The project, “Laboratory of Innovative Chemistry and Chemical Technologies (LICHTCH) at the Faculty of Chemistry of Łódź University of Technology”, is being implemented thanks to funding from the European Regional Development Fund under the European Funds for Łódzkie 2021–2027 programme, Priority FELD.01 European Funds for an Innovative Łódzkie, Measure FELD.01.01 Public Research Infrastructure.
The main objective of the undertaking is to create a modern laboratory at the Faculty of Chemistry, operated by an interdisciplinary team of experts and equipped with unique research apparatus. The infrastructure will enable advanced research in the field of chemistry and modern chemical technologies, advanced materials and their processing.
Science closer to business
The results of the research will be available primarily to companies from the region, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises, as well as employees of the R&D sector. In the longer term, the solutions developed may also find application in the activities of public institutions and contribute to improving society’s quality of life.
LICHTCH is intended to become an important element of the regional research and innovation ecosystem. The modern research facilities will make it possible to increase the capacity of the R&D sector while also directing the work carried out more strongly towards the needs of businesses in the Łódź Voivodeship.
“LICHTCH will be a place where the scientific potential of the Faculty of Chemistry meets the specific needs of the economy. Investment in modern research apparatus is not only the development of the infrastructure of Łódź University of Technology, but above all an opportunity to create and implement solutions that respond to the challenges faced by regional industry,”
- emphasises Professor Małgorzata Szynkowska-Jóźwik, Dean of the Faculty of Chemistry.
Research responding to the region’s needs
The research carried out within LICHTCH focuses on areas important for the development of the regional economy. These include, among others, the modern textile industry, construction, medicine and pharmaceuticals, energy, as well as innovative agriculture and agri-food processing.
In the area of the textile industry, technologies concerning technical textile products and textronic materials will be developed, including solutions enabling product personalisation.
Research for the construction sector will include, among other things, advanced materials with special properties; thermal-insulation, sound-absorbing and fire-resistant materials; solutions improving energy efficiency; as well as products using biopolymers, biocomposites and biologically inspired technologies. Insulating polymer materials and modern modifying additives will also be important areas of focus.
In the field of medicine and pharmaceuticals, work will be carried out on new substances, materials and diagnostic methods. Research related to energy will, in turn, focus on increasing the efficiency of obtaining and using alternative energy sources, as well as on technologies for the reuse of waste, products and post-industrial sites.
LICHTCH will also support the development of innovative agriculture and agri-food processing, including through the development of modern food-quality assessment systems and intelligent methods of food preservation and storage.
Investment in the future of the Łódź economy
The laboratory is intended to be a place where entrepreneurs gain access to modern apparatus and the expertise of specialists from the Faculty of Chemistry. As a result, Łódź University of Technology will strengthen cooperation between science and business. It will be able to support companies even more effectively in developing and testing new materials, technologies and solutions.
The investment will therefore contribute to building a strong scientific and technological base for the Łódź Voivodeship.
The value of the project is PLN 21,059,514.43, of which PLN 13,852,148.46 constitutes the contribution from European Funds.