Marek Mikrut from Poland is almost at the end of his first year as a PhD student in the Rubber Technology group, Faculty of Science and Technology.
He is conducting research on low surface energy rubber materials. 'In other words, it means non-sticking rubbers. To give an example, it is the kind of rubber used in copy machines for transferring the toner to the paper. Let me explain how a copy machine works in brief. The light reflects from the paper, hits the photoconductor's drum, and causes a positively charged film. Each charge leaves a dot that will represent a dot on the paper. The drum picks up the toner (the drum rotates past a container bin containing a black powder called toner) and deposits it on a rubber belt, which transfers the toner to paper to form either text or an image. The paper should not stick to the belt, and toner cannot stick to it too much either. Inside the copy machine the environment is quite hostile due to high temperature, presence of chemicals, and the belt is constantly moving and deforming. This calls for the rubber to be of an extremely durable nature.'
Marek has a Master's in Organic Chemistry from Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland. After that he worked at the Rubber Research Institute, Piastow, Poland for a year and a half. 'I never thought of studying abroad,' he says. 'But opportunity knocked - my superior at the Institute had some contacts with my supervisor here.'
'The initial struggle with the language was fine. What I was really not prepared for was the plethora of paperwork that goes around in this country. Nothing can get done without submitting loads of papers,' he adds. After his PhD, Marek would like to return to Poland. 'I can always go back to my Institute. But then again, if there were something better here, I would not mind sticking around.'
In his spare time Marek loves to read. 'I read quite a few books in a week. I am used to reading much more but the problem is availability of Polish books. Nonetheless, I read 2-3 books every week. I cannot live without reading,' he asserts.
Hometown: Zurowa, Poland
Languages known: Polish, English, some German
Favourite food : Polish home made food
Favourite music: Bach.........Heavy Metal too.
Favourite movie: The Seventh Seal
Currently Reading: "Achaja", Polish Sci-fi book by A. Ziemianski
Best part of living in NL: Everything is organised very well
Worst part of living in NL: the language
