In March-April 2024, the second secondments of PROMATAI project participants took place. The host organization was the Technical University of Kosice (TUK, Slovakia), which hosted representatives of two beneficiaries: University of West Attica (UWA, Greece – 2 people) and Dirmeta UAB (DIR, Lithuania – 3 people). 

The guests were given a tour of the Mechanical faculty’s laboratories.

All secondees and TUK representatives worked on Task 1.2 “Selection and tests of material”. The research activities were performed in TUK aimed at the experience and know-how enhancement of seconded representatives. Task T1.2 consisted of two main parts:

1) selection of materials and bio(nano)composite production;

2) study of the bio(nano)composite structure and properties.

The bio(nano)composite was produced at the IEP (Poland) using a granulation line based on a twin-screw extruder. In addition, IEP produced films (by extrusion) to obtain standardized samples for analysis and investigated the nanocomposite structure (SEM), density, water absorption, heat resistance (TGA), and surface activity. Thermal (DSC), rheological (MFI, melt density), mechanical (tensile strength and strain, tensile modulus, hardness), and tribological (dynamic and static coefficients of friction) properties of the bio(nano)composite were investigated in the TUK laboratories. All studies of the bio(nano)composite provided by the schedule have been performed and completed. The obtained results will be used during the mathematical modeling of the material behavior in the “smart” extruder, and the obtained nanocomposites will be used for real tests of the “smart” extruder.