreader/advanced-materials-technologies.-book-abstracts-25th-international-conference-school
• Member of the scientific committee of the International conference “CHEMISTRY AND CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY 2023" dedicated to prof. Edvardas Ramanauskas 100th anniversary; https://www.cct2023.chgf.vu.lt/conference-2/scientific-committeee
• Member of the local organizing committee of the International Conference On The History Of Chemistry – 13ICHC2023; https://www.ichc2023vilnius.chgf.vu.lt/conference-2/organizing-committee
Dr Jurgis Barkauskas
• Member of the scientific committee of the International conference “CHEMISTRY AND CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY 2023" dedicated to prof. Edvardas Ramanauskas 100th anniversary; https://www.cct2023.chgf.vu.lt/conference-2/scientific-committeee
• Guest editor for the special issue Advanced Technologies in Graphene-Based Materials of the Crystals (2022–2024). https://www.mdpi.com/journal/crystals/special_issues/W1R774G0I1

Assoc. Prof. Dr Justina Gaidukevič -
• Member of the scientific committee of the International conference “CHEMISTRY AND CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY 2023" dedicated to prof. Edvardas Ramanauskas 100th anniversary; https://www.cct2023.chgf.vu.lt/conference-2/scientific-committeee
• Guest editor for the special issue Advanced Technologies in Graphene-Based Materials of the Crystals (2022–2024). https://www.mdpi.com/journal/crystals/special_issues/W1R774G0I1

BEST REPORTS DELIVERED AT CONFERENCES ABROAD
• D. Sokol, A. Kareiva. A Chimie Douce Route to Layered Double Hydroxides. Book of Abstracts of Conf. “EcoBalt 2023”, Tallinn, Estonia, October 9–11, (2023) 47.
• D. Vistorskaja, A. Lukowiak, W. Strenk, A. Kareiva. SOL-GEL SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF NOVEL GARNET STRUCTURE COMPOUNDS. 8th International Conference on Excited States of Transition Elements (ESTE 2023). Swieradow-Zdroj, Poland, September 3-8, (2023) I-9.
• J. Gaidukevič, R. Aukštakojytė, M. Kozłowski, R. Pauliukaitė, Nitrogen-doped reduced graphene oxide for electrochemical sensing applications, EcoBalt 2023: International Conference "Chemicals & Environment", Tallinn, Estonia, October 9–11, 2023, p. 37.

MOST IMPORTANT NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL AWARDS RECEIVED FOR R&D ACTIVITIES
Aivaras Kareiva. The Honorary International Chair Professor at National Taipei University of Technology, Taiwan (2023).
Aivaras Kareiva. Mobility grant under the “Excellence Initiative – Research University” programme at the Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Poland.

MOST IMPORTANT RESEARCH DISSEMINATION ACTIVITIES
Prof. Aldona Beganskienė
• Scientific dissemination article in journal „Mokslo Lietuva" 2023 m. Nr. 9 (718).
Assist. Prof. Dr Giedrė Gaidamavičienė
• Lithuanian student school’s laboratory practices (“Jaunųjų chemikų laboratorija”)
Assoc. Prof. Dr Justina Gaidukevič
1. During The Teacher Competency Development Programme "Connection of Inorganic Chemistry and Medicine" a lectures about complex compounds, acid-basic equilibrium, pH, hydrolysis, and chemical bonds were given and a lab practical were organized to the teachers. https://www.fsf.vu.lt/paslaugos/neformalios-studijos/pedagogines-studijos#seminarai-tema-neorganines-chemijos-ir-medicinos-rysys
2. Lecture titled "Diversity of Carbon Allotropes and Their Applications" intended for school pupils from Šiaulių "Romuvos" Gymnasium.
3. Article on the VU webside “Doc. Justina Gaidukevič: 'Graphene – a material still astonishing scientists with its extraordinary properties”. https://naujienos.vu.lt/doc-justina-gaidukevic-grafenas-medziaga-vis-dar-stebinanti-mokslininkus-savo-neeilinemis-savybemis/?fbclid=IwAR2AGWtGdwER38KLGPLNC-GqivwWSRjGBXGlBbukKjQ6yUfT4apUjVeD-60

DEPARTMENT OF ORGANIC CHEMISTRY

Naugarduko 24, LT-03225 Vilnius
Tel. 219 3192, 223 4528
E-mail:
Head - Prof. Dr Edvinas Orentas

STAFF
Professors: Dr V. Masevičius, Dr E. Orentas (part-time), Dr A. Žilinskas
Professor Emeritus: Dr Habil. P. Vainilavičius, Dr Habil. S. Tumkevičius
Associate professors: Dr A. Brukštus, Dr J. Dodonova-Vaitkūnienė, Dr V. Jakubkienė, Dr R. Vaitkus, Dr I. Žutautė, Dr D. Sokol
Lecturer: Dr S. Višniakova.
Researchers: Dr R. Bukšnaitienė, Dr E. Orentas (part-time), Dr Habil. S. Tumkevičius (part-time), Dr G. Petraitytė
Doctoral students: P. Kaziukonytė, I. Misiūnaitė, M. Malikėnas, A. Jankūnaitė, D. Valčeckas, J. Žurauskas, U. Milerytė

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 analogues 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 2023
Projects Supported by the University Budget

Development and Investigation of Functional Heteroaromatic Materials.
Prof. S. Tumkevičius, Assoc. Prof. Dr J. Dodonova-Vaitkūnienė, Assoc. Prof. Dr V. Jakubkienė, I. Fiodorova.
New polarity-sensitive, red-emitting BODIPY-based fluorophores that can distinguish between liquid-ordered and liquid-disordered phases and can internalise into lipid droplets of live cells were designed and synthesized. A novel probe – BP OC16 TP2 was found to be suitable for sensing polarity in lipid droplets of live MCF-7 human breast cancer cells. Another membrane-targeting and water-soluble BODIPY-based viscosity probe was created and investigated in biological systems – large unilamellar vesicles (LUVs), tethered bilayer membranes (tBLMs) and live lung cancer cells. Fluorescence decays of BODIPY-based probe are sensitive to viscosity over a large range, from 0.5 to 1000 cP. The obtained results demonstrate that the synthesized fluorophore is capable of probing viscosities in physically distinct membranes, making the dye widely applicable in studying lipid packaging and membrane dynamics in live cells or artificial membranes.
In addition, a series of thieno[2,3-d]pyrimidine-based lipophilic and classical antifolates were synthesised and investigated as inhibitors of dihydrofolate reductase from opportunistic microorganisms – Pneumocystis carinii, Toxoplasma gondii and Mycobacterium avium. Some of the synthesized compounds were found to exhibit dihydrofolate reductase inhibitory activity comparable with that of trimethoprim. Also, an efficient synthesis of potential non-hydroxamate HDAC inhibitors consisting of 1,3,4-oxadiazole, a differently substituted pyrimidine nucleus, and a methyleneoxy spacer between heterocyclic moieties has been developed.
Main publications:
1. Polita, M. Stancikaite, R. Zvirblis, K. Maleckaite, J. Dodonova-Vaitkuniene, S. Tumkevicius, A. P. Shivabalana, G. Valincius. Designing a green-emitting viscosity-sensitive 4,4-difluoro-4-bora-3a,4a-diaza-s-indacene (BODIPY) probe for plasma membrane viscosity imaging. RSC Adv., 2023, 13, 19257–19264. https://doi.org/10.1039/d3ra04126c
2. R. Žvirblis, K. Maleckaitė, J. Dodonova-Vaitkūnienė, D. Jurgutis, R. Žilėnaitė, V. Karabanovas, S. Tumkevičius, A. Vyšniauskas. A red-emitting thiophene-modified BODIPY probe for fluorescence lifetime-based polarity imaging of lipid droplets in living cells. Journal of Materials Chemistry B, 2023, 11 (iss. 17), 3919-3928; https://doi.org/10.1039/D3TB00305A
3. M. Dailide, S. Tumkevicius. Synthesis and dihydrofolate reductase inhibitory activity of 2-amino-6-(arylaminomethyl)thieno[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4(3H)-ones. Chemija, 2023, 34(3), p. 144–153. DOI: https://doi.org/10.6001/chemija.2023.34.3.4

Synthesis of Functionalized Propargylic Substrates and their Application in Construction of Heterocyclic Structures. Dr I. Žutautė, Dr R. Bukšnaitienė, dokt. I. Misiūnaitė, dokt. U. Milerytė
Our research focuses on the intramolecular electrophile-initiated nucleophilic cyclization reactions of imidazol-2-yl alkynes. The investigation includes optimization of cyclization reaction conditions and research of compatible electrophiles for synthesis of imidazo[2,1-b][1,3]thiazines and imidazo[2,1-c][1,4]thiazepines. These new heterocycles showed potential activity inhibiting enzyme aggregation, which is under further investigation in collaboration with Amyloid Research Group in Life Sciences Center, VU.
Main publication:
1. Misiūnaitė, R. Bajarūnaitė, R. Bukšnaitienė, A. Brukštus, I. Žutautė "Straightforward Approach to 5-Substituted 7H-Imidazo[2,1-b][1,3]thiazines via Cyclization of 2-Alkynylthioimidazoles" Synthesis, 2023, 55, 24, 4213-4223.

Synthesis of 4,6-Disubstituted Benzene-1,3-Dioles as Potential Hsp90 (Heat Shock Protein) Inhibitors. Assoc. Prof. A. Brukštus, P. Kaziukonytė.
Heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) belongs to the family of chaperones. Recent data showed that the amount of this chaperone significantly increases in cancerous cells, therefore it was concluded that Hsp90 is necessary for the growth of malignant cells. Treatment for these types of diseases is expected to be found by inhibiting the protein. In earlier works we demonstrated, that compounds carrying 2-alkylbenzene-1,5-diol moiety is crucial for the inhibition of Hsp90. Based on these results, our ongoing research is concentrated on the synthesis of new 4-(1-aryl-1H-imidazol-5-yl)-6-alkylbenzene-1,3-dioles as possible inhibitors of Hsp90 chaperone.
Main publications:
1. Kaziukonytė, P.; Venslauskas, T.; Venskūnaitė, K.; Žutautė, I.; Brukštus, A. "Synthesis of Novel 4-Alkyl-6-(5-Aryl-1,2,3-Thiadiazol-4-yl)Benzene-1,3-Diols as Potential Hsp90 Inhibitors" CHEMIJA, 2023, 34, 4, 163–170.

Nucleic Acids Tagging Technologies. Prof. V. Masevičius, Dr G. Petraitytė, M. Malikėnas.
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. These AdoMet analogues serve as cofactors for a variety of wild-type and mutant DNA, RNA or protein MTases enabling covalent attachment of these chains to their target sites in DNA, RNA or proteins (the approach named methyltransferase-directed Transfer of Activated Groups, mTAG).
Compounds containing sulfonium-bound propargyl moiety has proved to be efficient alkylating agents for labeling of DNA and RNA alike. While DNA MTases even engineered ones like E119H M.HhaI efficiently uses AdoMet analogues with only medium size side-chains, some RNA MTazes, e.g. Hen1 can use as cofactors even large signal groups (Biotin, Cy3) possessing AdoMet analogues.

Synthesis of Polycyclic Scaffolds Fused with Heteroaromatic Metal Coordinating Units. Prof. A. Žilinskas, Dr S. Višniakova.
Vegetables as biocatalysts were screened for the stereoselective biotransformation of racemic bicyclo[3.3.1]nonane-2,6-diol diacetate. The best results were obtained using the roots of carrot (Daucus carota) and parsnip (Pastinaca saliva) and the rootstocks of ginger (Zingiber officinale). During the biotransformation of racemic bicyclo[3.3.1]nonane-2,6-diol diacetate the enzymatic hydrolysis took place. Under different reaction conditions, i.e. the reaction temperature and time, and using different plant material as biocatalyst, (1R,2R,5R,6R)-(+)-bicyclo[3.3.1]nonane-2,6-diol monoacetate or (1S,2S,5S,6S)-(-)-bicyclo[3.3.1]nonane-2,6-diol monoacetate were obtained as reaction products. (-)- Enantiomer with the optical purity of 29.3% was obtained at 25 degrees C using parsnip as biocatalyst for 2 days and (+)- enantiomer with the optical purity of 44.1% was obtained at 30 degrees C using carrot for 3 days.

