1. Practical protocols for improving safety and sustainability in multidisciplinary research laboratoriesWojciech Pajerski, Flavien Ginioux, Amina Selmanović, Anna Malgorzata Sandak, 2026, izvirni znanstveni članek Opis: Small and medium-sized multidisciplinary research laboratories often lack specialized systems for chemical safety and sustainability. In many countries, including those with limited or no national regulations for small-scale chemical users, this creates additional challenges for implementing effective safety practices. As a result, chemical inventories are often fragmented and insufficiently managed, increasing safety risks. Additionally, solvents and empty containers are often discarded, despite their potential for recovery and reuse. This article presents a low-cost, user-friendly protocol comprising three complementary components: Shared Chemical Inventory, Solvent Reuse Strategy and Container Repurposing guide designed to improve laboratory safety and sustainability in settings where formal regulations are limited or absent. The protocol was designed for direct accessibility without additional infrastructure or financial investments. Implemented at a medium-sized research institute located in Europe, it achieved an almost 30% reduction in the total chemical waste mass. With its integration in onboarding and simple training modules, the protocol improves safety compliance, reduces cost of virgin solvents, and minimizes chemical waste disposal. Relying on existing laboratory resources demonstrates that principles of responsible chemistry can be effectively applied at the laboratory level without financial investments through voluntary, culturally embraced practices, even in the absence of extensive regulation. Its scalability and adaptability suggest broad relevance for other small- and medium-sized research laboratories, including teaching laboratories and start-ups, contributing to both chemical safety and sustainability goals.
Ključne besede: laboratory safety, sustainability, chemical inventory, solvent recovery, chemical waste minimization, container reuse, circular laboratory practices, multidisciplinary laboratories
Objavljeno v RUP: 08.09.2026; Ogledov: 62; Prenosov: 2
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2. Spectroscopic insights into nutrient-controlled biofilm formation in Aureobasidium pullulans as a basis for engineered living materialsAnja Černoša, Jose Manuel Amigo, Fatima Matroodi, Anna Malgorzata Sandak, 2026, izvirni znanstveni članek Opis: Fungal biofilms represent complex extracellular systems with potential application in engineered living materials (ELMs), yet their chemical composition and structural variability under defined environmental conditions remain poorly understood. Biofilms of Aureobasidium pullulans strains grown on different solid media were investigated using a multimodal spectroscopic approach, including FT-IR, FT-NIR, and Raman spectroscopy. Nutrient-rich media (PDA, SDA, YNB) produced biofilms with largely conserved chemical profiles across strains, whereas nutrient- poor SNA medium induced pronounced changes in polysaccharide, protein, and lipid components, as well as in matrix organization and hydration. Principal component analysis and multiblock data fusion revealed that growth medium is the primary driver of spectral variation, with strain identity exerting a secondary influence. Vibrational bands corresponding to hydroxyl (−OH) and aliphatic (−CH) groups were identified as key contributors to differentiation, reflecting changes in the composition of Extracellular Polymeric Substances (EPS). Raman spectroscopy provided complementary molecular information, such as the presence of characteristic protein and polysaccharide vibrations, which helped confirm the biochemical composition of the biofilms and supported the observations from IR and NIR analyses. Results show that the control of nutrient composition and growth conditions enables precise tuning of biofilm properties, including hydration, matrix density, and functional polysaccharide content. Biofilm composition is primarily influenced by nutrient composition rather than by the strain’s morphological features. This is important because it indicates that research on living coating formulation can focus on supplying nutrients that promote EPS production and biofilm development, rather than on selecting strains with particular morphologies. These findings provide a foundation for understanding the environmental control of A. pullulans biofilm formation and are relevant to the future development of engineered living coatings, where environmental conditions can be leveraged to influence biofilm composition, structure, and its functional properties
Ključne besede: spectroscopy, fungi, engineered living materials, biofilm, Raman spectroscopy, FTIR, FT-NIR
Objavljeno v RUP: 31.08.2026; Ogledov: 205; Prenosov: 2
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3. Pyrolysis oil-based polyurethane foams as a middle layer of the composite plywood sandwich panels for sustainable constructionJakub Grzybek, Jakub Michal Sandak, David Contus, Andrea Minigher, Hans Heeres, Bert van de Beld, Erfan Asgari, Rok Prislan, Anna Malgorzata Sandak, 2026, izvirni znanstveni članek Opis: The construction sector’s substantial contribution to global energy consumption and CO2 emissions motivates the development of bio-based alternatives to fossil-derived rigid polyurethane (PUR) foam cores in structural sandwich panels. This study presents a comprehensive comparison of plywood sandwich panels manufactured with a rigid PUR foam containing a fast pyrolysis bio-oil (FPBO)-derived sugar polyol diluted with triethyl phosphate and panels of identical topology produced with a commercial reference PUR foam. In the bio-based formulation, a fraction of the sorbitol-based polyether polyol was replaced with the FPBO-derived sugar polyol. Both systems were characterized at the foam and panel levels for cellular microstructure, skeletal and envelope density, thermogravimetric stability, flammability, color, thermal conductivity and heat capacity, internal bond strength, compressive properties, and normal-incidence sound absorption and transmission loss. The newly developed foam exhibited similar skeletal density and porosity to the reference, comparable thermogravimetric stability with a slightly higher char residue, and lower thermal conductivity across the tested temperature range. Mechanical properties, including compressive strength, compressive modulus, and internal bond strength, showed minor reduction but remained within a comparable range. A distinct color change was observed, attributable to the presence of chromophoric constituents of the FPBO fraction. Overall, the results indicate that partial substitution of the fossil polyol with an FPBO-derived sugar polyol is technically feasible, yielding materials with comparable thermal, mechanical, or acoustic performance. No consistent performance advantage of either system was observed across the evaluated properties. The results support the potential of pyrolysis-derived bio-polyols for use in sustainable structural insulation products.
