The research group includes researchers with expertise in the field of nanotechnologies (i.e. nanoparticle synthesis, thin film deposition, nano-engineering, nanocomposites, characterization and study of nanomaterials). It is a collaborative effort with the ‘Nanomaterials for Energy Application’ Research Group from the Chair of Energy Application Engineering. We both belong to a larger research endeavor called ‘Nanoparticles applied to sustainable energy and biomedical applications’. A full description of the group’s research activities can be found at www.rauwel.eu with the recent outcomes.

The aim of the group is to develop, synthesize and optimize nanomaterials and nanocomposites that will studied and applied in different fields of application with presently a specific focus on water purification, biomedical applications and energy production. These research thematics are presently a research priorities in Europe. The research group strongly interacts with the Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences and the Institute of Forestry and Rural Engineering (Chair of Rural Building and Water Management) at EMÜ. The group also collaborates with Universities abroad that includes University of Oslo (Centre for Materials Science and Nanotechnology Physics, Norway), University of Aveiro in Portugal (Dpt. of Physics & CICECO, Portugal), Minatec (Grenoble, France), University of Montpellier (LBN, France), University of Oxford (Dpt. of Chemistry, UK) among other.

Main research activities of the research group

Group members

Erwan Rauwel,
Professor

 

Mr. Rohit Kumar,
PhD student

Active research fundings granted at EMÜ
Targeted funding (COVSG9) “Use of polymeric nanocomposites in anti-viral additives and coatings” (1.11.2020–31.12.2021).
Bridge funding (P200030TIBT) “Recyclable nanocomposites for water remediation and heavy metal ion extraction from polluted water”    (1.01.2020–31.12.2021).
Estonian Centre of Excellence (TK134/F180175TIBT) “Emerging orders in quantum and nanomaterial” (1.09.2018–1.03.2023). 

Recent publications
Electrochemical Characterisation of Co@Co(OH)2 Core‐shell Nanoparticles and their Aggregation in Solution
R.-C. Xie, C. Batchelor-McAuley, E. Rauwel, P. Rauwel, R.G. Compton, (2020). ChemElectroChem 7, 4259-42-68. 

Assessing Cobalt Metal Nanoparticles uptake by Cancer Cells using Live Raman Spectroscopy
E. Rauwel, S. Al-Arag, H. Salehi, C.O. Amorim, F. Cuisinier, M. Guha, M.S. Rosario, P. Rauwel, (2020). International journal of Nanomedicine 15, 7051-7062. 

Editorial for the Special Issue on ‘Application and Behavior of Nanomaterials in Water Treatment’
P. Rauwel, W. Uhl and E. Rauwel, (2019). Nanomaterials MDPI 9(6), 880. 

Towards the extraction of radioactive Cesium-137 from water via graphene/CNT and nanostructured Prussian blue hybrid nanocomposites: A Review
P. Rauwel and E. Rauwel, (2019). Nanomaterials MDPI, 9(5), 682.

Selective photocurrent generation in HfO2-CNT hybrid nanocomposites under UV and visible photoexcitations
P. Rauwel, F. Ducroquet, A. Galeckas and E. Rauwel, (2019). Materials Letters 246, 45–48. 

Optimisation of plant mediated synthesis of silver nanoparticles by common weed Plantago major and their antimicrobial properties.
S. Küünal, M. Visnapuu, O. Volubujeva, M. Soares Rosario, P. Rauwel and E. Rauwel, (2019). IOP conf. Series: Materials Science and Engineering 613, 012003 (8 pages).

Time evolution of ZnO-CNT photoluminescence under variable ambient and temperature conditions. P. Rauwel, A. Galeckas and E. Rauwel, (2019). IOP conf. Series: Materials Science and Engineering 613, 012031 (6 pages).

Press Release
03.04.2019 – Tehnikamaailm: “Nanofiltri abil saab veest kasvõi uraani kätte” Ain Alvela
01.12.2018 – Estii Maaülikooli ajakiri: “Nanotehnoloogia avab voimalusi nii veepuhastusek kui vähiraviks” Ritso Mets

Teaching
The aim of the research group is also to offer courses and training in the field of “Nanotechnologies”.
 
Present available courses:
  • TE.0988 “Introduction to Nanotechnology“