Harnessing the potential of organic and inorganic materials for enhanced functionality of wood. Assoc. Prof. D. Sokol
Wood is the most abundant building material used in residential and non-residential buildings. However, wood is decomposed by various biological agents, including fungi, bacteria, insects, and various chemical factors, also, by other climate related parameters, which are affecting wood structures, such as temperature, humidity, solar irradiation, ozone content and pollutants. Thus, high weathering, biological and pyrolytic resistance of wood is essential. For that reason, wood is impregnated with different water insoluble heterocyclic pyrimidine-based compounds. Beside that we are adopting wet-chemistry processing route for wood reinforcement with minerals such as calcium phosphate (CaP), layered double hydroxide (LDH), GdPO4·H2O:Eu and other compounds based on wood mineralisation. All those modifications are creating high potential in producing useful hybrid bio-based materials that could facilitate construction sector with environmentally-friendly building materials.
Main publications:
1. Edita Garskaite, Giedrius Balciunas, Marian Drienovsky, Denis Sokol, Dick Sandberg, Alexandre C. Bastos and Andrei N. Salak. Brushite mineralised Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) sapwood – revealing mineral crystallization within a wood matrix by in situ XRD. RSC Advances, 2023, 13, 5813-5825.
2. Monika Baublyte, Arturas Vailionis, Denis Sokol, Ramunas Skaudzius. Enhanced functionality of Scots pine sapwood by in situ hydrothermal synthesis of GdPO4⋅H2O:Eu3+ Composites in woods matrix. Ceramics International, 2023, Vol 49, Issue 19, 31255-31264.
3. Laura Lukaviciute, Justina Karciauskaite , Inga Grigoraviciute , Dovile Vasiliauskiene, Denis Sokol and Aivaras Kareiva. Calcium Hydroxyapatite Coatings: Low-Temperature Synthesisand Investigation of Antibacterial Properties. Coatings, 2023, 13, 1991.

National Research Projects
Research Council of Lithuania. Advancing the molecular engineering of efficient TADF emitters in solid-state (SolidTADF) (S-MIP-22-39). Assoc. Prof. J. Dodonova-Vaitkūnienė.
Donor–acceptor TADF compounds have been shown to behave completely different in solution and in the solid state. Two possible concepts - solid-state solvation and conformational disorder behind the temporal instability of solid-state TADFs were discussed. Various multicarbazole- or spiro-carbon-based TADF structures were proposed as potential candidates for low-disorder TADF compounds. Phenoxazine-triazine TADF compounds sharing very similar molecular structure but differing by the rigidity of spacer fragment were synthesized and analyzed. Lower structural rigidity of the spacer fragment was shown to selectively enhance the nonradiative decay rate of triplet state. OLED devices with the synthesized TADF compounds in an emission layer were fabricated. Greenish electroluminescence peaking at 504 nm was observed with turn-on voltage of about 2.7 V and EQE of 16.3% and 15.9%.
Main publications:
1. T. Serevičius, R. Skaisgiris, D. Banevičius, S. Tumkevičius, J. Dodonova-Vaitkūnienė, S. Juršėnas. Modulation of nonradiative emission decay rate by spacer unit in donoracceptor TADF compounds. Dyes & Pigments, 2023, 220, art.no. 111711. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dyepig.2023.111711
2. T. Serevičius, R. Skaisgiris, S. Tumkevičius, J. Dodonova-Vaitkuniene, S. Juršėnas. Understanding the temporal dynamics of thermally activated delayed fluorescence in solid hosts. Journal of Materials Chemistry C, 2023, 11, iss. 36, 12147–12155. DOI: 10.1039/d3tc02347h

Research Council of Lithuania. Molecular Chirality: New Approaches and Applications (CHIROS) (S-MIP-22-69). (Prof. E. Orentas). I. Žutautė, I. Misiūnaitė, D. Valčeckas
The central role of chirality in molecular world is evidenced by a vast number of bioactive natural products or essential life molecules found in nature in one mirror form. The interaction of two enantiomers (mirror-images) with our body is different and thus, it is of primary importance to be able to produce and investigate both molecular antipodes in their pure form. Moreover, by controlling molecular packing of asymmetric molecules, the impact of chirality can be amplified into meso- or macroscale. This project aims to apply conceptually new design principles for the synthesis and separation of enantiomers using geometrically confined and reagent controlled chiral auxiliaries. The application of chiral building blocks in total synthesis of natural products will be demonstrated and further extended towards tailoring of optoelectronic properties of functional materials.
Main publications:
1. Jozeliūnaitė, A. Neniškis, A. Bertran, A. M. Bowen, M. di Valentin, S.Raišys, P. Baronas, K. Kazlauskas, L. Vilčiauskas and E. Orentas "Fullerene Complexation in Hydrogen-Bonded Porphyrin Receptor via Induced-Fit: Cooperative Action of Tautomerization and C-H•••π Interactions" J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2023, 145, 455.
2. Chatinovska, R. Gegevičius, and E. Orentas "A Short Synthesis of Vellosimine and Its Derivatives" J. Org. Chem. 2023, 88, 9569.
3. T. Javorskis, T. Rakickas, A. Jankūnaitė, Š. Vaitekonis, A. Ulčinas and E. Orentas "Maskless, Reusable Visible-Light Direct-Write Stamp for Microscale Surface Patterning" ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces, 2023, 15, 11259.

Research Council of Lithuania. Triplet State Engineering in Organic Optoelectronics Compounds (09.3.3-LMT-K-712-01-0084, Dr K. Kazlauskas). Prof. E. Orentas, Dr T. Javorskis, A. Jozeliūnaitė, student B. Chatinovska.
Main publications:
1. D. Banevičius, G. Puidokas, G. Kreiza, S. Juršėnas, E. Orentas, and K. Kazlauskas "Prolonging Blue TADF-OLED Lifetime through Ytterbium Doping of Electron Transport Layer" J. Ind. Eng. Chem. 2023, 128, 515.
2. L. Naimovičius, E. Radiunas, B. Chatinovska, A. Jozeliūnaitė, E. Orentas and K. Kazlauskas "Functionalized diketopyrrolopyrrole compounds for NIR-to-visible photon upconversion" J. Mat. Chem. C. 2023, 11, 698.

Research Council of Lithuania. Design and development of novel chemoenzymatic approach for production of AdoMet analogues useful for biological applications (S-MIP-23-18, PI prof. V. Masevičius.)
Main publications:
1. Vilkaitis G, Masevičius V, Kriukienė E, Klimašauskas S (2023). Chemical Expansion of the Methyltransferase Reaction: Tools for DNA Labeling and Epigenome Analysis. Acc. Chem. Res., 56, 3188–3197. doi: 10.1021/acs.accounts.3c00471.
2. Mickutė M, Krasauskas R, Kvederavičiūtė K, Tupikaitė G, Kaupinis A, Jazdauskaitė M, Mineikaitė R, Valius M, Masevičius V, Vilkaitis G (2023). Interplay between bacterial 5′-NAD-RNA decapping hydrolase NudC and DEAD-box RNA helicase CsdA in stress responses. mSystems, doi: 10.1128/msystems.00718-23.
3. Malikėnas M, Masevičius V, & Klimašauskas S (2023). Synthesis of S‐Adenosyl‐L‐Methionine Analogs with Extended Transferable Groups for Methyltransferase‐Directed Labeling of DNA and RNA. Current Protocols, 3, 1–17. doi: 10.1002/cpz1.799.

International Research Projects
ERC grant Bridging the Gap in Our Understanding of Genomic Methylation (EpiTrack). Prof. S. Klimašauskas, Prof. V. Masevičius, G. Petraitytė, M. Malikėnas.

Contractual Research
Kosmetikos tyrimų centras, UAB (Lithuania)
Sanobiotec Novus, UAB (Lithuania)
Simna, UAB (Lithuania)

MAIN R&D&I (RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT AND INNOVATION) PARTNERS
University of Oxford (UK)
University of Tokyo (Japan)
Ludwig Maximilians Universität München (Germany)
University of Lund (Sweden)
Nanjing Tech University (China)
University of Santiago de Compostela (Spain)
University of Applied Sciences (Germany
Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis (Latvia)
Riga Technical University (Latvia)
UAB Sanobiotec
UAB DeltaBiosciences

OTHER RESEARCH ACTIVITIES
Prof. E. Orentas
• Lithuanian representative for European Chemical Society, Division of Organic Chemistry chair of organizing committee of international conference Balticum Organicum Syntheticum (BOS)
Prof. S. Tumkevičius
• editorial board member of the journal Chemija, https://www.lmaleidykla.lt/ojs/index.php/chemija/about.

BEST REPORTS DELIVERED AT CONFERENCES ABROAD
Prof. E. Orentas
• Invited lecture, University of Zurich, Switzerland.

MOST IMPORTANT NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL AWARDS RECEIVED FOR R&D ACTIVITIES
Prof. E. Orentas
• Rector's Science Award for exceptional scientific achievements.
Prof. V. Masevičius
• Rector’s commemorative sign for significant scientific achievement - for the best publication of the year in the fields of nature, technology and medical and health sciences. (Stankevičius V, Gibas P, Masiulionytė B, Gasiulė L, Masevičius V, Klimašauskas S, and Vilkaitis G (2022). Selective chemical tracking of Dnmt1 catalytic activity in live cells. Molecular Cell, 82(5): 1053-1065. doi:10.1016/j.molcel.2022.02.008)

CONSULTATIONS PROVIDED BY THE UNIT TO THE PUBLIC OR ECONOMIC ENTITIES
ThermoFisher Scientific
Sanobiotec

MOST IMPORTANT RESEARCH DISSEMINATION ACTIVITIES
Prof. A. Žilinskas and Assoc. Prof. R. Vaitkus: multiple appearance on radio and tv broadcasts.

DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY

Naugarduko 24, LT-03225 Vilnius
Tel. (85) 219 3181
E-mail:
Head – Prof. Dr Habil. Arūnas Ramanavičius

STAFF
Professors: Habil. Dr Arūnas Ramanavičius, Dr Henrikas Cesiulis, Dr Aušra Valiūnienė
Associate professors: Dr Deivis Plaušinaitis, Dr Ieva Plikusienė, Dr Lina Mikoliūnaitė, Dr Urtė Prentice
Research fellow: Oksana Bersirova
Assistants: Dr Inga Gabriūnaitė, Dr Povilas Virbickas
Doctoral students: Sigita Bendinskaitė, Ernestas Brazys, Silvija Juciute, Gabija Kavaliauskaitė, Viktorija Liustrovaitė, Margarita Poderytė, Miglė Stančiauskaitė, Ernestas Svirbutavičius, Eimantas Zolubas

RESEARCH INTERESTS
• Sensors, Biosensors, Biofuel cells
• Bioelectrochemistry, Bioelectrochemical systems
• Conducing polymers,
• Gas sensors
• Electrochromic materials
• Scanning electrochemical microscopy
• Ellipsometry
• Surface plasmon resonance
• Investigation of the electrodeposition and properties of obtained tungsten- and molybdenum-containing alloys
• Metals and alloys electrodeposition
• Corrosion of metals and alloys
• Template-assisted deposition
• Electrooxidation of cyanides
• Electrochemical treatment of titanium, tungsten
• Photoelectrochemistry
• Electrocatalysis
• Electrodeposition and corrosion behaviour of metals and alloys

RESEARCH PROJECTS CARRIED OUT IN 2023
Projects Supported by the University Budget
“Application of tethered bilayer lipid membranes for the development of biofuel cells” The research project is financed by the funds of the Science Promotion Fund of Vilnius University, MSF-JM-2/2022. 2022-06-15 – 2023-12-31. Project leader: assist. prof. Dr Tomas Sabirovas, researcher: assist. prof. Dr Inga Gabriūnaitė

International Research Projects
Lithuanian-Latvian-Taiwan project ‚Flow-through system based immunoanalytical devices for the diagnosis of viral-infections‘ and it has received funding according to agreement No S-LLT-21-3 with Research Council of Lithuania (LMTLT), Project coordinator: prof. habil. Dr Arūnas Ramanavičius
Main publications:
1. E. Andriukonis, M. Butkevicius, P. Simonis, A. Ramanavicius Development of a disposable polyacrylamide hydrogel-based semipermeable membrane for micro Ag/AgCl reference electrode. Sensors, 2023, 23, 2510. https://doi.org/10.3390/s2305251
2. G. Pilvenyte, V. Ratautaite, R. Boguzaite, U. Samukaite-Bubniene, D. Plausinaitis, A. Ramanaviciene, M. Bechelany, A. Ramanavicius. Molecularly Imprinted Polymers for the Recognition of Biomarkers for Some Neurodegenerative Diseases. Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis, 2023, 228, 115343. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpba.2023.115343

Lithuanian-France project Gilibert programme “Development of purposely adapted mathematical models for SARS-CoV-2 structural proteins immobilization and interaction with specific antibodies processes description” Research Council of Lithuania (LMTLT), GILIBERT 2021 program agreement No P-LZ-23-10. 2023-2025. Project coordinator: Dr Ieva Plikusiene.

