Staff - K7

Prof. Sašo Šturm Head of the department, Senior scientist

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+386 1 4773 418

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saso.sturm@ijs.siRESEARCHGATE SICRIS

Field of research:

Material processing:
- Solid state synthesis of functional ceramics
- Hydrothermal synthesis of nanomaterials
Advanced TEM characterization and method developments:
- Structural and chemical characterization of materials and correlation to properties at high spatial resolution
- Quantitative atomic-scale studies of crystal structure, chemistry and bonding of interfaces and nanostructures
- Quantitative atomic resolution HRTEM and HAADF/ABF/BF STEM image analysis
- Quantitative EELS analysis
In situ transmission electron microscopy:
- In situ heating and cooling TEM experiments
- In situ studies of structural phase transitions

Dr. Anže Abram Scientist

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+386 1 4773 092

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+386 41 480 906

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anze.abram@ijs.siRESEARCHGATE SICRIS

Field of research:

Hydrothermal synthesis of TiO₂ coatings
Photocatalysis
Scanning electron microscopy (SEM)
Transmision electron microscopy (TEM)
Atomic force microscopy (AFM)

Bojan Ambrožič, B.Sc. Ph.D. student

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+386 1 4773 734

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bojan.ambrozic@ijs.siRESEARCHGATE SICRIS

Field of research:

Transmission electron microscopy (TEM)
Liquid TEM
Focused ion beam (FIB) TEM lamella preparation
Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS)
Meteoritics

Prof. Slavko Bernik Senior scientist, scientific advisor

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+386 1 4773 682

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slavko.bernik@ijs.siRESEARCHGATE SICRIS

Field of research:

High-temperature reactions
Phase equilibria
Microstructure development,
Zinc Oxide ceramics
Varistors
Oxide thermoelectrics
Scanning electron microscopy – SEM
Electron microprobe analysis-WDS
Qualitative, quantitative analysis
Synthesis and characterization of ZnO nanostructures and nanopowders

Prof. Miran Čeh Head of the Centre for Electron Microscopy and Microanalysis, senior scientist, scientific advisor

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+386 1 4773 341

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+386 41 743 265

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miran.ceh@ijs.siRESEARCHGATE SICRIS

Field of research:

Functional ceramics with perovskite structure, thermoelectrics
1-D oxide nanostructures
Solar cells
Photocatalytic (micro)reactors
Electron microscopy (SEM, EPMA, STEM/TEM, AEM, HR HAADF-STEM)

Personal page

Sabina Cintauer Secretary

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+386 1 4773 890

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sabina.cintauer@ijs.si

Field of interests:

Administration & Support
Organisation of events
Web & Graphic design
Photography

Asst. Prof. Nina Daneu Scientist

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+386 1 4773 734

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nina.daneu@ijs.siRESEARCHGATE SICRIS

Field of research:

Atomic structure of planar defects (HRTEM)
Inversion boundaries in ZnO, GaN
Twins in minerals (spinel, rutile, pyrite,…)
Bioceramics

Personal page

Anja Drame, B.Sc. Ph.D. student

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+386 1 4773 898

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anja.drame@ijs.si

Field of research:

Electrocemical sensors for chemical species in food and enviroment based on metalic nanostructures

Dr. Natasa Drnovšek Scientist

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+386 1 4773 282

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natasa.drnovsek@ijs.siSICRIS

Field of research:

Nanostructural coatings for bone implants
Bioactive glass
Titania (anatase)
Sol-gel synthesis
Hydrothermal synthesis

Prof. Jean-Marie Dubois Senior scientist, Scientific advisor

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+386 1 4773 251

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jean-marie.dubois@ijs.siSICRIS

Field of research:

Non-crystalline alloys and compounds: metallic glasses, intermetallics and complex metallic alloys, quasicrystals.
Crystal structure and local order; formation and stability of complex compounds; properties of complex metallic compounds and quasicrystals: electronic structure, heat transport, solid-solid adhesion,
wetting, friction; applications of quasicrystals & complex intermetallics.

Darko Eterović Senior technician

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+386 1 4773 810

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dare.eterovic@ijs.siSICRIS

Field of research:

Dry and wet materials processing
Metallographic sample preparation
Dilatometry
Porosimetry
Materials mechanical properties evaluation

Sanja Fidler, B.Sc. Financial Admin

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+386 1 4773 353

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+386 31 56 23 79

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sanja.fidler@ijs.si

Field of interests:

Projects & Finances

Hermina Hudelja Ph.D. student

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+386 1 4773 940

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hermina.hudelja@ijs.siRESEARCHGATE SICRIS

Field of research:

Engineering and bioveramic materials
Hydrolysis of self-assembly powders
Aluminum hydroxides and oxides

Awais Ikram, M.Sc. Ph.D. student

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+386 1 4773 947

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awais.ikram@ijs.siRESEARCHGATE SICRIS

