The interaction of light with plasmonic nano-antennas is investigated. First, an extensive parametric study is performed on the material and geometrical effects on dipole and bow-tie nano-antennas. The transmission efficiency is studied for various parameters including length, thickness, width, and composition of the antenna as well as the wavelength of incident light. The modeling and simulation of these structures is done using 3-D finite element method based full-wave solutions of Maxwell’s equations. Next, a modeling-based automated design optimization framework is developed to optimize nano-antennas. The electromagnetic model is integrated with optimization solvers such as gradient-based optimization tools and genetic algorithms.

Within the research project “ Improvement of properties of grouts for prestressing tendons and/or ground anchors” in the European COST Materials Action 534 “ New Materials and Systems for Pre-stressed Concrete Structures” methods for testing rheology, stability of the grout suspension with respect to bleeding and settlement, setting time, expansion and mechanical strength of the grout were performed and evaluated. One of the aims of the project was to critically investigate which methods that are given in European standards and guidelines are indeed suited for testing grout in laboratory and on site. Some of the most interesting results and conclusions gathered during the project are presented in this paper.

Recent results indicate that some low alloy steels under certain conditions behave significantly better than ordinarily used black steel reinforcement. After thorough research of the steel reinforcement available on the market, different types of low alloy corrosion resistant reinforcement have been chosen for corrosion testing. The aim of this research is to evaluate the utilization of low alloy corrosion resistant steel as reinforcement in concrete when the structure is exposed to aggressive environment, such as chloride contamination and carbonation. During the research two types of low Nickel steel types will be tested and their corrosion resistances will be compared to stainless steel grades 1.4301, 1.4306 and duplex steel grades 1.4362 and 1.4462. Steel rebars are tested in chloride contaminated and carbonated pore solutions using Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) and anodic polarisation, simulating concrete environment with lower pH value and high chloride contamination. In this paper results of up-to-now performed testing are presented.