Project Supported by HORIZON 2020 program Research and Innovation Staff Exchanges (RISE): Multiscaled Smart Metallic and Semiconductor Electrodes for Electrochemical Processing and Devices (SMARTELECTRODES). Project coordinator: prof. Dr Henrikas Cesiulis
Demand of “smart” electrodes/systems has recently increased due to significant role of various devices/equipment based on these electrodes - urgent needs of present and forthcoming human activities. The multi- and interdisciplinary project SMARTELECTRODES is proposing elaboration of advanced systems covered under umbrella of “smart” electrodes which will be involved and play significant roles in several important electrochemical/electrophysical applications as catalysis/electrocatalysis, sensoring, thermoelectrics, electrowinning, electrochemical machining and electrospark alloying. The development of multiscaled (from nano- to macro-; from nanodot to volumized 3D-) metallic and semiconductor electrodes and integration of them into working systems/equipment is the main target of the project.
The project SMARTELECTRODES is highly innovative R&D training network, which aims: to develop long lasting collaborations between four academic (Vilnius University, Lithuania; Institute of Applied Physics, Moldova; Clarkson University, USA; Research Institute for Physical Chemical Problems of BSU, Belarus) and two companies (JSC Topaz, Moldova and JSC “Electronics Treatment Technologies”, EPT, Lithuania); to develop new electrodes based on chalcogenides, iron group metals and “technological” electrodes; to increase career perspectives of each participant that will lead to benefit of each member and partnership as a whole.
Main publication:
1. Levinas, R. Tsyntsaru, N. Cesiulis, H. Viter, R. Grundsteins, K. Tamasauskaite-Tamasiunaite, L. Norkus, E. Electrochemical Synthesis of a WO3/MoSx Heterostructured Bifunctional Catalyst for Efficient Overall Water Splitting. COATINGS, 2023, 13, 4, 673, 10.3390/coatings13040673.

2023-2025: Project Supported by MSCA4Ukraine Fellowship program “Electrochemical synthesis of multifunctional (magnetic and electrocatalytic) films of nanostructured rhenium superalloys deposits (“EMERALD”)”. Project mentor: prof. Dr Henrikas Cesiulis.
The main objective of project is the development of efficient electrochemical synthesis of multifunctional (magnetic and electrocatalytic) dense films of nanostructured binary and ternary Re containing alloys: Fe-Re in a tuneable way to control composition and nanostructureand study their functional properties, and comparison with Co-Re, Fe-Co-Re, also with molybdenum and tungsten alloys Recently, main attention was paid on the study of Ni-Re and Co-Re alloys; whereas Fe-Re alloys is investigated rarely. The following specific objectives of project: (i) To develop baths and deposit under various electrolysis modes compact Re-containing alloys and study their physicochemical properties; (ii) to study structural and magnetic properties of obtained alloys; (iii) to study electrocatalytic characteristics of the obtained superalloy materials. for hydrogen evolution / ethanol/methanol oxidation.
Main publication:
1. V. N. Nikitenko , E.A. Babenkov, O.L. Bersirova, V.S. Kublanovsky, Electrocatalytic reduction of water clusters on binary alloys of molybdenum with iron subgroup metals in an alkaline medium // Chemistry, Physics and Technology of Surface, 2023 – in press.

MAIN R&D&I (RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT AND INNOVATION) PARTNERS
Clarkson University (USA)
University Autonoma Barcelona (Spain)
Belarus State University (Belarus)
Institute of Applied Physics of MAS (Moldova)
Centre for Physical Sciences and Technology (Lithuania)
JSC Elektronikos Perdirbimo Technologijos (Lithuania)
Montpelier University (France)
Institute of Applied Mechanics, National Taiwan University (Taivan)
Latvia University (Latvia)
Riga technical University (Latvia)
Poznan Adam Myzkevic University (Poland)
University of Tartu (Estonia)
Talin technological University (Estonia)
Institute of Biochemistry, Life Sciences Center (Lithuania)
Central Laboratory for Solar Energy and New Energy Sources, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (Bulgaria)
Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Dumlupınar University, TR-43100 Kütahya, (Turkey)

OTHER RESEARCH ACTIVITIES
Prof. H. Cesiulis
• Editorial board member of the journal “Surface Engineering and Applied Electrochemistry” (Springer’s journal) https://www.springer.com/journal/11987/editors
• Invited editor of the journal Materials
• Organizing Committee member of International Conference on Nanotechnology Research and Innovation, University of Aveiro, Portugal, 2023.
Dr Lina Mikoliūnaitė
• Editor of the journals “Coatings” special issue “Fabrication of Plasmonic Thin Films and Their Characterization”
• Head of Organizing Committee of the international conference “REMAT 2024”
• Member Board of the Lithuanian Society of Chemists
• Member of Lithuanian Young Academy of Sciences
Prof. Aušra Valiūnienė
• In 2023 – an expert-reviewer of several research proposals which were submitted to the National Science Centre of Poland.
• In 2023 - an expert-reviewer of proposals which were submitted to the National Research, Development and Innovation Office, Hungary.
• In 2022-2023 - Guest Editor for the special issue "Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS): Biosensing Applications", Chemosensors.
• In 2023-2024 - Guest Editor for the special issue "Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy for Sensing and Structural and Functional Analysis" ", Chemosensors.
• Since 2023 - Member of the Biophysics Doctoral Committee at Vilnius University.
Application submitted to European patent office (EPO). I. Gabriūnaitė, A. Valiūnienė, G. Valinčius, A. Žilinskas. “Regenerable phospholipid biosensor and method for its fabrication on the surface of silanized oxides”. Application number EP22175635.6. The technical preparations for the publication of the above-mentioned European patent application have been completed. The application will be published on 29.11.23 with the European search report. The publication number is: 4283305. The publication will be mentioned in European Patent Bulletin number 2023/48
Dr Ieva Plikusienė
• EISMEA / European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency project monitor
• Horizon Europe (HORIZON) – Evaluation CNECT / DG for Communications Networks, Content and Technology projects expert
• Chair of Lithuanian Young Academy of Sciences since 2023. 01. 01
Prof. habil. Dr A. Ramanavičius
• Expert Evaluator in ERA-NET program.
• Expert Evaluator in National Science Centre, Poland (NCN).
• Editorial board member of the journal “Coatings” https://www.mdpi.com/journal/coatings/editors
• Editorial board member of the journal “Journal of Biomolecular Research & Therapeutics” https://www.walshmedicalmedia.com/biomolecular-research-therapeutics/editorial-board.html
• Editorial board member of the journal “Materials” https://www.mdpi.com/journal/materials/editors?search=Ramanavic
• Editorial board member of the journal “Sensors” https://www.mdpi.com/journal/sensors/editors?search=Ramanavic

MOST IMPORTANT NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL AWARDS RECEIVED FOR R&D ACTIVITIES
Bs student Gerda Ziziunaite (supervisor Ausra Valiuniene) received the President Aleksandras Stulginskis Stipend.
Dr Ieva Plikusiene European of the Year award for promoting the name of Vilnius in Europe

BEST REPORTS DELIVERED AT CONFERENCES ABROAD
Prof. Henrikas Cesiulis:
• Innovation in Chemical and Electrochemical Treatment and Recovery of Precious Metals, Invited lecturer, of International Conference on Nanotechnology Research and Innovation November 20-24, 2023
Dr (HB) Oksana Bersirova
• O. Bersirova, H. Cesiulis, Electrolytic rhenium alloys with iron-group metals: synthesis, properties and applications. Book of Abstracts of International Conference on Nanotechnology Research and Innovation November 20-24, 2023 University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal, P.134.
• O. Bersirova, H. Cesiulis, Synthesis and Morphology Characterization of Electrocatalytic Mo-Rich Alloys. XІX International Freik Conference Physics and Technology of Thin Films and Nanosystems. Materials. / Ed. by L.I. Nykyruy, R.O. Dzumedzey. Ivano-Frankivsk: Publisher Vasyl Stefanyk Precarpathian National University, 2023, Р.78.
• 1. O.Bersirova “Electrochemical Synthesis of Nickel-Rhenium Alloys”, Book of abstract of the 2023 IEEE 13th International Conference “Nanomaterials: Applications & Properties” (IEEE NAP-2023), Bratislava, Slovakia September 10–15, 2023, Р.o2en-6 (76). Abstract ID #EN-0709.
Dr Natalia Tintaru
• Composite/hybrid coatings as an innovative way to improve electrodeposited materials. International Conference on Nanotechnology Research and Innovation November 20-24, 2023 University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal, P.134. Invited
Prof. Ausra Valiuniene
• Regenerable Tethered Phospholipid Bilayer Membranes as a Platform for Sustainable Biosensing Technologies. N.I.C.E. International Rendez-vous 2023 (12- 14 Dec. 2023 - Nice). Keynote.

MOST IMPORTANT PARTICIPATION CASES OF RESEARCHERS IN WORKING GROUPS OR COMMISSIONS SET UP BY STATE AUTHORITIES, STATE AND MUNICIPAL INSTITUTIONS, ORGANISATIONS, BUSINESS ENTITIES
Prof. habil. Dr A. Ramanavičius
• Member and Chairmen (from October 2019) of Council of technology committee in MITA (National Science and Technology Foundation).
Prof. Dr H. Cesiulis
• Member of the working group for National Project funded by Lithuanian Ministry of Economy and innovations: “Feasibility study of the use of CO2 collection and storage, hydrogen and other innovative technologies in Lithuanian industrial companies operating in the most negatively affected areas“.

MOST IMPORTANT RESEARCH DISSEMINATION ACTIVITIES
Dr Ieva Plikusiene. Presentations in the conferences “Login” and “EBIT” (https://konferencija.login.lt/pranesejai/ ; https://www.vadovukonferencija.lt/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/EBIT2023_PROGRAMA.pdf )
Dr Ieva Plikusiene Interview in Delfi portal (https://www.delfi.lt/login/progresas/mokslas/pasaulinio-pripazinimo-sulaukusi-mokslininke-plikusiene-labiausiai-dziaugiuosi-prisidedama-prie-lietuvos-vardo-garsinimo-93162253 )
Dr Lina Mikoliunaite article in Spectrum journal (https://naujienos.vu.lt/doc-l-mikoliunaite-placiai-naudojamu-sintetiniu-nanodaleliu-poveikis-zmogui-yra-per-mazai-istirtas/ )

DEPARTMENT OF POLYMER CHEMISTRY

24 Naugarduko, LT-03225 Vilnius
Tel. (85) 219 3225
E-mail:
Head – Assoc. prof. Dr Tatjana Kochanė

STAFF
Professors: Dr R. Makuška, Dr S. Budrienė
Associate professors: Dr A. Vareikis, Dr T. Kochanė, Dr A. Bočkuvienė, Dr V. Klimkevičius (part time)
Assistant professors: Dr J. Jonikaitė-Švėgždienė, Dr M. Steponavičiūtė (part time)
Research fellows: Dr T. Kavleiskaja, Dr V. Klimkevičius, Dr M. Steponavičiūtė (part time)
Junior researcher: M. Jurkūnas (part time)
Doctoral students: L. Pastarnokienė, E. Ežerskytė

RESEARCH INTERESTS
• Synthesis and modification of polymers
• Controlled radical polymerization
• 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
• Self-healing coatings for industrial applications
• Design and synthesis of polymer-inorganic hybrid optical nanomaterials for biomedical applications

RESEARCH PROJECTS CARRIED OUT IN 2023
Projects Supported by the University Budget
Biocompatible brush copolymers. Prof. Dr R. Makuška.
Diblock copolymers carrying catechol groups on one block and zwitterionic phosphoryl choline moieties on another block were synthesized by successive RAFT polymerisation of dopamine methacrylamide and 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine. The copolymers were characterised by SEC, NMR, and FTIR spectroscopy. Solubility, solution properties and aggregation of the diblock copolymers with protected and unprotected catechol groups were studied by DLS.
Main publications:
1. Jurkunas M., Klimkevicius V., Uscilaite A., Makuska R. Synthesis of superhydrophilic gradient-like copolymers: Kinetics of the RAFT copolymerization of methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine with PEO methacrylate. European Polymer Journal, 2023, 183, 111764. DOI: 10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2022.111764.
2. Klimavicius V., Klimkevicius V., Aidas K., Balciunas S., Banys J., Makuska R., Balevicius V. Fine structural features and proton conduction in zwitterionic poly (2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine) (PMPC): Multinuclear solid-state NMR, impedance and FTIR spectroscopy study. Reactive and Functional Polymers, 2023, 192, 105727.

