Slovak University of Technology, Slovakia
Profile
Scopus
Early Academic Pursuits
Assoc. Prof. Ján Kruželák, PhD., born on September 18, 1983, pursued his entire higher education at the Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava. His academic journey began with a Bachelor's degree (2002–2005), continued with a Master’s degree (2002–2007), and culminated in a Ph.D. in 2011. Following his doctoral studies, he further honed his research capabilities through a postdoctoral fellowship (2011–2012) at the same prestigious institution, laying a strong foundation for his future scientific endeavors in polymer and rubber material science.
Professional Endeavors
Since October 2012, Ján Kruželák has been an integral member of the Institute of Natural and Synthetic Polymers at the Faculty of Chemical and Food Technology, Slovak University of Technology. He began his academic career as an Assistant Professor (2012–2017) and was promoted to Associate Professor in September 2017, a position he continues to hold. His professional base remains within the Department of Plastics, Rubber and Fibres, where he blends teaching, research, and mentorship roles with excellence.
Contributions and Research Focus
Assoc. Prof. Kruželák has made substantial contributions to the field of elastomer materials and rubber technology. His research expertise lies in the preparation and characterization of rubber composites, especially those filled with traditional industrial fillers, magnetic active fillers, and biopolymers. He has significantly advanced understanding in vulcanization systems, both sulfur-based and peroxide-based, exploring how new types of co-agents affect cross-link structures and filler-rubber interactions. Furthermore, he is passionately involved in waste rubber valorization, offering sustainable solutions for rubber material recycling and reuse.
Impact and Influence
The breadth and depth of Assoc. Prof. Kruželák’s research have earned him notable academic and industrial recognition. His body of work includes 68 scientific articles in foreign CC journals, 1 article in a domestic CC journal, and 25 additional publications in other indexed databases. His contributions are highly cited, reflecting the influence of his research on the global scientific community. He was also an invited speaker at prestigious platforms, including the Solid State Day 2019 seminar organized by the Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Universität Hannover, and has delivered 6 invited lectures internationally.
Academic Citations
In the Scopus database, he has contributed to 79 scientific articles, accumulating over 950 citations and achieving an h-index of 14. In the Web of Science (WOS), he is credited with 74 articles, cited approximately 700 times, with the same h-index of 14. These impressive metrics underline the significance and continued relevance of his scholarly outputs in the scientific field of polymers and elastomers.
Technical Skills
Assoc. Prof. Kruželák exhibits deep technical proficiency in elastomer processing, rubber formulation, polymer composite development, vulcanization techniques, and material recycling. His specialized skills include optimizing rubber-filler interactions and innovating sustainable material reuse strategies. His meticulous approach towards the structural modification of rubber networks through chemical engineering further accentuates his technical capabilities.
Teaching Experience
Alongside his research career, he has been actively engaged in educating and mentoring students at all levels of study. He has supervised 12 bachelor theses and 23 diploma theses, playing a vital role in nurturing young scientific talents. At the doctoral level, he has successfully supervised one Ph.D. candidate and is currently mentoring another. His teaching focuses on processing and applications of elastomers and rubber materials, where he translates complex research into accessible knowledge for his students.
Legacy and Future Contributions
Assoc. Prof. Kruželák’s ongoing work sets a benchmark for future innovations in polymer science and rubber technology. His commitment to research excellence, student mentorship, and sustainable technological advancements positions him as a key influencer in his field. As a representative for Slovakia in the International Rubber Conference Organisation (IRCO), he is shaping the international dialogue around rubber research and industrial practices. His legacy is one of scientific rigor, educational mentorship, and a vision for a sustainable future in materials engineering.
Notable Publications
Title: Strategy for reducing rubber wear emissions: The prospect of using calcium lignosulfonate
Authors: Michaela Džuganová, Radek Stoček, Marek Pöschl, Ján Hronkovič, Jozef Preťo
Journal: Express Polymer Letters
Year: 2024
Title: Sulfur and peroxide curing of NBR based rubber compounds filled with kraft lignin and calcium lignosulfonate
Authors: Ján Kruželák, Michaela Džuganová, Klaudia Hložeková, Henrich Krump, Ivan Hudeč
Journal: Journal of Applied Polymer Science
Year: 2024
Title: The Impact of Surface Roughness on Conformal Cooling Channels for Injection Molding
Authors: Jan Hanzlik, Jiri Vaněk, Vladimír Pata, Ján Kruželák, Martin Bednarik
Journal: Materials
Year: 2024
Title: Sulfur and Peroxide Vulcanization of the Blends Based on Styrene–Butadiene Rubber, Ethylene–Propylene–Diene Monomer Rubber and Their Combinations
Authors: Ján Kruželák, Andrea Kvasničáková, Michaela Džuganová, Ivan Chodák, Ivan Hudeč
Journal: Materials
Year: 2024
Title: The Electrical Conductivity, EMI Absorption Shielding Performance, Curing Process, and Mechanical Properties of Rubber Composites
Authors: Ján Kruželák, Andrea Kvasničáková, Michaela Džuganová, Ivan Hudeč, Henrich Krump
Journal: Polymers
Year: 2024