The Jožef Stefan Days are held to commemorate the famous Slovenian physicist Jožef Stefan, who was born on 24 March, and to popularise science.
Monday, 23 March
Photos and videos
OPEN WEEK AT JSI: 9.00 – visiting JSI in person, Oskar Kovačič Elementary School, Ljubljana-Rudnik
13.00
JSI Grand Lecture Hall
Opening of the 34th Days of Jožef Stefan
Prof. Dr. Leon Cizelj, director JSI
13.10
JSI Grand Lecture Hall
Invited Lecture
Super-resolution microscopy for dynamic structural cell biology
Prof. Dr. Jonas Ries
University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
Optical superresolution microscopy ideally complements electron microscopy for studying protein structure and dynamics in cells. The high contrast of the fluorescence label allows investigating individual structures in various conformational states without averaging, and live cell superresolution microscopy can directly probe dynamics. I will showcase the power of super-resolution microscopy by discussing two projects from the lab. First, I will show how single-molecule localization microscopy allowed us to understand the structural organization and dynamics of the complex machinery that drives endocytosis, an essential cellular process for the uptake of molecules. Second, I will show how we use MINFLUX to measure conformational changes of proteins in the living cell.
The lecture will be held in English.
Jonas Ries is a full professor of advanced microscopy and cellular dynamics at the Max Perutz Labs and head of the Department of Structural and Computational Biology at the University of Vienna. He is the recipient of the prestigious ERC Consolidator Grant, the Fluorescence Young Investigator Award, and the Frontiers of Science Award. He has led several international projects, including HFSP, CZI, and Horizon Europe.
14.30
JSI Gallery
Exhibition opening
Directions of development: Works from the collection of the Božidar Jakac Gallery
The exhibition marks the 50th anniversary of the Božidar Jakac Gallery – a museum of modern and contemporary art from Kostanjevica na Krki. Through an insight into the museum’s oldest collection, the Gorjup Gallery Collection, which today comprises more than 2,700 works of art, we will journey from the twentieth century to present day and, through selected works from the collection, from Avgust Černigoj and Olaf Globočnik to Tina Dobrajc and Aleksi Kobal, highlight key reference points in the development of modern art in our country and the gradual strategic and professional profiling of the museum.
Tuesday, 24 March
Photos and videos
9.00
JSI Grand Lecture Hall
Science breakfast
Interview with the author of the book on Slovenian scientists, Dr. Anton Gradišek
Dr. Anton Gradišek (1983) is a physicist employed at the Jožef Stefan Institute. He received his PhD in 2012 from the Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, University of Ljubljana, and then spent some time on postdoctoral training in South Korea and as a Fulbright scholar at Washington University in St. Louis, USA. For over a decade, he has been working on the use of artificial intelligence in various fields, especially in medicine and biology, where he is particularly interested in studying bumblebees and bees. For many years, he wrote stories about Slovenian scientists for the Novice IJS newsletter, and these became the basis for this book.
11.00
JSI Grand Lecture Hall
Invited Lecture
Controlling light with light
Prof. Dr. Igor Muševič
Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
Our planet is crisscrossed with optical fibres that carry enormous amounts of information every second at the speed of light. These data travel as extremely short laser pulses to data centres, where they are converted into electrical signals, stored, processed, and then transformed back into light signals that continue their journey through the optical network to internet users. Because the ever growing volume of data flowing across the web is driving a rapid increase in electricity consumption in data centres – primarily for converting light into electricity and back again – scientists are searching for ways to replace electricity with light inside data centres and computers. In other words: how can we redirect light using light itself, and how can we compute using light? Over the past decade, this challenge has given rise to the rapidly advancing field of silicon photonics, which integrates seamlessly with modern microelectronics. In the lecture, I will present the paths and pitfalls of a more unconventional approach, in which we harness the self organising properties of soft matter and liquid crystals to steer light with light.
The lecture will be held in Slovenian.
Igor Muševič is a scientific councilor at the Jožef Stefan Institute and a full professor at the Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, University of Ljubljana. In the past, he served as the president of the Scientific Council and as a member of the Board of Governors of the Jožef Stefan Institute, as well as the head of the Condensed Matter Physics Department. In 2019 he received a prestigious ERC Advanced Grant, and in 2024 he was awarded the Blinc Lifetime Achievement Award.