Synthesis and Investigation of Elastomers for Artificial Polymeric Tissues. Prof. Dr S. Budrienė, Assoc. Prof. Dr T. Kochanė.
Two-step synthesis was used to obtain biocompatible polyesters with siloxane units. The structure of the resulting polyesters was evaluated by FT-IR, H1 NMR spectroscopy and elemental analysis. The effect of the polyester synthesis conditions and various curing additives on the properties of the resulting films was investigated.
Main publication:
1. Budrienė, S., Kochanė, T., Žurauskaitė N., Balčiūnas, E., Rinkūnaitė, I., Jonas, K., Širmenis, R., Bukelskienė, V., Baltriukienė, D. Synthesis of UV curable biocompatible hydrophilic copolymers containing siloxane units for tissue engineering applications. Journal of Biomaterials Science, Polymer Edition, 2023, 34, 1539-1558.

Polymeric-Inorganic Hydrid Nanomaterials. Dr V. Klimkevičius.
Synthesis and investigation of functional non-linear polymeric materials and their application for surface modification of optically active nanoparticles. Polymer composition and macromolecular parameters were evaluated via NMR and SEC techniques. The effect of composition of the copolymers on conformational changes in aqueous solutions was investigated by measuring particle size by dynamic light scattering (DLS). Optically active nanoparticles were synthesized using hot-injection, thermal decomposition and/or hydrothermal approaches. Optical properties of synthesized NPs were evaluated using modular photo-fluorimeter. Surface of optically active nanoparticles was modified by using synthesized copolymers and the effect of polymer architecture on particle surface potential and colloidal stability was investigated.
Main publications:
1. Jurkunas M., Klimkevicius V., Uscilaite A., Makuska R. Synthesis of superhydrophilic Gradient-Like Copolymers: Kinetics of the RAFT copolymerization of methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine with PEO methacrylate. European Polymer Journal, 2023, 183, 111764. DOI: 10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2022.111764.
2. Ezerskyte E., Zarkov A., Klimkevicius V., Katelnikovas A. Hydrothermal Synthesis of Well-Defined Red-Emitting Eu-Doped GdPO4 Nanophosphors and Investigation of Their Morphology and Optical Properties. Crystals 2023, 13(2), 174. DOI: 10.3390/cryst13020174.
3. Merkininkaite G., Zabiliute A., Justel T., Klimkevicius V., Sakirzanovas S., Katelnikovas A. Ce3+→Cr3＋energy transfer in Y3Al3MgSiO12 garnet host and application in horticultural lighting. Ceramics International 2023, 49, 16796-16808. DOI: 10.1016/j.ceramint.2023.02.040.
4. Cekuolyte K., Gudiukaite R., Klimkevicius V., Mazrimaite V., Maneikis A., Lastauskiene E. Biosynthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Produced Using Geobacillus spp. Bacteria. Nanomaterials 2023, 13(4), 702. DOI: 10.3390/nano13040702.
5. Ezerskyte E., Malikenas M., Sakirzanovas S., Katelnikovas A., Klimkevicius V. Real-time observation of ion exchange dynamics during surface treatment of all-inorganic perovskite quantum dots with Zn-halogenide complexes for color tuning and enhanced quantum efficiency. RSC Advances 2023, 13(21), 14370-14378. DOI: 10.1039/D3RA02143B.
6. Klimavicius V., Klimkevicius V., Aidas K., Balciunas S., Banys J., Makuska R., Balevicius V. Fine structural features and proton conduction in zwitterionic poly(2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine) (PMPC): Multinuclear solid-state NMR, impedance and FTIR spectroscopy study. Reactive and Functional Polymers 2023, 192, 105727. DOI: 10.1016/j.reactfunctpolym.2023.105727.
7. Ezerskyte E., Morkvenas A., Venius J., Sakirzanovas S., Karabanovas V., Katelnikovas A., Klimkevicius V. Biocompatible Upconverting Nanoprobes for Dual-Modal Imaging and Temperature Sensing. ACS Applied Nano Materials 2023, in peer review.
8. Katelnikovas A.. Larasati L. D., Klimkevicius V. Anion Exchange as an Excellent Tool to Obtain Highly Efficient Blue-Emitting All-Inorganic Perovskite Quantum Dots. Optical Materials, 2023, in peer review.

Microencapsulation of active compounds. Assoc. Prof. T. Kochanė.
Encapsulation of diisocyanates and unsaturated oils was carried out by emulsion-based and solvent evaporation methods. Taguchi experiment design was employed for optimization of encapsulation properties. Influence of core:shell ratio, emulsifier type and concentration, homogenization speed and reaction time on properties of microcapsules was evaluated. Successful encapsulation of active compounds was confirmed by FTIR spectra. Morphology of microcapsules was examined using optical and scanning electron microscopies. Amount of core in microcapsules was determined by TGA.
Main publications:
1. Pastarnokienė L., Potapov E., Makuška R. and Kochanė T. Optimization of microencapsulation of polyaspartic acid ester into UV curable epoxy-acrylate resin using Taguchi method of experimental design, Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 2023, submitted.
2. Straksys A., Gruskiene R., Matulaitiene I., Kavleiskaja T., CMA Melo. W. Preparation and investigation of triple layer complex of β-carotene with xylan, chitooligosaccharides and fucoidan. Polymer Bulletin POBU-D-23-00648R3.
3. Gruskienė R., Galinskaitė A., Kavleiskaja T., Stanevičienė R., Servienė E., Sereikaitė J. Fucoidan as a carrier of antimicrobial peptide: Preparation and characterization of nisin-loaded particles. . LWT - Food Science and Technology LWT-D-23-03458R1, submitted.

National Research Projects
Polyaspartic coatings without volatile organic compounds for wooden surfaces (No 13.1.1-LVPA-K-856-01-0104). Lithuanian Business Support Agency at the Ministry of the Economy and Innovation of Lithuania. Prof. Dr R. Makuška, 2021-2023.
Implementing the project, polyaspartic coatings without volatile organic compounds (VOC) for wooden surfaces were developed. Prototype of the product was prepared and tested under real exploitation conditions making it ready for experimental production.
Main publication:
1. L. Pastarnokiene, J. Jonikaite-Svėgzdiene, N. Lapinskaite, R. Kulbokaite, A. Bockuviene, T. Kochane, R. Makuska. The effect of reactive diluents on curing of epoxy resins and properties of the cured epoxy coatings. Journal of Coatings Technology and Research, 2023, 20 (4), 1207-1221.. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11998-022-00737-4

International Research Projects
Biocompatible and biodegradable porous silicon nanostructures for red emission enhancement by upconverting nanoparticles (No. SI1893/33-1). Lithuanian-German project funded by German Research Foundation (DFG). Dr V. Klimkevičius, 2022-2023.
In frame of this international bilateral initiative, the feasibility check of upconverting nanoparticles integration with biocompatible and biodegradable silicon nanostructures and enchantment possibilities of the red emission of silicon nanoparticles due to the accumulation of the efficient UCNPs emission will be performed.

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

MAIN R&D&I (RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT AND INNOVATION) PARTNERS
Thermo Fisher Scientific Baltics (Lithuania)
UAB Litnobiles (Lithuania)
Institute of Biochemistry, Life Sciences Centre, Vilnius University (Lithuania)
Centre for Physical Sciences and Technology (Lithuania)
Royal Institute of Technology (Sweden)
Leibniz Institute of Photonic Technology (Germany)

OTHER RESEARCH ACTIVITIES
Prof. R. Makuška
• member of the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences;
• editorial board member of the journal Chemija (Chemistry);

MOST IMPORTANT RESEARCH DISSEMINATION ACTIVITIES
Prof. R. Makuška
• Gave interview about plastic packaging:
https://www.lrt.lt/mediateka/irasas/2000268669/10-12-pokalbis-profesorius-makuska-aplinkai-draugiskesni-kelis-kartus-naudojami-plastikiniai-maiseliai-o-ne-medziaginiai
https://www.lrt.lt/naujienos/verslas/4/1861290/uzsimota-nuo-2030-uju-naudoti-tik-visiskai-perdirbtas-pakuotes-gamintojai-kritikuoja-kaip-reikes-uztikrinti-dalies-produktu-kokybe
https://www.lrt.lt/mediateka/irasas/2000271774/mokslas-be-pamokslu-ar-turime-kuo-pakeisti-plastiko-pakuotes

INSTITUTE OF GEOSCIENCES

M. K. Čiurlionio 21/27, LT-01513 Vilnius
Tel. 239 8272
E-mail:
Director – Prof. Dr Petras Šinkūnas

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
• Deep Earth systems: past and present state
• Coevolution of Earth and life
• Climate change
• Earth observation

DOCTORAL DISSERTATIONS MAINTAINED IN 2023
Agnė Jasinavičiūtė. Impact of Anthropogenic Instability on Landscape’s Function of Ecological Compensation (by Example of the Territory of Lithuanian).
Milda Grendaitė. The structure of the sedimentary cover of Western Lithuania is based on seismic data.
Viktorija Mačiulytė. Assessment of the impact of meteorological conditions on soil moisture.
Dalia Grendaitė. Determination of chlorophyll α concentration in lakes based on Sentinel-2 satellite data.

MAIN CONFERENCES ORGANIZED IN 2023
3RD CROSSING THE PALAEONTOLOGICAL–ECOLOGICAL GAP–CPEG, Vilnius https://www.cpeg2023vilnius.chgf.vu.lt/

DEPARTMENT OF CARTOGRAPHY AND GEOINFORMATICS

21/27 M. K. Čiurlionio str., LT-03101 Vilnius
Tel. 239 8296
E-mail:
Head - Prof. habil.Dr Algimantas Česnulevičius

STAFF
Professors: Dr G. Beconytė, habil. Dr A. Česnulevičius
Associate professors: Dr A. Balčiūnas, Dr A. Bautrėnas, Dr L. Bevainis.
Assistant professor: Dr D. Ovodas
Junior assistant: N. Mačiulevičiūtė-Turlienė (part-time);
Lecturers: Dr K. Papšys (part-time), L. Šutinienė, Dr J. Vaitkevičienė (part-time)
Junior research fellows: V. Krikščiūnienė, R. Svilienė
Doctoral students: N. Mačiulevičiūtė-Turlienė, L. Šutinienė, R. Viliuvienė

RESEARCH INTERESTS
• Methods of cartographic visualization
• Unmanned aero-craft vehicles using for dynamic surface research
• History of Lithuanian cartography
• Mapping of natural, social and economic phenomena of Lithuanian territory
• Investigations of mental maps.

