Gundars MEZINSKIS

 Born: February 14, 1953, Riga.

Interests

• Chemistry and technology of glasslike and ceramic materials
• Sol-gel chemistry and technology
• Synthesis of nanomaterials by chemical methods
• Industry impact onto environment 

Languages: Latvian, English, Russian, Italian

Education

• Riga Polytechnic Institute (Faculty of Chemical Technology), 1976 (Diploma of Engineer. Specialty: Chemical Technology of Binder Materials).
• Doctoral studies, Riga Polytechnic Institute (Faculty of Chemical Technology, Department of Silicate Technology. Specialty: Technology of Silicate and High Temperature Melting Non-Metallic Materials), 1977 - 1980.

Qualification

• Professor of the Riga Technical University, Latvia, 1999
• Dr.habil.sc.ing,. Riga Technical University, Riga, Latvia, 1998
• Docent, Riga Technical University, Latvia, 1993
• Dr.sc.ing.(Candidate of Science in former USSR, Ph.D. in Western countries), Riga Politechnic Institute, Riga, Latvia, 1981.

Professional Experience

Riga Technical University –

• Laboratory assistant, 1976-1977
  Junior Research Associate, 1981-1983
  Senior Research Associate, 1984-1992
  Docent,  1994-1998
  Head of the Professors’ Group of the Technology of Silicate Materials, 1999 – 2006
  Director of the Institute of Silicate Materials, 2000 –
  Head of the Department of Silicate, High Temperature and Inorganic Nanomaterials Technology, 2007 -

• Head of the Quality Department,  Joint Stock Co. Broceni (Readymix Group’s Portland cement factory), 1998-1999

    Abroad:

•     University of Padova, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Materials Section, Padova, Italy -
              Visiting Scientist, (total 10 months  in 1988-1989)
•     Technical University of Clausthal, Institute of Inorganic Materials, Clausthal-Zellerfeld, Germany –
              Research Associate, (total 15 months in 1992-1999)

• Invited lecture - European Congress and Exibition on Advanced Materials and Processes (EUROMAT 2007), Nürnberg, Germany, September 10-13, 2007. Symposium - B11 Advanced Nanostructures. Lecture B11 - 1514 "Surface Morphology and Porosity of Composit Ceramics Prepared from Hydroxyapatite Nanopowders and Sol-Gel Derived Compositions".
• Invited lecture - Adam Mickiewicz  University, Faculty of Chemistry, Poznan, Poland, January 23, 2008. "Synthesis of Nanoparticle and Nanophase Materials at Riga technical University""
• Invited lecture - The 7th International Conference "Advanced Optical Materials and devices", Vilnius, Lithuania, August 28-31, 2011. "Sol-Gel Synthesis of TiO2  Containing Photocatalytic Films".

• The Latvian youth organization award for young scientists, 1986
• Professor of the Riga Ttechnical University, 2000, Diploma No 18
• Recognition of the Latvian Academy of Sciences for significant scientific achievement in Latvia - "New organic materials for direct hologram surface recording in the infrared part of the spectra", 2007

• Member of Promotion Council 'RTU P-02' in Chemical Engineering, 1998 –
• Member of the Technical Committee of the Building Materials Standardization, Latvia, 1999 –
• Member, Latvian Universities Professors Association, 2000 –
• Member of Professors Council in Materials Science of the Riga Technical University, 2000 –
• Member of the Senate, Riga Technical University, 2002 – 2006, 2009 –
• Expert of Latvian Council of Science, 2002 –
• Member of Technical Working Group “Ceramics” of the European Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control Bureau , Brussels, 2003 –
• Member of Promotion Council 'RTU P-18' in Materials Science, 2004 –
• Member of Expert Council of Latvian Building Materials Producers, Ministry of Economics of Latvia, 2004 –
• Member of Editorial board of the journal “Chemical Technology” (Kaunas Technological University), 2006 –
• Expert of Latvia in the EU project "The Review of Permits, Monitoring Plans, and Verification Reports in the EU Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme at the Level of the Member States"Contract No 070307/2007/481259/MAR/C2, 2007
• Member of the Experts Commmission of Engineering Sciences and Computer Science, Latvian Council of Science, 2010 –
• Member of Editorial board of   Scientific Proceedings of the Riga Technical University, Series - Materials Science and Applied Chemistry, 2011 -
• Editor of the journal "IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering", Vol. 25, 2011
• Member of the American Nano Society. Certificate No 111438, 2011 – 
• Invited reviewer for evaluation of project proposals of suporting structural fonds of Estonian Foundation Archimedes (implementing agency for structural suport for the Measure "Aid for research and development in materials technology"), 2012
• Invited reviewer for evaluation of project proposals in exact and engineering scieces of Portugal Science and Technology Foundation, lisboa, Portugal, 2012
• Member of Editorial board of  "Journal of Sustainable Architecture and Civil Engineering" (Kaunas Technological University),  2012 – 