Ključne besede: bio-based polyol, fast pyrolysis bio-oil, rigid polyurethane foams, waste valorization
Objavljeno v RUP: 14.07.2026; Ogledov: 327; Prenosov: 13
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4. Wood modification using Fast Pyrolysis Bio-Oil (FPBO) : formulation development, characterization, and evaluation of wood performanceAnna Malgorzata Sandak, Faksawat Poohphajai, Amina Selmanović, Rene Alexander Herrera Diaz, Jakub Grzybek, Kelly Peeters, Sasikala Perumal, Edit Földvári-Nagy, Lei Han, Richard Acquah, Jakub Michal Sandak, 2026, izvirni znanstveni članek Opis: This study presents a wood modification process using Fast Pyrolysis Bio-Oil (FPBO) as a fully biobased alternative to conventional, fossil-based and potentially toxic preservatives such as copper salts, organic biocides, and creosote. Standard FPBO was used in the devel- opment of 10 formulations, which were systematically characterized in terms of pot life, viscosity evolution, density, and pH. Radiata pine samples were subsequently impregnated using a bench-scale reactor, with specimens prepared in multiple geometries to assess treat- ment performance across different dimensions. The modified wood was comprehensively characterized with respect to moisture uptake, dimensional stability, density, mechanical strength, fixation efficiency, biological durability, and VOC emissions. Additional screening focused on properties relevant to outdoor applications, including aesthetic appearance and colour uniformity after UV exposure. The results enabled the identification of three top-performing formulations, treatments H, A, and E, which exhibited the most favourable balance between durability, environmental performance, and structural integrity. Overall, the findings demonstrate the strong potential of FPBO-based impregnation as a sustainable, multifunctional, and high-performance alternative for advanced wood protection systems.
Ključne besede: wood modification, fast pyrolysis bio-oil (FPBO), durability, bio-based impregnation treatment
Objavljeno v RUP: 29.06.2026; Ogledov: 403; Prenosov: 6
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5. Surface colonization of Aureobasidium pullulans : a multimodal microscopy study toward living coating developmentIhab Malat, Anja Černoša, Anna Malgorzata Sandak, 2026, izvirni znanstveni članek Opis: Recent advances in engineered living materials (ELMs), which integrate living cells into functional structural and protective systems, have accelerated interest in understanding microbial surface interactions at fundamental scales. In this context, Aureobasidium pullulans, a polymorphic and polyextremotolerant black yeast fungus, has emerged as a promising candidate for diverse biotechnological applications, including engineered living coatings. However, its microscale surface colonization dynamics remain insufficiently characterized, limiting predictive control over colonization of various surfaces. Complementary optical approaches, including VHX digital imaging, fluorescence observation, and quantitative fluorescence measurements, were used to characterize temporal colonization of fungus on plastic coverslips and pine wood, representing two contrasting substrates used in the building sector. On plastic substrates, initial attachment involved dispersed cells that rapidly proliferated and merged into a continuous layer. Quantitative fluorescence revealed a significant increase in signal from Day 1 to Day 3 (from 25,328 to 42,510 RFU; P = 5.4 × 10⁻⁴) followed by a decrease by Day 6 (10,555 RFU). This decline may be associated with reduced dye penetration into the compact, melanized matrix rather than a reduction in biomass. On wood, colonization followed the native fiber orientation and progressed into cohesive multicellular structures. The results provide a new understanding of substrate-dependent colonization of A. pullulans and highlight methodological limitations in quantifying biomass on porous, heterogeneous materials. The multimodal microscopy framework established a robust comparative platform for analysing fungal-material interactions and enabled the rational development of fungal-based living coatings for protective and functional applications.