RESEARCH PROJECTS CARRIED OUT IN 2023
Projects Supported by the University Budget
Development of ground-based topographic methods and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) aerial imagery methodologies to assess the condition and stability of river outcrops and dunes. Prof. A. Česnulevičius. 2021-2024.
The project aims to develop a methodology for assessing the condition and stability of river outcrops and blow-out dunes based on ground-based topographic measurements and aerial imagery of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Surface topographic measurements are based on repeated surface measurements in blown dune repeated and river outcrops. Aerial image analysis is performed using achromatic and chromatic aerial photographs of unmanned aerial vehicles. Tasks include methodologies for planning the optimal flight routes of unmanned aircraft (optimal flight altitude, aerial photography overlay, selection of the spectrum of aerial photographs), development of methods for optimizing achromatic histograms of aerial photographs, methods of photogrammetric measurement of aerial photographs that allow. Accurately estimate surface changes. The purpose of river cover studies is to assess the rates of decay and possible changes in their position in the near future.
Project leader: prof. habil. Dr A. Česnulevičius. Researchers: assoc. prof. Dr A. Balčiūnas, Dr A. Bautrėnas, Dr L. Bevainis, lecture.: Dr D. Ovodas, PhD students: N. Mačiulevičiūtė-Turlienė, L. Šutinienė, junior research: V. Krikščiūnienė, R. Svilienė. 2021 – 2024.

Research of mental map content. Prof. G. Beconytė. 2019-2024.
The purpose of the investigation to assess how geographical reality is reflected in people’s consciousness. 2022 research focuses on a study of symbols and emotions in children’s consciousness maps.
Were examined 130 sources of information related to the analysis of symbols of mental maps. The structure of the performed source analysis is related to the consistent disclosure of mental map styles: the analysis of the concept of mental map styles, the importance of style, and the visualization of local place and space. Been formulated the methodology, which applied to the evaluation of mental maps and the analysis of individual functional criteria.
The maps created by the children for the International Barbara Petchenik children's map competition (national selection stage) were digitized for the study of mental maps. Has been created a structured map database.
Project leader: prof. G. Beconytė. Researchers: lecture.: Dr K. Papšys, Dr J. Vaitkevičienė, PhD student: R. Viliuvienė.

MAIN R&D&I (RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT AND INNOVATION) PARTNERS
State enterprise Agricultural data center (Lithuania).
Nature Research Centre (Lithuania).
Klaipeda University (Lithuania).
Lithuanian Association of Cartographers (Lithuania).
Closed joint stock company “Hnit- Baltic”.
International Cartographic Association.
Vienna University of Technology (Austria).
Dresden Technical University (Germany).
Warsaw University (Poland).
Jagiellonian University in Cracow (Poland).
Wroclaw University (Poland).

OTHER RESEARCH ACTIVITIES
Dr A. Balčiūnas:
• President of Lithuanian Cartographic Society.
Dr A. Bautrėnas
• Member of the Board of the Lithuanian Cartographic Society.
Prof. G. Beconytė
• Member of the editorial board journal Kartographische Nachrichten (Germany).
• Member of the editorial board journal Geodesy and Cartography (Lithuania).
• Member of the editorial board international journal Journal of Maps.
Dr L. Bevainis
• Member of the editorial board journal Surveying and Mapping Engineering (JSME).
Prof. A. Česnulevičius
• Member of the international editorial board journal Baltica (Lithuania).
• Member of the editorial board journal Geodesy and Cartography (Lithuania).
• Member of the editorial board journal Polish Cartographical Review (Poland).

MOST IMPORTANT PARTICIPATION CASES OF RESEARCHERS IN WORKING GROUPS OR COMMISSIONS SET UP BY STATE AUTHORITIES, STATE AND MUNICIPAL INSTITUTIONS, ORGANISATIONS, BUSINESS ENTITIES
Beconytė G.
• Member of the Baltic Section of the United Nations Geographical Names Expert Group.
Bevainis L.
• Chairman of the Digital Geographic Information Technical Committee of the Lithuanian Standardization Department.
Česnulevičius A.
• A. Member of the Baltic Section of the United Nations Geographical Names Expert Group.

CONSULTATIONS PROVIDED BY THE UNIT TO THE PUBLIC OR ECONOMIC ENTITIES
Ministry of Environment
Ministry of Agriculture
Lithuanian Geography Teachers Association
National Land Service.

MOST IMPORTANT RESEARCH DISSEMINATION ACTIVITIES
Two consultations for Lithuanian Radio.
Three consultations for the website Delfi.
5 interviews, radio broadcasts.
1 interview TV broadcasts.
8 public lectures.

DEPARTMENT OF GEOGRAPHY AND LAND MANAGEMENT

M. K. Čiurlionio 21, LT-03101 Vilnius
Tel. +370 5 239 8290
E-mail:
Head – Prof. Dr Dovilė Krupickaitė

STAFF
Professors: Dr D. Veteikis, Dr D. Krupickaitė, Dr J. Mačiulytė (part time), Dr D. Burneika (part time), Dr hab. P. Kavaliauskas (emeritus).
Associate professors: Dr M. Jankauskaitė (part-time), Dr L. Jukna, Dr R. Šimanauskienė, Dr S. Šabanovas (part-time), Dr R. Tučas, Dr R. Skorupskas, Dr J. Volungevičius
Assistant professors: Dr G. Godienė (part-time), Dr I. Misiūnė (part-time, post-doc)
Junior assistant: E. L. Dvilevičius (part-time)
Lecturers: Dr Viktorija Baranauskienė (part time)
Doctoral students: A. Jasinavičiūtė, G. Kurmilavičienė, E. Piškinaitė

RESEARCH INTERESTS
• Remote sensing and spatial analysis of landscape, ecosystems and soils
• Physical geography
• GIS modelling
• History and monitoring of landscapes
• Landscape and Land management policy
• Landscape aesthetics
• Land use/land cover change analysis
• Spatial analysis of political, social, and economical processes
• Prognosis of spatial changes of society
• Urban geography
• Migration studies
• Rural geography
• Regional studies
• Ecosystem services and their social demand
• Geographical groundings of regional policy
• Medical and health geography
• Political and electoral geography
• Mapping and visualization of geographical processes

RESEARCH PROJECTS CARRIED OUT IN 2023
Projects Supported by the University Budget
Landscape anthropogenization and justification of the need for ecosystem services. Prof. D. Veteikis.
The aim of the project is to assess the extent, direction and impact of landscape change on the quality and need for ecosystem services. There are several parallel studies carried on within the scope of the project. One is to evaluate the influence of landscape instability caused by anthropogenic disturbances on the quality of ecosystem services on a national level. The classification of the landscapes under anthropogenic impact at the local level is being created in order to get the knowledge on landscape variety in the country. The trajectories of landscape structure change starting from the middle of the 19th century is being under evaluation using the historical maps.
Main publications:
1. Misiūnė, Ieva. Do we need different urban green spaces now? A case study of preferences during pandemics // Land: Special issue: The use and perception of urban green space in the wake of COVID-19. Basel : MDPI. ISSN 2073-445X. 2023, vol. 12, iss. 12, art. no. 2106, p. [1-16]. DOI: 10.3390/land12122106. [DB: Social Sciences Citation Index (Web of Science); Scopus] [Citav. rod.: 3.900, AIF: 5.100, IF/AIF: 0.764, Q2 (2022, SSCI)] [Scopus: CiteScore: 3.70, SNIP: 1,069, SJR: 0.647, (2022, Scopus Sources)] [M.kr.: S 003,N 006]
2. Piškinaitė, Eglė; Veteikis, Darijus. The results of digitizing historical maps: comparison of Lithuanian land-use structure in the 19th and 21st centuries // Land. Basel : MDPI. eISSN 2073-445X. 2023, vol. 12, no. 5, art. no. 946, p. 1-17. DOI: 10.3390/land12050946. [DB: Social Sciences Citation Index (Web of Science); Scopus] [Citav. rod.: 3.900, AIF: 5.100, IF/AIF: 0.764, Q2 (2022, SSCI)] [Scopus: CiteScore: 3.70, SNIP: 1,069, SJR: 0.647, (2022, Scopus Sources)] [M.kr.: N 006]
3. Leone, Michael; Misiūnė, Ieva; Pinto, Luís Valença; Palliwoda, Julia; Carmen, Raïsa; Jacobs, Sander; Priess, Jörg A. Lost in implementation? A field study of the uptake of the ‘green infrastructure’ term and concept in urban policies // Ecosystems and people. Abingdon : Taylor and Francis Ltd. ISSN 2639-5908. eISSN 2639-5916. 2023, vol. 19, no. 1, art. no. 2220831, p. [1-14]. DOI: 10.1080/26395916.2023.2220831. [DB: Emerging Sources Citation Index (Web of Science); Scopus] [Citav. rod.: 5.300, AIF: 2.025, IF/AIF: 2.445, (2022, ESCI)] [Scopus: CiteScore: 7.00, SNIP: 1,363, SJR: 1.280, (2022, Scopus Sources)] [M.kr.: S 002,N 006]
4. Misiune, I., Skorupskas, R., Veteikis, D. (2023) Assessment of the ecological-recreational quality of urban green spaces and their indicators using remote sensing data and online sources. Annales Geographicae, 55-56.
5. Piekienė, Nijolė; Jasinavičiūtė, Agnė. Valstybinių parkų kultūrinio kraštovaizdžio samprata ir kaitos koncepcija = The concept of cultural landscape of state parks and the concept of change // Kraštovaizdžio architektūra. Vilnius : Lietuvos kraštovaizdžio architektų sąjunga. ISSN 2783-6304. eISSN 2783-6312. 2023, Nr. 2, p. 51-61. [M.kr.: H 003]

Changes in soil properties and their impact on landscape structure and rational use. Assoc. prof. J. Volungevičius.
The aim of the research is to determine the tendencies of changes in Lithuanian soil properties under the conditions of their different use. The identification of trends is relevant to assess the sustainability of the use of soil resources and to predict changes in their quality. This is relevant when substantiating agro-ecosystem spatial planning measures and recommendations for use intensity. It is important to study not only the soils of agricultural areas, but also the soils in protected areas in order to compare how the properties of the soil change with its use. During the study, changes in soil profile morphology, chemical, physical properties and moisture regime were analyzed. Intensive use of soil in agriculture has been found to cause loss of soil organic carbon, deterioration of its structure and disruption of the hydrothermal regime. A colleague of the research group (L. Jukna) also cooperated with the Nature Research Centre while investigating nearshore sandbars.
Main publication:
1. Amalevičiūtė-Volungė, Kristina; Volungevičius, Jonas; Čeponkus, Justinas; Platakytė, Rasa; Mockevičienė, Ieva; Šlepetienė, Alvyra; Lepane, Viia. The impact of profile genesis and land use of histosol on its organic substance stability and humic acid quality at the molecular level // Sustainability: Special Issue "Advanced Studies of Soil Organic Matter and the Application of Sustainable Soil Management Practices". Basel : MDPI. eISSN 2071-1050. 2023, vol. 15, iss. 7, art. no. 5921, p. [1-22]. DOI: 10.3390/su15075921. [DB: Science Citation Index Expanded (Web of Science); Scopus] [Citav. rod.: 3.900, AIF: 4.750, IF/AIF: 0.647, Q2 (2022, SSCI); 3.900, AIF: 6.750, IF/AIF: 0.647, Q2 (2022, SCIE)] [Scopus: CiteScore: 5.80, SNIP: 1,198, SJR: 0.664, (2022, Scopus Sources)]
2. Janušaitė, Rasa; Jarmalavičius, Darius; Pupienis, Donatas; Žilinskas, Gintautas; Jukna, Laurynas. Nearshore sandbar switching episodes and their relationship with coastal erosion at the Curonian Spit, Baltic Sea // Oceanologia. Sopot : Polish Academy of Sciences Institute of Oceanology. ISSN 0078-3234. eISSN 2300-7370. 2023, vol. 65, iss. 1, p. 71-85. DOI: 10.1016/j.oceano.2021.11.004. [DB: Science Citation Index Expanded (Web of Science); Scopus; ScienceDirect] [Citav. rod.: 2.900, AIF: 3.100, IF/AIF: 0.935, Q2 (2022, SCIE)] [Scopus: CiteScore: 4.30, SNIP: 1,062, SJR: 0.580, (2022, Scopus Sources)
3. Volungevičius, Jonas; Amalevičiūtė-Volungė, Kristina. A conceptual approach to the histosols profile morphology as a risk indicator in assessing the sustainability of their use and impact on climate change // Sustainability (Switzerland). Basel : Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI). eISSN 2071-1050. 2023, vol. 15, iss. 18, art. no. 14024, p. [1-14]. DOI: 10.3390/su151814024. [DB: Science Citation Index Expanded (Web of Science); Social Sciences Citation Index (Web of Science); Scopus] [Citav. rod.: 3.900, AIF: 4.750, IF/AIF: 0.647, Q2 (2022, SSCI); 3.900, AIF: 6.750, IF/AIF: 0.647, Q2 (2022, SCIE)] [Scopus: CiteScore: 5.80, SNIP: 1,198, SJR: 0.664, (2022, Scopus Sources)] [M.kr.: N 006,A 001]
4. Swify, Samar; Mažeika, Romas; Volungevičius, Jonas. Mineral nitrogen release patterns in various soil and texture types and the impact of urea and coated urea potassium humate on barley biomass // Soil Systems. MDPI : MDPI AG. ISSN 2571-8789. 2023, vol. 7, iss. 4, art. no. 102, p. 1-18. DOI: 10.3390/soilsystems7040102. [DB: Science Citation Index Expanded (Web of Science); Scopus] [Citav. rod.: 3.500, AIF: 2.400, IF/AIF: 1.458, (2022, ESCI)] [Scopus: CiteScore: 5.80, SNIP: 0,931, SJR: 0.857, (2022, Scopus Sources)] [M.kr.: A 001]

