Dr. Pavlo Kolkovskyi from VSPNU has been appointed as a Visiting Professor at the University of Brescia (UNIBS). His visit in Italy, originally planned from February 1 to May 31 2026, has been shifted to September due to activities planning. 

His visit, fully funded by UNIBS, is part of the NATO SPS URANUS project and partially supported by UNIBS. During his stay, he will conduct research related to the project and deliver a lecture course for PhD students and young researchers on Solid Oxide Fuel Cells and cathode material fabrication and characterization. 

From January 31 to February 28, 2026, Pavlo Kolkovskyi, undertook a working visit to the University of Bayreuth (Germany). The working visit was carried out within the framework of the URANUS project. During the internship, Pavlo Kolkovskyi mastered the synthesis methodology for nanodispersed yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ), a key material used in the fabrication of electrolytes for solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs).

To popularize science among young people, participants of the G6166 project “Ultra-durable and efficient nano-engineered fuel cells (URANUS)”, which is implemented within the framework of the NATO “Science for Peace and Security programme”, took part in the 5-th Scientific Picnic. The event took place on May 10 in the city of Ivano-Frankivsk on the occasion of City Day.

Bohdan Rachii and Pavlo Kolkovskyi together with teachers and students of the Faculty of Physics and Technology of the Vasyl Stefanyk Precarpathian National University introduced the guests of the event to the unique world of science!

According to the result of this day and by the vote of all those willing, the Vasyl Stefanyk Precarpathian National University was recognized as the best scientific location among all those who took part in this popular science event, interesting for children and adults.

That is, during the implementation of the project “Ultra-durable and efficient nano-engineered fuel cells” (URANUS) (project number G6166), carried out the framework of the NATO “Science for Peace and Security Programme” and the signed Partnership Agreement between the University of Brescia (Italy) and the Vasyl Stefanyk Precarpathian National University (Ukraine), for the purchase of equipment that will be used for the synthesis protocol of cathode materials for fuel cells. In particular, a muffle furnace SNOL 6.7/1300, a Constant-Temperature Drying Oven SNOL 75/350, professional Balance analysis AXIS ANG220C series with automatic internal calibration, a magnetic stirrer MS7-H550-S and an Acer A5 laptop were purchased for over 200 000 UAH.

As part of the Spring School “Physics and Materials Science,” teachers from the Department of Materials Science and New Technologies, along with participants of the G6166 project “Ultra-durable and efficient nano-engineered fuel cells (URANUS),” which is carried out within the framework of the NATO “Science for Peace and Security Programme”, conducted a number of classes and seminars for university applicants. General information about the university, the Faculty of Physics and Technology, educational programs, and scientific events held at the faculty was provided by the Dean of the Faculty of Physics and Technology, Professor Ivan Gasyuk.

Then the applicants were divided into groups and continued to explore the possibilities of physics and materials science in the educational and scientific laboratories of the Department of Materials Science and New Technologies, taking turns moving to different locations. Research staff members Natalya Ivanichok and Pavlo Kolkovskyi worked with applicants at the ‘Sources and Elements of Nutrition’ site. Applicants became acquainted with the construction of supercapacitors, fuel cells, and solar power sources. Laboratory experiments titled ‘Interesting Optical Phenomena’ were conducted by Professor Bohdan Rachiy in the teaching laboratory of optics, where the phenomena of interference and diffraction of light, the application of light polarization, modeling of optical systems, and the study of microscopes, among others, were demonstrated. The meeting was interesting and full of information; the applicants gained a lot of new knowledge, emotions, and unforgettable impressions.

According to NATO Letter No. ESC(2023)0285 (SPS MYP G6166) dated 27 October 2023, based on the recommendation by the NATO Security Partnership and Cooperation Committee for the implementation of the research project “Ultra-durable and efficient nano-engineered fuel cells (URANUS)”, which is being carried out within the framework of the NATO “Science for Peace and Security Programme”, and the signed Partnership Agreement between the University of Brescia (Italy) and Vasyl Stefanyk Precarpathian National University, teachers from the Department of Materials Science and Advanced Technologies became participants in this scientific project as part of the research within the framework of project G6166.

The official opening of the International scientific project “Ultra-durable and efficient nano-engineered fuel cells (URANUS)” – G6166, carried out within the framework of the NATO “Science for peace and security programme”, took place.