Our aim is to establish ourselves as the leading microscopy center in the Baltics. With a diverse team of specialists and students from various scientific fields, we conduct cutting-edge research on a broad range of materials. Our laboratory is equipped with state-of-the-art microscopes, sophisticated analysis and microscopy based prototyping tools. Furthermore, we foster strong collaborations with other laboratories, leveraging the combined expertise and measurement methods available within our institute. We are committed to continually updating our equipment and measurement techniques, enabling us to explore material structures spanning from macro to nano scales.
While we offer an extensive range of measurements to external parties, we also have our own research directions, pursuing scientific inquiries at the forefront of the field. Passion drives progress, which is why we, as a Microscopy Laboratory, focus on it.
| Scientific degree | Name Surname | Position | Contact information |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dr.phys. | Krišjānis Šmits | Head of the laboratory and Leading researcher | Krisjanis.Smits 67187478 |
| Ph.D. | Reinis Ignatāns | Leading researcher | Reinis.Ignatans@cfi.lu.lv |
| Dr.phys. | Ilze Manika | Leading researcher | Ilze.Manika 67261132 |
| Ph.D. | Kārlis Vilks | Researcher | Karlis.Vilks |
| Mg. (Ph.D. student) | Līga Ignatāne | Research Assistant | Liga.Ignatane |
| Mg. (Ph.D. student) | Annamarija Trausa | Research Assistant | Annamarija.Trausa |
| Bc. | Miļena Dile | Research Assistant | Milena.Dile |
| Mg. (Ph.D. student) | Edgars Vanags | Research Assistant | Edgars.Vanags |
| Annija Melece | Laboratory Assistant | Annija.Melece | |
| Kaspars Jaundzems | Laboratory Assistant | Kaspars.Jaundzems |
The laboratory has four main research pillars:
- electron microscopy methods (I),
- X-ray and electron diffraction methods (II),
- microhardness and nanoindention methods (III),
- atomic force microscopy (IV).
Active projects:
Horizon 2020
European Regional Development Fund
Rural support service projects
Development of technologies for determination of carbon concentration in soil (2020-2022)
Accomplished projects:
European Regional Development Fund (LIAA administrated)
Real time integrated spectrometer system for optimizing the use of fertilizers and herbicides (2020)
Mini spectrometer for food analysis (2018)
EUROfusion
Latvian Council of Science
X-ray Absorption studies of metal hydrides under extreme pressure (XA-EXTREM) (2018-2020)
Latvia
- Institute of Materials and Surface Engineering Riga Technical University (Prof. A.Šutka)
- Riga Technical University Department of Medical Physics and Engineering (Dr.habil.phys. J.Dehtjars))
- Institute of Chemical Physics University of Latvia
- Riga Stradiņš University
- Ceram Optec
- GroGlass
Estonia
- Tartu Physicums
Lithuania
- Kaunas University of Technology
Taiwan
- National Sun Yat-Sen University
2022
Karipbayev, Z.T., Kumarbekov, K., Manika, I., Dauletbekova, A., Kozlovskiy, A.L., Sugak, D., Ubizskii, S.B., Akilbekov, A., Suchikova, Y. and Popov, A.I. (2022), Optical, Structural, and Mechanical Properties of Gd3Ga5O12 Single Crystals Irradiated with 84Kr+ Ions. Phys. Status Solidi B, 259: 2100415. doi.org/10.1002/pssb.202100415