OPEN WEEK AT JSI: 14.00 – visiting JSI in person, Ljubljana Multimedia and Graphic Technology Secondary School
14.00
ICJT P1 Lecture Hall, Brinje 40
Grand opening of the new Tandetron accelerator
Tandetron is the only research accelerator in Slovenia. Since 1997 it has provided a stable research environment for domestic and foreign researchers, leading to top-tier results and publications. The accelerator is also part of numerous international consortia. After an extremely successful 28 years of operation, the accelerator is now entering a new era.
The central component of the Tandetron tandem ion accelerator is the heart of the infrastructure research Microanalytical Centre within the Infrastructure Programme of the “Jožef Stefan” Institute. Preparations for the upgrade were thorough and have been underway for the past few months, and during the Jožef Stefan Days, researchers will have the opportunity to use the ion beam in the upgraded accelerator for the first time.
The ions will now be electrostatically accelerated by a rectifier with a voltage of up to three million volts, which means a 50 percent increase in voltage compared to the existing system; The acquisition opens up entirely new areas of research.
Therefore, we will honour the start of operation of the improved Tandetron accelerator with a ceremonial opening and a short presentation.
18.00
JSI Grand Lecutre Hall
Joint the event of JSI and Val 202
The Radiovedni show live: Let the questions take the floor!
Did you know that as you divide and share your curiosity, it actually – multiplies? We invite you to a joint event of JSI and the Val 202 radio station: a public recording of the Radiovedni show on Val 202, during which we will celebrate curiosity in all its forms.
As part of a special spring cleaning campaign, the Radiovedni show, roughly translated to ‘radio-quisitive’, is airing out a bunch of questions received in the past, especially by younger listeners, and they are always on the lookout for new ones. Why is the shadow black? Do animals ever get bored? And how did the universe come to be? In finding answers, the Radiovedni team will be joined by a host of professionals – a sharp team of young physicists, chemists, biologists, and zoologists.
From JSI, we will be joined by:
– Gregor Medoš (physics)
– Nikiša Plešec (physics)
– Jošt Tručl (chemistry)
– Gašper Žun (biology)
– Gregor Belušič (zoology)
Join us on Tuesday, 24 March 2026, at 6.00 pm in the Great Lecture Hall of the Jožef Stefan Institute! The Radiovedni circle of questions, thoughts, guesses, and answers, will be orchestrated by Nik Škrlec, Ajda Kus, Neža Borkovič and Maja Ratej.
Looking forward to a curious, playful, fun, unpredictable (and free of charge!) evening – everyone is welcome!
Wednesday, 25 March
Photos and videos
OPEN WEEK AT JSI: 9.00 – visiting JSI in person, European School Ljubljana
11.00
JSI Grand Lecture Hall
Presentation of RSF projects, Part 1
According to the principles of stable financing, the Development pillar of financing (RSF) funds activities to promote the development of scientific research and infrastructure activities from the perspectives of quality, creativity and innovation, internationalization, openness and knowledge transfer, and cooperation with the ecosystem. These activities contribute to the achievement of goals and results and the implementation of measures or tasks in the field of scientific research, outlined in strategic documents of the state and the EU, taking into account the mission and strategy. Within the framework of the the RSF pillar of the Jožef Stefan Institute, based on internal calls in 2025 in the field of Science, two START and two FUTURE projects were granted and will be presented by the authors in 15-minute presentations.
