Sad Demise of Academician Boldyrev
Dear Members of the Mechanochemistry Community,
It is with profound sorrow that we announce the passing of Academician Vladimir Vyacheslavovich Boldyrev, a pioneering figure and giant in the field of solid-state chemistry and mechanochemistry, who died on November 9, 2025.
Academician Boldyrev was a towering presence in the scientific community for decades. He was a leading figure at the Institute of Solid State Chemistry and Mechanochemistry, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences in Novosibirsk, which he directed for 23 years. His work laid much of the foundation for modern mechanochemistry, defining processes where chemical transformations are stimulated by mechanical force.
His international recognition included his election in 1988 as the founding president of the International Mechanochemistry Association of IUPAC. He was awarded the State Prize of the Russian Federation in the field of science and technology in 1993 and the Kurnakov Gold Medal in 2005, among many other honours.
Beyond his extensive research and numerous publications, Professor Boldyrev was a revered educator and mentor. He was the first in the USSR to teach solid state chemistry as a general university course, and many of his former students have gone on to hold leading positions in science worldwide. Even at the age of 98, he remained professionally active and affiliated with the Voevodskii Institute of Chemical Kinetics and Combustion (SBRAS). His dedication and creativity will remain a constant source of inspiration to colleagues and the emerging generation of scholars in mechanochemistry.
His passing is an immense loss to the global scientific community. We extend our deepest sympathies to his family, friends, and colleagues.
Sincerely,
Members of the EuChemS WP on Mechanochemistry
🚨 Postdoctoral Position Open – Nickelate Superconductors 🚨
Join the Jožef Stefan Institute (Ljžubljana, Slovenia) for an exciting postdoctoral opportunity in the rapidly growing field of nickelate superconductors!
We are looking for candidates to work on the synthesis of novel bulk layered nickelates and the study of their structural, magnetic, and superconducting properties. The project includes advanced characterization techniques (PXRD, SCXRD, XAS, Raman, 3D ED), magnetometry, and high-pressure experiments using diamond anvil cells.
📍 Location: Electronic Ceramics Department, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
📅 Start date: May 2026 (or earlier)
⏳ Duration: 1 year, with possibility of extension
👩🔬 Supervisor: Dr. Mirela Dragomir
If you are passionate about mechanochemistry, superconductivity, and advanced materials research, this is a fantastic opportunity to join a cutting-edge international project.
For more information, contact:
Full call details and application information are available here: Postdoc-position-Dragomir.pdf
Call for Applications – EuChemS Mechanochemistry Award 2026
The EuChemS Working Party on Mechanochemistry is proud to announce the launch of a new annual award to recognise outstanding scientific contributions to the field of mechanochemistry and mechanical processing, with a strong focus on sustainable development, innovation, and societal impact.
The award is open to established researchers active in mechanochemistry, holding a PhD with more than eight years of experience, and professionally based in a country represented by a EuChemS Member Organisation. The awardee will receive an official EuChemS certificate, a commemorative award, and the opportunity to present an invited lecture at the EuChemS conference (ECC-10, Antwerp, Belgium). A monetary prize of up to €1000 may also be granted, subject to sponsorship availability.
The deadline for applications is February 9, 2026.
Full call details and application information are available here: EuChemS_Mechanochemistry_Award.pdf
EuChemS Working Party on Mechanochemistry highlighted
The creation of the EuChemS Working Party on Mechanochemistry reported on the “Bridging Science and Sustainability in Chemistry Through Innovation” article published in the first issue of the EuChemS Magazine Plus.
Please find the information here: https://www.magazine.euchems.eu/bridging-science-and-sustainability-in-chemistry-through-innovation/
The EuChemS Working Party on Mechanochemistry was also highlighted in a recently published article in Open Research Europe. The article “Mechanochemistry in Europe: where we come from and where we are now” also describes other recent and ongoing activities around mechanochemistry.
It is available here: https://open-research-europe.ec.europa.eu/articles/5-73/v1