Research, education, applications
Institute of Physical Chemistry
Polish Academy of Sciences
7.07.2026
Interview with the Marshal of the Mazowieckie Voivodeship, Adam Struzik, MD, PhD, marking the co-organization of the 5th International Photonics and Quantum Job Fair
The 5th International Photonics and Quantum Job Fair brought together...
30.06.2026
IChF researchers awarded 11 National Science Centre grants
Researchers from the Institute of Physical Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences...
25.06.2026
Goodbye transition metals – novel approach in organic synthesis
Controlling regioselectivity remains one of the major challenges in...
24.06.2026
Seeing through optical noise: a sharper way to image the eye
Modern OCT devices can look inside the eye without a scalpel – but they do not...
18.06.2026
IChF at the 29th Science Picnic at the National Stadium in Warsaw
On Saturday, June 13, 2026, the Institute of Physical Chemistry, Polish Academy...
3.06.2026
From Dreams and Crossroads to Scientific Success. Prof. Joanna Niedziółka-Jönsson Inspires Students at Multischool International School
On June 2, 2026, students of Multischool International School in Warsaw had a...
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Added 29 Jun 2026
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PUBLIC DEFENCE OF THE PHD THESIS
Warsaw, June 29, 2026. SRN.431.6.2026 NOTICE the public defence of the Ph.D....
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Added 25 Jun 2026
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PUBLIC DEFENCE OF THE PHD THESIS
Warsaw, June 22, 2026. SRN.431.3.2026 NOTICE the public defence of the Ph.D....
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Added 12 Jun 2026
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PUBLIC DEFENCE OF THE PHD THESIS
Warsaw, June 12, 2026. SRN.431.1.2026 NOTICE the public defence of the Ph.D....
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Added 1 Jun 2026
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PUBLIC DEFENCE OF THE PHD THESIS
Warsaw, May 29, 2026. SRN.431.2.2026 NOTICE the public defence of the Ph.D....
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Added 22 May 2026
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PUBLIC DEFENCE OF THE PHD THESIS
Warsaw, May 21, 2026. SRN.431.19.2025.2026 NOTICE the public defence of the Ph.D....
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Added 25 Mar 2026
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PUBLIC DEFENCE OF THE PHD THESIS
Warsaw, March 25, 2026. SRN.431.15.2025.2026 NOTICE the public defence of the Ph.D....
2.04.2026
Chemistry outreach workshops for children: Q1 2026 summary
The Institute of Physical Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences (IChF) regularly...
26.09.2025
Expert Database of the Institute of Physical Chemistry PAS: scientists open for media collaboration
On the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the Institute of Physical Chemistry,...
26.06.2025
Science starts young – IChF’s spring outreach for children and youth
The second quarter of 2025 at the Institute of Physical Chemistry, Polish Academy...
20.05.2025
Institute of Physical Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences (IChF) at the 2025 Science Picnic in Warsaw
On Saturday May 10th, IChF participated in the 28th edition of the Science...
10.04.2025
Inspiring curiosity: IChF engages children and youth in hands-on science in Q1 2025
Throughout the first quarter of 2025, the Institute of Physical Chemistry, Polish...
10.11.2023
Ursynów Science Festival
In October, the Ursynów Science Festival took place, in which our Institute also...
19.12.2025
Dream Chemistry Award 2025: visionary scientific ideas celebrated in Prague
The final of the Dream Chemistry Award (DCA) 2025 took place on December 1–2,...
8.12.2025
Launch of the project "WelcomeIChF: Support and Integration of Foreign Employees at IChF PAS"
On 1 October 2025, the Institute of Physical Chemistry PAS (IChF)...
29.10.2025
"From ideas to instruments": Prof. Jürgen Popp on the power of strategic partnerships, AI-enhanced photonics, and citizen science
In late October 2025, the Institute of Physical Chemistry, Polish Academy of...
27.10.2025
European Commission representatives visit IChF and ICTER: making impact with EU funds
On October 13, 2025, the Institute of Physical Chemistry, Polish Academy of...
11.04.2024
Strategic partnership with the Leibniz Institute of Photonic Technology
The extension of partnerships with top European research institutions is part of...
14.02.2024
Overseas partnerships: participation in the BERSTIC network and signature of a Memorandum of Understanding with Universidad Cooperativa de Colombia
An important aspect of our activities is building global alliances to drive...
Get to know the Institute of Physical Chemistry,
Polish Academy of Sciences
The Institute of Physical Chemistry of the Polish Academy of Sciences (IPC PAS) in Warsaw is one of the best Polish scientific units dealing with chemistry in the broadest sense of the word and in its category it is ranked among the highest in the rankings of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education.
The Institute was established on 19 March 1955 as the first chemical institute of the Polish Academy of Sciences.
