Faculty of Materials Science and Ceramics

1. Basics of solid-state thermodynamics
   a. thermodynamic description of a condensed system;
   b. the phase rule and phase diagrams;
   c. the concept of entropy in solids;
   d. chemical affinity;

2. Basics of crystallochemistry
   a. chemical bonds vs. material properties;
   b. isomorphism and polymorphism;
   c. the Pauling's rule,
   d. solid solutions;

3. Transport of mass and heat in solids
   a. mechanisms of heat transport in solid bodies;
   b. correlation between heat transport and chemical bonds;
   c. chemical diffusion and interdiffusion;
   d. quantitative description of diffusion process;

4. Microstructure of ceramic materials
   a. elements of microstructure and their mutual correlations;
   b. influence of grain size and porosity level on mechanical properties of ceramic materials;
   c. quantitative description of microstructure elements;
   d. a model of grain boundaries;

5. Methods of investigations of solids (general characteristics)
   a. investigation methods of crystalline and amorphous bodies;
   b. methods of investigation of thermal properties of solids;
   c. vibrational spectroscopy;
   d. methods of investigation of solid surfaces;
   e. methods of investigation of solids microstructure;

6. Unit processes in chemical technology
   a. methods of powders preparation;
   b. energy balance of grinding process;
   c. methods of powders granulation;
   d. modes of the sintering process;

7. Characteristics of ceramic building materials
   a. basics of the technology of fired ceramic building materials (plastic deformation molding and semi-dry molding methods);
   b. technological additives - types and their role;
   c. general characteristics of building binding materials – air-hardening binders, hydraulic binders;
   d. concrete - granular composite, shrinkage of concrete and types of its corrosion

8. Glassy state
   a. glassy and crystalline state - differences and similarities;
   b. research methods allowing to identify and investigate glassy state;
   c. influence of chemical composition on glass properties;
   d. thermal stability of the glass;

9. Characteristics of consumer ceramics (porcelain, stoneware)

   a. general characteristics of raw siliceous, clayey and carbonate raw materials;
   b. transformations occurring in clay minerals during heating;
   c. the role of individual raw material components of porcelain mass;
   d. ceramic glazes

Basics of crystallochemistry

• chemical bonds vs. material properties;
• isomorphism and polymorphism;
• the Pauling's rule,
• solid solutions;

Transport of mass and heat in solids

• mechanisms of heat transport in solid bodies;
• correlation between heat transport and chemical bonds;
• chemical diffusion and interdiffusion;
• quantitative description of diffusion process;

Methods of investigations of solids (general characteristics)

• investigation methods of crystalline and amorphous bodies;
• methods of investigation of thermal properties of solids;
• vibrational spectroscopy;
• methods of investigation of solid surfaces;
• methods of investigation of solids microstructure;

Ceramic functional materials

• mechanisms for conducting electric charges in solid bodies;
• transparency conditions for ceramic materials;
• ion conductors and electron semiconductors;
• dielectric polarization phenomenon;

Composite materials

• types of composites;
• rules for the selection of materials for composites;
• phenomena leading to the strengthening of composite materials;
• the use of non-mechanical properties of composites;

Biomaterials

• types of biomaterials;
• application of biomaterials;
• bioceramics and bioglasses;
• polymer biomaterials
• metal, carbon and composite biomaterials;

1. Molecular structures and types of chemical bonds:

   1. the structure of electron atom and its position in the periodic table of elements,

   2. the position of the element in the periodic table and its properties,

   3. types of chemical bonds, electronegativity

   4. molecular orbitals systems of multi-atom systems

2. Properties of gases, thermodynamics:

   1. ideal gas and real gas

   2. intermolecular forces

   3. principles of thermodynamics

   4. thermodynamic functions

   5. constant chemical balance (Le Chatelier-Brown)

3. Properties of solutions and electrolytes:

   1. theories of acids and bases (according to. Brönsteda and Lewis)

   2. dissociation and conductivity of electrolytes, degree of dissociation and constant of dissociation, reactions in electrolytes,

