In Memoriam: Professor Marian URBAŃCZYK
Authors: Pustelny Tadeusz 
Published: January 2014

Research in termoacoustics began with the observation of the heat transfer between gas and solids. Using this interaction the intense sound wave could be applied to create engines and heat pumps. The most important part of thermoacoustic devices is a regenerator, where press of conversion of sound energy into thermal or vice versa takes place. In a heat pump the acoustic wave produces the temperature difference at the two ends of the regenerator. The aim of the paper is to find the influence of the material used for the construction of a regenerator on the properties of a thermoacoustic heat pump. Modern technologies allow us to create new materials with physical properties necessary to increase the temperature gradient on the heat exchangers. The aim of this paper is to create a regenerator which strongly improves the efficiency of the heat pump.Polish acoustical community mourns the loss of Professor Marian Urbańczyk who passed away on July 10, 2013.
Professor Marian Urbańczyk was born on February 2nd, 1948, in Katowice (Poland). There he attended the Silesian Technical College (Śląskie Techniczne Zakłady Naukowe), where he was a student of the electrical engineering and electronics class and in
1967 completed his secondary education with school-leaving examination and a honorary mention. In 1973, he graduated successfully (again with distinction) from the Faculty of Electrical Engineering at the Silesian University of Technology (Politechnika Śląska) in Gliwice. The same year he has joined the SUT’s Institute of Physics as a university teacher at the newly created Faculty of Mathematics and Physics. The late Professor Urbańczyk remained connected with the Institute until 2009, from 2007 to 2009 performing the function of its Deputy Director for Students’ Affairs.
The scope of the Professor’s scientific interest comprised electronics of solid state, metrology, and technical physics, with special attention paid by him to acoustics, including acoustoelectronic systems and their applications in technology and metrology.
In 1981, Marian Urbańczyk delivered his doctor’s dissertation concerning technical acoustics at the Institute of Fundamental Problems of Technology Polish Academy of Sciences (IPPT PAN) in Warsaw. In the year 1999, he was granted the post-doctoral degree (habilitation) by the Council of the Faculty of Electronics at the Wrocław University of Technology. In 2012, Marian Urbańczyk was made full professor by the President of Poland.
The Silesian University of Technology in Gliwice remained the scene of Professor Urbańczyk’s scientific activity to the very end of his life.
Since September 1, 2009, Professor had been working at the Department of Optoelectronics at the SUT’s Faculty of Electrical Engineering, acting as its Deputy Director.
Professor Marian Urbańczyk was a promoter of several doctor’s dissertations and numerous master theses. In the framework of his didactic work, he has organized many students’ laboratories and workshops. He was also the author of a wide variety of teaching curriculums (syllabuses). The late Professor Urbańczyk was highly valued both by his students and coworkers.
Professor Marian Urbańczyk was an unquestionable authority in the field of technical acoustics, metrology, and electronics, and an internationally acknowledged author (and co-author) of more than 200 scientific publications, nearly 50 of them having been included in the ISI list. His papers were published in highly-ranked journals and frequently cited by other authors. He was also the co-author of numerous patents and patent applications.
The Professor was a member of Scientific Committees of many conferences, both domestic and international.
Professor Marian Urbańczyk was a member of many international and Polish scientific societies, including the European Acoustical Association (EAA), the International Optical Engineering Society (SPIE), the Polish Acoustical Society (PTA), the Photonic Society of Poland, the Polish Physical Association (PTF), and the Polish Association of Sensor Technology (PTTS).
Since 1975, Professor Urbańczyk was a member of the Polish Acoustical Society (PTA), elected later the Member of the Main Board of this organization and the Chairman (Local President) of the Board of Upper Silesia Branch of the PTA.
The Professor acted also as a co-organizer of annual international conferences, including the Winter School on Wave and Quantum Acoustics and the Workshop on Acoustoelectronics.
For his scientific achievements, Professor Urbańczyk has been awarded state orders, medals, and scientific rewards.
Professor Urbańczyk’s death is an irreparable loss to the Silesian University of Technology, the Polish Acoustical Society, and the whole Polish scientific community.
Professor Marian Urbańczyk was an extraordinary person, always very kind-hearted and understanding for others. For those who knew him personally, he was a Friend and a Master.
And as the Friend and the Master we will retain him in our fond memory.