Professor Kazimierz Darowicki awarded the Medal of St. Adalbert | Faculty of Chemistry at the Gdańsk University of Technology

The award was established in 1996 by the Gdańsk City Council. It is awarded to Polish and foreign citizens, institutions and organizations for outstanding services to the city. The distinctions are received by those who contribute to the fame of Gdańsk both in the region, the country and worldwide. The Chapter elected by the Gdańsk City Council awards people who undertake useful public initiatives, stand out with their work or interests that rise above the average, giving an impulse for change and creating a new, better reality. The activities appreciated by the chapter are from various fields and concern culture, science, health care, social issues and economy. Additionally, the St. Adalbert’s medal is also awarded for work for cooperation and reconciliation between nations and for exceptional undertakings for tolerance and dialogue between representatives of different denominations and religions.

This year, it was awarded to Professor Kazimierz Darowicki from the Faculty of Chemistry of Gdańsk University of Technology, a well-known Polish electrochemist and expert in the field of corrosion and materials engineering. The professor was recognized with one of the most important awards for outstanding scientific and implementation achievements, recognized on a global scale, for establishing one of the largest European corrosion teaching and research centers in Gdańsk and for building a strong Gdańsk scientific school of "Impedance Spectroscopy".

Outstanding scientist from Gdańsk

Prof. Kazimierz Darowicki, PhD, DSc, Eng., is an outstanding scientist, innovator and scientific leader with a recognized international reputation, specializing in the field of electrochemistry, corrosion, materials engineering and impedance spectroscopy. He is a professor at Gdańsk University of Technology and one of the most important promoters of Polish science in the field of electrochemistry, corrosion and materials engineering on the world stage. He is also the author of over 260 works indexed in the SCOPUS database and 120 works outside this database.

Creator of Dynamic Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy, as well as differential, integral and relative impedance spectra, which are widely used in measurement practice and scientific research. Implementer of about 500 research projects for key Polish and foreign enterprises.

He founded the Implementation Doctoral School and the Hydrogen Technology Center, significantly developing the scientific and research potential of Gdańsk University of Technology. He promoted 24 PhDs and 8 postdoctoral degrees, creating a strong scientific school in the field of electrochemistry, corrosion and materials engineering. At Gdańsk University of Technology, he founded the inter-faculty course of study “Materials Engineering” and “Corrosion”. He also introduced postgraduate studies “Anti-Corrosion Protection” and a specialist course “Inspector of Supervision of Paint Coatings of Sea-Going Ships”, which obtained prestigious accreditations from Det Norskie Veritas and the Polish Register of Shipping.

Prof. Darowicki is a valued expert in the field of anti-corrosion protection and monitoring of refinery and petrochemical installations. The corrosion sensors he developed have won prestigious awards at international innovation fairs. His works are used in the chemical, energy, shipbuilding, food and water and sewage industries.

As a representative of Poland in the European Corrosion Federation, Prof. Darowicki actively promotes Polish science on the international forum. His scientific achievements and contribution to the development of anti-corrosion technologies raise the prestige of Gdańsk and Poland on the world stage. His scientific, teaching and implementation activities are an example of academic excellence, which contributed to the development of the fields explored by the professor both at the local and global level.

A science practitioner

The Professor's activities go far beyond the world of science. Together with his team, he has conducted over 400 studies and expert opinions for domestic and foreign companies. His achievements include:

• anti-corrosion protection of the flue gas desulphurisation installation at the Bełchatów Power Plant,
• development of a cathodic protection system for the Petrobaltic SA extraction platform,
• monitoring corrosion of water installations in Gdańsk and Kraków,
• implementation of corrosion management systems in Grupa LOTOS SA and PKN Orlen SA.

For these achievements, Professor Darowicki was awarded the Ignacy Mościcki Medal (2016).

Mentoring and education of future generations

The professor is the author of over 500 publications, including 200 in journals indexed by ISI Web of Science. His commitment to education and support for young scientists has made him a role model for many generations of students and researchers.

Distinctions and awards

Professor Kazimierz Darowicki is the winner of numerous distinctions, including the Scientific Award of the City of Gdańsk named after Jan Hevelius (2016) and the title of "Personality of Gdańsk University of Technology" (2021). He was also a long-time president of the Polish Corrosion Association and a representative of Poland in the World Corrosion Council and the European Corrosion Federation.

Great Personality of the Faculty of Chemistry

The professor is a great personality. He always sticks to his principles, believes in science and ensures the highest quality of teaching at the university. His views are clearly defined and you need strong arguments to try to change them. The professor passes on the highest values to his students, placing particular emphasis on ensuring that they are well prepared to take up professional work.

Thanks to his scientific and teaching activities, the professor contributed to the development of numerous research projects and technological implementations that have found practical application in industry. His commitment to teaching has led many students to discover their scientific passion and achieve professional success. The Medal of St. Adalbert is a proof of appreciation not only for his achievements, but also for the values he represents.