Ansone-Bertina, L.; Ozols, V.; Arbidans, L.; Dobkevica, L.; Sarsuns, K.; Vanags, E.; Klavins, M. Metal–Organic Frameworks (MOFs) Containing Adsorbents for Carbon Capture. Energies 2022, 15, 3473. https://doi.org/10.3390/en15093473
A. Spustaka, D. Millers, E. Einbergs, V. Vitola, E. Vanags. Luminescence of ZnO:Ga ceramics under sub-threshold electron irradiation, Optical Materials, Volume 126, 2022, 112181, ISSN 0925-3467, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.optmat.2022.112181
Vanags, Edgars, Abolins, Arnis & Cabulis, Ugis. (2022). Lipase Catalyzed Self-epoxidation of Tall Oil Fatty Acids in Batch and Continuous Flow Conditions. Journal of Polymers and the Environment. 1-11. 10.1007/s10924-022-02739-0
L. Avotina et al., "Thermal behaviour of magnetron sputtered tungsten and tungsten-boride thin films," 2022 International Conference on Applied Electronics (AE), Pilsen, Czech Republic, 2022, pp. 1-4, doi: 10.1109/AE54730.2022.9920033
Vanags, Martin & Kulikovskis, Guntis & Kostjukovs, Juris & Jekabsons, Laimonis & Sarakovskis, Anatolijs & Smits, Krisjanis & Bikse, Liga & Šutka, Andris. (2022). Membrane-less amphoteric decoupled water electrolysis using WO 3 and Ni(OH) 2 auxiliary electrodes. Energy & Environmental Science. 15. 10.1039/D1EE03982B
Boris Polyakov, Edgars Butanovs, Andrejs Ogurcovs, Anatolijs Sarakovskis, Martins Zubkins, Liga Bikse, Jevgenijs Gabrusenoks, Sergei Vlassov, Alexei Kuzmin, and Juris Purans. Unraveling the Structure and Properties of Layered and Mixed ReO3–WO3 Thin Films Deposited by Reactive DC Magnetron Sputtering. ACS Omega 2022 7 (2), 1827-1837, DOI:10.1021/acsomega.1c05085
Gints Kucinskis, Inara Nesterova, Anatolijs Sarakovskis, Liga Bikse, Julija Hodakovska, Gunars Bajars, Electrochemical performance of Na2FeP2O7/C cathode for sodium-ion batteries in electrolyte with fluoroethylene carbonate additive, Journal of Alloys and Compounds, Volume 895, Part 2, 2022, 162656, ISSN 0925-8388, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jallcom.2021.162656
M. Jurjans, L. Bikse, E. Birks, Š. Svirskas, M. Antonova, M. Kundzins, and A. Sternberg , "Electromechanical properties in CaTiO3 modified Na0.5Bi0.5TiO3-BaTiO3 solid solutions above morphotropic phase boundary", AIP Advances 12, 035124 (2022) https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0072329
Dunce, M, Birks, E, Antonova, M, Bikse, L, Kundzins, K, Freimanis, O, et al. Composition and microstructure of Na0.5Bi0.5TiO3 ceramics with excess Bi. J Am Ceram Soc. 2022; 105: 3874– 3884. https://doi.org/10.1111/jace.18395
Marija Dunce, Eriks Birks, Liga Bikse, Reinis Ignatans, Armin Fuith, Heinz Kabelka, Edgars Nitiss, Maris Kundzins, and Andris Sternberg , "Novel approach in analyzing phase transitions in Na0.5Bi0.5TiO3—Comparison with 0.95Na0.5Bi0.5TiO3–0.05CaTiO3", Journal of Applied Physics 131, 224101 (2022) https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0089610
Zakis, K.; Olonkins, S.; Udalcovs, A.; Lukosevics, I.; Prigunovs, D.; Grube, J.; Bikse, L.; Supe, A.; Ozolins, O.; Spolitis, S.; Bobrovs, V. Cladding-Pumped Er/Yb-Co-Doped Fiber Amplifier for Multi-Channel Operation. Photonics 2022, 9, 457. https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics9070457
M. Zubkins, I. Aulika, E. Strods, V. Vibornijs, L. Bikse, A. Sarakovskis, G. Chikvaidze, J. Gabrusenoks, H. Arslan, J. Purans, Optical properties of oxygen-containing yttrium hydride thin films during and after the deposition, Vacuum, Volume 203, 2022, 111218, ISSN 0042-207X