Ecological living as a strategy for the survival of regions. Prof. D. Krupickaitė.
The objective of the project is to explore the potential of ecological lifestyles for sustainable regional development. Among the other tasks developed by the project team were (1) the problem of territorial integration of gated communities in Lithuania, (2) territorial processes of residents in Lithuania, (3) optimization of the network of electoral territories (constituencies and wards); (4) evaluation of condition of heritage objects in protected areas; (5) city image studies.
Main publication:
1. Šabanovas, Simonas; Levanaitė, Karolina. Post-COVID experiences of distance education in HEIs: the case of Vilnius University in Lithuania // INTED 2023: 17th International Technology, Education and Development Conference, Valencia, Spain. 6-8 March, 2023. Valencia : IATED Academy, 2023. eISBN 9788409490264. p. 3640-3648. (INTED2023 Proceedings, ISSN 2340-1079). DOI: 10.21125/inted.2023.0980.

Geographical research of Lithuanian countryside in the context of European socio - economic changes. Prof. J. Mačiulytė.
Since 1990, Lithuanian rural society has been undergoing profound economic and social changes. The aim of the research is to analyze the development of Lithuanian rural areas and the current dynamics based on the diversification of social and economic functions in the EU context. The study uses statistical data (demographic, socio-economic) that allow to assess the functions and development of the territory.
Main publication:
1. P. Chevalier, J. Mačiulytė, M. Dedeire (2023). Les espacess ruraux de Lituanie : des dynamiques spatiales hétérogènes ?. L’information géographique (4), pp. 47-70.

National Research Projects
Quality assessment of urban public green spaces: ecological value and visit attraction (2021 September – 2023 September). Postdoctoral project. Funding scheme: Postdoctoral funding call at Research Council of Lithuania, grant agreement No. 09.3.3-LMT-K-712-19-0174 20. I. Misiūnė (supervisor D. Veteikis).

I-FESMAR: Integrated Framework for Ecosystem Services based analysis of MARitime sectors (2022 April – 2025 March) Funding scheme: Researcher Groups projects, Research Council of Lithuania, grant agreement No. S -MIP-22-88. D. Depellegrin, I. Misiune, D. Veteikis, J. Kažys.

Research center for „(Post)autoritar Landscapes“ with other faculties. Researchers: J. Mačiulytė, D. Veteikis, R. Skorupskas, I. Misiūnė. Heading VU IF.

MAIN R&D&I (RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT AND INNOVATION) PARTNERS
Lithuanian Social Research Centre (Lithuania)
Nature Research Centre (Lithuania)
Ruhr University Bochum (Germany)
Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Leipzig (Germany)
Montpellier III University (France)
Bamberg University (Germany)
University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn (Poland)
Humboldt University of Berlin (Germany)
Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań (Poland)
Klaipeda University (Lithuania)
University of Latvia
Texas State University (US)

OTHER SCIENTIFIC ACTIVITIES
Prof. D. Veteikis
• editorial board member of the journal The Geographical Yearbook
• editorial board member of Administration Locorum series of the ActaScientiarumPolonorum
• guest editor for Land special issue "State-of-the-Art on Landscape research—an Interdisciplinary Approach"
Prof. D. Krupickaitė
• deputy editor of the journal The Geographical Yearbook
• Assoc. prof. R. Šimanauskienė –
• editorial board member for The Geographical Yearbook
Dr I. Misiūnė
• invited editor for the SPRINGER NATURE book edition entitled “Exploring the Multiple Values of Nature - Connecting Ecosystems and People across Landscapes”
• Research fellow at Earth System Governance partnership: https://www.earthsystemgovernance.org/person/ieva-misiune/

BEST REPORTS DELIVERED AT CONFERENCES ABROAD
Innovative Solutions in Education: from Gamification to Artificial Intelligence (2023 11 22-23) Lect. Karolina Levanaitė, assoc. prof. Simonas Šabanovas (Vilnius university, Lithuania) Distance Education in the Era of Uncertainty: Insights from PLACEDU Project.
Transformations in Education Policy and Culture: Teacher Education and School Creation in the Anthropocene (2023 05 26) Assoc. prof. Simonas Šabanovas (Vilnius university, Lithuania) The Influence of the Application of the Phenomenonbased Educational Project in Natural Science Classes on Students' Motivation.

Prof. D. Krupickaitė
• An expert at Research Council of Lithuanian; an expert at National Science Centre (Narodowe Centrum Nauki, Poland);an expert at Higher Education Quality Evaluation Centre (Latvia).
Prof. J. Mačiulytė
• Expert in international scientific database Lituanistika of bibliographic records, abstracts and full-text documents; an associate member of the Centre for Russian, Caucasian and Central European Studies of the School of Advanced Studies in the Social Sciences in France and the scientific laboratory UMR 5281 ART-Dev of Montpellier III at the Paul Valéry University.
Assoc. prof. R. Tučas
• An independent expert for Working Group of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania on the Review of Electoral Systems.
• An independent expert for The Central Electoral Commission of the Republic of Lithuania in the assessment of changes in electoral districts boundaries.
Assoc. Prof. R. Skorupskas
• A member of national expert groups National Landscape policy amendment group (Ministry of Environment of LR)
• A member Landscape and Protected areas sectorial group of the Process of National Forest agreement (Ministry of Environment of LR);
• Vilnius City municipality street infrastructure standard. Expert - content consultant. Municipality of Vilnius.
• Consultation activities in development of Methodological guidelines for determining and calculating the greenery index. Expert - content consultant. Ministry of Environment of LR.
Assist. prof. G. Godienė
• A member of national expert groups National Landscape policy amendment group (Ministry of Environment of LR) and Landscape and Protected areas sectorial group of the Process of National Forest agreement (Ministry of Environment of LR); consultation activities in National project “KurkLietuvai [Create for Lithuania]”; official public consultations on legal acts of the Ministry of Environment of LR; a member of organisationalcommittees of the 11th National geographical conference “Geography: science and education” (Vilnius university, Lithuanian geographical society) and National school geography competition of prof. Č. Kudaba; Vice President of Lithuanian Geographical Society (3 global meetings (IGU, EUGEO) per year); National contact person of international EUGEO platform of geographical events “Geography night”;”.
Assist. prof. S. Šabanovas
• A member of General Education Council at Ministry of Education, Science and Sport and a member of General Education Curriculum Implementation Research Group at National Agency for Education

MOST IMPORTANT RESEARCH DISSEMINATION ACTIVITIES
• popular media publications and media posts
• interviews, radio and TV broadcasts
• public lectures
• excursions for public

DEPARTMENT OF GEOLOGY AND MINERALOGY

21/27 M. K. Čiurlionio, LT-01513 Vilnius
Tel. 239 8292
E-mail:
Head – Prof. Dr Andrej Spiridonov

STAFF
Professors: Dr P. Šinkūnas,. Dr S. Radzevičius, Dr Andrej Spiridonov
Associated Professors:, Dr D. Kaminskas, Dr G. Skridlaitė (part-time), (partnership assoc. prof.) Dr A. Kleišmantas (part-time), Dr L.Balakauskas
Assistant Professors:, Dr A. Čečys, Dr N.Dobrotin (part-time), Dr J. Lazauskienė (part-time)
Research fellows: Dr G. Vaikutienė, Dr Simona Bekeraitė
Professor Emeritus: Dr Gediminas Motuza-Matuzevičius.
Assoc. Prof. Emeritus: Dr Antanas Brazauskas
In research projects: Robertas Stankevič, Liudas Daumantas
Doctoral students: Vaida Kirkliauskaitė, Milda Grendaitė, Robertas Stankevič, Simona Rinkevičiūtė, Liudas Daumantas, Tomas Gečas, Tomas Želvys, Gintarė Martinkutė-Baranauskienė, Miglė Paškevičiūtė, Ivona Juchnevičiūtė, Donatas Kudžma.

RESEARCH AREAS
• Geology of Precambrian crystalline basement:
• Petrology, chronology, tectonic structure and evolution of Precambrian crystalline crust
• Palaeontology, stratigraphy, and sedimentology:
• Taxonomy, evolutionary dynamics, macroecology and stratigraphy of early Paleozoic graptolite and brachiopods, conodonts and other vertebrates.
• Global patterns of macroevolutionary change.
• Relation of plate tectonics and palaeobiogeography.
• 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.

DOCTORAL DISSERTATIONS MAINTAINED IN 2023
Milda Grendaitė “The structure of sedimentary cover of Western Lithuania based on seismic data“

MAIN CONFERENCES ORGANIZED IN 2023
3RD CROSSING THE PALAEONTOLOGICAL - ECOLOGICAL GAP – CPEG, Vilnius https://www.cpeg2023vilnius.chgf.vu.lt/

MAIN SCIENTIFIC ACHIEVEMENTS IN 2023
Prof. Andrej Spiridonov was elected as a member of the Young Academy of Sciences of the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences

RESEARCH PROJECTS CARRIED OUT IN 2023
Projects Supported by the University Budget
Impact of the Earth system on evolutionary radiation, species extinction and ecosystem reorganization. Prof. A. Spiridonov
The main task of the project is the comprehensive understanding of the scaling of the biotal evolution in connection to the tectonic and climatic processes. The laws of spatial scaling are described.
Main publication:
1. Radzevičius, S., Stankevič, R., Budginas, R., Cichon-Pupienis, A., Venckutė-Aleksienė, A., Meidla, T., Ainsaar, A. & Spiridonov, A. 2023. Integrated stratigraphy of the Ludlow (Silurian) of the Baubliai-2 core (western Lithuania) and the record of δ18O and δ13C climatically driven co-variability. Newsletters on Stratigraphy 56(1): 75 – 88.

The later Silurian bioevents. Prof. Dr Sigitas Radzevičius.
The main goal of the topic is to identify regional stratigraphic events in Silurian sections of Lithuanian. Determinate bioevents correlate with global events and analyse their biotic and abiotic nature.
Main publication:
1. Hints, O., Ainsaar, L., Lepland, A., Liiv, M., Männik, P., Meidla, T., Nolvak, J., Radzevičius, S. 2023. Paired carbon isotope chemostratigraphy across the Ordovician–Silurian boundary in central East Baltic: regional and global signatures. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 624, 111640.

The Lower Paleozoic carbonate systems of the Baltic sedimentary Basin. Assoc.prof. D. Kaminskas.
The main goal of the project is to study the peculiarities of carbonate sedimentation and diagenesis of the Baltic Silurian Basin. The carbonate analysis was applied for 399 samples. The carbonate content (calcite and dolomite) was determined for bulk samples. It was suggested that the increase in carbonate content, and also increase in variability of carbonate content, as well as decrease in LOI and magnetic susceptibility is associated with the Klonk excursion. The variation of carbonate content vs terrigenous material was established in Milaiciai 103 well. The lithological along with the carbonate analysis of probable relative depth changes revealed a long term shallowing trend, which was related to the final phases of the development of the Silurian Baltic Basin.

