Education
1993 - Doctor's degree in Engineering (Dr.sc.ing.), chemistry; Latvian Academy of Sciences, Habilitation and Promotion Council of the Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry
1986 - Chemist, chemistry-teacher qualification; University of Latvia, Faculty of Chemistry
Scientific interests and competence
Polyurethane chemistry and technology. Rigid polyurethane foams as thermal insulation materials. Polyurethanes from renewable raw materials, mainly available in northern Europe: rapeseed oil, tall oil, lignin. Polyurethane foams as a cryogenic insulation material for the storage of liquefied gases. Cooperation with the European Space Agency.
The most important projects
2018-2021 - M-ERA.Net 2 - Development of Biobased Cryogenic Insulation Modified with Nanocrystalline Cellulose (Bio4Cryo) (Nr.1.1.1.5/ERANET/18/03), project leader
2018-2020 - European Space Agency - Light Weight Polyurethane Insulation for the Bulkhead of Ariane Rocket, Produced with the Next Generation Blowing Agents and Environmentally Friendly Catalysts (CRYOFOAMS-LW) (Nr.4000124200/18/NL/SC), project leader
2018-2020 - LCS FARP - Forest industry by-product transformation into valueable bio-polyols using advanced heteregeneous phase biocatalyst and characterization of the process kinetics (FORinPOL) (Nr. Izp-2018/2-0020), project leader
2017-2019 - ERDF - Rigid polyurethane/polyisocyanurate foam thermal insulation material reinforced with nano/micro size cellulose (Nr.1.1.1.1/16/A/031), project leader
2015-2017 - European Space Agency - Rigid Polyurethane Foams for External Tank Insulation for Launcher Upper Stages (CRYOFOAMS) (Nr.400011453/15/NL/NDe), project leader
2014-2015 - ERDF - Development of innovative polyols and polyol systems from recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET) flakes and renewable raw materials (Nr.2014/0043/2DP/2.1.1.1.0/14/APIA/VIAA/063), project leader
2012-2016 - 7th Framework Programme - The Electric Vehicle revOLUITON enabled by advanced materials highly hybridized into lightweight components for easy integration and dismantling providing a reduced life cycle cost logic (EVOLUTION) (Nr. 314744), Latvian coordinator
2008-2012 - 7th Framework Programme - Forest Resource Sustainability through Bio-Based-Composite Development (FORBIOPLAST) (Grant agreement ID: 212239), Latvian coordinator
More information
2018 – “Top Achievements in Science” in Latvia in 2017. Applied science category with “Wide range of thermal insulation materials from renewable and recycled raw materials” by Dr, U.Stirna, Dr. U.Cabulis, Dr. V.Yakushin, Mg.sc.ing. M.Kirpluks, Mg.sc.ing. A.Fridrihsone, Latvian Academy of Sciences.
2017 – Member of the University of Latvia Master's Defense Committee
2016 - the Correspondent member of the Latvian Academy of Sciences
2016 - Member of Latvian Academy of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences
The most important publications
Kirpluks, M., Vanags, E., Abolins, A., Fridrihsone, A., Cabulis, U. Chemo-enzymatic oxidation of tall oil fatty acids as a precursor for further polyol production. - Journal of Cleaner Production, 2019, 215, 390–398 (Doi: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2018.12.323).
Kirpluks, M., Kalnbunde, D., Benes, H., Cabulis, U. Natural oil based highly functional polyols as feedstock for rigid polyurethane foam thermal insulation. - Industrial Crops and Products, 2018, 122, 627–636 (Doi:10.1016/j.indcrop.2018.06.040).
Ivdre, A., Fridrihsone-Girone, A., Abolins, A., Cabulis, U. Effect of different concentration of rapeseed oil and recycled poly (ethylene terephthalate) in polyols for rigid polyurethane foams. - Journal of Cellular Plastics, 2018, 54, 2,161-177 (Doi:
10.1177/0021955X16670585).
Gaidukova, G., Ivdre, A., Fridrihsone, A., Verovkins, A., Cabulis, U., Gaidukovs, S. Polyurethane rigid foams obtained from polyols containing bio-based and recycled components and functional additives. - Industrial Crops and Products, 2017, 102, 133-143 (Doi: 10.1016/j.indcrop.2017.03.024).
Kurańska, M., Cabulis, U., Auguścik, M., Prociak, A., Ryszkowska, J., & Kirpluks, M. Bio-based polyurethane-polyisocyanurate composites with an intumescent flame retardant. - Polymer Degradation and Stability, 2016, 127,11-19 (Doi: 10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2016.02.005).
Cabulis, U., Kirpluks, M., Stirna, U., Lopez, M. J., Vargas-Garcia, M. d. C., Suárez-Estrella, F., & Moreno, J. Rigid polyurethane foams obtained from tall oil and filled with natural fibers: Application as a support for immobilization of lignin-degrading microorganisms. - Journal of Cellular Plastics, 48, 6, 500-515 (Doi: 10.1177/0021955X12443142).
Stirna, U, Beverte, I., Yakushin, V., Cabulis, U. Mechanical properties of rigid polyurethane foams at room and cryogenic temperatures. - Journal of Cellular Plastics, 2011, 47, 4, 337-355 (Doi: 10.1177/0021955X11398381).