The 4th International Workshop "Size-Dependent Effect in Materials for Environmental Protection and Energy Application (SizeMat 4) is taking place from 10 to 14 May 2023 in Pomorie. The forum is dedicated to size-dependent effects in materials for environmental protection and clean energy generation as an innovative approach in the development of alternative materials with improved properties. The workshop is organized by the Institute of General and Inorganic Chemistry at BAS (IGIC - BAS), which is one of the leading scientific organisations in Bulgaria in the field of materials chemistry. The SizeMat 4 Workshop is implemented within the framework of the project "European Science Network on Materials for Clean Technologies" (TwinTeam), coordinated by IGIC-BAS. It brought together around 105 scientists to present and discuss current trends [...]

A meeting of scientists from the chemical institutes of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences with Dr. Sergey Varnavskiy, Business Development Manager for Southern Europe, Asia and Türkiye at Elsevier and Mr. Vladimir Danailov, Regional Director for Eastern Europe at Elsevier was held on 22.03.2023 at the "Ivan Evstratiev Geshov" Hall. At the meeting the possibilities of the Reaxys database in the field of chemical sciences were presented. The opportunities that Elsevier provides to support research in Bulgaria and their perspectives were also discussed.

Denitsa Nikolova from the Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy at Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski" is the winner of the award "Outstanding Young Scientist in Polymers" named after Prof. Ivan Shopov for 2023. At an official ceremony on 1 March in the hall of the Federation of Scientific Engineering Unions the award was presented by the founder of the award, Prof. Ivan Shopov, and the President of the Union of Chemists Prof. Venko Beshkov. The research of PhD student Denitsa Nikolova is dedicated to the development of polymer carriers of biologically active substances with potential application in ophthalmology. Soft contact lenses containing suitable drug substances, which are gradually released and enter the eye, are made of new polymeric materials. The results achieved are important [...]

Ultrashort pulse laser treatment of cp-Ti immersed in aqueous silver nitrate (AgNO3) solution A biodegradable cellular matrix that supports bone tissue regeneration and at the same time prevents the formation of bacterial biofilm on it has been developed by a research team from the Institute of Electronics of BAS. During their experimental studies, the scientists generated a coated surface that can be applied in the development of customized, multi-component and porous structured implants imitating the natural body environment and possessing antibacterial properties. By means of ultrashort laser pulse processing, properties optimally tailored to the biocompatibility, mechanical and physiological needs of the host tissue are sought. The team's development is innovative and has potential for future application in tissue engineering. The research team [...]

A new picosecond laser with harmonic frequency generation modules will support research at the Institute of Electronics of BAS. The state-of-the-art equipment will be used to develop new multifunctional materials. Within the framework of two projects funded by the National Science Fund, scientists from the Micro- and Nanophotonics Laboratory are looking for new approaches to form composite nanostructures from metal oxides and precious metals and to obtain new materials by laser-induced decomposition of nitride ceramics. The research will apply the method of laser ablation by picosecond pulses. Picosecond laser systems, generating pulses with durations of units to tens of picoseconds, are of increased scientific and applied interest. They are easier to use and more stable than systems generating ultrashort pulses. The application of picosecond laser [...]

Dr. Ivalina Trendafilova from the Institute of Organic Chemistry with Center of Phytochemistry - Bulgarian Academy of Sciences was awarded the "Prof. Christo Balarew" award of the Union of Chemists in Bulgaria "Outstanding Young Scientist in Inorganic Chemistry". The ceremony was held on the Day of the National Enlighteners. The prize was awarded for Dr. Trendafilova's developments in the field of preparation of innovative porous nanosized silicates and their potential application as carriers in drug-delivery systems to improve the efficiency of application of biologically active substances of natural origin, and also for the preparation of effective catalysts for the treatment of wastewater and harmful emissions from production processes.