Research Activities

Our latest publications (selected from last 12 months)

The Dark Side of Space Mirrors

The Dark Side of Space Mirrors

The first space mirror was officially approved to be launched to the orbit in the near future. How the space mirrors will affect the night sky was calculated by our scientist. Our colleage Dr. Miroslav Kocifaj had an inteview about the effect of the space mirrors on Slovak Radio in the show Slovensko Dnes.

You can listen the inteview   HERE

The interview was translated and broadcast on the German editorial of the Slovak radio. You can listen the interview in German language here:  HERE

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New job opportunities at the Institute

New job opportunities at the Institute

The Director of the Institute of Construction and Architecture of the Slovak Academy of Sciences is announcing a call for applications for the position of Researcher.

1, R4 - Researcher, leading research activities.

Type of work, responsibilities, and duties:
10.01 Creative problem-solving in science and technology development in an original way, with a decisive impact on economic and social growth, including professional leadership of the research team, performed by an employee after receiving scientific qualification level IIa.
10.02 Creating concepts and coordinating projects of international importance in line with the integration of European Union programs and other international organizations, performed by an employee after receiving scientific qualification level IIa.

More details - HERE

2, R3 – Established Researcher

Type of Work, Responsibilities, and Duties:
09.01 Creative solutions for tasks in the development of science and technology, with the implementation of results in economic and social practice, including professional management of a team.
09.02 Creative solutions for tasks in the development of science and technology with previously unspecified outcomes that are crucial for the advancement of the scientific field.
– Conducting basic and applied research in the fields of chemistry, construction, and materials engineering.
Type of Employment: fixed-term employment until 31.12.2027
Workload: 100% of the standard weekly working hours
Salary Grade: 9
Expected Start Date: 01.10.2026
Salary Conditions: Basic gross monthly salary of at least €1,569 for full-time employment

More details - HERE

3, R3 – Established Researcher (second position)

Type of Work, Responsibilities, and Duties:
09.01 Creative solutions for tasks in the development of science and technology, with the implementation of results in economic and social practice, including professional management of a team.
09.02 Creative solutions for tasks in the development of science and technology with previously unspecified outcomes that are crucial for the advancement of the scientific field.
– Conducting basic and applied research in the fields of chemistry, construction, and materials engineering.
Type of Employment: fixed-term employment until 31.12.2027
Workload: 100% of the standard weekly working hours
Salary Grade: 9
Expected Start Date: 01.10.2026
Salary Conditions: Basic gross monthly salary of at least €1,569 for full-time employment

More details - HERE

4, R2 – research worker

Type of work, authorizations, and responsibilities:
08.01 Independent handling of partial research and development tasks or carrying out research and development work in the implementation of science and technology tasks using theoretical knowledge in the relevant scientific field.
– conducting basic and applied research in the field of chemistry and materials engineering,
Type of employment: fixed-term employment until 31.12.2027
Extent of employment: 100% of the established weekly working time Salary grade: 8
Expected start date: 01.10.2026
Salary conditions: Basic gross monthly salary of at least €1466.50 for 100% employment

More details - HERE

5, R1 – Researcher in the first stage

Type of work, authorizations, and responsibilities:
07.01 Independently handling partial tasks in the development of science and technology
– carrying out partial tasks of basic and applied research in the field of applied mechanics
Type of employment: fixed-term employment until 31.12.2027
Workload: 30% of the standard weekly working hours
Salary grade: 7
Expected start date: 01.10.2026
Salary conditions: Basic gross monthly salary of at least €410.25 for a 30% workload

More details - HERE

6, R1 – Researcher in the first stage

Type of work, authorizations, and responsibilities:
07.01 Independent handling of partial tasks in the development of science and technology
– handling partial tasks of basic and applied research in the field of chemistry and materials engineering,
Type of employment: fixed-term employment until 31.12.2027
Workload: 50% of the standard weekly working hours
Salary grade: 7
Expected start date: 01.10.2026
Salary conditions: Basic gross monthly salary of at least €683.75 for a 50% workload

More details - HERE

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Conference: Artificial Light at Night conference series

Conference: Artificial Light at Night conference series

Conference “Artificial Light at Night conference series” will take place 26 July 2027 – 29 July 2027 in Valparaíso, Chile. Relevant topics include lighting, light pollution, artificial light at night, alan, skyglow. The event may be particularly relevant to Building physics / optics / thermophysics.