Mesoproterozoic igneous and ore complexes in the crystalline base of Lithuania and surrounding regions. Assoc Prof. Gražina Skridlaitė.
The main goal was to identify and link mesoproterozoic igneous, metamorphic and ore geological events in the crystalline bedrock of eastern and southern Lithuania. The origin and age of granitoids crossing the rocks of the Varėna iron ore deposit were studied. The age of two granitoids from D9 and 987 wells was determined by secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) at NORDSIM Laboratory in Stockholm. Both circular granite (D9) and walled granite (987) formed about 1.50 billion years ago. Dated zircons have been depleted by hydrothermal solutions and radioactive decay, making the dating of such zircons quite complex. An article has been prepared with a proposal to solve this problem:

Palaeogeography of the Quaternary period. Prof. P. Šinkūnas.
The main research task is to determine the development of palaeogeographical environment during the Late Pleistocene - Early Holocene based on the study of deposit sequences. The research group studied sedimentary records in the southeastern Baltic Sea region to reconstruct the climatic fluctuations and the abiotic responses to them during the Lateglacial and Early Holocene. The results obtained contribute to a deeper understanding of how the local sediment sequences reveal the global climatic trends.
Main publication:
1. Pukelytė, V., Rudnickaitė, E. 2023. Antanas Karolis Giedraitis’ geological investigations in Lithuania. Baltica 36(2): 155–163.

National Research Projects
“The role of spatial structuring in major transitions in macroevolution” (Project leader). In the project there are three more research scientists and one laboratory assistant. (2021-2024) [150 000 €]
Evolutionary history of life on Earth is marked by a series of volatile environmentally mediated major transitions in individuality, modes of information transfer, and most importantly rates of macroevolution which determine innovation potential of the biota. Phanerozoic eon is the most recent half a billion years, which is characterized by the origination, and expansion of all modern complex multicellular plant and animal taxa. This largest scale evolution of the biota was characterized by multiple episodes of mass extinctions and evolutionary radiations that followed them. There is growing body of evidence that shows mass extinction episodes as the major transitions in the modes of macroevolution and diversity dynamics. Nevertheless the spatial impact of macroevolution on the systemic changes in origination and extinction rates and their mutual coherence is almost completely unknown at the global scale.
Main publicaitons:
1. Tijūnaitytė, G., Danielius, S., Bevainis, L., Satkūnas, J., Balakauskas, L. 2023. The dynamics of Pilkosios Dunes relief during 2010–2022, based on the digital elevation model analysis. Baltica 36(2): 164–175.
2. Spiridonov, S. Lovejoy, S. 2023: Scaling in the Evolution of Biodiversity, Critical Concepts In Biological Theory. Biological Theory, 18, p. 1-6

MAIN R&D&I (RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT AND INNOVATION) PARTNERS
McGhill University (Canada)
American Museum of Natural History (USA)
Geological Survey of Utah (USA)
Kansas University (USA)
Carleton University (Canada)
Nature Research Centre (Lithuania)
Klaipeda University (Lithuania)
Krakow University (Poland) Institute of Oceanology of the Russian Academy of Sciences,
Tartu University (Estonia)
Nature research centre. Institute of Geology and Geography (Lithuania)
Geological Survey of Lithuania (Lithuania)

OTHER RESEARCH ACTIVITIES
Prof. Andrej Spiridonov
• editorial board member of the „Frontiers in Earth Sciences“ and „Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution“

BEST REPORTS DELIVERED AT CONFERENCES ABROAD
Spiridonov A., Eldredge N. 2023. Bretskyan hierarchy – the structure and evolution of biota in time and space. in "The Palaeontological Association 67th Annual Meeting, Programme and Abstracts", University of Cambridge, UK. 67 pp.
Stankevič R., Venckutė-Aleksienė A. , Radzevičius S., and Spiridonov A.. 2023. Coordination of acritarch and graptolite turnovers before and during the onset of Lau Event (Ludlow, Silurian). in "The Palaeontological Association 67th Annual Meeting, Programme and Abstracts", University of Cambridge, UK. 136 pp.
Daumantas, L. and Spiridonov, A. 2023. “HespDiv” method allows to quantify the dark matter of biosystems, EGU General Assembly 2023, Vienna, Austria, 24–28 Apr 2023, EGU23-11519, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu23-11519
Spiridonov, A., Lovejoy, S., and Balakauskas, L.. 2023. Framing origins and dynamics of biodiversity in the paradigm of space and time scaling, EGU General Assembly 2023, Vienna, Austria, 24–28 Apr 2023, EGU23-7943, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu23-7943
Stankevič, R., Bekeraitė, S., Spiridonov, A., and Juchnevičiūtė, I. 2023. Recurrence analysis of large-scale dynamical properties of terrestrial mammal evolution, EGU General Assembly 2023, Vienna, Austria, 24–28 Apr 2023, EGU23-15592, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu23-15592

MOST IMPORTANT NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL AWARDS RECEIVED FOR R&D ACTIVITIES
Andrej Spiridonov
• Vilnius University prize for the best publication of the year 2022 in the category of physical sciences
• Elected member of the Young Academy of Sciences of the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences (2023)
Simona Rinkevičiūtė
• Stypend of the Lithuanian Science Foudation for academic excellence for PhD students.

MOST IMPORTANT RESEARCH DISSEMINATION ACTIVITIES
Mokslininkas apie žemės drebėjimus Turkijoje: išlaisvino daugiau energijos nei Hirošimos atominė bomba
2023.02.08
https://www.15min.lt/verslas/naujiena/mokslas-it/mokslininkas-apiezemes-drebejimus-turkijoje-islaisvino-daugiau-energijos-nei-hirosimos-atomine-bomba-1290-2006244
A.Spiridonov Minties eksperimentai. Penki didieji masiniai rūšių išnykimai: kaip atrodytų Žemė, jei jie nebūtų vykę? 2023.02.21 https://www.lrt.lt/mediateka/irasas/2000258703/minties-eksperimentai-penki-didieji-masiniai-rusiu-isnykimai-kaip-atrodytu-zeme-jei-jie-nebutu-vyke
E.Rudnickaitė Seminaras mokytojams “Geologija ir gamtamokslinis ugdymas” 2023.02.14-15 https://www.chgf.vu.lt/apie-fakulteta/naujienos/2844-vu-geologai-laukia-mokytoju-atvykstanciu-i-seminara-geologija-ir-gamtamokslinis-ugdymas
A. Spiridonov Planeta ant delno #17: Majų civilizacijos žlugimas ir suprimityvėję apskritažiomeniai 2023-07-01 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XeKtbvxVzGw&t=112s
A. Spiridonov G. Skridlaitė Mokslo sriuba: superugnikalnis Italijoje (1 dalis) 2023-09-02 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dT-jm4mRSx8

DEPARTMENT OF HYDROGEOLOGY AND ENGINEERING GEOLOGY

21/27 M. K. Čiurlionio, LT-01513 Vilnius
Tel. 239 82 78
E-mail:
Head – Doc. Dr Gintaras Žaržojus

STAFF
Professors: Habil. Dr Robert Mokrik..
Associate professors: Dr S. Gadeikis, Dr S. Gadeikienė, Dr K. Jokšas (part-time), Dr G. Žaržojus.
Assistant professor: Dr Ž. Skuratovič (part-time), Dr M. Gregorauskas (part-time), dr V. Samalavičius (part-time).
Junior assistant: I. Lekstutytė (part-time);
Junior research fellows: D. Gribulis (part-time).
Lecturer: Dr J. Arustienė (part-time), dr, G. Domej (part-time), D. Gribulis (part-time);
Doctoral students: I. Lekstutytė, R. Kanopienė.

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 2023
Projects Supported by the University Budget
Research of the Geoenvironment Changes, Protection and Resources Use. Prof. 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. Modeling 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 publications:
1. Kazlauskas, M.; Jurgelėnė, Ž.; Šemčuk, S.; Jokšas, K.; Kazlauskienė, N.; Montvydienė, D. Effect of graphene oxide on the uptake, translocation and toxicity of metal mixture to Lepidium sativum L. plants: Mitigation of metal phytotoxicity due to nanosorption // Chemosphere. Amsterdam : Elsevier Ltd. ISSN 0045-6535. 2023, vol. 312, pt. 1, art. no. 137221, p. 1-13. DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.137221. [DB: Science Citation Index Expanded (Web of Science); Scopus; ScienceDirect] [Citav. rod.: 8.800, AIF: 6.500, IF/AIF: 1.353, Q1 (2022, SCIE)] [Scopus: CiteScore: 13.30, SNIP: 1,624, SJR: 1.727, (2022, Scopus Sources)] [M.kr.: N 012,N 002,N 010,N 003] [Indėlis: 0,083]
2. Stakėnienė, Rimutė; Jokšas, Kęstutis; Kriaučiūnienė, Jūratė; Jakimavičius, Darius; Raudonytė-Svirbutavičienė, Eva. Nutrient loadings and exchange between the Curonian Lagoon and the Baltic Sea: Changes over the past two decades (2001–2020) // Water. Basel : MDPI. eISSN 2073-4441. 2023, vol. 15, iss. 23, art. no. 4096, p. 1-21. DOI: 10.3390/w15234096. [DB: Science Citation Index Expanded (Web of Science); Scopus] [Citav. rod.: 3.400, AIF: 5.450, IF/AIF: 0.591, Q2 (2022, SCIE)] [Scopus: CiteScore: 5.50, SNIP: 1,063, SJR: 0.723, (2022, Scopus Sources)] [M.kr.: N 005] [Indėlis: 0,100]
3. Lekstutytė, Ieva; Moliakovaitė, Greta; Žaržojus, Gintaras; Gadeikis, Saulius; Skuodis, Šarūnas. Intermediate till soil properties and distinctive features // Modern Building Materials, Structures and Techniques MBMST 2023, 5-6 October, Vilnius, Lithuania. Cham : Springer Nature, 2024. ISBN 9783031446023. eISBN 9783031446030. p. 612-622. (Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering, ISSN 2366-2557, eISSN 2366-2565 ; vol. 392). DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-44603-0_63
4. Ieva Lekstutytė; Donatas Urbaitis; Gintaras Žaržojus; Šarūnas Skuodis; Saulius Gadeikis; Factors affecting the oedometric modulus of till soil. // Baltica. Vilnius : Gamtos tyrimų centras. Volume 36 Number 2 December 2023: 190–205. https://doi.org/10.5200/baltica.2023.2.8

Contractual Research
Dr G. Žaržojus: Geologinių – hidrogeologinių pokyčių, susijusių su planuojamu teritrijos užstatymu Trakų INP, vertinimas. Sutartis su UAB “Formatas A1” (Nr. (1.57) 15600-INS-113). (Assessment of geological - hydrogeological condition changes related to the planned development of the territory in the Trakai INP)

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)

OTHER RESEARCH ACTIVITIES
Dr S. Gadeikis
• Editorial board member of the journal Geologijos akiračiai (Spheres of Geology).

DEPARTMENT OF HYDROLOGY AND CLIMATOLOGY

21/27 M. K. Čiurlionio, LT-01513 Vilnius
Tel. 239 8292
E-mail:
Head – Ass. prof. Dr Gintautas Stankūnavičius

STAFF
Professors: Dr A. Bukantis, Dr E. Rimkus, Dr E. Stonevičius
Associate professors: Dr J. Kažys, Dr D. Pupienis, Dr Gintautas Stankūnavičius, Dr G. Valiuškevičius
Junior research fellows: Dr J. Kilpys
Lecturer: Dr J. Liukaitytė-Kukienė (part-time)
Doctoral students: A. Dubikaltienė, D. Grendaitė, L. Klimavičius, Y. Levachou, V. Mačiulytė, S. Pipiraitė-Januškienė

RESEARCH INTERESTS
• Regional climate change, climate change impact on environment and economy, adaptation to climate change;
• Response of hydrosphere to the long-term climate fluctuations;
• Use of satellite information for the assessment of hydroclimatic resources and ecological status of lakes;
• Extreme and complex climate events;
• Large scale atmospheric circulation;
• Change and modeling of deposits and morphology of sea shore;
• Applied meteorology, human biometeorology.

DOCTORAL DISSERTATIONS MAINTAINED IN 2023
V. Mačiulytė. Assessment of the impact of meteorological conditions on soil moisture.
D. Grendaitė. Determination of chlorophyll α concentration in lakes based on Sentinel-2 satellites data.

