The research program “Thin films and plasma-surface engineering” is among the largest Slovenian programs in technical sciences, currently involving about 20 researchers and 10 young researchers, technicians, or engineers. It is renowned worldwide for its scientific and technological achievements and has been granted numerous prizes and awards. The major activity is focused on the interaction of non-equilibrium gases with solid and liquid materials. Non-equilibrium plasma is rich in species that are not commonly found in gases in adequate concentrations. The species include the molecular fragments, charged particles, and radiation, which is usually most extensive in the vacuum ultraviolet range of the spectrum, i.e., below 200 nm. The photon energy is sufficient to break chemical bonds in the surface film of treated materials, and synergy with molecular fragments and charged particles enhances the richness of surface reactions. Surface and sub-surface properties of solid and liquid materials are modified by precise dosing of the plasma species. Depending on the properties of gaseous plasma, either deposition or removal of surface layers is achieved. Deposition of thin films is useful for numerous applications, especially for modifying tribological properties, protecting materials in harsh environments, increasing bio and hemocompatibility, or creating functional coatings. Etching with non-equilibrium plasma is usually material-specific and enables the tailoring of both morphological and functional properties of solid materials, which is particularly useful for the biological response of treated materials. While the penetration depth of plasma species in solids is usually limited to thin films, selective species can penetrate deeply into liquids, triggering bulk reactions, which is particularly useful for cleaning, disinfecting, or sterilizing liquids. Plasma technologies are widely regarded as environmentally friendly and have contributed to advances in green transition across various fields, particularly in modern agriculture. Innovative solutions are protected by international patents, while scientific aspects are regularly published in renowned journals or books published by reliable publishers. The research program is among the top Slovenian teams in terms of the patents granted by the EU and/or US offices, and publications in first-quartile international journals.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Gregor Primc
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Gregor Primc is an internationally renowned scientist leading several national and international projects. He is the active chair of the Plasma Science & Technology Division of IUVSTA, regularly participates in COST actions, and currently serves as an external expert for the IAEA. In the last 5 years, he has published more than 64 papers (45 in the 1st quartile) and holds 10 granted patents. He has received several awards, including the Excellent in Science award in 2024, the World Intellectual Property Office award in October 2024, and two 1st place awards for innovations with the highest commercial potential.
Research programme: Thin-film structures and plasma surface engineering
Training topic: Study of the kinetics and inactivation of microorganisms in water treated with environmentally friendly disinfection techniques