Polish version  Achile Nana, Dr Web pages:

Achile NANA is an early-career scientist from Cameroon whose work focuses on developing eco-friendly construction materials through innovative research and international collaboration. He earned a PhD in Materials Science at University of Dschang in 2021 and works there as a research assistant. His research interests centre on valorising locally available natural resources and agricultural waste to produce sustainable building materials. He enjoys working in international environments and values collaboration across cultures and research perspectives. He will join our university with support from a NAWA scholarship.

Research to be conducted at Wrocław University of Science and Technology
The project aims to develop porous geopolymer composites produced at low temperatures, using iron-rich laterites and feldspathic mineral waste as solid precursors. The materials are designed to combine high mechanical strength with moisture-control capability. Reactivity and targeted pore-size distribution will be tuned using selected organic wastes and or chemical additives, and by varying the type of alkaline activating solution. A key expected outcome is a set of detailed processing parameters for geopolymerisation of iron-rich laterites, supporting low-cost, sustainable materials suitable for tropical regions where laterites are widely available.

Specific objectives include:

• assessing how laterite type, RHA-to-feldspar ratio, activator type, dissolution time, and processing temperature influence the final properties,
• analysing how chemical stoichiometry affects mechanical performance and microstructural development,
• evaluating how laterite induration degree and the efficiency of waste materials influence chemo-physical transformation during geopolymerisation,
• determining the effect of curing humidity on microstructure and mechanical strength.

The stay is planned to start in August 2026 and last 24 months.