Presentation of START and FUTURE projects
Grant recipient for a START project: Dr. Jan Gačnik (O2) for the project titled “Atmospheric modelling and chemistry of mercury: Experimental and computational approaches to understanding atmospheric mercury (AtMoMer)”
Grant recipitent for a START project: Dr. Jan Rozman (F1) for the project titled “Nematic or polar epithelia: what drives cell turbulence? (NOPE)”
Grant recipient for a FUTURE project: Dr. Mirela Dragomir (K5) for the project titled »Synergistic exploration of nickelate superconductors (Super-Ni)”
Grant recipient for a FUTURE project: Dr. Aleksander Matavž (F5) for the project titled “Selective and enhanced gas sensing with nanoconfined ionic liquids (SENSEI)”
13.00
JSI Grand Lecture Hall
Invited Lecture
Metals under the pressure of sustainable development
Prof. Dr. Ingrid Milošev
Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia and Valdoltra Orthopaedic Hospital, Ankaran, Slovenia
Due to the growth of the global population and the rapid development of modern and green technologies, the consumption of metals is continuously increasing. The life cycle of metals begins with the extraction of natural resources, continues with processing and the manufacture of metal products, and concludes with their recycling or disposal. Corrosion plays a key role in this cycle, as most metals gradually deteriorate when exposed to the environment. Corrosion products form on the surface, differing from the base metal in their chemical, physical, and mechanical properties. As a result, the functional performance of metal products or structures declines, along with their energy efficiency, productivity, and ultimately their safety. Metal corrosion also represents a major economic challenge. Therefore, the efficient use of natural resources and the extension of the service life of metallic materials are essential conditions for a more sustainable future. In the lecture, I will present the main methods of corrosion protection, which play a central role in extending product lifetime and reducing the environmental impact of industry.
The lecture will be held in Slovenian.
Ingrid Milošev is a scientific councilor at the Jožef Stefan Institute and a full professor at the Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School. In the past, she served as a member of the Scientific Council of the Jožef Stefan Institute and as head of the Department of Physical and Organic Chemistry. In 2025 she received the prestigious European Corrosion Medal from the European Federation of Corrosion.
17.00
JSI Grand Lecture Hall
AWARD CEREMONY OF THE GOLDEN EMBLEM OF JOŽEF STEFAN
The Jožef Stefan Institute is again this year awarding the Jožef Stefan Gold Label to encourage young people to be even more committed to scientific research, as a kind of call to action for those responsible in business to use this knowledge as effectively as possible.
The Golden Label is awarded to the authors of the most outstanding doctoral degrees awarded in the Republic of Slovenia in the last three years in the natural sciences, mathematics, medicine and biotechnology, both at home and abroad.
The Jožef Stefan Gold Medal is a gold coin with a relief of the head of Jožef Stefan, the engraved name of the laureate, the serial number of the medal and the date of the award.
The Committee for the award of the Gold Medal is composed of:
– prof. dr. Mitjan Kalin
– prof. dr. Peter Križan
– prof. dr. Jadran Lenarčič
– prof. dr. Maja Ravnikar
– prof. dr. Nataša Zabukovec Logar
Thursday, 26 March
Photos and videos
OPEN WEEK AT JSI: 9.00 – visiting JSI in person, Dušan Bordon Elementary School, Koper
11.00
JSI Grand Lecture Hall
Presentation of RSF projects, Part 2
According to the principles of stable financing, the Development pillar of financing (RSF) funds activities to promote the development of scientific research and infrastructure activities from the perspectives of quality, creativity and innovation, internationalization, openness and knowledge transfer, and cooperation with the ecosystem. These activities contribute to the achievement of goals and results and the implementation of measures or tasks in the field of scientific research, outlined in strategic documents of the state and the EU, taking into account the mission and strategy. Within the framework of the the RSF pillar of the Jožef Stefan Institute, based on internal calls in 2025 in the field of Science, five IND projects were granted and will be presented by the authors in 10-minute presentations.
Presentation of IND projects
Grant recipient for an IND project: Dr. Naomi Northage (F6) for the project titled “Enhancing Bacterial Pigment Production using RONS Activation (ELECTRA)”
Grant recipient for an IND project: Dr. Gašper Žun (B2) for the project titled “Upgrade and Expansion of the Platform for Generation of Nanobodies against RNA Targets (B-Yeast 2.0)”
Grant recipient for an IND project: Dr. Muhammad Shahid Arshad (K7) for the project titled “Omni-Directional Magnetic Field- Controlled 3D Printing Device (iRAPTOR)”
Grant recipient for an IND project: Dr. Gregor Primc (F4) for the project titled “Semi-industrial upgrade and automation of a low-pressure plasma system in a supercavitation bubble for (irrigation) water disinfection (PlasmaSuperWater)”
Grant recipient for an IND project: Dr. Andraž Bradeško (K5) for the project titled “Integration of piezoelectric elements for ultrasonic cleaning of sensor covers for safer autonomous driving (UltraVarni)”
13.00
JSI Grand Lecture Hall
Invited Lecture
How AI learns to see, generate, and judge fairly
Prof. Dr. Nicu Sebe
University of Trento, Trento, Italy
In the first part of the lecture, I will explore how we teach AI to generate videos without relying on detailed annotations or object‑specific labels. By training on collections of similar videos – such as faces or human bodies – the model learns to generalize across an entire category. Building on this idea, we developed a Learnable Game Engine (LGE) that learns from simple monocular videos to keep track of scenes and objects and to re‑render them from different viewpoints. Much like a real game engine, it captures basic physics and logic, allowing users to control the scene or guide virtual agents through high‑level language instructions. The second part of the lecture turns to the safety and fairness of generative AI. Most existing approaches look only for predefined types of bias, but real‑world systems can exhibit unexpected ones. To address this, we introduce OpenBias, a method that uncovers and measures previously unknown biases in text‑to‑image models without relying on any preset list. Our experiments show that OpenBias aligns well with established methods and with human judgment, offering a more flexible way to assess fairness in generative systems.
