Dr Eng Alina Brzęczek-Szafran from the Faculty of Chemistry and Dr Eng Błażej Tomiczek from the mechanical engineering department of the Silesian University of Technology became the laureates of the 9th program of the National Center for Research and Development „Leader”.

Dr Eng Alina Brzęczek-Szafran obtained PLN 1 196 250 for the implementation of the project “Innovative method of preparing lactams for acidic ionic liquids”, and Dr Eng Błażej Tomiczek received PLN 1,180,000 for the implementation of the project “Development of composite materials with increased thermal conductivity for use as tools for plastics processing”.

The Leader program is addressed to young scientists. Its aim is to broaden their competences in independent planning of work and managing their own research team during project implementation, the results of which may have practical application and have implementation potential. The maximum co-financing amount for the project is PLN 1.2 million.