Institute of Physical Chemistry "Acad. Rostislaw Kaischew"
The Institute of Physical Chemistry “Acad. Rostislaw Kaischew” (IPC) conducts fundamental and applied research in the field of:
- Phase formation and growth of crystalline and amorphous materials
- Volume and surface properties in colloidal systems
- Synthesis and characterization of high-tech, multifunctional, micro- and nanocomposite materials intended for industry, environmental protection and improvement of the quality of life.
Research and applied activity
The world-renowned Bulgarian physicochemical school in the field of crystal formation and growth has been established at IPC which has played an important role in elucidating the fundamental molecular mechanisms of the formation of new phases. On this basis, the Bulgarian school of colloidal chemistry has also developed, wide-known with an original method of measuring surface forces between liquid-phase boundaries.
Unique methods for obtaining crystalline substances, highly efficient catalysts and new glass ceramic materials and for modifying crystalline surfaces at atomic level have been developed in IPC. Innovative electrochemical technologies have been developed to obtain functional metal and alloy coatings, implemented in Bulgarian and European enterprises. A methodology has been developed for diagnosing lung maturity in newborns, applied in a number of clinics in Bulgaria, Europe and the United States.
The founder of the unit is Academician Rostislaw Atanasov Kaischew, a scientist who gained popularity and international recognition for the development of fundamental ideas in the theory of crystal growth. Among the first generation of IPC scientists were the future Academicians A. Sheludko, G. Bliznakov, E. Budevski and J. Malinowski. Here. the Academicians I. Gutzov and D. Exerowa, the corresponding members S. Stoilov and D. Kashchiev and the Professors N. Pangarov, S. Rashkov, D. Nenov, Ch. Nanev, I. Markov, S. Stoyanov, A. Milchev, S. Armyanov, D. Stoychev, I. Krastev, I. Avramov and A. Milchev grew up and made contributions to science.
Since 2005, IPC has been a Center for Competence in the field of nanophenomena and nanostructures in volume and surface phases. Since 2010, IPC has coordinated Distributed infrastructure of centers for synthesis and characterization of new materials and conservation of archaeological and ethnographic artefacts (INFRAMAT) of the National Roadmap for Research Infrastructure, DCM 354 of 29.06.2017.
Educational activity
IPC has accreditation for doctoral programs Physicochemistry and Electrochemistry (including chemical sources of electricity), with 30 PhD students being trained in the Institute in the period 2013-2016.
Three large-scale contracts for support of PhD students, post-doctoral students and young scientists, two under the Human Resources Development OP (2010-2015) and one (current) under the Science and Education for Smart Growth OP (2017- 2018). The main objective of the projects is to increase the qualifications of young scientists by combining theoretical and practical knowledge in the field of physicochemistry and electrochemistry, studying the latest instrumental and computational methods, acquainting with problems related to intellectual property, innovation, technology transfer, marketing and more.
To support the preparation of young specialists is the activity of the specialized colloquiums of IPC on “Phase and Crystal Growth” and “Surfaces and Colloids”, “Electro-crystallisation, Galvanic Coatings and Corrosion Processes”. Practical exercises for electrochemistry students from the University of Chemical Technology and Metallurgy, Sofia, as well as student practices under MES project with mentoring programs in the field of thermal analysis, obtaining and properties of “soft” nanoparticles for the delivery and controlled release of drugs, protection from corrosion and others.