Silicate Technology Departmen

The Silicate Technology Department detached 60 years ago as an independent training unit. Initially it trained students in the speciality Silicate Technology, and subsequently bachelors and masters in the specialities: Technology of glass, ceramics and binding agents, Engineering materials and material science, Materials and management, Glass, ceramics and binding agents, Silicate materials and Nanomaterials and nanotechnologies.

The first Head of the Chair was Prof. Eng. Stoyan Gutsov. Over the last decade, Heads of the Chair were Prof. Dr. Yordanka Ivanova (2002-2004), Assoc. Prof. Dr. Eng. Liliana Pavlova (2004 - 2008), Prof. Dr. Eng. Stoyan Djambazov (from 2008 till the present date).

The training and science-research activity in the department over the years was carried out by highly qualified scientific and tuition staff: Prof. Eng. Stoyan Gutsov, Prof. Eng. Encho Gerasimov, Prof. D.Sc. Eng. Svetlan Bachvarov, Prof. D.Sc. Eng. Marin Marinov, Prof. Dr. Eng. Vasil Valkov, Prof. Dr. Eng. Biserka Samuneva, Prof. Doctor of Mining and Geology Eng. Dobrinka Stavrakeva, Prof. Dr. Ivan Kasabov, Prof. D.Sc. Eng. Yanko Dimitriev, Prof. D.Sc. Eng. Vladimir Kozhuharov, Prof. Dr. Yordanka Ivanova, Prof. D.Sc. Eng. Liliana Zashkova, Prof. D.Sc. Eng. Veselin Dimitrov, Prof. Dr. Eng. Stoyan Djambazov, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Eng. Dobrinka Lepkova, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Eng. Hristina Boyadjieva, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Eng. Angel Atanasov, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Eng. Liliana Pavlova, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ivan Ivanov, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Eng. Peter Djambazki, Assoc.Prof. Dr. Eng. Albena Yoleva, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Eng. Anna Staneva, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Eng. Nina Penkova, Assoc.Prof. Dr. Eng. Irena Mihaylova, Assoc.Prof. Dr. Eng. Georgy Chernev.

Since establishment of the Chair till the present date, more than 1000 students graduated as bachelors and masters in the vocational divisions “Chemical technologies“ and “Materials and Materials science“. The total number of Ph.D. students trained in these vocational domains just over the recent few years is 27, of which 22 successfully defended their theses and were awarded Doctor’s degree.

The main scientific lines and achievements of Silicate Technology Chair are related to improvement of the classical silicate technologies, development of new technologies for synthesis of special-purpose materials (nanomaterials, nanocomposites, nanocoatings, ultra-disperse ceramic powders), modification of the structure and properties of vitreous, ceramic and construction materials, utilization of by-products and modeling of the thermal processes in processing furnaces in the silicate workshops.

In the recent 10 years the staff has been actively participating in the development of 6 International projects under the5th , 6th and 7th Working Program of the EC, Brussels, in 2 International projects under COST programs, 7 International projects for training under the ERASMUS program – MUNDUS, 8 National projects for Science Research at MEYS and 35 Scientific projects financed by the Science Research Sector at UCTM. Besides, a large part of the full-time Ph.D. students at the Chair whose professional experience allowed them to participate in the development of new scientific projects at international scientific centers in Portugal, the United Kingdom, Spain, Germany, Belgium, etc. have taken part in the development of international projects. Under educational projects and student exchange programs in the Chair, 17 foreign students from Egypt, Iraq and Spain were trained. Now some of them continue their training as full-time Ph.D. students at the department.

Financing under international projects allowed renovation of the equipment of the department. The equipment in the training laboratories was replaced by new furnaces, dryers, high-speed crusher, crusher, equipment for homogenizaton and mechanical activation of materials, thermodynamic analyzer TG-DSC and TG-DTA up to 1600oС - Linseis- Germany, optical microscope BOECO- Germany with digital camera, atomic power Microscope АСМ- Nanosurf – Switzerland, device for color characteristics of solid bodies, surfaces and solutions (coloristic) through LOVIBOND, UK, thickness meter for thin films, layers and coatings through Positector 6010- DeFelsko, USA, a plant for testing the operating characteristics of SOFC, електроchemical measurements apparatus – Auto Lab, Holland.

The Silicate Technology Chair maintains professional contacts with leading firms in the silicate industry: Khan Asparuh AD, Isperih; Khan Omurtag AD, Shumen; Ideal Standard AD, Sevlievo; Roka Bulgaria AD, Kaspichan; Caolin AD, Techkeramik AD, Mezdra, Wienerberger EOOD, Lukovit; Druzhba EAD, Sofia; Thracia Glass EAD, Targovishte; Titan AD, Zlatna Panega, etc. Many of the graduates find professional realization at these firms. The Chair maintains a long-standing science cooperation with the universities in Aveyro, Portugal; Castelon, Spain; Pattra, Greece; Jena, Germany, etc.