From May 25 to 29, 2026, the project participants took part in the XII INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE "Topical Problems of Semiconductor Physics" held in Prykarpattya, Drohobych, Ukraine. During the conference, the results of the project research were presented in the report entitled "Thermal Properties of Sr-Doped LaMnO₃ Cathodes for Fuel Cells". The presentation focused on the investigation of the thermal behavior of strontium-substituted lanthanum manganites synthesized as cathode materials for solid oxide fuel cells, including their phase formation processes, thermal stability, and structural transformations. Participation in the conference facilitated the dissemination of project results, scientific discussion of the obtained findings, and the establishment of new research collaborations in the fields of functional materials and energy technologies.
On February 22, 2026, the second stage of the All-Ukrainian competition for the defense of research projects by students—members of the Minor Academy of Sciences of Ukraine—was held in the Ivano-Frankivsk region. The jury of the Applied Physics section included executors of the NATO project “Ultra-durable and efficient nano-engineered fuel cells” (URANUS): Bohdan Rachii, Roman Lisovskyi, and Nataliia Ivanichok.
After the competition, the students were organized a visit to the scientific laboratories of the Department of Applied Physics and Materials Science. During the visit, participants were introduced to current research directions in the field of functional materials. Special attention was paid to the implementation of the international research project “Durable and Efficient Nanotechnology-Based Fuel Cells” (URANUS), which is carried out in the department’s laboratories.
The participants were shown the operating principle of solid oxide fuel cells, as well as the equipment and instruments used for the fabrication and testing of fuel cell materials. They were also introduced to the prospects for hydrogen energy development and modern approaches to creating energy-efficient electrochemical systems.
The organization of such scientific events is important for the development of research competencies among school students, the formation of a scientific worldview, and the popularization of science among learners. Students’ participation in research activities contributes to increasing their motivation for further professional and scientific development.
To popularize science among young people, participants of the G6166 project took part in the lecture-training for students. On 28 November 2025, at the Ivano-Frankivsk Professional College of Vasyl Stefanyk Carpathian National University, a lecture-training for students was organised by Prof. Volodymyr Kotsyubynskyi, Prof. Volodymyra Boichuk.
The students had the opportunity to play the role of real researchers and experimenters, get acquainted with the work of supercapacitors, fuel cells, a microscope, and the possibilities of X-ray fluorescence analysis.
A separate part of the meeting was a lecture by Volodymyr Kotsiubynskyi on the current state of development of the energy industry and alternative energy sources, such as SOFC.
On October 7, 2025, at the XX International Freik Conference on Physics and Technology of Thin Film and Nanosystems, Volodymyra Boichuk (Vasyl Stefanyk Carpathian National University) delivered a presentation titled “Solid Oxide Fuel Cell: Space Missions Perspectives.”
The results demonstrate how high-temperature solid oxide fuel cells can provide reliable power for surface operations and long-duration missions, integrate thermally with life-support systems, and interface with ISRU-derived fuels–directly reinforcing the SpaceReady project’s focus on practical technologies for analog astronauts and future space habitats. Such appearances are an important part of project dissemination.
From August 20 to 23, 2025, the project participants took part in the International Research and Practice Conference "Nanotechnology and Nanomaterials" (NANO-2025). During the conference, the research results obtained within the project were presented in the contribution entitled "Perovskite-Based Electrode Materials for Solid Oxide Fuel Cells". The presentation highlighted the developed synthesis methodology for strontium-substituted lanthanum manganites, their structural and electrochemical properties, and their potential application as cathode materials for solid oxide fuel cells. Participation in the conference provided an opportunity to disseminate the project results, discuss recent advances in the field of functional nanomaterials, and establish scientific contacts for future collaboration.
On 16 May 2025, Bogdan Rachii participated in the “Open Science and FAIR: Global Strategies for Accessibility, Interoperability, and Information Security” meeting at the Precarpathian National University. Discussed the progress of the project and the conditions for applying for an SPS NATO project with the meeting participants.
On 13 January 2025, the project participants took part in the Advanced Materials Open Science Centre meeting at the Precarpathian National University. The main goal of the Centre is to consolidate the research activities of Ukrainian scientists from universities in Western Ukraine and research institutes of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine in the field of obtaining, characterizing, and implementing advanced materials and nanomaterials according to the principles of Open Science.
On December 8, the Faculty of Physics and Engineering hosted the Festival of Physical Experiments, which brought together schoolchildren, students, and professionals in the field of physics. As part of the festival, project participants G6166 SPS NATO introduced visitors to the principle of operation of solid-state fuel cells and the capabilities of the SPS NATO program.
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 program “Science for peace and security”, took part in the Sustainable Energy Day (October 17).
Schoolchildren and students visited the Department of Materials Science and Advanced Technologies of the Vasyl Stefanyk Precarpathian National University. The students had the opportunity to play the role of real researchers and experimenters, get acquainted with the work of supercapacitors, fuel cells, a microscope, and the possibilities of X-ray fluorescence analysis. The greatest delight was the experiments using liquid nitrogen!!!
A separate part of the meeting was a lecture by Volodymyr Kotsiubynskyi on the current state of development of the energy industry and alternative energy sources, such as SOFC.
In the M2 reporting period, SENSOR Laboratory researchers (UNIBS) presented the project to “Notte dei Ricercatori 2024” event, held on Friday 27th September 2024 at “MO. CA - Centro per le nuove culture”, in Via Moretto 78 Brescia (https://www.unibs.it/it/ateneo/comunicazione/tutte-le-news/notte-dei-ricercatori-venerdi-27-settembre-2024).
During this event, UNIBS researchers were present with a stand showing some of the activities performed in the framework of the NATO SPS URANUS project, describing the role of the Partners and the expected outcomes to a general public. Moreover, NPD Prof. Elisabetta Comini gave a talk on the role of nanotechnologies for the environmental development and sustainability.
In order to promote the G6166 SPS NATO project, its results were presented at the 2024 exhibition of the latest developments in the Ivano-Frankivsk region, and the presentation materials were included in the regional development catalogue.