Western Caspian University

1. Strategy of the Center:

Each research project should be focused on achieving short-term or long-term results. In recent years, scientific fields such as solid-state physics, inorganic and organic chemistry, materials science, and nanotechnology are engaged in the production of smart materials and the study of their physical-chemical properties. The main reason for the interest in these materials is their wide application possibilities. The production of small-sized converters, the use of sensors, and the miniaturization of devices and systems are vivid examples of the application areas of smart materials. The creation of the Smart Materials Center at the Western Caspian University will be useful both for conducting scientific research at the university and for the teaching process. Based on recent measures taken to integrate science and education in the country, the establishment of this center is necessary. This center will be used in conducting research jointly with several departments of the university and in teaching the subjects offered by these departments.

“Information Technologies” Department cooperation:

With the development of information technologies, it has become possible to predict a number of processes in advance. For more targeted research, it is important for the Smart Materials Center to collaborate closely with the Department of Information Technologies. Using new software products, materials can be studied under external influences such as temperature, pressure, and ionizing radiation. Comparing calculations with experimental results allows for more efficient experiments and leads to the creation of more accurate new software products.

“Mechanics and Mathematics” Department cooperation:

Although experimental research is primarily planned in the Smart Materials Center, conducting theoretical research is also advisable. This is because every experimental research is based on fundamental theoretical knowledge. Conducting fundamental research in mechanics and mathematics in parallel with experiments allows research to be conducted on a new level. Mathematical calculations of empirical formulas obtained from experiments enable the determination of microscopic parameters that cannot be obtained from experiments.

“Programming and Information Security” Department cooperation:

Experimental research can collaborate with programming in two directions. One is the prior programming of experiments and predicting the results to be obtained, and the other is using software to analyze the experimental results. Interpolating the results of the experiment allows for the determination of parameters that cannot be measured in laboratory conditions. Depending on the level of programming and the accuracy of the calculations, higher results can be obtained. In this regard, collaboration between the Smart Materials Center and the Programming and Information Security Department will assist in solving such issues and obtaining more scientific results.

“Ecology and Environment” Department cooperation:

It is known that both anthropogenic factors and the development of technologies lead to an increase in ecological problems. The spread of the COVID-19 virus and the declaration of a special quarantine regime worldwide once again proved the importance of ecological problems. Therefore, in recent years, extensive research has been conducted on the impact of ecological problems on the environment. The activities in the Smart Materials Center aimed at neutralizing ecological waste will be beneficial both for obtaining new scientific results and for students studying in the field of ecology and environmental protection.

“Natural Sciences” Department cooperation:

It is known that smart materials are mainly obtained through synthetic methods. However, the study of materials already existing in nature plays an important role in explaining a number of natural processes. Examples of such materials include biomaterials, geomaterials, and others. Studying these materials is beneficial both for understanding the environment and for explaining a number of natural phenomena.

The close cooperation of the Smart Materials Center with various departments of the university will open new opportunities for enhancing the level of scientific research at the university and for using the obtained results in the teaching process.

2. Goals of the Center:

The Smart Materials Center should be aimed at achieving a number of short-term and long-term goals.

Short-term goals:

5. Increasing the number of articles in the university,
5. Engaging students and young researchers in research,
5. Organizing seminars and conferences at the university,
5. Participating in national and international grant projects,
6. Strengthening international cooperation.

Long-term goals:

5. Supporting the improvement of the universitys international ranking,
5. Attracting foreign students to the Western Caspian University,
5. Obtaining patents and author certificates at the national and international level,
5. Developing devices and systems for industrial application based on smart materials.

3. Research Methods:

• Synthesis of research objects,
• Study of the structure of research objects,
• Study of the optical properties of research objects,
• Study of the thermal properties of research objects.