Ključne besede: Aureobasidium pullulans, surface colonization, plastic, pine wood, living coating
Objavljeno v RUP: 06.05.2026; Ogledov: 453; Prenosov: 36
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6. BIM-based framework for estimating service life duration of wood construction elements under environmental exposureRichard Acquah, Jonas Niklewski, Anna Malgorzata Sandak, Jakub Michal Sandak, 2026, izvirni znanstveni članek Opis: As the construction industry adopts more data-driven and sustainable practices, Building Information Modelling (BIM) is increasingly used for energy analysis, lifecycle management, and maintenance planning. However, its integration with service life performance analysis especially for wood, a material susceptible to environmental degradation remains limited. This study presents a BIM-based framework that incorporates wood-specific parameters such as environmental exposure, material properties, and design detailing to estimate the service life of wood construction elements. The framework is structured using ISO 15,686–4 principles and implemented through custom Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) property sets. A Revit plugin developed in C# integrates the model into the BIM environment. A case study of a wooden playhouse is used as a proof-of-concept to demonstrates the framework’s ability to evaluate the impact of design, material, and environmental factors on service life. The results confirm that the framework supports service life prediction and enhances decision-making for wood-based construction. Twenty-one-month observations align with predicted results. However, long-term (2–9 year) predictions remain unvalidated, requiring extended monitoring. By integration of the service life prediction for fungal decay into BIM it offers a practical and scalable tool to support service life–informed design and planning for wood structures.
Ključne besede: service life prediction, wood material durability, environmental exposure, wood 28 construction, sustainable construction, building information modelling (BIM)
Objavljeno v RUP: 24.11.2025; Ogledov: 949; Prenosov: 31
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8. Photochemical behavior of colloidal lignin particles under controlled UV exposure : balancing self-stabilization and degradationJulia Tomasich, Rene Alexander Herrera Diaz, Anna Malgorzata Sandak, Michael Harasek, Stefan Beisl, Oihana Gordobil, 2025, izvirni znanstveni članek Opis: Colloidal Lignin Particles (CLPs), with their polyphenolic structure, are promising sustainable alternatives to chemical UV filters. This study investigates the photochemical behavior of CLPs under ultraviolet irradiation synthetized from five different technical raw lignins (Alkali, Organosolv, two Enzymatic Hydrolyzed and Softwood Kraft Lignin) via solvent-shift procedure. The suspensions were irradiated using a self-developed UV-pen set-up and a commercially available UV chamber, enabling controlled UV exposure over time. Variations in the physicochemical properties of irradiated colloidal lignin particles were characterized by Multi-Angle Dynamic Light Scattering (MADLS), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) coupled with chemometrics, UV–Vis spectroscopy, and High-Performance Size Exclusion Chromatography (HP-SEC). CLPs exhibited comparable responses after 14 days of UV exposure, with alterations in particle chemistry, particularly in the formation of new functional groups and molecular rearrangement. Moreover, the photochemical stability of CLPs was found to be highly dependent on both their concentration and the nature of the dispersion medium (aqueous, hexane-based, and solid-state). At higher concentrations (1.8 mg/mL), CLPs demonstrated effective self-stabilization, while lower concentrations led to rapid degradation, resulting in the disappearance of particles and the formation of low-molecular-weight fragments. Additionally, Minimal photochemical changes were observed in non-aqueous or solid-state environments due to restricted molecular mobility. These findings provide valuable insights into the degradation pathways and stability across different environmental contexts, which can contribute to understanding the potential environmental impact of CLPs in aquatic ecosystems.
Ključne besede: biobased materials, lignin colloidal particles, photodegradation, UV-irradiation, spectroscopy
Objavljeno v RUP: 09.09.2025; Ogledov: 1077; Prenosov: 11
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9. Auditory emotional design in multimedia learning : educational videos on wood as a building materialNežka Sajinčič, 2024, doktorska disertacija Ključne besede: multimedia learning, auditory emotional design, instructor’s voice, emotional tone, background music, same-language subtitles, learning in a foreign language, wood as a building material
Objavljeno v RUP: 14.10.2024; Ogledov: 2192; Prenosov: 109
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10. Feasibility of portable NIR spectrometer for quality assurance in glue-laminated timber productionJakub Michal Sandak, Peter Niemz, Andreas Hänsel, Juana Mai, Anna Malgorzata Sandak, 2021, izvirni znanstveni članek Ključne besede: near infrared spectroscopy, glue-laminated timber, glulam, delamination, quality assurance
Objavljeno v RUP: 18.10.2021; Ogledov: 5474; Prenosov: 27
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