Modern Optical Materials and Nanotechnologies: Lectures and Master Classes Held at Uzhhorod University within the Framework of the International SOMMER Project!
The third year is drawing to a close since lecturers and researchers of the Faculty of Physics of Uzhhorod University, as well as specialists of Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, the V.Ye. Lashkaryov Institute of Semiconductor Physics and Chemnitz University of Technology (Chemnitz, Germany) have been cooperating within the framework of the international scientific and educational project «Sustainable Optical Materials and Modules: Education and Research Infrastructure with the SOMMER! Teaching Cluster» under the «SDG-Partnerships 2024-2027» programme of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD).
The specified project is planned to be completed in 2027. The full implementation of the project envisages the periodic holding of a certain number of scientific seminars and summer schools for bachelor's, master's and postgraduate students at the university who are deepening their studies in optics/spectroscopy and semiconductor/solid-state physics. This allows bachelor's and master's students to significantly deepen their knowledge in the field of the latest optical technologies, semiconductor and functional composite materials of a new generation. It is precisely such materials that best ensure further sustainable development, multifunctionality and adaptability of a wide range of modern scientific and technical developments. The implementation of the DAAD project will contribute to deepening the knowledge of postgraduate and doctoral students about complex problems and phenomena of the physics of modern nanomaterials, the scope of application of which already covers micro- and nanophotonics, meta-optics, new-generation photovoltaics, the creation of light-emitting devices, photodetectors and various kinds of sensors.
A separate positive aspect of the implementation of the specified project is the assistance to students and postgraduate students in integrating themselves into international activities and being better prepared for a possible professional and scientific career in the academic systems of Ukraine and Germany. An important goal of the project is the need to encourage and involve students, as well as postgraduate and doctoral students, in conducting complex scientific research, making full use of the advantages of academic mobility, participation in international conferences and seminars, and the opportunities to achieve a level of qualification acceptable for further professional activity in the environment of the European and world scientific community.
As part of the continuation of the implementation of the DAAD project, at the Department of Applied Physics and Quantum Electronics of the Faculty of Physics of Uzhhorod University, with the assistance of the Head of the Department, Associate Professor V.S. Bilanych, a series of master classes by researchers of the Institute of Electron Physics of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine (IEP of the NAS of Ukraine) was held for students, postgraduate students and lecturers from 23 to 30 October 2026.
In the form of open lectures, research staff of the Department of Materials of Functional Electronics of the IEP of the NAS of Ukraine delivered reports, in particular, Doctor of Physical and Mathematical Sciences Yu.M. Azhniuk highlighted the topic «Luminescence and Its Application in Functional Electronics Devices», Senior Researcher V.M. Krysenyk – «Optical Phase-Change Materials and Modern Fields of Their Application», and Candidate of Physical and Mathematical Sciences I.M. Voinarovych delivered a report on the topic «Diagnostics of Nanomaterials – General Approach and Methods for Determining Basic Characteristics».
Practical classes were also conducted by Leading Researcher Yu.M. Azhniuk («Photoluminescence of Quantum Dots») and Senior Researcher I.M. Voinarovych («X-ray Structural Methods for Determining the Parameters of Nanomaterials»).
During the lectures and practical classes, the activity of the attendees, students and postgraduate students of the department, and their direct desire to enter into discussion with the lecturers in order to better understand new ideas and phenomena and to discover for themselves a number of important details and problematic issues, testified to a noticeable interest and an appropriate level of perception of information by the audience.
Summing up the meetings, the lectures and practical classes held, the Head of the Department of Applied Physics and Quantum Electronics, Associate Professor V.S. Bilanych and Professor O.V. Homonnaia, who is a co-leader of the project, noted the importance of such educational events and assured that such master classes will be successfully conducted by specialists of institutions of the Academy of Sciences of Ukraine in the next final year as well, as envisaged by the «SOMMER!» project.
Communications Manager of the «SOMMER!» Project
Tetiana BABUKA
