Ceramics and Glass Technology

Laboratory Staff

Prof. Konstantinos Komnitsas
Director | (+30) 2821037686 | kkomnitsas<at>tuc.gr

Dr Anna Kritikaki
Teaching and Research Staff | (+30) 282103762821037609 | akritikaki<at>tuc.gr

Laboratory Objective

The research areas of the Laboratory of Ceramics and Glass Technology include:

• Advanced ceramics processing (ceramic filters and membranes, engineering ceramics, bioceramics, solid electrolytes, ceramic superconductors).
• Development of ceramics with tailor made properties (porous ceramics of controlled pore structure, graded structures, ceramics of high thermal shock resistance).
• Ceramic shaping and sintering techniques.
• Ceramic powders development through chemical methods.
• Development of powders with controlled size distribution through spray drying methods.
• Powder consolidation methods.
• Investigation of ceramic properties (microstructure, pore structure, mechanical properties)
• Glass ceramics  production,
• Bioceramics

Infrastructure

• Mercury Prosimeter Autopore 9500 (Μicromeritics, Italy)
• Dilatometer DIL 402C (Netzch, Germany)
• Diferrential Thermal Analysis and Thermal Gravimetry Analysis -DTA/TG   Diamond Pyris, (Perkin Elmer)
• Spray Dryer (Bucchi B290)
• Ζ-Potential Analyzer (MIcromeritics, Italy),
• Piston extruder
• Z- blade mixer
• High temperature laboratory furnace , (1650^οC) LHT70 Nabertherm
• High temperature laboratory furnace , (1700^οC) LHT08/15 Nabertherm (with Ν2)
• High temperature laboratory furnace , (1200^οC) LHT70
• Hydraulic press
• Ball mill
• Analytical laboratory  Balances  Kern 572-45, ARS 220-4
• Vacuum pumps Optika AV-1
• Drying oven PF 60/200 Carbolite,
• Cutting device
• Polishing device
• PCs, scanners, printers

Research and Development Projects

• Jan. 2023 – Dec. 2026. Cost-effective, sustainable and responsible extraction routes for recovering distinct critical metals and industrial minerals as by-products from key European hard-rock lithium projects [EXCEED], Horizon Europe project, funded by the EU, budget TUC 840,000 €, https://exceed-horizon.eu/

• June 2022 – May 2026. Sustainable processing of Europe’s low-grade sulphidic and lateritic nickel/cobalt ores and tailings into battery-grade metals [ENICON], Horizon Europe project, Grant Agreement No. 101058124, funded by the EU, budget TUC 700,000 €, https://enicon-horizon.eu/

• Jan. 2018 – Dec. 2020. INVALOR: Research Infrastructure for the Valorization of Wastes and Sustainable Management of Resources, funded by the Greek Minister of Economy and Development, Budget TUC 700.000 €, http://www.invalor.org/el/home-gr/

• Nov. 2017 – Oct. 2019. ENGineering and Industry Innovative Training for Engineers,Erasmus+ programme, AGREEMENT NUMBER – 2017-1-CY01-KA202-026728, TUC budget 32,086 €

• Feb. 2016-Jan. 2020. Metal Recovery from Low Grade Ores and Wastes (Metgrow+), Research and Innovation Action (RIA), H2020 project, Grant Agreement n° 690088, funded by the European Commission, 19 participants, Budget TUC: 487,125 €

• Oct. 2012-Sep. 2015. Development of Mathematical Predictive Model coupled with Neural Network smoothing algorithms to Optimize Operating Conditions and Improve Energy Efficiency of Rotary Kiln and Electric Arc Furnaces in Ferronickel Production Plants (MANNFENI), Cooperation Project, TUC budget: 69.100 €

• Oct. 2012–Sep. 2015. Recycling of quarry dust and construction and demolition wastes for the production of novel ecological building elements, Cooperation Project, funded by the General Secretariat of Research and Technology, Project budget: 504.250 €, TUC budget: 102.500 €

• Jan. 2012–June 2016. Development of an integrated methodology for the management, treatment and valorisation of hazardous waste (WasteVal), Budget: 521.000€, funded by the Greek Ministry of Education