M. Zubkins, A. Sarakovskis, E. Strods, L. Bikse, B. Polyakov, A. Kuzmin, V. Vibornijs, J. Purans, Tailoring of rhenium oxidation state in ReOx thin films during reactive HiPIMS deposition process and following annealing, Materials Chemistry and Physics, Volume 289, 2022, 126399, ISSN 0254-0584, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matchemphys.2022.126399
Dimitrocenko, L.; Strikis, G.; Polyakov, B.; Bikse, L.; Oras, S.; Butanovs, E. The Effect of a Nucleation Layer on Morphology and Grain Size in MOCVD-Grown β-Ga2O3 Thin Films on C-Plane Sapphire. Materials 2022, 15, 8362. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma15238362
Kosimov, A; Yusibova, G.; Aruväli, J.: Paiste, P.; Käärik, M.; Leis, J.; Kikas, A.; Kisand, V.; Šmits, K.; Kongi, N. Liquid-assisted grinding/compression: a facile mechanosynthetic route for the production of hig-performing Co–N–C electrocatalyst materials. (2022) Green Chemistry, 24, 305. DOI: 10.1039/D1GC03433B
Linards Skuja, Madara Leimane, Ivita Bite, Donats Millers, Aleksejs Zolotarjovs, Virginija Vitola, Krisjanis Smits, Ultraviolet luminescence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in partially consolidated sol-gel silica glasses, Journal of Non-Crystalline Solids, Volume 577, 2022, 121325, ISSN 0022-3093, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnoncrysol.2021.121325.
Kunakova, G.; Kauranens, E.; Niherysh, K.; Bechelany, M.; Smits, K.; Mozolevskis, G.; Bauch, T.; Lombardi, F.; Erts, D. Magnetotransport Studies of Encapsulated Topological Insulator Bi2Se3 Nanoribbons. Nanomaterials 2022, 12, 768. doi.org/10.3390/nano12050768
Erts, D., Katkevics, J., Sjomkane, M., Andzane, J., Sarakovskis, A., Smits, K., Viksna, A., Rublova, Y., & Meija, R. (2022). EIS characterization of aging and humidity-related behavior of Bi2Se3 films of different morphologies. Nano-Structures and Nano-Objects, 30, [100847]. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nanoso.2022.100847
Buks, K., Andzane, J., Bugovecka, L., Katkov, M. V., Smits, K., Starkova, O., Katkevics, J., Bērziņš, A., Brauna, L., Voikiva, V., Erts, D., Highly Efficient Flexible n-Type Thermoelectric Films Formed by Encapsulation of Bi2Se3-MWCNT Hybrid Networks in Polyvinyl Alcohol. Adv. Mater. Interfaces 2022, 9, 2200318. https://doi.org/10.1002/admi.202200318
Šutka, A., Lapčinskis, L., Verners, O., L. Ģērmane, , Smits, K., Pludons, A., Gaidukovs, S., Jerāne, I., Zubkins, M., Pudzs, K., Sherrell, P. C., Blums, J., Bio-Inspired Macromolecular Ordering of Elastomers for Enhanced Contact Electrification and Triboelectric Energy Harvesting. Adv. Mater. Technol. 2022, 7, 2200162. doi.org/10.1002/admt.202200162
Iesalnieks, M.; Eglītis, R.; Juhna, T.; Šmits, K.; Šutka, A. Photocatalytic Activity of TiO2 Coatings Obtained at Room Temperature on a Polymethyl Methacrylate Substrate. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23, 12936. doi.org/10.3390/ijms232112936
Šutka, A.; Mežule, L.; Denisova, V.; Meier-Haack, J.; Kulkarni, A.; Bitina, S.; Smits, K.; Vihodceva, S. Straightforward Approach for Preparing Durable Antibacterial ZnO Nanoparticle Coatings on Flexible Substrates. Molecules 2022, 27, 7672. doi.org/10.3390/molecules27227672
Nefedova, A., Rausalu, K., Zusinaite, E. et al. Antiviral efficacy of cerium oxide nanoparticles. Sci Rep 12, 18746 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-23465-6