Field of research:

Development of Spark Plasma Sintered rare earth magnets (Nd-Fe-B & SmCo)
HDDR processing, microwave sintering and high energy reactive milling
Anisotropic recycled, bonded and nanocomposite permanent RE magnets
Advanced characterization (SEM, HRTEM, In-Situ, HAADF, EELS, SAED, AFM) & magnetic testing (Permeameter, VSM, MFM)

Dr. Aljaz Iveković Scientist

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+386 1 4773 947

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aljaz.ivekovic@ijs.siSICRIS

Field of research:

Materials for fusion applications
Silicon carbide ceramics
SiCf/SiC composites
Graphic design

Dr. Petra Jenuš Brdnik Scientist

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+386 1 4773 784

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petra.jenus@ijs.siRESEARCHGATE SICRIS

Field of research:

Exchange-coupled two-phase magnetic materials (preparation and characterization)
Scanning electron microscopy (SEM)
Transmission electron microscopy (TEM)
Spark plasma sintering (SPS)
Promotion of science

Vanja Jordan, B.Sc. Ph.D. student

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+386 1 4773 743

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vanja.jordan@ijs.siRESEARCHGATE SICRIS

Field of research:

Hydrothermal synthesis and characterization of inorganic fractal structures
Twinning in minerals with the rutile structure
Scanning electron microscopy (SEM
Transmision electron microscopy (TEM)

Luka Kelhar, M.Sc. Ph.D. student

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+386 1 4773 818

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luka.kelhar@ijs.siRESEARCHGATE SICRIS

Field of research:

Arc-melting and melt-spinning of metals and alloys
PECS sintering of alloys and composites
Magnetic measurements
Metal-bonded magnets
Complex metallic alloys

Prof. Spomenka Kobe Scientific Advisor, Slovenian Academy of Engineering, Member

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+386 1 4773 251

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spomenka.kobe@ijs.siRESEARCHGATE SICRIS

Field of research:

Hard magnetic materials
Intermetallic alloys – thin films and nanostructures
Magnetocaloric materials
Effect of processing on microstructure and physical properties
Applications of high-energy permanent magnets in ecology
The influence of magnetic field on crystallisation
Complex metallic alloys

Matej Kocen, M.Sc. Ph.D. student

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+386 1 4773 092

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matej.kocen@ijs.siSICRIS

Field of research:

W-based composites for fusion application
Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS)
Mechanical properties, XRD
Conductor of the JSI choir Vox Scientiae

Asst. Prof. Andraž Kocjan Programme group leader, Senior scientist

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+386 1 4773 895

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a.kocjan@ijs.siRESEARCHGATE SICRIS

Field of research:

Engineering and bioceramic materials
Colloidal processing and shaping
Zirconia, (mesoporous) alumina
Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS)

Asst. Prof. Matej Komelj Scientist

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+386 1 4773 308

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matej.komelj@ijs.siRESEARCHGATE SICRIS

Field of research:

Ab-initio electronic structure calculations, based on the density functional theory, focused on magnetic properties of solids, namely hyperfine parameters, nonlinear magnetoelastic effects, X-ray magnetic dichroism (XMCD) spectra…

Matic Korent, B.Sc. Ph.D. student

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+386 1 4773 930

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matic.korent@ijs.si

Field of research:

Dr. Nina Kostevšek Scientist

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+386 1 4773 821

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nina.kostevsek@ijs.siRESEARCHGATE SICRIS

Field of research:

Electrochemical study and deposition of magnetic thin films, nanowires and nanotubes based on Fe-Pd and Co-Pt system
Multifunctional nanomaterials based on magnetic (FePt, Fe3O4) and optically active components (Au) for bioapplications such as magnetic resonance imaging, magnetic hyperthermia, photo-thermal and sensing
Formation of »smart nanocarriers« made of SiO2, biopolymers (chitosan, gelatine, etc.) and thermo-responsive liposomes

Ana Lazar, B.Sc. Ph.D. student

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+386 1 4773 940

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ana.lazar@ijs.siSICRIS

Field of research:

Electroconductive composites (ZrO₂-TiN)
Pulsed electric current sintering (PECS)
Electrical discharge machining

Živa Marinko, M.Sc. Ph.D. student

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+386 1 4773 931

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ziva.marinko@ijs.si

Field of research:

Photocatalysis
Anodic oxidation
SEM
Electropolishing

Farhan Mehmood, M.Sc. Ph.D. student

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+386 1 4773 898

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muhammad.farhan.mehmood@ijs.siSICRIS

Field of research:

Understanding the correlation between microstructure and magnetic properties in hard magnets.
Advanced TEM characterization and method developments:
- Detailed structural and chemical analysis of grain boundaries, triple pockets and phase boundaries by using the most advanced analytical electron microscopy (AEM) techniques which involves
- HRTEM, HAADF-STEM, EDXS and EELS analysis
In situ transmission electron microscopy:
- In situ dynamic electrochemical TEM studies of recycled magnets.
- Magnetic testing (Permeameter, VSM)

