Department of Coatings Engineering, Polymers, and Non-Metallic Materials

The research conducted at the Department covers several areas.

The first focuses on thin film technologies, particularly in the context of protective, optical, and decorative coatings produced using methods known in scientific literature by the acronyms CVD (Chemical Vapor Deposition) and PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition). The Department is equipped with specialized vacuum reactors for thin film deposition. Mastery of these technologies has enabled the development of a range of coatings with unique properties, such as:

• single- and multilayer coatings of nitrides, carbides, carbonitrides, borides, and oxides of transition metals and silicon;

• superhard nanocrystalline protective coatings such as nc-TiN/Si₃N₄;

• low-friction carbon-based or MoS₂-based coatings, used in frictional joints operating under vacuum conditions (so-called dry lubricants);

• optical coatings (e.g., TiO₂, Nb₂O₅, SiO₂), especially those with a gradient refractive index;

• antibacterial coatings, particularly those exhibiting photocatalytic activity.

A related research direction involves thin-film-based metamaterials. In collaboration with the Institute of Microelectronics and Optoelectronics at Warsaw University of Technology, the Department has initiated studies on metamaterials based on HSMG graphene and parylene.

In the field of polymer materials, the Department focuses primarily on materials for medical applications. Research has led to the development of a method for doping acrylic and organosilicon bone cements with hydroxyapatite. The former are designed for use as dental fillings, while the latter serve as advanced bone cements for orthopedic applications. A key innovation of the organosilicon cements is the ability to adjust material hardness to match the specific injury, which is crucial for patient recovery and rehabilitation.

The Department also conducts research on artificial skin materials designed for teaching medical students how to suture traumatic wounds.

Another important area of interest is biodegradable polymers. Ongoing research focuses primarily on PLA (polylactic acid) in combination with other polymers, which allows for optimization of desired biological properties.