The Institute

We are pleased to announce the 2026 Director's Awards from the Institute of Low Temperature and Structure Research of the Polish Academy of Sciences. These awards were announced on June 26, 2026, during the Open Session of the 208th Scientific Council of the Institute of Low Temperature and Structure Research of the Polish Academy of Sciences. These awards honor outstanding scientific achievements and activities that strengthen the Institute's position and image.

During the open session, each recipient gave a short presentation highlighting their distinguished achievements.

Scientific award for the most important scientific achievement

The award was presented to Dr. hab. Orest Pavlosiuk, for his series of papers on the electronic properties of magnetic topological semimetals, with particular emphasis on two publications from 2025, which demonstrate how modifications to the electronic structure near the Fermi level control their transport properties.

The high quality of the research and the author's dominant contribution (approximately 75%) confirm his dynamic scientific development since his habilitation and significant contribution to the advancement of topological materials physics.

The distinguished series includes:

• Tuning of anomalous magnetotransport properties in half-Heusler topological semimetal GdPtBi, Pavlosiuk O., Wiśniewski P., Grasset R., Kończykowski M., Ptok A., Kaczorowski D., Materials Horizons 12(13), 4749–4758 (2025)
• Transverse and Longitudinal Magnetothermopower Promoted by Ambipolar Effect in Half-Heusler Topological Materials, Pavlosiuk O., Matusiak M., Ptok A., Wiśniewski P., Kaczorowski D., Advanced Functional Materials 36(22) (2026)

Scientific Award for a Publication with Significant Impact

The award was granted for the publication:

„Upconversion FRET quantitation: the role of donor photoexcitation mode and compositional architecture on the decay and intensity based responses” Agata M. Kotulska, Aleksandra Pilch‑Wróbel, Satu Lahtinen, Tero Soukka, Artur Bednarkiewicz Light: Science and Applications 11(1), 2022

This paper provides a quantitative analysis of the FRET upconversion phenomenon, demonstrating that both the core-shell nanoparticle architecture and the photoexcitation method significantly determine the photophysical response of the system.

The publication's high impact is confirmed by bibliometric indices: 62 citations (excluding 6 self-citations, as of March 2, 2026), currently 73 citations (excluding 4 self-citations), FWCI = 5.24, and IF = 23.4. The journal is ranked in the highest quartile (Q1) in the Optics category.

The obtained results reveal complex mechanisms of energy migration and suggest specific strategies for optimizing nanoparticles and excitation conditions, which could lead to the development of more sensitive and reliable bioanalytical assays based on the FRET phenomenon.

Special award for promoting the Institute

The award was presented to Dr. Aleksandra Kowal, who in 2025 made an exceptionally significant contribution to promoting and strengthening the position of the Institute of Low Temperature and Structural Research of the Polish Academy of Sciences on the national and international stage. Her most important achievements include:

• directing the Temperature Standard Laboratory and managing key metrological infrastructure of national and European importance;
• developing the National Temperature Standard, strengthening the role of INTiBS PAN as a central center for low-temperature metrology; 
• coordinating European projects (RealK, DireK-T, Setup-T) that increase the Institute's visibility; 
• active involvement in international structures (EURAMET, BIPM, POLLAB);
• attending prestigious scientific events (including TEMPMEKO 2025), including invited lectures and organizing sessions;
• expert and auditing activities (including ISO/IEC 17025:2017 audits), building the Institute's credibility.

Thanks to these activities, the Institute is perceived as a partner with high competence and established international authority.

We would like to congratulate all the laureates and thank them for their contribution to the development of science and building the position of INTiBS PAN.