Dr. Aleksandar Mitrašinović

Senior Research Associate

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Group for the correlation of properties and functional characteristics of condensed matter

Fields of research

T 140 Energy research

T 150 Material technology

P 170 Computer science, numerical analysis, systems, control

T 200 Thermal engineering, applied thermodynamics

P 250 Condensed matter: structure, thermal and mechanical properties, crystallography, phase equilibria

T 450 Metal technology, metallurgy, metal products

Biography and Education

Born in 1970, in Belgrade

PhD thesis: 2010, University of Toronto, Materials Science and Engineering Department
Title: Characterization of the Copper-Silicon System and Utilization of Metallurgical Techniques in Silicon Refining for Solar Cell Applications
MSc thesis: 2004, University of Windsor
Title: Development of Thermal Analysis and Analytical Techniques for the Assessment of Porosity and Metallurgical Characteristics in 3xx Aluminum Alloys
BSc thesis: 1997, University of Belgrade - Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy
Numerical modeling and computer simulation of the BOF process using heat and mass balance.

Research titles

2024- Senior Research Associate

2019-2024 Research Associate

Employed at the ITS SASA since 2019.

Previous employments

2015-2019 SuperSilicon Ltd, Founding director and Chief Technology Officer

2010-2015 University of Toronto, Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Materials Scientist

2010-2013 University of Waterloo, Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering, Waste-to-Energy Program Coordinator

2005-2010 University of Toronto, Applied Science & Engineering, PhD Candidate

University of Windsor, FORD/Nemak Industrial Research Chair, Automotive, Mechanical & 2001-2004 Materials Engineering, Research Fellow

Research areas

Dr. Mitrašinović's research activities include materials and processes for the conversion of energy from renewable sources, development of self-sustainable environment-friendly systems, purification and recycling of precious metals from by-products of metal extraction processes, and characterization of metallic structures.

Keywords: photovoltaics, renewable resources, clean energy, sustainable transition, refining and reclamation

Professional Development

NSERC – Industrial R&D Fellowship approved, 80,000CAD /2 years (2013-2015)
AgEnergy Cooperative Fellowship, 18,000 CAD (2012)
MITACS Accelerate Fellowship for Emerging Energies Res., 33,000 CAD (2010)
Doctoral Thesis Completion Grant University of Toronto, 7,000 CAD (2009)
Lloyd & Frankie Pidgeon Fellowship, 15,000 CAD (2007)
Open Fellowship Research Award University of Toronto, 2,000 CAD (2007)
Hagetec Foundry Scholarship, 5,000 US/ year (2004-2007)
Haultain Scholarship, 10,000 CAD (2005)
MSE Department UofT Scholarship, 4,000 CAD (2005)
University of Windsor Graduate Tuition Scholarships, 6,500 CAD (2004)
American Foundry Society Ontario Chapter Award, 1,100 US (2002)
Ontario Centre of Excellence Award 1,000 CAD (2002)

Support to Research Career Development

Mentoring

Karl Visnovec, Master's degree, University of Toronto Completed in 2011. Refining Si utilizing Cu gathering method. R&D engineer in Vale, Mississauga.
Horazio Carletti, Master's degree, University of Toronto, Completed in 2008. Analysis of mold/metal gap formation during aluminum melt solidification. P.Eng, in Edmonton, AL.
Chen Feng, Master's degree, University of Toronto, 2012-2014
Bosko Yu, Bachelor research project, University of Toronto, Completed in 2009. Assessing the Feasibility of the Metallurgical Route for Refining Silicon, PhD Student at Cambridge UK.
Chirag Variawa, Bachelor project, University of Toronto, Completed in 2009. Assessing the Feasibility of the Metallurgical Route for Refining Silicon, PhD, student at University of Toronto, ON.
Karl Visnovec, Bachelor project, University of Toronto, Completed in 2009. Assessing the Feasibility of the Metallurgical Route for Refining Silicon, R&D engineer in Vale, Mississauga, ON.