The lecture will be held in English.
Nicu Sebe is a full professor at the University of Trento, where he leads research in multimedia information retrieval and human-computer interaction in computer vision applications. He is a co-editor in chief of the Computer Vision and Image Understanding journal and has held numerous leading organizational roles at major conferences, including ACM Multimedia, ICCV, ECCV, and CVPR.
18:00
Kino Šiška Centre for Urban Culture
Science Slam: in collaboration with the University of Ljubljana
Ten exceptional performers will be on stage to present topics from various fields of science, including digitalization and sustainability, in an interesting, understandable and hopefully entertaining way. No complex terms, just interesting ideas, surprising facts and lots of ‘aha’ moments! Who will impress the audience the most and win first place?
We will also get the chance to hear energetic musical contributions from a band which shall remain secret, but feel free to start guessing 🙂
The event will be hosted by Maja Ratej and Jakob Mali.
Join us for an evening that will be a bona fide food for thought!
Free tickets available online.
Friday, 27 March
9.00 – 12.00
JSI Grand Lecture Hall and JSI laboratories
Company Representatives visit at JSI (non-public event)
13.00
JSI Grand Lecture Hall
Invited Lecture
How communication supports us in our professional and private lives
Miha Bavec
Director of Transformacija Ltd.
We are social beings. We cannot live without others, whether it is our upbringing, work, or socializing. It doesn’t matter if we are sociable or not. Sociability merely reflects an individual’s need to socialize with others. However, even non-social individuals who act independently, are self-motivated and self-affirming, are at the limits of their existence and actions, dependent on other people, such as colleagues, managers, financiers, clients, buyers, and so on. Thus, there is always an opportunity for growth in acquiring new communication skills and ways of thinking that support us in understanding relationships. Even for those already skilled.
The lecture will be held in Slovenian.
Miha Bavec is a top business trainer and coach, specializing in development of leaders and organizations, and the founder, owner and director of the company Transformacija. His passion is supporting individuals and companies in adopting better ways and methods needed for growth, development and progress. More than 200 successful Slovenian companies have trusted him to build more efficient processes, develop leadership competencies, key personnel and strategic leadership teams. Through a relaxed and practical way of working, he equips individuals with knowledge that they can implement in their everyday lives. In his 20-year career, he has conducted more than 14,000 training sessions and more than 5,000 hours of coaching, and educated more than 60 coaches and 20 trainers.
Saturday, 28 March
Photos and videos
9.00–14.00
In front of the main JSI building, Jamova 39
9.30–14.30
JSI Reactor Centre in Podgorica (Brinje 40, Podgorica)
JSI OPEN DAY 2026
Open Day at Jožef Stefan Institute is intended for the general public – anyone who wants to find out what we are researching at our institute and how this can contribute to a balanced society of the future.
The first programme section of the Open Day will start at 9am (CET) at the Jožef Stefan Institute (Jamova cesta 39). Each programme section starts at the full hour and lasts 1 hour. At 10am, 11am and 12pm, the guidance will also be in English. The last presentation will start at 1pm.
Parking will not be available at the Jožef Stefan Institute (Jamova cesta 39), but visitors will have an option to park at the parking place near the Faculty of Mathematics and Physics (Jadranska ulica 19). The number of these parking places is limited.