Prof. Saša Novak Krmpotič Senior scientist, scientific advisor

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+386 1 4773 271

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sasa.novak@ijs.siRESEARCHGATE SICRIS

Field of research:

Biomaterials
Materials for fusion applications
Composites
Colloidal processing
Electrophoretic deposition
Nanotoxicology
Promotion of science

Personal page

Dr. Matejka Podlogar Scientist

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+386 1 4773 830

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mateja.podlogar@ijs.siRESEARCHGATE SICRIS

Field of research:

ZnO ceramics
Varistors
Synthesis and characterization of ZnO nanostructures and nanopowders
Scanning electron microscopy

Dr. Benjamin Podmiljšak Scientist

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+386 1 4773 818

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beno.podmiljsak@ijs.siRESEARCHGATE SICRIS

Field of research:

Hard magnetic materials
Magnetocaloric materials
Magnetic measurements
Sample preparation
Materials characterisation

Tomislav Pustotnik Workshop technician

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+386 1 4773 551



+386 1 4773 221SICRIS

Field of research:

Slip casting ceramics process

Prof. Aleksander Rečnik Senior scientist

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+386 1 4773 815

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aleksander.recnik@ijs.siRESEARCHGATE SICRIS

Field of research:

Atomic-level studies of polytypic phase transitions, twinning, epitaxy, nucleation of planar faults; atomic structure & chemistry of twin boundaries, inversion boundaries, antiphase boundaries, low-angle tilt grain boundaries; special grain boundaries and their relation to exaggerated and anisotropic crystal growth; microstructure development.

Dr. Zoran Samardžija Senior scientist

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+386 1 4773 847

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zoran.samardzija@ijs.siRESEARCHGATE SICRIS

Field of research:

A specialist for scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and electron-probe microanalysis (EDXS, WDXS)

Dr. Marko Soderžnik Scientist

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+386 1 4773 947

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marko.soderznik@ijs.siRESEARCHGATE SICRIS

Field of research:

Processing of rare-earth permanent magnets

Dr. Luka Suhadolnik Scientist

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+386 1 4773 931

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luka.suhadolnik@ijs.siRESEARCHGATE SICRIS

Field of research:

Photocatalytic (micro)reactors
Dye-sensitized solar cells
Anodic oxidation
Electrophoretic deposition (EPD)

Sara Tominc, B.Sc. Ph.D. student

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+386 1 4773 743

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sara.tominc@ijs.siRESEARCHGATE SICRIS

Field of research:

Topic: Structural and spectroscopic investigations of epitaxy and tropochemical twin boundaries in cassiterite (SnO₂)
Methods: X-ray diffractometry, electron microscopy (SEM, TEM, EDS, HRTEM, STEM), image simulations (multislice, Bloch-wave), structure modelling and refinement (DFT, MD)
Experimental: reproduction of twinning in SnO₂, solvothermal synthesis, flux growth, solid-state synthesis.

Tomaž Tomše, B.Sc. Ph.D. student

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+386 1 4773 545

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tomaz.tomse@ijs.siRESEARCHGATE SICRIS

Field of research:

Hard magnetic materials
Melt-spun materials
Spark plasma sintering (SPS)
Magnetic measurements
Optical and electron microscopy

Špela Trafela, B.Sc. Ph.D. student

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+386 1 4773 898

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spela.trafela@ijs.siSICRIS

Field of research:

Electrochemical sensors for chemical species in food and enviroment based on metallic nanowires, nanotubes and nanoparticles

Xuan Xu, M.Sc. Ph.D. student

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+386 1 4773 947

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xuan.xu@ijs.siSICRIS

Field of research:

Development of novel hard magnetic NdFe₁₂N_x-based magnets by electrodeposition
Electrochemical technologies (cyclic voltammetry, chronoamperometry
Ionic liquids
Electrodeposition of NdFe₁₂ and NdFe₁₂N_x phase

Dr. Kristina Žagar Soderžnik Scientist

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+386 1 4773 898

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kristina.zagar@ijs.siRESEARCHGATE SICRIS

Field of research:

Synthesis and characterization of perovskite nanostructures
Electrophoretic deposition (EPD)
Synthesis of nanoporous alumina templates
Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and microanalysis (EDS)
Conventional (CTEM) and analitical (AEM) transmission electron microscopy
Promotion of science

Asst. Prof. Kristina Žužek Rožman Senior scientist

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+386 1 4773 877

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tina.zuzek@ijs.siRESEARCHGATE SICRIS

Field of research:

Electroplating, magnetic nanowires,
nanotubes and thin films
Co-Pt hard magnetic materials
Fe-Pd hard magentic and magnetic
shape memory materials
Atomic force microscopy/magnetic force microscopy