News

Advancing research through training mobility at KTH

Research assistant Madara Leimane from the ISSP UL’s Laboratory of Optical Materials participated in training mobility at the KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Nanochemistry Lab, Sweden, on November 25-27.

During the training mobility, she engaged in an intensive program focused on thermal analysis techniques at KTH’s prestigious Nanochemistry Lab. Under the guidance of Professor Muhammet S. Toprak and the Nanochemistry Research Group, Madara gained hands-on experience with TGA (thermogravimetric analysis) and coupled techniques like TGA-IR (Infrared Spectroscopy).

This training provided Madara with a comprehensive understanding of thermal analysis methodologies, particularly their application in analyzing silica glass. The practical experiments conducted allowed her to master the entire process—from sample preparation to data interpretation—significantly boosting her confidence in utilizing these techniques at the ISSP UL, where similar thermal analysis equipment is available.

Moreover, the insights gained regarding photoluminescence spectra related to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in silica glasses are expected to play an important role in her doctoral thesis research. This experience not only enriched her technical skills but also facilitated networking opportunities with fellow researchers at KTH, fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange.

The expertise acquired during this mobility will enhance Madara’s ongoing work at the ISSP UL, allowing her to contribute more effectively to the analysis of samples synthesized in the Optical Materials Laboratory and to support her colleagues in understanding and implementing these advanced methodologies.