eap-plus.eu – STI International Cooperation Network for Eastern Partnership Countries - PLUS

1. What can you tell us about you?

My name is Egor Kaniukov (Born in 1983). In 2006 I graduated from the Physics Faculty of the Brest State University. After graduation, I entered postgraduate study at the Scientific and Practical Center of the NAS of Belarus for Materials Science in the specialty "Condensed matter physics", after which I has been working as a researcher in the Cryogenic Research Division since November 2009. Over the period of my work, I have co-authored more than 50 scientific articles in international journals such as Nanotechnology, CrystEngComm, Materials Chemistry and Physics, Journal of Crystal Growth, MRS Communications, 2 chapters in the books (Springer) and 3 patents.

2. What is your academic and professional background?

I have trained at research centers in Western Europe and the CIS (Free University of Brussels, Belgium, Institute of Photonics, Jena, Germany, University of Aveiro, Portugal, University of Chemical Technology and Metallurgy, Sofia, Bulgaria, Voronezh State Technical University, Russia, Joint Institute for Nuclear Research, Dubna, Russia). I have experience of modern methods of obtaining and researching materials, and also has experience in practical work with micro- and nanomaterials (design and implementation of experiments on modern research and technological equipment, processing of data obtained and their presentation in the form of articles and inventions).

3. What is your current professional occupation?

From 2018 I am work as Deputy Director for Science and Innovations, Institute of Chemistry of New Materials NAS of Belarus. Currently I actively cooperates with many scientific centers, such as: Vrije Universiteit Brussel (Belgium), Leibniz Institute of Photonic Technology (Germany, Jena), University of Aveiro (Portugal), University of Chemical Technology and Metallurgy (Sofia, Bulgaria), United Institute Nuclear Research (RF, Dubna), the Institute of Nuclear Physics of the Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Eurasian National University L.N. Gumilev (both Astana, Kazakhstan), Gebze Technical University (Istanbul, Turkey), Institute of Physics of NASU and Institute of Magnetism (both in Kiev, Ukraine), Ruđer Bošković Institute (Zagreb, Croatia). DWI Leibniz Institute of Interactive Materials e.V. (Aachen, Germany).

4. What is the focus of your scientific research project?

The main idea of my current scientific research project is to create a “Handbag-size” tool – a Fluorescence suppressing Raman Spectrometer for food safety monitoring. The targeted scientific breakthrough is the application of nanosized structures based on “porous SiO_х or Si_x(ON)_y on silicon surface” systems where dielectric pores are selectively filled by noble metals for a formation of dim plasmonic nanostructures – a “Smart Biosensor” surface. Swift heavy ion track technology or photolithography is used for the pre-patterning of porous surfaces with nano-scaled metal particles for highly sensitive Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy. Various methods of the deposition of noble metals and their combinations in the pores (chemical and electrochemical deposition, electron beam induced deposition) are applied for the formation of the biosensor for gaining high sensitivity in Raman spectroscopy. The characterization of plasmonic structures will be carried out by surface analytic methods like SEM, EDX, EBSD, TEM, etc., which are combined with theoretical modeling of growth processes and plasmonic properties supporting the optimization process of the “Smart Biosensor” Surface.

It is planned to create the “Handbag-size” Fluorescence-Suppressed Raman Spectrometer with an integrated miniature laser and a “Smart Biosensor” for high sensitivity food safety monitoring. In parallel to all experimental activities, ongoing technology watch in food safety and food industry monitoring will be carried out to stay continuously informed about most recent technical and economic developments in the field and to compare project product with other current existing products.

5. What were you able to achieve/which event were you able to attend thanks to the EaP PLUS grant?

Thanks to the Grant for networking to facilitate the participation of EaP countries (Grant for enhancing professional contacts between Belarus and the EU, 2017) i had possibility to meet with my project partner (Dr. Vladimir Sivakov, Head of «Semiconductor Nanostructures» Group, Leibniz Institute of Photonic Technology, Jena, Germany). During the visit the working packages were developed and the organizations responsible for the implementation of the planned tasks were established. A preliminary timetable for the implementation of the key stages of the project was developed and the number of months allocated for the accomplishment of the assigned tasks by each of the project participants was determined. A scheme of visits has been drawn up and a preliminary plan of meetings and trips has been drawn up. The time limits for preparing the application have been established.

6. In which way did the EaP PLUS grant contribute to support your scientific research project?

Grant EaP PLUS provided a financial opportunity to travel to a partner organization with which the preparation of a joint project was planned. In the framework of the visit a preliminary timetable for the implementation of the key stages of the project was developed and the number of months allocated for the accomplishment of the assigned tasks by each of the project participants was determined. A scheme of visits has been drawn up and a preliminary plan of meetings and trips has been drawn up. The time limits for preparing the application have been established.

7. What are the next steps of your scientific research project (where do you see yourself in the next 5 years)?

The project have been prepared and submitted to the subprogram FETOPEN of the HORIZON-2020 Programme.

A portrait of the EaP PLUS grantee from Belarus - Egor Kaniukov