Annual Report 2012 - Latvijas Universitātes Cietvielu fizikas institūts

The annual report summarizes the research activities of the ISSP in 2012. The
staff of the Institute has succeed in 5 national science grants and in two national
cooperation projects with the total financing 159.4 thous. Ls (ca. 223.2 thous. EUR).
In 2005 a the new Law of Science was passed by Parliament of Latvia.
According to this law the state budgetary financing in Latvia for science has to
increase yearly per 0.15% from GDP up to reaching a 1% value. The budgetary
increase was focused on scientific infrastructure financing and launching of National
Research Programmes (NRP). One of the scientific priorities in Latvia is
materialscience. ISSP became coordinating institution for the Materials NRP and
collaborates as well in the NRP “Energetics” attracting 266.8 thous. Ls budget in 2012.
The infrastructure financing for ISSP in 2012 was 467.1 thous. Ls. and it was partly used
also for the salaries of the scientific and maintenance staff of the Institute. (Table 4).
Main awards, received at 2012:
No Author Award
1. Dr.phys. M.Kirm The International Member of Latvian Academy of
Science
2. Dr.phys. A.Luschik The International Member of Latvian Academy of
Science
3. Dr.habil.phys. P.Stradins The International Member of Latvian Academy of
Science
4. Dr.habil.phys.
J.Timoshenko
Author of the best scientific achiewment (from
Latvian Academy of Science)
5. I.Smeltere The L’OREAL-UNESCO sholarship „For Women in
science 2011”
6. Dr.habil.phys. L.Skuja Award of Latvian Cabinet of Ministrs
7. Ms.phys. G.Kuchinskis Siemens Prize
At the end of 2012, more than 50 students, master’s candidates and doctoral candidates
worked in our Institute under the supervising of our scientists. The Institute has always
strived to be actively involved in student teaching on all levels. During 2006 – 2008 a
teaching module “Functional material and nanotechnologies” was introduced in bachelor
and master physics curricula. This project was supported by European Social Fund.
Many co-workers of the Institute were involved in preparation of lecture courses.
In 2012 four international conferences have been organised at the Institute:
1. International Young Scientist Conference “Developments in Optics and
Communications 2012”, April 12 – 14, 2012, Riga, Latvia;
2. The International Workshop “Oxygen Related Optical Properties of Nano
Zirconia”, April 6 – 7, 2012, Riga, Latvia;
3. Annual International conference “Functional materials and
nanotechnologies”, April 16 -17, Riga, Latvia;
4. The First Baltic School on Application of Neutron and Synchrotron
Radiation in Solid State and Materials Science, October 1 – 4, 2012, Riga,
Latvia;
5. The International Workshop “Hydrogen and Fuel Cells in Research and
Applications”, October 4 – 5, 2012, Riga, Latvia.
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