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COST funding opportunity – COST Open Call 2026

COST funding opportunity – COST Open Call 2026

Programme: COST Actions. Provider: COST Association. Deadline: 28 October 2026. Eligible applicants: researchers and innovators. The opportunity was assessed as relevant to USTARCH SAV research activities; consult the official source for authoritative conditions and details.

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Scientists warn: The night sky is disappearing; if we don’t act, human health will be at risk.

Scientists warn: The night sky is disappearing; if we don’t act, human health will be at risk.

The night sky is increasingly under assault by light pollution; its rise is spiraling out of control, and according to our experts, it can have a negative impact on both human health and the biosphere. If the situation does not change, future generations will not see a sky full of stars. Scientists from Slovak institutions are currently among the world leaders in measuring and predicting night-sky light pollution. Our scientists gave an interview to the *Víkend* supplement of the daily newspaper *SME*. Read more: HERE

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Our project among the top in 2025

Our project among the top in 2025

Our work was selected as one of the "Research Projects with Excellent Level" published in 2025. Our project is titled: "Research and Development of Multicomponent Cement Mixtures for Special Structural Materials" and the responsible researcher was Prof. Dr. Ing. Martin T. Palou. You can view the entire publication <a href="https://www.apvv.sk/agentura/informacna-tabula/publikacie-apvv.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>

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We obtain data on nighttime radiance of cities from NOAA VIIRS – comparison for Bratislava district

We obtain data on nighttime radiance of cities from NOAA VIIRS – comparison for Bratislava district

For Bratislava Region, NASA Black Marble / VIIRS gives us a compact way to follow changes in nighttime-light activity and to place them in the context of Slovakia as a whole. The current comparison uses the complete monthly composites for 2025 and 2024, while the separate long-term table uses the official annual composites for 2015–2024. This distinction keeps the most recent comparison methodologically consistent and still preserves a longer historical view. At the Department of Optics and Thermophysics of USTARCH SAV, the data are relevant to research on light pollution, skyglow, diffuse night-sky light and the propagation of artificial light through the atmosphere. The share of Slovakia shown in the article also helps indicate how large a part of the national nighttime-light indicator is associated with the selected region.

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Climate data help us understand the building–environment relationship – current data for Bratislava

Climate data help us understand the building–environment relationship – current data for Bratislava

For understanding the building–environment relationship, the article is anchored to the newest NASA POWER meteorological data rather than to the slowest parameter. Current temperature, relative humidity and 10 m wind describe the immediate outdoor boundary conditions relevant to materials, structures, thermophysics and optics. Global horizontal irradiation (GHI) is added to the current tables only when the POWER solar stream is also recent; otherwise it is omitted rather than presenting old solar data as current. Monthly and annual tables retain GHI only for periods where the solar series is sufficiently complete.

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Our research also requires knowledge of aerosol parameters – current data for Bratislava

Our research also requires knowledge of aerosol parameters – current data for Bratislava

Aerosols are an important part of the optical state of the atmosphere because they influence scattering and attenuation of radiation. For Bratislava we therefore follow AOD at 550 nm together with PM2.5, PM10 and the European AQI, using the latest complete day 21 August 2026 and the preceding weeks for context. Daily values reveal short aerosol episodes, while the weekly comparisons show whether the situation is persistent or only temporary. At the Department of Optics and Thermophysics of USTARCH SAV, this information is relevant to research on atmospheric light scattering, skyglow, diffuse light and daylight availability. The tables below summarize the current aerosol situation without replacing local in-situ air-quality measurements.

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EU funding opportunity – HORIZON-CL5-2026-09-D4-03

EU funding opportunity – HORIZON-CL5-2026-09-D4-03

EU funding opportunity – HORIZON-CL5-2026-09-D4-03. Advanced data platforms to integrate whole life carbon in building information tools, assessments, and certification (Built4People Partnership). Programme: Horizon Europe. Deadline: 15 September 2026. This brief is assembled from structured Funding & Tenders Portal data.

