- ELECTRIC, OPTIC AND ELECTRO-OPTIC METHODS FOR CHARACTERIZATION OF NANOPARTICLES АND MACROMOLECULES (COLLOIDS, POLYMERS, BIOPOLYMERS AND BIOLOGICAL PARTICLES)
Dr. Viktoria Milkova, Assoc. Prof.
Тel. 02 979 39 22
E-mail: milkova@ipc.bas.bg
Annotation:
The aim of the course is students to gain knowledge of the classic and modern methods for investigation of electric state of colloidal systems, for characterization of the electrical properties of colloidal particles and their connection with the stability of colloids, being of great practical importance. The emphasis is laid on the advantages of electro-optical methods to provide information on the shape, size distribution, molecular mass, refractive index and other characteristics of macromolecules and colloidal particles.
The course is addressed to PhD students in the field of physical chemistry, chemistry of polymers, biophysics, biochemistry, biotechnologies, etc.
- COMPLEX FLUIDS
Dr. Plamen Tchoukov, Assoc. Prof.
Тel. 02 979 3924
E-mail: tchoukov@ipc.bas.bg
Annotation:
The goal is to introduce major developments and recent achievements of the new interdisciplinary scientific field, namely Complex Fluids. The aim is to present a detailed overview on the experimental and theoretical concepts and the research methodology. The course target audience includes PhD students, PostDocs and young researchers who are actively engaged in investigations on various topics of biophysics, biophysical chemistry, physical organic chemistry, polymers and biopolymers, liquid crystals, theoretical modeling of fluid media, etc.
The course is composed of two sections. The accent in the first section (20 hours) is on smart fluid systems which contain finely-tunable self-assembled (nano) structures. The lectures will present the basic design principles of the liquid formulations leading to the onset of well-defined bulk and interfacial complex species with tunable properties, and aimed at various applications in biotechnology, biomedicine, food, pharmaceutical and petroleum industries. The most widely used research instrumentations for the characterization of these systems will be reviewed. The second section of the course (10 hours) is devoted to a particular type of the complex fluid systems: microscopic thin liquid films. Their specific kinetic and thermodynamic properties promote them as a simple and comprehensible model for the investigation of surface forces and the stability of disperse systems (foams, emulsions, colloid suspensions). Due to the progress of the original microinterferometric thin film instrumentation, the liquid films have become a basic research tool in the colloid and interface science bridging the fundamental physicochemical knowledge with various innovative applications (e.g. in biomedicine, biotechnologies, life sciences and environmental protection).
- ELECTROCHEMISTRY OF ELECTRONICALLY CONDUCTIVE POLYMERS – SYNTHESIS, CHARACTERIZATION AND APPLICATIONS
Prof. Vessela Tsakova, DSc
Тel. 02 979 2557, 02 8719307
E-mail: tsakova@ipc.bas.bg
Annotation:
The lecture course aims at providing basic knowledge in the chemistry and physics of conducting polymers, the way of their synthesis and characterization and their various applications. Emphasize is given to electrochemical aspects related to the formation of conducting polymer layers and conducting polymer-based composite materials suitable for electrocatalytical and electroanalytical applications.
The lecture course is suitable for doctoral and post-doctoral students working in the fields of polymer chemistry, electrochemistry, physical chemistry and materials science.
- FUNDAMENTALS OF ELECTROCHEMISTRY
Prof. Vessela Tsakova, DSc
Тel. 02 979 2557, (02) 8719307
E-mail: tsakova@ipc.bas.bg
Annotation:
The aim of the lecture course is to provide basic knowledge in electrochemistry including electrochemical measurement techniques. The lectures put emphasize on practically oriented knowledge necessary for characterization of electroactive materials, investigations of electrochemical phase formation and studies of electroanalytical and sensing applications., The lecture course is suitable for doctoral and post-doctoral students working in the fields of electrochemistry, electroanalysis, physical chemistry and materials science.
- APPLIED ELECTROCHEMISTRY
Prof. M. Petrova,, Assoc. prof. R. Rashkov, Assoc. prof. J. Georgieva, Assoc. prof. E. Stoyanova,
Prof. Dr N. Boshkov
Tel: (02) 9792521
E-mail: NBojkov@ipc.bas.bg
Annotation:
The aim of the lecture course is to help the PhD students with some practical aspects in the electrochemistry, especially electrodeposition of galvanic coatings (including alloys) with special properties like corrosion protection, electrodes for the generation and storage of hydrogen, for electrocatalytic materials in the fuel cells, for treatment of polluted water and air, etc.). The course will be of interest to doctoral and post-doctoral strudents working in the fields of electrochemisty and material science.
- PHASE FORMATION AND CRYSTAL GROWTH – THEORY AND EXPERIMENT
This course may also be held in English, upon request.
Dr. B. Ranguelov, Assoc. Prof.
Тel.: 02 979 2533
E-mail: rangelov@ipc.bas.bg
Annotation:
The present ensemble of lectures introduces students in the fundamentals of theory and experiment of phase transitions in contemporary condensed matter physics. The lectures are focused on the thermodynamics and kinetics of phase formation and crystal growth phenomena, structure and properties of solid surfaces and interfaces, nanoscale phenomena in material science. The course provides a modern upgrade of the basic students’ knowledge in condensed matter physics, bridging over classical and nano concepts in the field. Paying special attention to the cutting edge topics in material science related to nanomaterials and nanoscale phenomena, epitaxial interfaces, surface design and atomic templates, modeling of quantum atomic ensembles, catalysis the lectures demonstrate the exotic ability to manipulate crystalline structures at atomic level and to form new smart materials with exotic physical features, non-existing in nature.
The course is prepared in two mutually dependent parts. The first, devoted to the classical thermodynamics and statistical physics, deals with theoretical background of phase formation, two-dimensional phase transitions, nucleation, mechanisms of crystal growth, thermodynamics of interfaces, growth of thin epitaxial layers, formation of atomic superstructures, quantum clusters and quantum wires, computer modeling of structures and properties of real physical system. The second part presents state of the art experimental methods and instruments for structural analysis in material science. In line with modern theory, variety of mechanisms of crystal growth are demonstrated by reflection electron microscopy observations of atomic steps, atomic terraces, two-dimensional nucleation and growth of atomic layers, normal and spiral growth of crystals. Diversity of methods for preparation of bare crystal surfaces is presented. Special discussion takes note of the structure and physical properties of silicon crystals. Diffraction methods for structural and elemental analysis of crystals along with practical studies in electron spectroscopy laboratory are included.
- THIN LIQUID FILMS - BIOMEDICAL APPLICATIONS
Dr. Plamen Tchoukov, Assoc. Prof.; Dr. Ljubomir Nikolov, Assoc. Prof.
Тel. 02 979 3924
E-mail: tchoukov@ipc.bas.bg
Annotation:
The aim of the lecture course is to introduce the methods for formation of thin liquid films (foam, emulsion and wetting) and their study. Particular attention will be given to the experimentally measured parameters characterizing the film formation and stability, the transition from long to short range surface forces and bi and multilayer structures. Foam, emulsion and wetting films from amphiphile molecules: lipids and polymers (proteins and biocompatible molecules) and their mixtures as a model of the interactions at the interfaces (in biology, pharmacy and medicine) will be presented. The lecture course is suitable for PhD and post-doctoral students working in the fields of material science, physical chemistry, biophysics and biotechnology.
Students and Ph.D. students should have basic knowledge in Physical chemistry, Biophysical Chemistry and Biophysics.