Projects

Dušan Mašek

Project selection:

National projects

DUOFLUOR – Dual‑tuned ¹H/¹⁹F RF coil for preclinical MRI
Duálne ladená ¹H/¹⁹F RF cievka pre predklinické MRI
Program: SRDA
Duration: 1.9.2026 – 31.8.2030
Project leader: Ing. Gogola Daniel, PhD.
Annotation: The project focuses on the design, optimization, and experimental verification of a dual‑tuned ¹H/¹⁹F radiofrequency (RF) coil intended for preclinical MRI. Combined ¹H/¹⁹F imaging represents a promising technology enabling simultaneousanatomical (¹H) and quantitative functional measurements (¹⁹F), particularly in studies involving the biodistribution offluorinated compounds, cell‑tracking applications, inflammatory processes, and functional lung imaging. The absence of endogenous ¹⁹F signal in biological tissues allows absolute quantification without background reconstruction, which increases the accuracy and interpretability of measurements. Despite its potential, only a limited number of solutions optimized for small‑animal imaging currently exist, and available systems often do not achieve the required sensitivity and B₁ homogeneity for fluorine MRI.The project includes the development of detailed FEM/FDTD models of various coil geometries, their optimization for bothresonance frequencies, and the subsequent construction of a physical prototype. The experimental phase will involveS‑parameter and Q‑factor measurements, B₁ field mapping, and testing of tuning stability. The functional performance ofthe coil will be evaluated using phantoms with defined fluorine content and, in the final stage, through preclinical measurements in small animals. The project also includes the development of a software tool that enables the calculationand optimization of RF coil parameters for different dimensions and frequencies.The outcome of the project will be an experimentally validated dual‑tuned ¹H/¹⁹F RF coil and a complete methodology forits design, applicable in preclinical research, pharmacological studies, and the development of fluorinated markers. Theproject will contribute to the advancement of preclinical MRI technologies in Slovakia and create a foundation for furtherinterdisciplinary applications in biomedical imaging.
AgeFlex – Development and standardization of MR-based methods for detecting and evaluating metabolic and structural adaptations of aging muscles to exercise.
Vývoj a štandardizácia MR metód založených na magnetickej rezonancii na detekciu a hodnotenie metabolických a štrukturálnych adaptácií starnúcich svalov na cvičenie.
Program: SRDA
Duration: 1.9.2025 – 31.8.2029
Project leader: Mgr. Klepochová Radka, PhD.
Annotation: Aging is associated with a loss of muscle mass and the functional capacity of skeletal muscles; however, regular exercise can slow down these processes. The focus of this project is on examining the metabolic, functional, and structural parameters in the lower limb muscles, which we can non-invasively and repeatedly measure using innovative magnetic resonance methods (MR). This allows us to compare the trajectories of aging in skeletal muscles of sedentary individuals and those who are physically active. One of the key parameters that define a muscle\’s ability to efficiently mobilize and use energy for muscle work is called metabolic flexibility. The aim of the project is to develop innovative MR methods to study metabolic flexibility and structural changes in skeletal muscles during aging, and relate them to whole-body metabolic flexibility, as well as the metabolic phenotype and structural and molecular changes in the skeletal muscles of older adults. As part of the project, we will standardize the measurement of dynamic changes in metabolites in muscle during exercise using proton (1H) MR spectroscopy, create standard procedures for quality control of acquired MR spectroscopy data, and a key aspect of the project will also be the development of an automated segmentation method based on a convolutional neural network, which will enable more efficient and reliable evaluation of MR images of skeletal muscles. These innovative methods will be validated using data from ongoing longitudinal studies at the Biomedical Center of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, and their results will be directly compared with parallel changes in metabolic health, functional capacity, histological structure, and molecular mediators of metabolic flexibility in skeletal muscles. The results may not only improve our understanding of the processes that define metabolic flexibility during aging but may also offer relevant strategies to support metabolically healthy aging.
TRACE-DC – Non-invasive measurement and metrological traceability of DC component in modern networks with battery storage
Neinvazívne meranie a metrologická sledovateľnosť jednosmernej zložky v moderných sieťach s batériovými úložiskami
Program: SRDA
Duration: 1.9.2026 – 28.2.2029
Project leader: Ing. Gogola Daniel, PhD.
Annotation: In the context of Slovakia\’s energy transformation, the share of renewable energy sources and battery storage systems integrated into the electricity grid is increasing. These devices operate with direct current (DC) but connect to alternating current (AC) networks, requiring metrologically reliable on-site measurement of DC power and energy. The first objective is to test and characterize a non-invasive DC sensor for measuring high currents (up to 1200 A) with 0.1% accuracy, suitable for battery storage, photovoltaic systems, and electric mobility. The second objective is to establish a reference standard for DC power and energy traceable to national standards. Additionally, connecting DC sources without transformers injectsDC components into AC networks, causing overheating, increased losses, and reduced power quality. The project therefore investigates the impact of DC components on AC electricity meters, with results serving as a basis for updating legislative requirements. The project supports the development of smart energy grids and contributes to effective electricity flow management in Slovakia\’s economy.