Category: Events

As part of the seminar series organized by the Center for Solid State Physics and New Materials at the Institute of Physics Belgrade, a lecture titled “Symmetry-based Explanation of Dispersions in Two-Dimensional Materials” was held on Wednesday, November 5, 2025, by Dr. Vladimir Damljanović.

Two-dimensional (2D) materials are systems in which atomic nuclei are periodically arranged in two spatial directions and finite in the third, orthogonal one. Examples include graphene, silicene, and transition metal dichalcogenides. Each 2D material belongs to one of 80 possible symmetry groups. The lecture presented the connection between different types of electronic and phononic dispersions (quasiparticles) in a given 2D material and the symmetry group to which that material belongs.

The presentation was based on published results [1–9] concerning non-magnetic 2D materials both with and without spin–orbit coupling.

This seminar was organized as part of the activities related to the HIP-2D-QM project and the ongoing efforts to strengthen the research capacities of the Center for Solid State Physics and New Materials.

As part of the ERA Chair project HIP-2D-QM – Hidden Phases in 2D Quantum Materials, a high-level policy dialogue meeting was held at the Institute of Physics Belgrade (IPB). The meeting gathered representatives of the Global Research Council (GRC) European Regional Meeting, the Science Fund of the Republic of Serbia (SFRS), and the Center for Solid State Physics and New Materials (CSSPNM-IPB).

This policy dialogue is part of the project’s activities dedicated to dissemination, exploitation, and communication, aiming to strengthen the connection between European research policy and national research institutions in Serbia. The GRC European Regional Meeting, co-organized by Science Europe, HUN-REN Hungarian Research Network, and the Science Fund of Serbia, brings together major European research and innovation funding agencies.

Within this framework, the visit to IPB highlighted Serbia’s growing contribution to European research cooperation and showcased the achievements of CSSPNM-IPB. Researchers presented their scientific results, ongoing projects, and international collaborations developed under the HIP-2D-QM ERA Chair initiative.

By engaging policy makers, research funders, and scientists, HIP-2D-QM continues to build bridges between science, innovation, and policy—enhancing both the visibility and impact of Serbian research across Europe.

Photos by Bojan Džodan

The Center for Solid State Physics and New Materials at the Institute of Physics Belgrade organized the Workshop on Writing succesful Horizon Europe Project Proposals within the framework of the HIP-2D-QM project.

Prof. Dr Goran Stojanović led the session, providing researchers and project teams with practical guidance on preparing competitive proposals for the Horizon Europe program. He shared advice on identifying suitable open calls, setting clear objectives, and aligning project ideas with EU priorities and expected outcomes.

The Workshop on Writing succesful Horizon Europe Project Proposals focused on improving proposal structure, clarity, and impact. Participants learned how to highlight innovation potential, strengthen scientific and societal relevance, and demonstrate feasibility. Prof. Stojanović also presented examples of successful Horizon Europe projects and discussed common challenges in the application process, emphasizing teamwork, measurable goals, and effective communication.

Through this event, participants gained practical skills to transform strong research ideas into competitive funding applications. The workshop contributes to the HIP-2D-QM project’s broader goal of enhancing research excellence, skills, and capacity in advanced materials science.

As part of the seminar series organized by the Center for Solid State Physics and New Materials at the Institute of Physics Belgrade, Dr. Srđan Stavrić (Vinča Institute of Nuclear Sciences) gave a lecture titled “Why All That Fuss About Altermagnets?” on Monday, 20 October 2025.

During the lecture, Dr. Stavrić introduced the emerging concept of altermagnets—a new class of magnetic materials that bridge the properties of antiferromagnets and ferromagnets—and discussed their symmetry-driven characteristics and potential applications in spintronics.

ABSTRACT

Altermagnets are an emerging class of magnetic materials characterized by a collinear compensated arrangement of magnetic moments and a momentum-dependent spin splitting in the band structure. This peculiar combination, arising from specific crystal symmetries, merges the most desirable traits of antiferromagnets – such as ultrafast dynamics without stray fields – with the strong time-reversal-symmetry-breaking responses characteristic for ferromagnets. Found in a diverse range of materials from metals to insulators, altermagnets offer a versatile new platform for next-generation spintronics, paving the way for high-density magnetic memory and terahertz nano-oscillators.

This talk will explore the fundamental principles and significant potential of this exciting new class of materials. We will begin by establishing a new taxonomy of collinear magnets, introducing the distinct realms of ferromagnets, antiferromagnets, and altermagnets, and extending the concept to non-collinear p-wave magnets. A special focus will be on recent observation of p-wave magnetism in a spin-spiral type-II multiferroic NiI₂. We will explore how the symmetry-protected coupling between chirality and polar order enables electrical control of a primarily non-relativistic spin polarization in this material.