At present, the IPC is strongly connected with the latest world directions of physical chemistry and chemical physics development.
The entity has the right to confer the academic degree of doctor and doctor habilitated in chemistry. We employ over 200 researchers, including 20 with the title of professor.
Lecture and seminars
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25 Jun 2026
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Physical Chemistry of Complex Systems (Group 13) Seminar
- Hiroyuki Kitahata (Chiba University), Muneyuki Matsuo and Kohei Inoue (Hiroshima University), Yuki Koyano (Kobe University)
- Seminar Hall
- See more
Physical Chemistry of Complex Systems (Group 13) Seminar
- Date: 25 Jun 2026, 13:00
- Lecturer: Hiroyuki Kitahata (Chiba University), Muneyuki Matsuo and Kohei Inoue (Hiroshima University), Yuki Koyano (Kobe University)
- Institution: Seminar Hall
- Abstract:
The list of speakers:
[10 min]
Hiroyuki Kitahata (Chiba University)
Introduction: On our new bilateral project "Controlling collective
behaviors of self-propelled objects through dynamic non-reciprocal
interactions"
[30 min]
Muneyuki Matsuo (Hiroshima Univeresity)
Physico-chemical toy models of life
Autopoiesis is one of the characteristic features of life. Life can form
itself through emergence, self-sustainability, self-reproducibility, and
self-recursibity. By the synergy between chemical reactions and physical
properties, I have constructed autopoietic physico-chemical systems;
proliferating liposomes, synchronized swimming droplets, the self-growth
and self-division of inorganic droplets, and collective catalysts.
We will discuss on the origins of life and the industrial applications
based on these systems, and our collaboration.
[15 min]
Kohei Inoue (Hiroshima University)
Revolution of a symmetric self-propelled object depending on the orbit
radiusWe investigated the revolution of a symmetric camphor boat connected to
the center of a water chamber via a wire. Depending on the orbit radius,
the boat exhibited three types of motion, i.e., continuous motion,
repetition between motion and rest, and pulsating motion. These
behaviors were discussed in relation to the distribution of camphor
molecules around the boat based on the difference in the orbit radius.
The present study suggests that various types of motion can be designed
based on the symmetry of the distribution of the molecules that generate
the driving force for self-propulsion.
[30 min]
Yuki Koyano (Kobe University)
Diffusiophoretic motion coupled with droplet shape
Among self-propelled systems, droplets often exhibit motion accompanied
by deformation, where the motion induces deformation, which in turn
influences the motion itself. To elucidate the coupling between
self-propulsion and shape deformation, we develop a theoretical model of
a droplet driven by gradients in interfacial energy. Specifically, a
droplet releasing surfactant and thereby modifying the surrounding
surface tension is considered. The total energy of the system is defined
as the sum of the interfacial tension outside the droplet and the line
tension along its boundary. By taking variational derivatives of this
energy with respect to the droplet’s center-of-mass position and shape,
time-evolution equations governing the droplet velocity and deformation
are derived. Restricting attention to elliptical deformations, numerical
calculations reveal three distinct states depending on system
parameters: a translating elliptical state, a stationary elliptical
state, and a stationary circular state. The bifurcation structure
connecting these states is further analyzed as a function of the system
parameters.
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1 Jul 2026
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Presentation of Team 28 – “Catalysis for sustainable energy production and environmental protection, CatSEE”
- Team Leader: Prof. Dr. Juan Carlos Colmenares Quintero
- Next Door Cluster Research seminar, Aula and online
- See more
Presentation of Team 28 – “Catalysis for sustainable energy production and environmental protection, CatSEE”
- Date: 1 Jul 2026, 10:00
- Lecturer: Team Leader: Prof. Dr. Juan Carlos Colmenares Quintero
- Institution: Next Door Cluster Research seminar, Aula and online
- Place:
AULA AND ZOOM
https://zoom.us/j/92057447733?pwd=bx7Q2XgT8ta2IQhuPwX7NO8BSWqChz.1
ID: 920 5744 7733
PASSCODE: 286742
- Abstract:
Research Topics:
Team 28 (https://www.photo-catalysis.org) focuses on the design, preparation, characterization, and application of advanced solutions for catalytic processes.
- Our scientific mission is to develop alternative and sustainable technologies for the degradation and recovery of organic components in industrial waste.
- We apply state-of-the-art techniques such as catalysis, nanotechnology, and materials science to provide innovative solutions for sustainable energy generation. From capturing and transforming organic matter from wastewater to developing catalytic conversion processes for fossil fuels – we hold a talented team that provides excellent work.
- We focus on the development of new eco-friendly nanomaterials, piezo(photo)catalysts and processes. Our products are currently being used in various fields including pharmaceuticals and cosmetics, automotive, electronics and energy production with a future focus on food and nutrition.