   3. electrolysis and electrochemical cells

   4. electrochemical series of metal

4. Solid state physicochemistry:

   1. states of matter, structure of crystalline

   2. elements of band theory

   3. theory and phase transformation diagrams (examples)

   4. defects in the crystalline structure

5. Methods of investigations of solids (general characteristics):

   1. investigation methods of crystalline and amorphous bodies

   2. methods of investigation of thermal properties of solids

   3. vibrational spectroscopy

   4. methods of investigation of solid surfaces

   5. methods of investigation of solids microstructure

Knowledge expected from for all candidates

The domain range of "biomedical engineering". Concepts of: biocybernetic model, simulation of biological system and examples of their application to selected problems of biology and medicine. The role of biocybernetics and biomedical engineering in progress of technology, biology and medical sciences as well as civilization achievements.

Knowledge representation methods. Concepts of incomplete and tentative knowledge. Expert systems. Inference rules in systems with rule-based representation of knowledge. Fuzzy logic, evolutionary algorithms. Biomedical engineering systems and applications for diagnostics, therapy, rehabilitation and prosthetics of various organs and body parts – examples and general design rules.

Domain range I: electronics and computers in medicine

Backgrounds of theoretical neurocybernetics, goals and methods of brain modeling, various types of artificial neural networks with applications, basics of cognition sciences. Models of biological and technical perception systems (auditory and visual systems in human), regulatory systems (the concept of homeostasis and structure of management systems), and control systems (control and coordination of motor system, control with the gamma loop, cooperation of synergic and antagonist muscles). Population models.

Computer methods for biomedical signal processing and methods for automated analysis and image recognition. Selected issues of artificial intelligence in biomedical applications.

Methods applied in biological and physiological measurements, monitoring of blood circulation, muscle stress, fetal wellbeing, brain function, visual and auditory perception. Examples of digital supportive tools for signal and image-based diagnostics. Multidimensional and multimodal signals. Computer methods for feature extraction and objects / events classification. Methods of surveillance of human in daily living activities (assisted living), ordination and particular characteristics of sensors. Sensor networks. Data security and privacy-related problems in physiological measurement and data transmission. Hospital information systems, therapy planning automatic and telematic triage. Problems of telemedicine: data secyrity and reliability, seamless data access, aspects of mobility and energetic efficiency of equipment. Brain-Computer Interfaces: paradigms and particular characteristics of BCIs.  

Domain range II: biomaterials engineering

Basic concepts and definitions: biomaterial, biocompatibility, bioactivity, medical device, implant, transplant, artificial organ, hybrid organ. The relationship between the structure, properties and manufacturing methods of different types of  biomaterials: metallic, polymeric, ceramic and composite. Classification of biomaterials by: material type (metals and alloys, ceramics, polymers, carbons, composites, hybrids) and behavior in the biological environment (biostable, degradable, resorbable). Application of metals, polymers, carbons, composites, calcium phosphate bioceramics, bioactive glasses in medicine, e.g. in surgery, orthopedics, cardiac surgery, dentistry. Surface engineering and surface modification techniques. Methods of analysis: structure, microstructure and properties of biomaterials. Biological response to the implant. Biomaterials testing in vitro and in vivo. Tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.

Domain range III: biomechanics

Basic concepts and definitions: Biomechanics and mechanobiology. Fields and directions of research in biomechanics. Structure – function relationship of tissues. Research fields in biomechanics, Division of joints due to type of movement, Biotribiology and issues related to the exploitation of joints and tissues, Bones – structure and mechanical properties, Models of mechanical properties of bones, Functions and properties of articular cartilage, Models of articular cartilage, Structure and properties of connective tissues based on tendon example, Models describing tendon properties, Structure and functions of the spine, Natural and synthetic biomaterials, Modeling of biomaterials as a viscoelastic elements, Experimental methods in tissue biomechanics (including measurements of stress, strain, displacement etc.). Basics of mechanics of tissue and other biological materials – ultimate tensile, compression, bending and torsional strength.