RESEARCH PROJECTS CARRIED OUT IN 2023
Projects Supported by the University Budget
Use of Satellite Information for the Assessment of Hydroclimatic Resources. Prof. E. Rimkus. 2019-2024
The main research task is to develop new algorithms and methods to determine freshwater ice parameters, snow cover 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 for environment condition evaluation.
Main publications:
1. Klimavičius, L., Rimkus, E., Stonevičius, E., Mačiulytė, V. 2023. Seasonality and long-term trends of NDVI values in different land use types in the eastern part of the Baltic Sea basin,
Oceanologia, Volume 65, Issue 1, 171-181,. https://doi.org/10.3390/rs14071627
2. Laukys, J., Maršalka, B., Daugėla, I. and G. Stankūnavičius. 2023. "Drone-Based Vertical Atmospheric Temperature Profiling in Urban Environments" Drones 7, no. 11: 645. https://doi.org/10.3390/drones7110645

Study of the Natural and Social Effects of Climate Change in the Baltic Sea Region. Prof. A. Bukantis. 2019-2024
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.
Also accuracy of air temperature and precipitation monthly and seasonal forecasts generated for the territory of Lithuania using the NOAA's Climate Forecast System were investigated.
Main publications:
1. Mačiulytė, V., Rimkus, E., Valiukas D., Stonevičius, E. 2023. Long-term precipitation events in the eastern part of the Baltic Sea region. Oceanologia, Volume 65, Issue 1, 141-150. DOI: 10.1016/j.oceano.2022.02.003
2. Klimavičius L., Rimkus E. 2023. Compound drought and heatwave events in the eastern part of the Baltic Sea region, Oceanologia, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oceano.2023.06.010
3. Ūselytė, J., & Bukantis, A. 2023. Mesoclimatic analysis of non-precipitation periods in Lithuania. Journal of Environmental Engineering and Landscape Management, 31(2), 142–156

Investigations of the Effects of Environmental Change on Inland Water Systems. Assoc. Prof. Dr G. Valiuškevičius. 2019-2024
In 2022, the reasons for the dependence of river water levels on environmental indicators were studied. The formation of droughty periods in various Lithuanian basins was also examined. Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) approach to flood protection in Europe was investigated. The research provide guidance connecting hydrology and soil science, on the one hand, and land use planning, social geography and economics, on the other. The paper was the result of our department participation in COST action CA16209 - LAND4FLOOD:
Main publication:
1. Kerienė, I., Šaulienė, I., Šukienė, L., Judžentienė, A., Ligor, M., Valiuškevičius, G., Grendaitė D., Buszewski, B. (2023). Enrichment of Water Bodies with Phenolic Compounds Released from Betula and Pinus Pollen in Surface Water. Plants, 13(1), 99.

Sea Coast Litho-Morpholgy Dynamic and Modeling. Assoc. Prof. Dr D. Pupienis. 2019-2024
Coastal geodynamic processes lead to beach sediment erosion or accumulation. The coast’s dynamic tendencies determine the changes in the volume of beach sediments; grain size; mineralogical; and geochemical composition of sediments. In addition to lithological and mineralogical analysis of sediments, geochemical analysis can provide valuable information about the local and regional patterns of sediment transport, distribution, provenance, and coasts’ conditions. The research aims to assess trace metals’ temporal and spatial distribution determined in the sandy beach sediments along the south-eastern Baltic Sea coast (Lithuania) during 2011–2018.
Main publication:
1. Buynevich, I.V., Tõnisson, H., Suursaar, Ü., Pupienis, D., Davydov, O.V., Kont, A., Palginõmm, V., Koit, O., Luik, K. 2023. Diverse erosional indicators along a rapidly retreating Holocene strandplain margin, leeward Hiiumaa Island, Estonia. Baltica, 36 (1), 79–88.

Lake Water Quality Parameters’ Assessment Using Satellite Data. PhD student D. Grendaitė, prof. Dr E. Stonevičius, 2018-2023
The dissertation is focused on using remote sensing data (mainly optical Sentinel-2 data) to create algorithms for water quality parameter retrieval in Lithuanian lakes and ponds. Machine learning algorithms are used to classify lakes based on their remote sensing spectra and to retrieve chlorophyll concentration.

National projects
VU Science Promotion Fund project “The identification of aquatic vegetation genera in lakes using remote sensing data”. 2023. Research assistant D. Grendaitė, 2022

LSC Young scientist group project “Recognition algorithms for next-generation multi-purpose satellite images for climate monitoring” 2023 -2026. Research assistant D. Grendaitė

LSC project “Formation of the urban environment of Lithuanian residential areas, assessment of climate change forecasts in the country” 2023. Prof. A. Bukantis

Researcher Groups projects. Research Council of Lithuania. Integrated Framework for Ecosystem Services based analysis of MARitime sectors, I-FESMAR. Dr J. Kažys, 2022-2025.
The objective of I-FESMAR is to develop a conceptual framework for the analysis of maritime sectors using an ecosystem services oriented approach. The framework will allow to identify, assess and analyze coastal and marine ecosystem goods and services and their socioeconomic and environmental value for traditional maritime sectors (tourism, shipping, commercial fishery and Oil & Gas) and for new potential sectors (ocean energy, aquaculture) of the Lithuanian maritime economy. The framework will include (1) Structured review of maritime sectors and conceptual framework; (2) Database of environmental and socio-economic indicators development; (3) Geospatial stakeholder analysis of the maritime sectors; (4) Identification of effects of drivers of change on maritime sectors; (5) Coastal community engagement process through EU Living Labs and (6) Case study development for Lithuanian sea space.

Norway grants. LT Environmental Protection Agency. Supervision and testing of water quality data retrieval from satellite data system and its efficient management. Dr E. Stonevičius, research assistant D. Grendaitė. 2022-2023.

International Research Projects
2021 call HORIZON project (HORIZON-CL3-2021-DRS-01-02) „The Human-Tech Nexus - Building a Safe Haven to cope with Climate Extremes“ (abbr. The HuT). 2022 – 2026. Dr G. Stankūnavičius.
The HuT project will employ innovative disaster risk reduction solutions, accounting for the potential variations induced by climate change. This will involve integrating and leveraging best practices and successful multi-disciplinary experiences that have been recently developed within various territorial contexts by leading European research groups, institutions, and stakeholders, to deal with extreme climate events. The project’s main ambition beyond the state of the art is to promote the “best set” of trans-disciplinary risk management tools and approaches that could be adopted and used extensively across Europe, in as many situations as possible. The activities of the project will be developed considering the following main critical dimensions: trans-disciplinarity, systemic risk, co-production, crossfertilization, transferability, and long-term legacy. A set of ten demonstrators will constitute a multi-hazard arena wherein possible disastrous events associated with climate extremes will be dealt with jointly by representatives of the scientific and technical communities, practitioners, policy-makers and local communities. The events associated to climate extremes that will be considered in this project are: forest fires, including wildland urban interface fires; meteorological/hydrological/agricultural droughts, including associated water shortage; heatwaves; weather-induced landslides, including debris flows; fluvial and pluvial floods; storms, including heavy rain, hail, thunderstorms, and storm surges. The HuT will mainly focus on the prevention and preparedness phases of the disaster risk management cycle, explicitly considering climate change scenarios and integrating the proposed set of solutions, for the various events considered, over short- (from days to several months) and long-term (from years to decades) time horizons.

National Research Projects
European network for Mediterranean cyclones in weather and climate. COST activity (CA19109). Dr G. Stankūnavičius. 2020-2024.
Cyclones are the main weather modulators in the Mediterranean region and constitute a major environmental risk, often producing windstorms and heavy rainfall. Moreover, cyclones play a key role in the regional climate variability by controlling the oceanic circulation and regional water cycle, and by mobilizing and transporting large amounts of dust from North Africa.
Efficient networking between stakeholders, operational weather forecasters and researchers is timely and essential to address both challenges of research coordination and operational implementation of scientific results into weather and climate services. This Action coordinate the activities of researchers in meteorology and climatology and scientists from weather/climate services with the main aims to provide a deeper understanding of Mediterranean cyclones and to improve significantly the European capacity to predict their environmental and climate impacts. In this context, the network will identify, and involve in the network, relevant stakeholders with different backgrounds (e.g. civil protection, re-insurance companies) and co-develop cyclone prediction products tailored to their needs.

Mindfulness Practices for Students in Society, MP4s. Cooperation partnerships in higher education. ERASMUS+ Programme. Dr J. Kažys, 2021-2024.
The MP4s project aims to achieve the following objective: to support students to tackle their emotional difficulties through mindfulness practices and training, fostering compassionate care of self, others and the planet within higher education institutions, promoting soft skills competencies and accelerating the social and climate transition. Our project will provide an open access set of resources for students, teachers and faculties, to allow mindful practices and training to be weaved into any course, supporting students’ wellbeing and enabling them to act for and on behalf of the planet and others from a compassionate place. Students are tomorrow’s leaders and, consequently, the consortium feels it is crucial to provide them with awareness tools and resources. Mindfulness has shown efficacy in lowering anxiety, increasing resilience, improving academic performance, deepening one’s sense of connectedness to others and nature, and allowing one to act from a balanced state of awareness.

Contractual Research
Energijos Skirstymo Operatorius AB "Evaluation of the impact of hydrometeorological conditions on disconnections of the 0.4-35 kV electric network". 2023. Dr E. Rimkus
The purpose of the study is to find out the influence of hydrometeorological conditions (or combinations of different weather agents) on the operation of the 0.4 - 35 kV electrical network through the prism of network outages and to determine the threshold values of severe hydrometeorological conditions (during the last 10 years); also to determine trends in hazardous weather conditions to adapt the energy system to climate change.

MAIN R&D&I (RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT AND INNOVATION) PARTNERS
Nature Research Centre (Lithuania)
Klaipeda University (Lithuania)
Lithuanian Energy Institute (Lithuania)
Vilnius Tech, Antanas Gustaitis' Aviation Institute (Lithuania)
Temple University (USA)
Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun (Poland)
Tartu University (Estonia)
Institute for Environment and Sustainability (EC Joint Research Centre)
JSC “Road Maintenance” (Lithuania)
NGO “Lithuanian Fund for Nature” (Lithuania)
Tallinn University (Estonia)
Kherson State University (Ukraina)
University of Latvia (Latvia)
Daugavpils university (Latvia)
University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire (USA)

OTHER SCIENTIFIC ACTIVITIES
Prof. A. Bukantis
• editorial board member of the Journal of Environmental Engineering and Landscape Management.
Dr E. Kažys
• editorial board member of the journal International Journal of Ecosystems and Ecology Science (IJEES);
• editorial board member of the journal The International Journal of Climate Change: Impacts and Responses;
• representative in Lithuania of The European School of Sustainability Science and Research (ESSSR).
Prof. E. Rimkus
• Member of the Editorial Team (Advisory Board) of Acta Geographica Lodziensia (AGL).
Dr E. Stonevičius
• national Correspondent of Euromediterranean Network of Experimental and Representative Basins (ERB);
• topical advisory panel member of journal Water (MDPI).
Dr G. Valiuškevičius
• member of Nordic Association for Hydrology (NHF).
Dr D. Pupienis
• member of the elite International Sediment Club (ISC);

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.
Prof. E. Rimkus
• Member of the Interinstitutional Working Group on the Impact of Climate Change on Public Health.
• Expert member of STRATA in “Lithuania's Progress Strategy – Lithuania 2050”.
• The chairman of supervisory board of National Hydrometeorological service.
Dr J. Kažys
• Members of the Climate Change Group of the National Forest Agreement
• Dr J. Kažys, Dr E. Evaluator of ES H2020 CINEA HORIZON-MISS-2021-OCEAN-02-03-04-05 and HORIZON-MISS-2021-CLIMA-02 projects.
Dr G. Stankūnavičius
• National council member of Protocol on Water and Health to the 1992 Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes
• Council member of Global Water Partnership Central and Eastern Europe

CONSULTATIONS PROVIDED BY THE UNIT TO THE PUBLIC OR ECONOMIC ENTITIES
Ministry of Environment
Lithuanian Geography Teachers Association
Curonian Spit National Park
Seaside Regional Park
Klaipėda city municipality administration
Neringa city municipality administration

Consultations provided by the unit to the public or economic entities
Advising Lithuanian business leaders and media representative on climate change issues.

MOST IMPORTANT RESEARCH DISSEMINATION ACTIVITIES
More than 100 interviews, radio and TV broadcasts;
More than 45 public lectures;
More than 40 excursions to meteorological station at VU.