Research

The 3rd research Project:
TIPS - Team of Interdisciplinary Physics and Computer Science (pl acronym: ZIFI)
Project leader: prof. dr hab. Wiesław Nowak

The TIPS team will consist of the following laboratories:

Laboratory of BioInfoNano Science
In this lab a broad range of applied research projects related to bioinformatics, structural bioinformatics of proteins, large scale simulations of dynamics of complex systems, parallel computations on Graphical Processing Units, visualization of biological data will be pursued. Structures and properties of quantum dots as well as other low dimensional nanostructures will be studied. Together with biologists and biotechnologists photoactive enzymes and signal proteins related to neurodegenerative diseases and/or strokes will be modeled. We plan to support an international project of fluorescent nanotomography. It is expected that such technique may lead to a new, noninvasive method of glucose level measurement in blood (important to diabetes). The new methods of nanodiagnostics of muscles will be explored.
Neurocognitive Laboratory
This laboratory has five rooms in which diverse research topics will be pursued.

• The psychoacoustic lab will work on new diagnostic methods based on auditory perception.

• Chronometric and experimental psychology lab will work on testing correlations between behavioral/electrophysiological measures of temporal synchronization/information processing and cognitive functions measured by various IQ tests. The effects of subluminal priming in neuromarketing and its general influence on imagery and thinking processes will be investigated in these two labs. In particular we will try to elucidate relations between
  the of imagery and various talents and learning styles.

• Research on the brain-computer interfaces will be focused on their neurorehabilitation potential for people who have suffered from brain stem stroke.

• The role of subcortical nuclei in control of motor, affective and cognitive functions in patients with Parkinson, Alzheimer, schizophrenia and other mental disease will be investigated using a wide range of experimental techniques.

• The new phenomics approach, centered on computer simulations and behavioral experiments, will be used to understand attention deficit disorders (ADHD) and autism, monitoring saccade eye movements, EEG and using other techniques to test our hypothesis.

• Continuous monitoring of infants, in the crib and using specialty designed cognitive toys interacting with babies, will find applications in early diagnostics of developmental problems.

• In the art-science-technology domain we plan to build prototypes of interactive games, focusing on word games and natural perception, including emotional aspects and person identification based on voice and visual characteristics.

Luminescence Dating Laboratory
In the Luminescence Dating Laboratory following the interdisciplinary projects will be implemented: dating of geological sediments, antique ceramics and bricks by the OSL or TL methods, authenticity tests of antique ceramics; exploring the ionizing radiation impact on the properties of new materials. Stimulated luminescence - TL and OSL - is a tool for the detection of structural defects in crystals. The lab will have tools for monitoring the scale of irradiation of the environment after nuclear accidents or nuclear disasters.
Laboratory for Non-destructive Analysis
In this laboratory non-invasive and micro-invasive methods of the structural examination of various objects and materials will be developed, at the first stage for conservation/restoration of the works of art. These methods include high resolution Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) integrated with Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS), X-ray fluorescence with surface mapping (µXRF), and computer-controlled optical profilometry. It is envisaged that methods developed, in close co-operation with experts from the Institute for Conservation and Restoration of Cultural Heritage NCU, will allow more precise planning of conservation-restoration treatment as well as monitoring of the state of preservation of cultural heritage objects. The latter will also be used for detecting possible degradation of artworks caused by harmful environmental conditions.
Laboratory for Microelectromechanical System and Low Dimensional Structures
In this laboratory modern materials, such as nanolayers used in optoelectronic, will be studied. Thin layers of new materials or sensors will be produced and characterized by electrical methods, the STM/AFM and spectroscopy. Specialized integrated systems and precise control-measurement systems will be constructed. Initially, the laboratory will work on time metrology and time/digital converters. There will be expertise to project integrated circuits in the AMS CMOS 0.35 um technology (CADENCE software).