The key objective of this proposal is to establish a new Laboratory for Advanced Materials (LAM) at Comenius University (CU) under the direction of the appointed ERA Chair holder. LAM is meant to be a world-class research interdisciplinary laboratory focused on advanced materials research, particularly for applications in the areas such as energy conversion and storage, electronics, and optoelectronics. Existence of LAM will: - strengthen the potential and the contribution of CU to this area of research in the wider ERA in tight connection to the central idea of the Work Programme - Spreading Excellence and Widening Participation - help counteracting the eminent brain drain Slovakia is experiencing by attracting brilliant young researchers from both Slovakia and abroad - consequently strengthen the position of CU as a leading research and educational institution in Slovakia as well as raise its significance in Europe The structure and management of LAM is designed to ensure its future self-sustainability and continuity of its research. Project funds will be utilized in establishing LAM and maintaining LAM's initial operation period, during which following actions will be taken to secure future financial sustainability: - top-quality research personnel will be recruited bringing in international scientific collaborations - external collaborations with the industry will be actively sought - opportunities to utilize research outputs as intellectual property and patents will be exploited - research grants connected to the area of research interests will be applied for - public outreach activities will be focused on stimulating interest and engagement among students Within this scheme, the project funding will serve as the initial kick-start of a new internationally acclaimed prime research facility (LAM), activating the whole field of materials research at CU, thus having a positive long-term effect on the status of research excellence in Slovakia as well.

Medical device-related infections contribute to an increase in mortality, prolongation of hospitalization and present a substantial financial burden to patients and society. Catheter-related infections are among the most common causes of healthcare-associated infections worldwide. The possibilities of low temperature plasma technologies for direct (plasma) and indirect (plasma activated water) disinfection of polymer materials will be studied. The proposed project is focused on gaining detailed insight into the plasma processing of polymer medical tubes (catheters) using Surface Dielectric Barrier Discharge with liquid electrodes. This will include the investigation of plasma-induced physical and chemical changes not only on the surface of the processed material, but also the analysis of the surrounding gas, and especially the used liquid. Examination of the discharge under specific conditions is beneficial for the understanding of the undergoing chemical and physical processes. The decontamination effect of the plasma treatment of bacteria and biofilms present on the catheter surface and in liquids will be the key objective of the project. This will be done by detailed studies of the bacterial response to reactive oxygen and nitrogen species in liquid and the biofilm growth inhibition on the polymer after the plasma treatment. The development of the plasma technology capable of polymer treatment in continuous regime and application of such plasma systems for catheters treatment will allow for a larger impact of plasma processing expanding to a wide range of new industrial applications. The obtained results will increase the quality of medical treatment, reduce the costs of specific medical care, and prolong the time between the required doctor visits for patients using different catheters. Plasma applications in medicine are leaping to become the medicine of the future, and this is my chance to contribute to its development.