The doctoral student at the Silesian University of Technology is conducting fascinating research on organic electroactive multifunctional materials, combining electrochemistry and spectrochemistry. Patience and humility are values that guide her scientific path, and a scholarship in New Zealand allowed her to establish international contacts and broaden her scientific horizons.
A doctoral student at the Silesian University of Technology, Magdalena Zawadzka is currently in her third year of doctoral studies. Her dissertation involves electrochemical and spectroelectrochemical analysis of organic electroactive multifunctional materials. These compounds may find future applications in organic electronics and optoelectronics, including electrochromic devices such as displays.
“My research deals with the response of materials to an applied electrical voltage,”
She checks whether the material is electroactive, that is, whether it responds to current, and then analyzes the material. Some of them are capable of reversibly changing their color under the influence of an electric voltage. In this case, one can speak of electrochromic materials, which are used in smart and self-dimming mirrors.
Projects during university studies
Even during her engineering and master’s studies, Magda became involved in numerous scientific projects.
“That’s how my PhD adventure began,” she says.
During her engineering studies, she participated in Project Based Learning, an endeavor in which students combine theoretical knowledge with practice and learning is carried out using the project method. As part of it, changes in structural, physicochemical and mechanical properties occurring in polyurethane building insulation under the influence of varying weather conditions were studied. In turn, during her master’s studies, Magda was involved in a project carried out under the Preludium competition, funded by the National Science Center (Narodowe Centrum Nauki). Its topic was similar to that of her doctoral dissertation, which confirmed her conviction that the chosen direction was the right one. That’s when she started working with her current supervisor. She was also motivated to start her doctorate thanks to a desire to continue learning and acquiring knowledge, and a strong interest in the research area of her studies. She had been interested in chemistry since high school, and during her studies and ongoing projects she delved into physical chemistry and the chemistry of modern materials.
“I always choose my own path and I am in the minority,” she says of her decision, noting that most of her peers have chosen to work outside of academia.
Patience and humbleness
The most difficult challenge when conducting scientific research is that it is extremely time-consuming, Magda says. A lot of measurements have to be taken and the research has to be repeated more than once to achieve results.
“The most important qualities of a good scientist are diligence, patience and perseverance. I have to spend a great deal of time to get a satisfactory final result, both for me and for other scientists who review and evaluate my work.”
Another challenge is that the materials analyzed must have a number of advantages and unique properties, as well as be competitively priced, in order to find a practical industrial application in the future.
Magda has managed to present her results so far at four conferences and also published them in the form of scientific articles titled: “Characterization of changes in structural, physicochemical and mechanical properties of rigid polyurethane building insulation after thermal aging in air and seawater” in the journal Polymer Bulletin and also “Naphthalene Phthalimide Derivatives as Model Compounds for Electrochromic Materials” in the journal Molecules.
Scholarship in New Zealand
Magda also completed a six-week research internship at the University of Auckland, New Zealand. She went on the scholarship together with her supervisor. The research internship was part of the OCTA (Organic Charge Transfer Applications) project, co-financed by EU funds. The project focused on the development of novel materials based on charge transfer with potential applications in organic electronics. During her internship, she had the opportunity to meet scientists whose area of scientific work coincides with hers, which was an excellent opportunity to exchange knowledge and gain valuable experience. She also learned about new work techniques and established collaborations with scientists from Asia, including China and India. Magda says that despite the fact that scientists in New Zealand also study slightly different materials than she does, for which other techniques are better, they work with similar apparatus on a daily basis.
Magda notes that due to their commitment, similar research area and courtesy, they were able to find many points of commonality during their research work.
“As in our case – diligence and perseverance are the common denominator.”
Future plans
Magda wants to continue her career in the world of science, considering working both at the university and at other research centers. She wants to pursue her own projects and engage in educational activities to support students. She is also thinking about working in the industrial sector, considering gaining practical experience in the profession as crucial to her professional development. She emphasizes that research is her passion, and she finds it fascinating to discover new material properties every day.
“Without this, it is difficult to find satisfaction in any job, especially a scientific one. Passion, commitment and willingness to pursue new ideas are key.”
Fot. Unsplash
