The Institute

Division of Low Temperature and Superconductivity (DLTS) is the successor of the Department of Low Temperatures, from which the Institute of Low Temperature and Structural Research originated, when it was brought into existence on 1 October 1966. Since the beginning,  fundamental interests of the Division have been superconductivity, thermal properties of solids and the development and use of cryogenic techniques. The current list of subjects does not differ much from that, focusing on high-temperature superconductivity research, transport of heat in solids and cryocrystals. The place of cryotechnology has been taken over by cryothermometry, which resulted in founding the Laboratory of Temperature Standard at DLTS, which is a depositary of the national temperature standard in the Institute.

The Division is studying phenomena in highly correlated electron systems, namely, those in which the localized f electrons interact strongly with the electrons from the conduction band. 

Division of Theory of Condensed Matter explores fundamental phase-transition phenomena in strongly correlated systems—ranging from high-temperature superconductivity and quantum magnetism to bosonic superfluidity—using a combination of analytical, ab initio and computational methods..

The Division deals with the syntheses and diffraction and spectroscopic structural studies of single crystal and powder materials. The group is also involved in supporting research activities of other divisions of the Institute in measuring diffraction diagrams on X-ray powder diffractometer using reflection and transmission modes, also vs. temperature.

The scientific activity of the Division of Nanomaterials Chemistry and Catalysis is devoted to the study of the relationship between the structure and chemical reactivity of highly dispersed solids. In this activity, we use various methods of production, physicochemical characterization and testing the chemical activity of highly dispersed materials (nanomaterials). The results of our research allow us to better understand how the structure of nanoparticles (shape, size and surface condition) affects their interaction with gases and the carrier surface. The obtained basic knowledge is essential in the process of developing new or improving the existing heterogeneous catalysts.

 The Optical Spectroscopy Division focuses on the development and investigation of modern luminescent materials with potential applications in optoelectronics, photonics, telecommunications, medicine, lighting, and document security.

The research involves the design and synthesis of novel chemical compounds, including nanomaterials, followed by the analysis of their optical, thermal, electrical, magnetic, and structural properties. Particular attention is given to understanding the mechanisms of light emission and exploring practical uses of the studied materials. 

The Division of Biomedical Physico-Chemistry is the youngest Department at INTiBS - the department was established in 2021 in response to the growing interest in the use of modern nanomaterials in biomedical applications. The employees of the Department develop new luminescent markers for (bio)imaging and (bio)detection of physical quantities (temperature, pressure), chemical and biochemical quantities, modern nanomaterials for filling bone defects, as well as antibacterial materials. For this purpose, various methods of nanomaterial synthesis and modern methods of studying structural and spectroscopic properties are used.