Duration of the project
01.02.2021. - 31.10.2021.
Countries and institutions involved in the project
Project Manager
Dr. Alvija Šalaševičienė
Achieved aim(s) of the project
The research network was looking for a sustainable, simple and sensitive method to detect hazardous elements (Co, Ni, Cr) based on flame atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) in food matrices that were in contact with thermally sprayed coating solutions. These are used for wear protection of machines in food technology. To overcome the low sensitivity of AAS, the food matrices are concentrated using a high vacuum technique. The reliability of the analytical method is investigated in comparison with other methods. This is done by comparing flame AAS with graphite furnace AAS, inductively coupled plasma with optical emission detection (ICP-OES) and total reflection X-ray fluorescence method.
Main activities of the project
1) Preparation of coated specimen by thermal spraying coating for further trace element detection experiments in food matrices. Venue: Fraunhofer-Institut für Keramische Technologien und Systeme IKTS, Germany.
2) Research developing analytical solutions to get the highest sensitivity for the flame AAS when concentrating contaminated food matrices. Venue: Kaunas University of Technology, Lithuania.
3) Validation of the novel sensitivity solution for the flame AAS by other reliable trace element measurement techniques, such as graphite furnace AAS, ICP-OES and TXRF. Venue: University of Latvia, Latvia.
4) Research project results dissemination: booklets, posters and international online workshop. Venue: Kaunas University of Technology, Lithuania.
Direct and indirect target group
Direct:
The research network:
- researchers from Kaunas University of Technology, Lithuania, University of Latvia, Latvia and Fraunhofer-Institut für Keramische Technologien und Systeme IKTS, Germany, researchers, postdocs and students from the Baltic states (79 people=
Indirect:
Statutory organizations such as:
- Ministry of Agriculture and State Food and veterinary service, Lithuania (2 people)
- Ministry of Agriculture and Ministry of Environmental protection and regional development, Latvia (2 people).
- Industrial business units, companies dealing with aggressive food matrices and environment, Lithuania (10 people).
- Industrial Research associations and their members (40 people) like the Technical Committee 2 of the German Welding Association.