Svalbe, B., Zvejniece, B., Stelfa, G., Vilks, K., Vavers, E., Vela, J.M., Dambrova, M. and Zvejniece, L. Antidepressive-like Behavior-Related Metabolomic Signatures of Sigma-1 Receptor Knockout Mice. Biomedicines, 10(7), 2022., p.1572. (FWCI=1.03; IF=4.757; DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10071572
Alexei Kuzmin, Milena Dile, Katrina Laganovska, Aleksejs Zolotarjovs, Microwave-assisted synthesis and characterization of undoped and manganese doped zinc sulfide nanoparticles, Materials Chemistry and Physics, Volume 290, 2022, 126583, ISSN 0254-0584, doi.org/10.1016/j.matchemphys.2022.126583
2021
Dunce, M., Birks, E., Antonova, M., Bikse, L., Dutkevica, S., Freimanis, O., Livins, M., Eglite, L., Smits, K., Sternberg, A. (2021). Influence of sintering temperature on microstructure of Na0. 5Bi0. 5TiO3 ceramics. Journal of Alloys and Compounds, 884, 160955. (SNIP=1.380; IF=5.316; DOI: 10.1016/j.jallcom.2021.160955)
Laganovska, K., Olsteins, D., Smits, K., Bite, I., & Bikse, L. (2021). Formation of translucent nanostructured zirconia ceramics. Journal of the European Ceramic Society. (SNIP=1.616; IF=5.302; DOI: 10.1016/j.jeurceramsoc.2021.06.005)
Šutka, A., Zubkins, M., Linarts, A., Lapčinskis, L., Ma̅lnieks, K., Verners, O., Sarakovskis, A., Grzibovskis, R., Gabrusenoks, J., Strods, E., Smits, K., Vibornijs, V., Bikse, L., Purans, J. (2021). Tribovoltaic Device Based on the W/WO3 Schottky Junction Operating through Hot Carrier Extraction. The Journal of Physical Chemistry C. (SNIP=0.962; IF=4.126; DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcc.1c04312)
Vihodceva, S., Šutka, A., Sihtmäe, M., Rosenberg, M., Otsus, M., Kurvet, I., Smits, K., Bikse, L., Kahru A., Kasemets, K. (2021). Antibacterial Activity of Positively and Negatively Charged Hematite (α-Fe2O3) Nanoparticles to Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Vibrio fischeri. Nanomaterials, 11(3), 652. (SNIP=1.129; IF=5.076; DOI: 10.3390/nano11030652)
Kucinskis, G., Nesterova, I., Sarakovskis, A., Bikse, L., Hodakovska, J., & Bajars, G. (2021). Electrochemical Performance of Na2FeP2O7/C Cathode for Sodium-Ion Batteries in Electrolyte with Fluoroethylene Carbonate Additive. Journal of Alloys and Compounds, 162656. (SNIP=1.380; IF=5.316; DOI: 10.1016/j.jallcom.2021.162656)
Bikse, L., Dunce, M., Birks, E., Kundzins, K., Freimanis, O., Livins, M., ... & Sternberg, A. (2021). Impact of Thermal Treatment on the Surface of Na0. 5Bi0. 5TiO3-Based Ceramics. Crystals, 11(10), 1266. (SNIP=0.886; IF=2.589; DOI: 10.3390/cryst11101266)
Ščajev, P., Durena, R., Onufrijevs, P., Miasojedovas, S., Malinauskas, T., Stanionyte, S., Zarkov, A., Zukuls, A., Bite, I., Smits, K. (2021). Morphological and optical property study of Li doped ZnO produced by microwave-assisted solvothermal synthesis. Materials science in semiconductor processing, 135, 106069. (SNIP=1.098; IF=3.927; DOI: 10.1016/j.mssp.2021.106069)
Skuja, L., Ollier, N., Kajihara, K., Bite, I., Leimane, M., Smits, K., & Silins, A. (2021). Optical Absorption of Excimer Laser‐Induced Dichlorine Monoxide in Silica Glass and Excitation of Singlet Oxygen Luminescence by Energy Transfer from Chlorine Molecules. physica status solidi (a), 2100009. (SNIP=0.695; IF=1.981; DOI: 10.1002/pssa.202100009)