 Courses

• Inorganic Materials (Undergraduate Studies)
• Silicate and Polymer Materials for Construction (Undergraduate Studies)
• Chemistry of High Performance Glasses and Ceramics (Undergraduate Studies)
• Environment Management Systems in Materials Industry (Undergraduate Studies)
• Sol-gel Technology (Post-graduate Studies)
• Oxide Nanomaterials (Post-graduate Studies)
• Inorganic Nanomaterials Chemistry and Chemical Production Methods (Post-graduate Studies)
• Nanostructured Thin Films and Sol-Gel Coatings (Post-graduate Studies)
• Nanotechnology Standardization and Metrology (Post-graduate Studies)
• Nano-Scale Objects Research Methods (Post-graduate Studies)
• Chemistry of Glass-Like Materials (Doctoral Studies)
• Investigation Methods of Inorganic Materials (Doctoral Studies)
• Technologies of Nanomaterials (Doctoral Studies).

 Research Projects

• G.Mezinskis (Scientist in Charge, Head of the Program: M.Kalnins). Improvement of Safety, Durability and Protection of Materials and Constructions. Latvian Council of Science (1997 - 2001)
• G.Mezinskis (Head of the Project). Multicomponent Micro- and Nano-composites. Latvian Council of Science (2001-2004)
• G.Mezinskis (Scientist in Charge, Head of the Program: M.Kalnins). Materials for National Economics: Development of Technologies, Research of Properties, Design, Development of Rational Principles of Use. Latvian Council of Science (2002 - 2005)
• G.Mezinskis (Head of the Project). Chemical Technology of Nanomaterials and Structures Developed by Laser Radiation. Latvian Council of Science (2005 - 2008)
• G.Mezinskis (Scientist in Charge, Head of the Project: V.Kucera, Sweden) Model for Multi-pollutant Impact and Assessment of Threshold Levels for Cultural Heritage. EC 5th Framework Project. (2002 - 2005)
• G.Mezinskis (Scientist in Charge, Head of the project: E.Palcevskis, Latvia). Bionanocomposite. EC EUREKA Project (2003-2004)
• G.Mezinskis (Scientist in Charge, Head of the project: Y. Dekhtyar, Latvia). Multifunctional Percolated Nanostructured Ceramics Fabricated from Hydroxylapatite. EC 6th Framework Project (2004 - 2007)
• G.Mezinskis (Head of the Project). Plant Material and Sol-Gel Technology for Ceramic Production. Latvian Council of Science (2005 - 2008)
• G.Mezinskis (Head of the Project). Structures Produced by Nanomaterial Chemical Technologies and Laser Emission. Latvian Council of Science (2005 - 2008)
• G.Mezinskis (Scientist in Charge, Head of the Project: J.Spigulis). New Methods and Technologies for Production and Application of Optical Fibres. European Regional Development Financement (ERAF) project Nr VPD1/ERAF/CFLA/05/APK/2.5.1./000047/023 (2006 - 2008)
• G.Mezinskis (Head of the Project). Nanoparticle and NanocompositeChemical Technologies. Latvian Council of Science (2006 - 2009)
• G.Mezinskis (Head of the Project). New and Advanced Synthetic and Natural Material Development Using Chemical Technological Methods. Latvian Council of Science (2010 - 2012)
• G.Mezinskis (Head of the Project).  Sol-Gel and Laser Technologies for Production of Nanostructures and Barrier Structures. (ERAF) project Nr 2010/0221/2DP/2.1.1.1.0/10/APIA/VIAA/145. (2010 - 2013)
• G.Mezinskis (Scientist in Charge, Head of the project: E.Palcevskis, Latvia). Hydroxylapatite Nanocomposite Ceramics - New Implant Material. EUREKA E!3033. 2011
• G.Mezinskis (Head of the Project).  Production of Solar Thermal Energy Accumulating Materials Using Sol-Gel and Vacuum Coating  Technologies. (ERAF) project Nr 2010/0243/2DP/2.1.1.1.0/10/APIA/VIAA/156. (2010 - 2013)