Visits will also take place at the Reactor center Podgorica in a close vicinity of Ljubljana (Brinje 40, 1262 Dol pri Ljubljani) in the scope of programme section 4. Presentations at the Reactor center will start at 9:30am, 10:30am, 11:30am, 12:30pm and 1:30pm. Presentations are possible also in English depending on the wishes of the visitors.
Visitors at the Reactor center have to present their ID document in order to enter. It will be possible to park near Reactor center. Free bus transport will be organized between JSI Jamova cesta 39 and Reactor center Podgorica. The number of available seats on the bus is limited. Bus schedule: relation Jamova – Reactor: 9am, 10am, 11am, 12pm, 1pm; relation Reactor – Jamova: 9:30am, 10:30am, 11:30am, 12:30pm, 1:30pm, 2:30pm.
The number of visitors will be limited for each programme section with the aim to provide opportunity for a conversation with the researchers in each programme section. All visits are free of charge.
Visitors of the Reactor Center are kindly asked to fill out a form and give it to the security personnel at the gate. If you wish, you can print and fill out the form in advance, or you will be given a copy to fill out on the bus or at the gate. The form is valid on Open Day (28 March) only.
Visitors have to follow all requirements and recommendations. Additionally, visitors have to follow all safety instructions provided by JSI staff, especially by laboratory staff.
We kindly ask all visitors to stay in the group of each specific programme section, since visits of laboratories and other places at the Jožef Stefan Institute without JSI staff is not allowed.
Photographing inside the premises of the Institute is not allowed without consent.
Photography and/or recording will take place at the Days of Jožef Stefan for the purpose of promoting or reporting.
PROGRAMME SECTIONS
The matter, internet, biotechnology
– presentations at Jamova 39, Ljubljana
Programme 1: Let's touch the invisible
F3 – Department of Thin Films and Surfaces
The department’s research focuses around hard protective coatings to extend tool lifetime in machining. Work examines coating growth, effects of deposition parameters on properties, and wear mechanisms. The department develops coatings for specific technological uses while advancing knowledge of deposition and application processes. Research focuses mainly on transition-metal nitrides, alongside diamond-like coatings, quasicrystals, and oxides, with characterization of hardness, adhesion, and related mechanical properties in thin films and bulk surfaces.
F1 – Department of Theoretical Physics
The department conducts theoretical research in solid-state, statistical, particle, nuclear, and soft-matter physics. Activities focus on phase transitions, critical phenomena, ferroelectrics, surface physics, strongly correlated electron models, high-temperature superconductivity, quantum dots, complex networks, nuclear and hadron physics, quantum chromodynamics, meson decays, grand unified theories, relativistic membranes, three-body atomic systems, polyelectrolytes, liquid and colloidal crystals, and biological membranes.
F5 – Department of Condensed Matter Physics
The research focuses on disordered, partially ordered, and soft matter, including quasicrystals, complex alloys, relaxors, multiferroics, spintronic and magnetoelectric materials, electroactive polymers, nanotubes, and liquid-crystal systems. Work also covers nanostructure synthesis, surface assembly of atoms and molecules, explosive detection by nuclear quadrupole resonance, and biophysical studies of membranes, transport, tumor-treatment optimization, magnetic resonance imaging, and modeling of biological and granular materials.
Programme 2: Small is important
F2 – Department of Low and Intermediate Energy Physics
At the Department of low and medium energy physics scientists perform basic and applied research in the field of atomic and nuclear physics. Strong efforts are dedicated also to the radiation protection, focusing on environmental radioactivity monitoring programmes for planned and existing exposure situations, and additionally to drill the key national capacities for emergency exposure situation.
CEMM – Center for Electron Microscopy and Microanalysis
CEMM provides electron microscopy and microanalysis for structural and chemical characterization of materials at micro- and nanoscale. Its scanning and transmission electron microscopes support EDXS, WDXS, EBSD, STEM, HAADF imaging, EELS, electron lithography, and CCD-based image acquisition. The center also prepares SEM and TEM samples using ion etching, focused ion beam processing, and tripod polishing.