Ratso, S., Walke, P. R., Mikli, V., Ločs, J., Šmits, K., Vītola, V., ... & Kruusenberg, I. (2021). CO 2 turned into a nitrogen doped carbon catalyst for fuel cells and metal–air battery applications. Green Chemistry. (SNIP=1.882; IF=10.182; DOI: 10.1039/d1gc00659b)
Ristić, I., Miletić, A., Vukić, N., Marinović-Cincović, M., Smits, K., Cakić, S., & Pilić, B. (2021). Characterization of electrospun poly (lactide) composites containing multiwalled carbon nanotubes. Journal of Thermoplastic Composite Materials, 34(5), 695-706. (SNIP=0.870; IF=3.330; DOI: 10.1177/0892705719857780)
Lapčinskis, L., Linarts, A., Mālnieks, K., Kim, H., Rubenis, K., Pudzs, K., Smits, K., Kovaļovs, A., Kalniņš, K., Tamm, A., Jeong, C. K., Šutka, A. (2021). Triboelectrification of nanocomposites using identical polymer matrixes with different concentrations of nanoparticle fillers. Journal of Materials Chemistry A, 9(14), 8984-8990. (SNIP=1.668; IF=12.732; DOI: 10.1039/d0ta12441a)
Šutka, A., Eglitis, R., Kuzma, A., Smits, K., Zukuls, A., Prades, J. D., & Fàbrega, C. (2021). Photodoping-Inspired Room-Temperature Gas Sensing by Anatase TiO2 Quantum Dots. ACS Applied Nano Materials, 4(3), 2522-2527. (SNIP=0.914; IF=5.097; DOI: 10.1021/acsanm.0c03089)
Krieke, G., Antuzevics, A., Smits, K., & Millers, D. (2021). Enhancement of persistent luminescence in Ca2SnO4: Sm3+. Optical Materials, 113, 110842. (SNIP=0.955; IF=3.08; DOI: 10.1016/j.optmat.2021.110842)
Spustaka, A., Senko, M., Millers, D., Bite, I., Smits, K., & Vitola, V. (2021). Gallium Concentration Optimisation of Gallium Doped Zinc Oxide for Improvement of Optical Properties. Latvian Journal of Physics and Technical Sciences, 58(1), 33-43. (SNIP=0.522; IF=0.949; DOI: 10.2478/lpts-2021-0004)
Butanovs, E., Kuzmin, A., Piskunov, S., Smits, K., Kalinko, A., & Polyakov, B. (2021). Synthesis and characterization of GaN/ReS2, ZnS/ReS2 and ZnO/ReS2 core/shell nanowire heterostructures. Applied Surface Science, 536, 147841. (SNIP=1.382; IF=6.707; DOI: 10.1016/j.apsusc.2020.147841)
Vanags, M., Mežule, L., Spule, A., Kostjukovs, J., Šmits, K., Tamm, A., ... & Šutka, A. (2021). Rapid Catalytic Water Disinfection from Earth Abundant Ca2Fe2O5 Brownmillerite. Advanced Sustainable Systems, 2100130. (SNIP=0.752; IF=6.271; DOI: 10.1002/adsu.202100130)
Vitola, V., Lahti, V., Bite, I., Spustaka, A., Millers, D., Lastusaari, M., Petit, L., Smits, K. (2021). Low temperature afterglow from SrAl2O4: Eu, Dy, B containing glass. Scripta Materialia, 190, 86-90. (SNIP=1.814; IF=5.611; DOI: 10.1016/j.scriptamat.2020.08.023)
Muktepavela, F., Zolotarjovs, A., Zabels, R., Kundzins, K., Gorokhova, E., & Tamanis, E. (2021). Comparative Study on Micromechanical Properties of ZnO: Ga and ZnO: In Luminiscent Ceramics. Latvian Journal of Physics and Technical Sciences, 58(1), 23-32. (SNIP=0.522; IF=0.949; DOI: 10.2478/lpts-2021-0003)
Rodnyi, P., Venevtsev, I., Gorokhova, E., Eron'ko, S., Chizhov, A., & Muktepavela, F. (2021). Ultrafast luminescence of Ga-and In-doped ZnO ceramics. Optical Materials: X, 100106. (SNIP=1.458; IF=3.08; DOI: 10.1016/j.omx.2021.100106)
2020
Buks, K., Andzane, J., Smits, K., Zicans, J., Bitenieks, J., Zarins, A., & Erts, D. (2020). Growth mechanisms and related thermoelectric properties of innovative hybrid networks fabricated by direct deposition of Bi2Se3 and Sb2Te3 on multiwalled carbon nanotubes. Materials Today Energy, 18, 100526.
