Yesterday marked an exciting step forward for the FeLow-D project at the Institute of Solid-State Physics, University of Latvia (ISSP UL), as we hosted the first lecture in our newly launched seminar series. Supported by Horizon Europe, this inaugural event featured a distinguished presentation by Prof. Vladimir Shvartsman from the University of Duisburg-Essen, who shared his latest research on lead-free, barium-titanate-based relaxor ceramics.
Prof. Shvartsman’s lecture demonstrated how targeted chemical substitutions and bismuth-containing additives can fine-tune both the structure and dielectric properties of materials like Ba(Ti,Sn)–BiYO₃ and Ba(Ti,Zr)–BiZn₁/₃Nb₂/₃O₃, offering new possibilities for enhanced energy storage applications. His findings not only resonate with FeLow-D’s core objective—building world-leading expertise in low-dimensional ferroelectric materials—but also inspire the innovation-driven approach embraced by our new research groups.
This event also marked the official kickoff of our broader mission to establish the Ferroelectrics Research Open Co-creation Centre (FROCC) at ISSP UL. Under the leadership of ERA Chair Prof. Andrei Kholkin, we are reshaping our research infrastructure, integrating advanced SPM techniques, high-throughput material synthesis, and robust modeling frameworks to foster multidisciplinary excellence.
Importantly, FeLow-D also seeks to create a collaborative network linking academia and industry. The seminar concluded with a vibrant roundtable discussion focused on partnership development and upcoming Horizon Europe opportunities. This dialogue reflected our commitment to ensuring that emerging specialists acquire the hands-on skills needed to transform laboratory discoveries into next-generation technologies—from sensors and energy harvesters to biomedical devices.
Through talent exchanges, infrastructure enhancement, and close alignment with the goals of the European Research Area, FeLow-D is charting a clear path for sustainable growth in Latvia’s research landscape. We are proud to see ISSP UL positioned as a hub for both scientific excellence and innovation capacity building in ferroelectric materials.
Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to bridge the gap between fundamental research and practical impact!
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