12th December 2023 will mark a historic moment at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (BAS) as the inauguration of the National Center of Mechatronics and Clean Technologies will take place at the Campus Geo Milev in the presence of the Bulgarian Prime Minister Denkov and the Head of the Commission Representation in Sofia Boyko Blagoev. This cutting-edge facility, boasting a budget of nearly 70 million BGN (EUR 35 million), is the largest in capacity and concentration of scientific potential, funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) as part of the Operational Program "Science and Education for Smart Growth."
Milestone in Innovation: Inauguration of the National Center of Mechatronics and Clean Technologies at Campus Geo Milev, Financed by ERDF
- 12 December 2023
The Campus Geo Milev is a vital component of the Center for Excellence in Mechatronics and Clean Technologies, set to be established by the end of 2023. The campus integrates 12 scientific units within the BAS, with a focus on catalytic and sorption technologies in energy, transportation, and environmental preservation. Activities include the creation of new functional materials through eco-friendly technologies, technologies for the transformation and storage of clean energy, and methods for obtaining, purifying, and storing hydrogen.
The overarching goal of the research conducted at the complex is to achieve excellence in scientific achievements, contributing to enhancing the competitiveness of the Bulgarian industry in crucial technological areas such as mechanics, electronics, control systems, and electromobility. This, in turn, will facilitate a faster transition towards a green, energy-efficient, and circular economy.
The 14 operational laboratories on the campus serve as hubs for intensive research work. The results obtained in 2022 were presented in 55 publications in renowned international journals. The construction of a modern, specialized infrastructure in the Laboratory Complex at Campus Geo Milev will establish a center for both clean technologies and mechatronics. This center will conduct research at a European and global level, prepare young researchers in the priority scientific areas of the National Development Program "Bulgaria 30," support businesses with innovative solutions, and strengthen the science-business relationship.
The National Center's inauguration represents not only a significant step forward for Bulgaria in terms of technological innovation but also underscores the commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility. The collaborative efforts, supported by the ERDF, are poised to leave an enduring impact on the scientific landscape and contribute to Bulgaria's standing in the global scientific community.