Prof. Bartosz Zajączkowski from the Faculty of Mechanical and Power Engineering has received the 2026 Minister of Science Award. He was honored for significant achievements in scientific research during the Polish Science Gala 2026.

The ceremony, held at the Polish Theatre in Warsaw, formed part of the celebrations of Polish Science Day (19 February). Established in 2020, the holiday commemorates the achievements of outstanding Polish scholars whose groundbreaking discoveries have shaped the history of science. It also recognizes contemporary researchers and promotes public engagement with science.

During the gala, Dr. Marcin Kulasek, Minister of Science and Higher Education, presented awards in five prestigious categories: for significant achievements in scientific, teaching, implementation, and organizational activities, as well as for lifetime achievement.

Among this year’s awardees was Prof. Bartosz Zajączkowski from the Faculty of Mechanical and Power Engineering at Wrocław University of Science and Technology.

The award recognizes his innovative research, which plays an important role in modern thermal engineering, refrigeration, and the energy transition.

Cooling in the Era of Climate Warming

Prof. Zajączkowski, from the Department of Thermal Engineering, has for years been advancing research on phenomena determining the effectiveness of temperature reduction processes. In the context of global warming and the growing demand for cooling, his work focuses on improving energy efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

“Cooling is becoming one of the key challenges of the energy transition. We must design systems that are not only efficient but also environmentally sustainable,” emphasizes Prof. Zajączkowski.

For over a decade, he has been developing new technologies based on advanced heat transfer modeling, using numerical simulations and artificial intelligence methods. Particular attention is devoted to complex systems involving multiphase flows and phase-change processes.

At the Laboratory of Multiphase Process Intensification, which he established, fundamental and applied research is conducted, including experiments under subatmospheric conditions.

One important research direction involves the use of surfactant-stabilized nanofluids to enhance heat transfer, as well as the development of methodologies for analyzing water boiling as a natural working fluid in tubular cooling systems. The results are published in leading thermal science and engineering journals and form the basis for designing more efficient and lower-emission devices.

“Our goal is to combine fundamental research with solutions that can realistically improve the performance of existing installations and reduce their energy consumption. We are looking for methods that increase efficiency without requiring costly system overhauls,” he adds.

Phase Change and Nanotechnologies

A significant part of Prof. Zajączkowski’s research concerns nanofluids and ferro-nanofluids, studied using both passive and active approaches. Research on nanofluid geysering has demonstrated the formation of durable nanoporous structures on heating surfaces, potentially improving system performance without structural modifications. This line of research is supported by a Preludium Bis grant from the National Science Centre.

In the active approach, ferro-nanofluids are investigated for their ability to control heat transfer using an external magnetic field, opening the way to adaptive thermal systems that respond to changing operating conditions.

“The possibility of controlling heat transfer intensity with a magnetic field offers entirely new perspectives for designing more flexible and responsive cooling systems,” explains Prof. Zajączkowski.

His research forms a coherent program—from experimental analyses of heat transport and phase transitions to solutions based on nanotechnology and magnetic control—aimed at reducing cooling energy consumption and improving the efficiency of existing systems.

An Internationally Engaged Researcher

Prof. Zajączkowski’s work has a strong international dimension. Since 2019 he has been active within the International Institute of Refrigeration, and since 2023 he has served as Vice-Chair of Commission B2. Since 2024 he has also participated in the European Two-Phase Flow Group, which brings together experts from Europe, the Americas, and Japan.

He has gained experience at SINTEF in Oslo, RICOH in Yokohama, San Diego State University, and Stirling Cryogenics in the Netherlands (Marie Curie programme). He also participated in the Top 500 Innovators: Science – Management – Commercialization programme at Stanford University and in European COST networks.

He leads a team of young researchers and collaborates with institutions in France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Ireland, and Norway. His doctoral candidates regularly complete research stays abroad, joint doctoral procedures (co-tutelle) are conducted, and international students and PhD candidates undertake internships in Wrocław.