Finally, we will examine the role of spin-orbit coupling in altermagnets and show what implications it may have on electronic and magnetic properties. In particular, we will focus on two-dimensional altermagnets, where this relativistic interaction cannot be neglected as it is the source of the magnetic anisotropy which is crucial for stabilizing long-range magnetic order at finite temperatures.

As part of the seminar series organized by the Center for Solid State Physics and New Materials at the Institute of Physics Belgrade, Dr Bojana Višić gave a lecture titled “Van der Waals Nanotubes – From Synthesis to Applications” on Friday, 10 October 2025.

Dr Višić presented recent advances in the synthesis, structure, and applications of transition metal dichalcogenide (TMDC) nanotubes, emphasizing their unique optical, electronic, and mechanical properties. The talk highlighted how these nanomaterials connect fundamental research and technological applications.

ABSTRACT

Semiconducting transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) can be synthesized in a wide range of structures and geometries, including closed cage nanostructures, such as nanotubes (NTs) or fullerene-like nanoparticles. Individual multiwalled WS₂ and MoS₂ NTs are having a resurgence of interest, as interesting optical and electrical properties have been reported in recent years. They are especially intriguing due to their stability, enhanced light–matter interactions, and ability to sustain exciton-polaritons in ambient conditions, i.e., strong coupling of excitonic resonances to the optical cavity. Namely, these nanotubes act as quasi-1D polaritonic nanosystems and sustain both excitonic features and cavity modes in the visible–near-infrared range. This ability to confine light to subwavelength dimensions under ambient conditions is induced by the high refractive index of WS₂.

On the other hand, NTs have been vastly neglected as possible alloyed TMDC. Most of the research so far, both theoretically and experimentally, focused on flat, two-dimensional structures, with only a few reports that focused on non-carbon-based alloyed NTs. Additionally, TMDCs have opened a new frontier in the area of field emission devices, due to their layered structure and the presence of thin and sharp edges with high aspect ratios which enhance the local electric field. We grew highly crystalline multiwalled Mo₁₋ₓWₓS₂ NTs via the chemical vapour transport method, with the molybdenum and tungsten atoms randomly distributed within the crystal structure. A detailed analysis of the ED patterns from an eight-layer nanotube revealed that they grow in the 2H structure, with each shell consisting of one bilayer. The work function of the NTs is comparable than that of pure MoS₂ and lower of pure WS₂ NTs, making them ideal candidates for field emission applications.

Various TMDC NTs promise a wide spectrum of physical effects beyond the physics of CNTs. They have a high aspect ratio, high specific surface area and excellent mechanical and vibrational/acoustic properties, making them suitable as composite nanofillers as only a small amount can be used for forming a conductive path [5]. Furthermore, MS₂ NTs disperse well in all commonly used solvents, simplifying composite preparation.

As part of the HIP-2D-QM ERA Chair project, the Institute of Physics Belgrade (IPB) hosted the workshop “Focus on: Women’s Challenges in Science.” The event sparked a lively discussion on the position of women in science, the challenges they face, and ways to foster greater gender equality in research.

The Diversity and Gender Dimension Board (DGDB) of the Center for Solid State Physics and New Materials (CSSPNM) organized the workshop. It brought together researchers, students, and administrative staff from different scientific institutions.

The panel included Dr. Mira Aničić Urošević, Dr. Tijana Milićević, and Dr. Marija Mitrović Dankulov from the Institute of Physics Belgrade, Dr. Jovana Despotović from the Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering (IMGGE), and Slađana Savić Jovanović from the Faculty of Chemistry (FCUB). The discussion was moderated by Marija Đurić, science journalist and communications officer at IPB.

Panelists and participants explored topics such as career advancement and leadership opportunities for women. They also discussed parental leave, work–life balance, and institutional support. Moreover, the conversation addressed gender-sensitive language, media representation, and examples of good practice that could inspire change.

In conclusion, the event marked the first in a series of discussions organized by the DGDB within the HIP-2D-QM project. Through these events, the organizers aim to encourage open dialogue, strengthen inclusion, and promote equality across the scientific community.

On May 27, we had the pleasure of hosting Viktor Zagorec, Product Manager for Raman Spectroscopy at Anton Paar, at the Institute of Physics Belgrade.

Viktor presented Anton Paar’s latest portable Raman spectroscopy instrument, showcasing its potential for quick and flexible material analysis. The visit sparked an engaging exchange on current research needs and possibilities for future collaboration.

We’re looking forward to continued exchange and future collaboration on scientific tools and technologies.