F4 – Department of Surface Engineering
The research focuses on plasma sources, diagnostics, and applications in surface treatment, materials processing, nanomedicine, and nanoscience. Work covers low-pressure and atmospheric discharges, plasma characterization by optical, mass-spectrometric, electrical, and catalytic-probe methods, plasma cleaning, etching, polymer activation, and sterilization. Studies are done on surfaces, interfaces, thin films, ion-induced material modification, vacuum metrology, gas transport through solids, and development of vacuum devices and components.
Video presentation of ”Small is important” from the virtual Open day 2021 (in Slovenian language)
Programme 3: Building a modern world
K9 – Advanced Materials Department
The department develops functional ceramics, thin films, and nanoparticles through controlled synthesis at atomic and microstructural levels. Research focuses on tuning composition, crystal structure, microstructure, and functional properties using solid-state, hydrothermal, liquid-based, and vapor-based methods, including pulsed laser deposition. Advanced microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and spectroscopy are used to monitor reactions, crystallization, structuring, and material performance.
E5 – Laboratory for Open Systems and Networks
Research goals are directed to assurance of scientific, research and developmental results in the field of next generation networks and services and applications based on them. Scientific research is going on to assure important position to Slovenian research achievements in world and European criterion in the field of generic technologies and applications which are the core of knowledge economy. Research contents are focused on key themes of information society technologies and applications.
B3 – Department of Biotechnology
The department researches biotechnology for health, environmental monitoring, therapeutics, and food applications. Work focuses on plant- and fungi-derived proteins, peptides, enzyme inhibitors, lectins, sweet proteins, recombinant proteins, and lipid-metabolism molecules. Key goals include developing diagnostic and therapeutic compounds, protease inhibitors for disease-related processes such as cancer, regulatory molecules for plants, and delivery systems for peptides and oligonucleotides.
Biology, chemistry, physics, robotics and informatics
– presentations at Jamova 39, Ljubljana
Programme 4: From atom to molecule, from molecule to life
F7 – Department of Complex Matter
The researches focuses around complex electron systems, nanomaterials, soft matter, biophysics, biomedical optics, and nonlinear optical materials. Work focuses on photoexcited electron dynamics, high-temperature superconductors, charge-density-wave systems, MoSI nanowires, fullerene magnetism, confined liquid crystals, molecular motors, DNA electron dynamics, laser–tissue interaction, laser-based diagnostics and therapies, optical data storage, telecommunications materials, and compact eye-safe laser sources.
B2 – Department of Molecular and Biomedical Sciences
The research covers toxins, biomembranes, and lipid-related disease processes, with a focus on secreted phospholipases A2 from animal venoms and humans. Work examines their roles in neurotoxicity, anticoagulation, myotoxicity, inflammation, cancer, neurodegeneration, mitochondrial activity, lipid metabolism, cardiovascular disease, obesity, and ageing. The work also includes characterization of toxin-derived pharmacological compounds and applies genomics, lipidomics, bioinformatics, and synthetic genetic array analysis.
K3 – Department of Physical and Organic Chemistry
The research includes surface processes in solids, especially corrosion, heterogeneous catalysis, and synthesis of new protective and functional compounds. Work focuses on environmentally friendly coatings, electrochemical corrosion studies, electrochemical properties, and first-principles modeling of materials and molecules. The goal is to understand material protection and degradation mechanisms and use this knowledge to design sustainable corrosion-protection solutions and new catalysts.
Programme 5: From the Higgs boson to the greatest challenges of modern society
B1 – Department of Biochemistry and Molecular and Structural Biology
The department works on proteases, especially cathepsins, and their inhibitors to understand programmed cell death, immune regulation, and disease mechanisms. Work focuses on cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, neurological disorders, amyloid fiber formation, and protease-targeting compounds. The group develops antibodies, recombinant proteins, activity-based probes, proteomic research capacity, and structural studies of biological macromolecules for biomedical target identification and validation.
F9 – Experimental Particle Physics Department
The researches covers experimental particle and astroparticle physics through ATLAS, Belle/Belle II, and the Pierre Auger Observatory. Work focuses on Standard Model tests, Higgs-related measurements, searches for new physics, matter–antimatter asymmetry, and ultra-high-energy cosmic rays. Work also covers distributed computing for detector simulation and data processing, and advances silicon, diamond, Cherenkov, timing, PET, and micro-dosimetry detectors.