High Qualified Personnel (Hqp) advised

Horazio Carletti, Arise Co., 2008-2010
Ryan D’Souza, Arise Co., 2008-2010

National and international projects

Characterization of metal nanoparticle formation from thermal torch plasma processing, Southern Ontario Development Program (SODP), 100,000 CAD (2012-2013)
Development of heat exchanger for ultrasonic plasmas, Ontario Center of Excellence (OCE), 50,000CAD (2012)
Development of advanced LED devices, Ontario Center of Excellence (OCE), 50,000 CAD (2012)
Development of thermal plasma sustained energy conversion process from biomass, AgEnergy Cooperative, 100,000 CAD (2011-2012)
Recovery of valuable metals from electronic waste, Mathematics of Information, Technology and Complex Systems (MITACS), 100,000 CAD (2010-2011)

Scholarly publishing activities

Peer-reviewer for the journals Philosophical Magazine, Ceramics International, Separation and Purification Technology, Materials Science in Semiconductor Processing, Materials Science and Engineering B, Composite Science & Technology, Separation Science and Technology, Silicon, Journal of Serbian Chemical Society, Materials Chemistry and Physics, Monatshefte fur Chemie, Renewable & Sustainable Energy Reviews, Carbon

Selected Publications

Mitrašinović, A.; Tomić, M. Functional and Environmental Advantage of Cleaning Ti5B1 Master Alloy. Int. J. of Precis. Eng. and Manuf.-Green Tech. 2022, 9 (3), 783–793. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40684-021-00339-2.
Mitrašinović, A. M.; Odanović, Z. Thermodynamic and Kinetics Investigation of Elemental Evaporation from Molten Al7Si4Cu Alloy. Thermochimica Acta 2021, 695, 178816. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tca.2020.178816
Mitrašinović, A. M. Photovoltaics Advancements for Transition from Renewable to Clean Energy. Energy 2021, 237, 121510. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2021.121510
Mitrašinović, A. M. On the Assimilation Mechanism of Additives Used in Non-Ferrous Metals Extraction Processes. Canadian Metallurgical Quarterly 2015, 54 (4), 494–499. https://doi.org/10.1179/1879139515Y.0000000027
Visnovec, K.; Variawa, C.; Utigard, T.; Mitrašinović, A. Elimination of Impurities from the Surface of Silicon Using Hydrochloric and Nitric Acid. Materials Science in Semiconductor Processing 2013, 16 (1), 106–110. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mssp.2012.06.009
Mitrašinović, A. M.; Utigard, T. A. Copper Removal from Hypereutectic Cu-Si Alloys by Heavy Liquid Media Separation. Metall and Materi Trans B 2012, 43 (2), 379–387. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11663-011-9614-2
Mitrašinović, A. M.; D’Souza, R.; Utigard, T. A. Impurity Removal and Overall Rate Constant during Low Pressure Treatment of Liquid Silicon. Journal of Materials Processing Technology 2012, 212 (1), 78–82. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmatprotec.2011.08.006
Mitrašinović, A. Photo-Catalytic Properties of Silicon and Its Future in Photovoltaic Applications. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 2011, 15 (8), 3603–3607. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2011.05.017
Mitrašinović, A. M.; Utigard, T. A. Refining Silicon for Solar Cell Application by Copper Alloying. Silicon 2009, 1 (4), 239–248. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12633-009-9025-z
Li, M.; Mitrasinovic, A.; Utigard, T.; Plascencia, G.; Warczok, A. Silicon Rod Heat Generation and Current Distribution. Journal of Crystal Growth 2009, 312 (1), 141–145. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcrysgro.2009.09.048.

Other contributions and achievements

Session chair for Materials for Clean Energy Production session, International Conference on Engineering and Applied Science, Beijing, China, ICEAS (2012)
Invited book author LAMBERT Academic Publishing (2012)
Nominated for ENI Award in 2011 and 2012 (200,000 €) (2011&2012)
Ranked 44^th recent graduate globally in natural science and engineering by NSERC-CIHRS-SHRC-Banting committee one year after graduation (2012)
Featured in ‘They should be your role model’ among 20 most promising scientists in the field of natural science (2010)