Subcritical crack growth in composite materials plays quite an important role in determination of the service life and leads to the defects growth below the fracture toughness. The thesis presents search of the several scientific works dealing with the determination of the crack growth direction in composite materials. The aim of this diploma thesis was to create 2D and 3D finite element models to analyse crack growth in Low Temperature Co-fired Ceramics (LTCC). These models were compared based on the time calculation of the crack propagation under the subcritical growth conditions.

In it´s first part, this presented master´s thesis focuses on the problematics of actions taking place in dielectric materials and phenomenons on the surface of real insulators placed in electric field. This research is followed by selection and rating of appropriate ceramic materials for the actual design of the metal – ceramic assembly. The greatest emphasis is given to design of the optimal configuration of the insulator and electrode, which is supported by simulations from the software that implements finite element method. Eventually, the high voltage tests of the assembly used for measuring leakage currents are performed.

Tato diplomová práce zkoumá flexibilní materiál k produkci elektřiny založený na piezoelektrickém polymeru Polyvinylidenfluorid (PVDF). Inkorporací piezoaktivní keramiky lze vlastnosti piezoelektrického polymeru PVDF významně zlepšit a převést na užitečnou elektrickou energii. PVDF byl vytvořen elektrostatickým zvlákňováním do vláken o tloušťce 1,5-0,3 µm a poté studován různými analytickými metodami. Tato práce nabízí popis elektrostatického zvlákňování, přípravu vzorků a teoretický úvod do analytických metod, kterým byly vzorky podrobeny. Morfologie a distribuce nanostrukturované keramiky do polymerní matrice PVDF byla pozorována použitím skenovací elektronové mikroskopie (SEM) a energiově disperzní spektroskopie (EDX). Pro tvorbu fáze a podrobné fázové složení byly vzorky charakterizovány infračervenou spektroskopií s Fourierovou transformací (FTIR). Práce také obsahuje analýzu s použitím Ramanovy spektroskopie, metody používané k identifikaci a porovnání chemických sloučenin. Elektrické vlastnosti byly studovány dielektrickou spektroskopií a je poskytnuta korelace se složením. Jednotlivé komponenty dotovaných vláken jsou charakterizovány a vyhodnocovány v souvislosti s jejich budoucím využitím v senzorech.

Cold sintering process (CSP) je nová metoda pro slinování keramik a skel. Tato metoda vede ke snížení teploty (

The diploma thesis focuses on new possibilities to reduce raw materials costs in production of heat-resistant cordierite ceramics. Cordierite is very often used as furnace wagon lining and for production of blazing utilities for its high resistance against temperature changes. The thesis gives complete overview of cordierite material. It includes description of different production technologies for form-pieces preparation, raw materials for their production and their applications. The goal of performed laboratory measuring in an experimental part was to verify and prove a possibility of reducing raw-material costs in production of cordierite ceramics by using cheaper preferably secondary raw materials.

Thermal insulating refractories are an integral part of each thermal unit since they reduce its energy consumption. The current phenomenon of saving in both environmental and financial aspects reflects in searching for such possibilities to produce at lower manufacturing and material costs. One of the possible ways is to valorise waste materials. The theoretical part then deals with the division of refractory materials, classification of thermal insulation refractory materials and manufacturing technologies. The experiment is focused on the production of insulating refractory materials made from plastic dough with a possibility of using sawdust and materials made by pressing mixture moist, with a focus on coal bottom ash. Both of these technologies will be tested for the possibility of modification by using mixed clays and of increasing the strength by using clays with lower sintering temperature.

Diploma thesis deals with the determination of fracture toughness values of sintered silicon carbide and casted basalt using both the Single Edge V-Notch Beam (SEVNB) and the Chevron Notched Beam (CNB) methods at room and cryogenic temperatures. The first part of this thesis offers general overview and categorization of ceramic materials. Fracture mechanics of the ceramic materials and available fracture toughness testing methods are discussed in following chapters. The last section in the theoretical part is aimed to the microstructure and properties of the silicon carbide. Experimental part of the work summarizes methods used for characterization of selected materials from the microstructural and fracture point of view. Preparation of samples for microstructural observation and samples for fracture toughness determination are described in details. The results of the fracture toughness data for sintered silicon carbide and cast-basalt obtained at room temperature and at -100 °C are displayed. Consideration of possible measurements errors and application of various fracture toughness testing methods are discussed in the next chapter of this work. The difference in the fracture toughness values with the decrease of testing temperature was found. The difference depends on both, the used method of fracture toughness determination and the material used for the tests. The most important results gained during the experimental work are summarized in the chapter “Conclusions”.

Nowadays, nanostructures fixed on solid substrates and colloidal nanoparticles permeate through all areas of human life, in area of sensors and detection as well. This dissertation thesis deals with the fabrication of nanostructures on the surface of planar electrodes via self-ordered nanoporous template of aluminum trioxide. The nanofabrication, as one of many possible techniques, is used to increase the active surface area of electrodes by creating unique surface types with specific properties. These electrodes are very perspective in the applications, such as biomolecules electrochemical detection and measurement. The transformation of aluminum layer into non-conductive nanoporous template in the process of anodic oxidation is a fundamental technique employed to obtain the array of nanostructures in this thesis. The fabrication of high quality nanoporous membranes with narrow pore size distribution on various types of metallic multilayers is one of the key experimental parts in this work. Several problems associated with the production of the thin-film systems, including the dissolving the barrier oxide layer, are discussed and solved. Another part of this work deals with the use of nanoporous membrane as a template for the production of metallic nanostructures via electrochemical metal ions deposition directly into the pores. The obtained nanostructures as nanowires, nanorods or nanodots are characterized by the scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive or wavelength X-ray spectroscopy. The electrode surface, modified by gold nanostructures suitable for the detection of biomolecules, has been chosen for the electrochemical measurements, due to the gold biocompatibility. The nanostructured electrodes were characterized by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry. The effect of nanostructured surface geometrical parameters, including the size of the electrochemically active area, on the results of electrochemical measurements has been observed and compared to flat gold electrodes. Two model biomolecules, namely guanine and glutathione, have been chosen for the study of potential application of these nanostructures in biosensors.

Master's thesis deals with the micro-region Klánovice's forest and its surroundings on the eastern edge of the City Prague. This area has not been given comprehensive attention yet. The findings are based on a critical review of the humble written and archaeological sources relating to the concerned area. In addition, was made, analysis of archaeological excavation, which was carried out on the deserted village Hol and also geophysical survey from the same site. Based on the lessons learned to better classify and discuss the role of this area in the hinterland of high medieval Prague. Keywords: deserted village, Klánovice forest, Hol, geophysical survey, ceramics, agricultural margins land, high middle ages

The Structure and the Chronology of Stroked Pottery Culture Settlements in Eastern Bohemia; This work covers the period of the Stroked Pottery Culture (5100/5000 - 4500/4400 cal BC) in a spatial context that in accordance with the current territorial administrative division corresponds to the Pardubice and the Hradec Králové Regions (Central Europe, Czech Republic). It describes and compares the forms and the composition of the two adjacent areas of Neolithic settlements. Attention is focused primarily on the Hradec Králové area, where two main sites are being studied, i.e. Jaroměř and Plotiště nad Labem. Through analysis of the archaeological material and contextualisation of the results within the wider framework of the Eastern part and subsequently also the entire area of Bohemia it is seeking to identify the hierarchical structure of the settlement. On the basis of the documents of remote distribution it also seeks to identify within this structure any evidence of the presence of groups or individuals with exceptional social status.