Vitola, V., Bite, I., Millers, D., Zolotarjovs, A., Laganovska, K., Smits, K., & Spustaka, A. (2020). The boron effect on low temperature luminescence of SrAl2O4: Eu, Dy. Ceramics International, 46(16), 26377-26381.
Dunce, M., Birks, E., Antonova, M., Ignatans, R., Nitiss, E., Kundzinsh, M., ... & Sternberg, A. (2020). Photoluminescence in Er-doped 0.4 Na1/2Bi1/2TiO3-(0.6-x) SrTiO3-x PbTiO3 solid solutions. Ferroelectrics, 567(1), 150-159
Karitans, V., Laganovska, K., & Kundzins, K. (2020). Phase retrieval of a Kolmogorov phase screen from very sparse data using four binary masks. Applied Optics, 59(27), 8362-8369.
Šutka, A., Šutka, A., Vanags, M., Spule, A., Eglītis, R., Vihodceva, S., ... & Mežule, L. (2020). Identifying Iron-Bearing Nanoparticle Precursor for Thermal Transformation into the Highly Active Hematite Photo-Fenton Catalyst. Catalysts, 10(7), 778.
Skuja, L., Smits, K., Trukhin, A., Gahbauer, F., Ferber, R., Auzinsh, M., ... & Alkauskas, A. (2020). Dynamics of Singlet Oxygen Molecule Trapped in Silica Glass Studied by Luminescence Polarization Anisotropy and Density Functional Theory. The Journal of Physical Chemistry C, 124(13), 7244-7253.
Laganovska, K., Zolotarjovs, A., Vázquez, M., Mc Donnell, K., Liepins, J., Ben-Yoav, H., ... & Smits, K. (2020). Portable low-cost open-source wireless spectrophotometer for fast and reliable measurements. HardwareX, 7, e00108.
Zukuls, A., Eglītis, R., Käämbre, T., Ignatans, R., Šmits, K., Rubenis, K., ... & Šutka, A. (2020). Permanent photodoping of plasmonic gallium-ZnO nanocrystals. Nanoscale, 12(12), 6624-6629.
Reinfelde, M., Teteris, J., & Grants, R. (2020). Spectral dependence of photoinduced formation of surface relief gratings in amorphous chalcogenides. Chalcogenide Letters, 17(1), 19-23.
Krukovskyi, R., Krukovskyi, S., Smits, K., Semkiv, I., Ilchuk, H., Kuntyi, O., & Saldan, I. (2020). Dependence of the properties of GaAs (111) A and Ga 1− X AI X As (111) A epitaxial layers on the conditions of their growth by organometallic vapor phase epitaxy. Functional Materials, 27(3), 482-487.
- Latvijas zinātnes nozīmīgākais sasniegums 2022. gadā lietišķajā zinātnē - Izstrādāta inovatīva amfotērā atsaistītā elektrolīze - vienkāršs koncepts, lai šķeltu ūdeni un ražotu H2 ar augstu efektivitāti lētā un drošā veidā (Dr.phys. Mārtiņš Vanags, Mg.sc.ing. Guntis Kuļikovskis, Mg.chem. Juris Kostjukovs, Mg.sc. Laimons Jēkabsons, LZA korespondētājloceklis Anatolijs Šarakovskis, Dr.phys. Krišjānis Šmits, Mg.phys. Līga Bikše, LZA akadēmiķis Andris Šutka)