K7 – Department for Nanostructured Materials
The research focuses on inorganic materials whose properties are controlled at nanostructural and atomic levels. Work focuses on structural and functional ceramics, magnetic materials, complex metal alloys, sensors, minerals, biomedical and healthcare materials, and green-energy materials. The goal is to understand and tailor material properties, improve functional performance, and design new materials using advanced manufacturing methods.
Programme 6: Where robots play and miracles happen
E1 – Department of Automatics, Biocybernetics and Robotics
The research involves robotics, human-robot interaction, biomechanics, ergonomics, and environmental physiology. Work focuses on intelligent control, robot learning, humanoid and industrial robots, exoskeletons, shared control, cognitive robotics, reconfigurable systems, factory automation, planetary habitat simulation, and manikins for protective-garment evaluation. The goal is to develop robots that learn new skills and collaborate naturally with people in new application domains.
K1/ŠEK – School of Experimental Chemistry
The department researches fluorine chemistry, including fluorine-containing compounds and their technological and environmental applications. Work focuses on addressing ecological and industrial challenges linked to these materials. The department also runs the School of Experimental Chemistry, where workshops and demonstrations introduce younger audiences to chemical experimentation, substance properties, and natural sciences, supporting education and science outreach.
E8 – Department of Knowledge Technologies
The department develops artificial intelligence, data science, and machine learning methods for pattern discovery, knowledge extraction, and predictive modelling. Research focuses on applications in medicine, agriculture, ecology, nuclear safety, language technologies, and space systems. Key topics include fake news and hate speech detection, speech-to-text technologies, sustainable agriculture, Parkinson’s disease management, speech-based Alzheimer’s diagnosis, and spacecraft energy-consumption prediction.
Knowledge, systems, materials, environment
– presentations at Jamova 39, Ljubljana
Programme 7: Are we the smartest?
E9 – Department of Intelligent Systems
The research focuses on theoretical and applied artificial intelligence. Work focuses on evolutionary computation for optimization, web mining, semantic web technologies, automated text categorization, ontology development, game-playing algorithms, search, planning, decision support, intelligent agents, multiagent systems, and Slovenian text-to-speech synthesis. The goal is to develop AI methods for complex problem solving and practical applications.
K8 – Department for Material Synthesis
At our department, we synthesize new useful nanomaterials. Nanoparticles have due to their small size a very large surface-to-volume ratio. Consequently, they have different properties in comparison to bulk materials. Our work includes the synthesis, functionalization, and analysis of mostly magnetic nanoparticles for applications in medicine, technology, and catalysis.
E2 – Department of Systems and Control
The research covers control, optimization, and fault diagnosis for complex technical and industrial systems. Work focuses on process modeling, Gaussian-process methods, model predictive, nonlinear and adaptive control, industrial-controller tuning, fault detection algorithms, signal processing, production scheduling, and decision support. It also develops software tools, control-system modules, measuring systems, supervisory systems, and high-technology products for industrial and research applications.
Video presentation of ”Are we the smartest?” from the virtual Open day 2021 (in Slovenian language)
Programme 8: Life in chips, chips for life
K5 – Electronic Ceramics Department
The department researches materials and technologies for smaller, more efficient, reliable, and environmentally sustainable electronic components. Work focuses on lead-based and lead-free perovskites, niobates, tantalates, conducting complex perovskites, and solid oxide fuel-cell materials. Activities include phase-equilibria studies, nanoparticle synthesis, solution deposition of films, thick-film processing, and development of multifunctional structures, pressure sensors, and ceramic MEMS.
E6 – Department of Communication Systems
The department researches modern telecommunications networks, communication systems, and parallel and distributed computing. Work focuses on protocols, services, network applications, testing tools, modelling and simulation of communication systems, formal methods for discrete systems, wireless sensor networks, and the VESNA deployment platform. It also applies computer modelling, simulations, and bio-signal measurement and processing in medical contexts.
F6 – Department of Gaseous Electronics
The department researches gas electronics, gaseous discharges, plasma science, nanomaterials, and vacuum technologies. Work focuses on plasma nanoscience, plasma chemistry, electrochemistry and catalysis, plasma biotechnology and biomedicine, gas sensors, field emission in nanostructured materials, optoelectronics, vacuum-system design, and vacuum thermal insulation. The goal is to develop new scientific knowledge and technologies for advanced sensing, materials processing, and biomedical applications.
