We’re thrilled to showcase the projects we’re working on – each one tells a story of curiosity, collaboration, and a passion for making a meaningful impact. Explore our projects and discover where our ideas are leading us!
Our cutting-edge Peak Absorption Targeted Photothermal Desorption method — harnessing precise, low-energy light to achieve efficient, localized CO₂ release — has won not one, but TWO major research grants (ARIS BASIC RESEARCH & ERC ARIS COMPLEMENTARY SCHEME). The idea submitted to the ERC Starting Grant Call 2023 was evaluated and ranked among the top 23% of all proposals. However, only around 5% of the proposals are ultimately selected for funding
This innovative approach promises to slash energy use, boost cyclability, and transform carbon capture technology. Explore how this game-changing idea is powering two projects driving sustainable solutions for the future.
Project duration:
2025-2026 (ERC complementary)
2025-2027 (ARIS base project)
PI of the projects: Blaž Belec
GENIUS develops high-performance, REE-free or REE-lean permanent magnets entirely from recycled materials. With 4 research partners and 1 industrial company, the project combines cutting-edge recycling and additive manufacturing to reduce Europe's reliance on critical raw materials and accelerate the circular economy in magnet production.
The project ranked as the second best-evaluated proposal within the whole ERA call.
Project duration:
1.4.2024-31.3.2027
PI of the project: Petra Jenuš Belec, JSI
PI at UNG: Blaž Belec
Expired projects
1.9.2020-31.8.2022
Exploitation of localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) for detection of nanoparticle topological surface states (TSS) and development of new photo-thermal topological insulator nanomaterials
Topological insulators (TI) are unique materials that behave as insulators inside but have metallic, spin-polarized surfaces known as topological surface states (TSS). These states are remarkably robust against impurities and defects, making TIs promising for applications in quantum computing, plasmonics, spintronics, and photothermal technologies.
Our research focuses on developing a simple and fast method to detect TSS directly on TI nanoparticles—a major challenge in the field. The method is based on identifying localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) features using UV-vis spectroscopy, offering a practical alternative to complex techniques like ARPES.
By applying this approach to doped Bi₂Se₃ nanoparticles, we aim to understand how dopants affect TSS and to design new photothermal TI nanomaterials with tunable heating effects for applications in biomedicine, nanochemistry, and sensing.
PI of the project: Blaž Belec