Centre for Functional and Surface Functionalized Glass (acronym FunGlass) is newly created centre of excellence in the framework of Horizon 2020 project - Spreading the excellence and widening participation (H2020-WIDESPREAD-01-2016-2017-TeamingPhase2; Topic WIDESPREAD-01-2016-2017 Teaming Phase 2, project number 739566). Its establishment is based on upgrade of the existing Centre of excellence for ceramics, glass and silicate materials (CEKSiM, created in 2012).
The Centre is created in cooperation with the project partners´ institutions and their leading experts in glass science and technology in Europe, namely (in alphabetical order) prof. Bernardo from the Universita degli Studi di Padova (Italy), prof. Boccaccini from Institute of Biomaterials of the Friedrich – Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (Germany), prof. Durán from the Instituto de Ceramica y Vidrio Madrid (CSIC, Spain), and prof. Wondraczek from the Friedrich-Schiller Universität Jena (Germany).
The Centre is specialized in cutting edge research in the field of glass with special functional properties (luminescence, electric), and to functionalization of conventional glass with the aim of modifying its properties, and adding new functionalities. These comprise reflection, and anti-reflection coatings for solar energy production and optoelectronic applications, increase of glass strength, enhancing the corrosion and leaching resistance of commercially produced glasses, self-cleaning/antibacterial coatings of glasses for medical applications, including modification/enhancement of bioactivity.