Programme 9: The junction of natural and digital
O2 – Department of Environmental Sciences
The multidisciplinary research of the Department of Environmental Sciences focuses on the combination of physical, chemical and biological processes that influence the environment, society and human activities. Therefore, the work is based on three main areas: development, optimisation and validation of analytical methods, study of geochemical processes that influence cycling and transformations of substances and elements, and environmental impact assessment which evaluates the risk that human activities present for human health and for the environment.
E3 – Department for Artificial Intelligence
The department conducts research and development in the field of information technologies, focusing on artificial intelligence. They collaborate with domestic and foreign academic organizations and companies to develop solutions that are then applied across various fields, including the economy, finance, education, and medicine. Furthermore, the department prioritizes education on the ethical and moral use of artificial intelligence, actively engaging in various discussions.
E7 – Computer Systems Department
The department researches high-level synthesis, hardware implementation, and algorithm optimization for applications such as cryptography, 3D-data compression, and intelligent sensors. Work also focuses on bio-inspired methods, including genetic algorithms, neural networks, and ant-colony optimization, to solve combinatorial and numerical problems. Applications include electro-motor design, power-loss reduction, steel-casting process optimization, and dietary menu planning.
Energy
– presentations at the Reactor Center (Podgorica pri Ljubljani)
Programme 10: Energy and nuclear technology
Milan Čopič Nuclear Training Centre (ICJT) is called Izobraževalni Center za Jedrsko Tehnologijo or ICJT in Slovenian language. It is part of the Jožef Stefan Institute, the leading research institution in Slovenia. The main activities of the ICJT are training of future nuclear professionals and informing general public about nuclear technologies. The vision of the IJCT is to become a reliable and a high quality source of knowledge about nuclear technologies.
Video presentation of ”Nuclear technology” from the virtual Open day 2021 (in Slovenian language)
Programme 11: Tour of the nuclear reactor
Reactor Physics Division is situated at Reactor Centre Podgorica. Research is mainly directed into modelling and study of neutron transport and neutron – induced reactions. We also work on charged particles dosimetry and plasma physics.
Video presentation of ”Nuclear technology” from the virtual Open day 2021 (in Slovenian language)
Programme 12: R4 – Reactor Engineering Division and O2 – Department of Environmental Sciences
The Department for Reactor Engineering focuses on research, education, consulting and expertise in the field of nuclear engineering and nuclear safety of fission reactors (generations 2, 3 and 4) and fusion reactors. The research carried out by the Department belongs to the broader field of nuclear technology and safety. Interdisciplinary research connects thermohydraulic, strength and safety analyzes and experimental results of THELMA’s own laboratory.
The multidisciplinary research of the Department of Environmental Sciences focuses on the combination of physical, chemical and biological processes that influence the environment, man and human activities. Therefore, the work is based on three main areas: development, optimisation and validation of analytical methods, study of geochemical processes that influence cycling and transformations of substances and elements, and environmental impact assessment which evaluates the risk that human activities present for human health and for the environment.
Video presentation of ”Nuclear technology” from the virtual Open day 2021 (in Slovenian language)
Programme 13: F2 – Department of Low and Medium Energy Physics: Accelerator
The tandem ion accelerator “Tandetron” at the department of low and medium energy physics (F2) is the only research accelerator in the country. Acceleration of ions takes place electrostatically in a direct electric field, which is provided by a rectifier with a voltage of up to 2 MV (two million volts). The accelerator is one of the most technologically advanced electrostatic accelerators in the world. We perform research in the field of atomic and nuclear physics and we apply the acquired knowledge at various fields, including materials research, fusion, biology, energy storage, medicine, pharmacology, environment and archaeometry.
Video presentation of ”Nuclear technology” from the virtual Open day 2021 (in Slovenian language)
Programme 14: CEU – Energy Efficiency Centre
The Energy Efficiency Centre operates in the field of efficient energy use, long-term planning in the energy sector, and activities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other air pollutants, cooperating with state institutions in the preparation of strategic documents and legislation in the aforementioned areas. With its advisory and educational role in the field of energy, it is also firmly connected with industrial companies and other institutions. In recent years, the Centre has been expanding its activities to include experimental analyses in the newly established Energy Efficiency Laboratory.