The construction of a computer model of the Cosmos, attempts to unravel the secrets of dark energy that permeates the Universe, and research into intelligent control systems are just some of the projects conducted the winners of the MASTER 2012 academic grants for professors, awarded by the Foundation for Polish Science.
The subsidies of PLN 300,000 each were awarded to ten outstanding scientists to support their research projects in mathematics, physics and engineering sciences over the course of three years. The funds cover both research work and training young scientists.
The winners of the 2012 programme were:
Prof. Andrzej Bartoszewicz from the Faculty of Electrical, Electronic, Computer and Control Engineering at the Łódź University of Technology studies control mechanisms customising equipment to meet users? requirements and expectations. Prof. Bartoszewicz will search for new methods of working with machinery, teleinformatics networks and systems for transporting goods to ensure their optimal functioning under standard conditions, as well as in unexpected circumstances.
Dr. Krzysztof Belczyński from the Astronomical Observatory at the University of Warsaw will use the grant to continue his work on expanding the world-class computerised model of the Cosmos as part of the MASTER programme. The work of the team led by Dr. Belczyński will enable a theoretical reconstruction of the number and properties of neutron stars and black holes in the Universe; results of the research will be used for testing theories around phenomena that cannot be observed.
Prof. Bożena Czerny from the N. Copernicus Astronomical Centre of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Warsaw works in dark energy. Although it permeates the Universe, its levels and properties remain poorly understood by astronomers and physicists alike. Prof. Czerny will strive to describe this mysterious substance using an observation programme of her own design, based around quasars (quasi-stellar radio sources), hitherto not used for this purpose.
Prof. Teodor Paweł Gotszalk from the Faculty of Microsystem Electronics and Photonics at the Wrocław University of Technology will conduct a project aiming to create and organise a community of researchers working on the properties of micro- and nanostructures using advanced scanning tunnelling microscopy. The project aims to build wide-ranging collaboration with Polish and international research groups developing nanodiagnostic tools and teams specialising in nanotechnology.
Prof. Lech Januszkiewicz from the Institute of Mathematics of the Polish Academy of Sciences will conduct research into geometric group theory. Prof. Januszkiewicz analyses geometric properties of space and algebraic properties of symmetry groups. The project aims to discover new applications in diverse fields of mathematics including algebraic geometry and combinatorics.
Prof. Piotr Kossacki from the Faculty of Physics at the University of Warsaw will conduct a research project aiming to increase the understanding of physical phenomena occurring in extremely miniaturised systems of semiconductors containing magnetised ions. The project will study structures created at the new nanotechnology laboratory of the Faculty of Physics at the University of Warsaw, taking measurements under extreme conditions: low temperatures, powerful magnetic fields, and using ultrashort pulses of light.
Prof. Mieczysław Mastyło from the Faculty of Mathematics and Informatics at the Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań works on a theoretical mathematics project concerning the theory of interpolation and its applications in studying harmonic analysis, operator theory and Banach space.
Prof. Robert Moszyński from the Faculty of Chemistry at the University of Warsaw works in theoretical modelling of fundamental molecular processes at low temperature regimes using state-of-the-art methods of electron structure theory.
Prof. Maciej Ogorzałek from the Faculty of Physics, Astronomy and Applied Informatics at the Jagiellonian University will design and develop structures of 3-dimensional spatial systems using shape grammars methodology. Shape grammars have applications in architecture, design of electrical systems in buildings and the development of shapes in industrial design; however, they have not yet been used in the design of electronic systems. Creating new design methods for integrated circuits is one of the key issues faced by contemporary microelectronics, and it is likely to have numerous applications in industry.
Prof. Arkadiusz Wójs from the Department of Fundamental Studies at the Wrocław University of Technology will conduct fundamental theoretical and experimental studies of a particular class of nanosystems of semiconductors under extreme conditions (powerful magnetic fields and low temperatures) with applications in quantum informatics. It forms a part of research into quantum particles which are likely to have applications in constructing quantum computers with permanent memories, which in turn could revolutionise information technology.
The MASTER Programme of the Foundation for Polish Science (academic grants for professors) has been running since 1998. It supports outstanding researchers by providing them with a 3-year subsidy for intensifying ongoing work or taking on new research directions. The grants are awarded on the basis of a closed competition, focusing on a different scientific field each year. Candidates are nominated by recognised specialists from all scientific fields. The submitted research projects undergo two stages of assessment: the first round is conducted by reviewers, and the second by experts in the field, who prepare the list of winners on the basis of first round reviews for the approval by the Foundation?s Board. In 2012, the competition focused on mathematics, physics and engineering sciences. To date, the programme has awarded 184 researchers, with the teams numbering a total of 819 young scientists. The Foundation has over 46 million zlotys dedicated to the Programme.