• G.Mezinskis, U.Sedmalis, Y.Valinieks.  Solution and sol-gel technologies as dispersion and structure forming methods of glass synthesis. -  Proceedings of the Academy of Sciences of Latvian SSR. Chemical Series. – 1986, No. 5 , pp. 525-531. ( in Russian).
• G.Mezinskis, U.Sedmalis. Cadmium containing silicophosphate glasses synthesized by the sol-gel method. - In:  Physico-chemical investigations of high temperature melting non-metallic materials /ed. G. I. Zuravlov/. – Leningrad: Leningrad Technological Institute, 1988. - pp.136-143 ( in Russian).
• Mezinskis G.  Thick Sol-Gel Coatings. - Latvian Journal of Chemistry, 1992, N 1, pp. 3-11.
• G.Mezinskis, G.H.Frischat. Preparation of SiO₂-TiO₂-ZrO₂ Gel Composition by Means of a Liquid Crystal Aproach. - Chimica Cronica. New Series. - 1994, Vol. 23 , pp. 157-162.
• G.Mezinskis,  G.H.Frischat. Preparation and Optical Transmission of BaO-Fe₂O₃-TiO₂-SiO₂ Gel Compositions and Coatings. - Advanced Materials in Optics, Electro-Optics and Communication Technologies / ed. P.Vincenzini, G.C. Righini. – [S.l.]: Techna Srl., 1995. - pp.193-200.
• G.Mezinskis, G..H. Frischat., E.Radlein. Micro- and Nano- Structure of Fe₂O₃ - SiO₂ Sol-Gel Derived Coatings. -  J. Sol-Gel Sci. and Technol. - 1997, Vol. 8, pp. 489-492.
• G.Mezinskis, O.Baumanis, I.Yuhnevicha. Sol-Gel Derived Thick Coatings: Preparation, Properties and Application . -  Proc.  XVIII International Congress on Glass, San Francisco, 5-10 July 1998. - 6 p. on CD-ROM, Symposium: Science and Technology of Sol-Gels. E1: Structure Evolution in Gels, Am.Cer.Soc., 1998.
• G.Mezinskis, I.Yuhnevicha. The Modification of E-Glass Fibers for Concrete Reinforcement. - Proc. First Balkan Conference on Glass Science & Technology, Volos, Greece, 9-10 October 2000. - Volos: University of Thessaly, 2000. - pp. 205-210.
• M.Knite, G.Mezinskis, L.Shebanovs, I.Pedaja, A.Sternbergs.  CO₂ laser-induced structure changes in lead zirconate titanate Pb(Zr0.58Ti0.42)3 sol-gel films. - Applied Surface Science,  2003,  Vol. 208-209, pp. 378-381.
• G.Mezinskis, R.Shvinka, V.Shvinka, I.Pedaja.   Multicomponent micro and nanocomposites. - Advances in Science and Technology. 10^th International Ceramics Congress. Part C /ed. P.Vincenzini. - Faenza: Techna, 2003. - pp. 541-547.
• G. Mezinskis, A. Hlopickis, M.Knite, D.Erts, I.Pedaja.  Sol-gel preparation of PZT ceramics, and use of laser radiation for the development of crystallization process.- Scientific Proceedings of RTU. Material Science and Applied Chemistry, 2004,   Vol.8, pp.54-62 (in Latvian).
• G.Mezinskis, I.Pavlovska, J.Jastrzembskis, D.Lazdina. Hydroxyapatite ceramics processing and pore structure modification using hydrolyzed alkoxides solution.- Scientific Proceedings of RTU. Material Science and Applied Chemistry, 2004, Vol. 8, pp.63-74 (in Latvian).
• I.Pavlovska, G.Mezinskis, D.Lazdina. Hydroxyapatite bioceramic materials properties and preparation methods. - Latvian Journal of Chemistry, 2005, No 2, pp. 263-269 (in Latvian).
• G.Rosenman, D.Aronov, L.Oster, J.Haddad, G.Mezinskis, I.Pavlovska, M.Chaikina, A.Karlov. Photoluminiscenceand surface photovoltage spectroscopy studies of hydroxyapatite nano-Bio-ceramics. - Journal of Luminiscence, 2007, 122-123, pp. 936-938.
• D.Aronov, M.Chaikina, J.Haddad, A.Karlov, G.Mezinskis, L.Oster, I.Pavlovska, G.Rosenman. Electronic states spectroscopy of Hydroxyapatite ceramics. - J.Mater. Sci.: Mater. Med., 2007, 8, 5, pp. 865-870.
• A.Sutka, G.Mezinskis, A.Pludons, S.Lagzdina. Characterization of sol-gel auto-combustion derived spinel ferrite nano-materials. - Energetika, 2010, 56, p.254-259.
• A.Raport, D.Borovikova, A.Kokina, A.Patmalnieks, N.Polyak, I.Pavlovska, G.Mezinskis, Y.Dekhtyar. Immobilisation of yeast cells on the surface of hydroxyapatite ceramics. - Process Biochemistry, 2011, 46, pp. 665-670.
• J.Setina, G.Mezinskis, D.Andersone. Surface characterization of  antireflective thin films. - Journal of Computational and Theoretical Nanoscience, 2012, 9, p. 1255-1259.
• A.Sutka, G.Mezinskis, A.Lusis, D.Jakovlevs. Influence of iron nonstoichiometry on spinel zinc ferrite gas sensing oroperties. - Sensors & Actuators: B. Chemical, 2012, 171-172, pp. 204-209.
• A.Sutka, J.Zavickis, G.Mezinskis, D.Jakovlevs, J.Barloti. Ethanol monitoring by ZnFe2O4 thin film obtained by spray pyrolysis. - Sensors & Actuators: B. Chemical, 2012, doi: 10.1016/j.snb.2012.09.061.
• A.Sutka, G.Mezinskis, A.Lusis, M.Stingaciu. Gas sensoing properties of Zn-doped p-type nickel ferrite. - Sensors & Actuators: B. Chemical, 2012, 171-172, pp. 354-360.

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Last update 31.10.2012.