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Supplementary election of a member of the Board of Directors

Supplementary election of a member of the Board of Directors

Dear members of the academic community of the Institute of Construction and Architecture of the Slovak Academy of Sciences (ÚSTARCH SAV, v. v. i.), The Scientific Council of the Institute of Construction and Architecture of the Slovak Academy of Sciences (ÚSTARCH SAV, v. v. i.) in Bratislava announces a supplementary election for a member of the Supervisory Board of the public research institution (hereinafter referred to as "v. v. i."). The powers of Supervisory Board members are defined in Act No. 243/2017 Coll., Section 17, paragraphs 1–9. The notice regarding the supplementary election of a member of the Supervisory Board of the public research institution is available here. Date, time, and venue of the interview and election: July 23, 2026, starting at 10:00 AM, in the Institute's meeting room (held in a hybrid format).

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Announcement of the by-election of a member of the Executive Board

Announcement of the by-election of a member of the Executive Board

Announcement of the by-election of a member of the Board of Directors of ÚSTARCH SAS, v. v. i.

Dear members of the academic community of the Institute of Civil Engineering and Architecture SAS, v.v.i., The Scientific Council of the Institute of Civil Engineering and Architecture SAS, v. v. i., in Bratislava announces the by-election of a member of the Board of Directors of the public research institution (hereinafter referred to as the v. v. i.). The powers of the Board of Directors members are defined in Act No. 243/2017, Coll., §17, paragraphs 1-9. The announcement of the by-election of a member of the Board of Directors is here Place and time of the interview and election: January 28, 2026 in a hybrid format from 10:00 in the conference room of the institute.

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INVITATION to the assembly of the academic community ÚSTARCH SAS, v. v. i.

INVITATION to the assembly of the academic community ÚSTARCH SAS, v. v. i.

Dear members of the academic community of the Institute of Civil Engineering and Architecture SAS, v. v. i., the Scientific Council together with the Administrative Council of the Institute of Civil Engineering and Architecture SAS, v. v. i., would like to invite you to the meeting of the academic community, the purpose of which is the selection procedure for the position of Director of the Institute of Civil Engineering and Architecture SAS, v. v. i. The meeting will be held in a hybrid (in person and via videoconference) format: • April 22, 2026 (Wednesday) • At 10:00 a.m. • In the meeting room of the Institute of Civil Engineering and Architecture SAS, v. v. i. INVITATION INVITATION in English

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Announcement of a selection procedure for the position of director of the organization

Announcement of a selection procedure for the position of director of the organization

Announcement of a selection procedure for the position of Director of ÚSTARCH SAS, v. v. i.

The President of the Slovak Academy of Sciences announces a selection procedure for the position of Director of the organization: Institute of Civil Engineering and Architecture SAS, v. v. i. Dúbravská cesta 9, 845 03 Bratislava Required qualifications, list of documents and further information about the selection procedure can be found HERE Send applications for participation in the selection procedure together with the required documents no later than March 18, 2026 to the following address: Slovak Academy of Sciences Personnel Department of the Slovak Academy of Sciences Štefánikova 49 814 38 Bratislava

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Announcement of the by-election of the Scientific Board

Announcement of the by-election of the Scientific Board

Announcement on the by-election of a member of the Scientific Council of ÚSTARCH SAS, v. v. i.

Dear members of the academic community of the Institute of Civil Engineering and Architecture SAS, v.v.i., The Board of Directors of the Institute of Civil Engineering and Architecture SAS, v. v. i. in Bratislava announces the by-election of members of the Scientific Council of the public research institution (hereinafter referred to as v. v. i.). The powers of the Scientific Council members are defined in Act No. 243/2017, Coll., §18, paragraphs 1 – 8. The announcement of the by-election of a member of the Scientific Council is here Place and time of the interview and election: January 28, 2026 in a hybrid format from 10:00 in the conference room of the institute.

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Open day at the Institute – 14.11.2025

Open day at the Institute – 14.11.2025

Open day at the Institute - 14th November 2025

03 November 2025

During the Science and Technology Week, we will hold a traditional Open Day on November 14, 2025 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Visitors will see how new types of building materials are tested, learn about research area of applied mechanics, as well as modern methods of numerical simulations in statics and dynamics. They will also see a new multimedia sky simulator (the 1st planetarium in Bratislava) and its use in light pollution research.

Our research is closely related to modern materials, constructions, physics, chemistry, technology, and environmental protection - topics that can be inspiring for students of technical or natural sciences, as well as the general public.

You are all warmly welcome!  

Flyer can be seen HERE For more information, see Týždeň vedy a techniky 2025 For the reservations, contact us: usarlako@savba.sk

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Prospects of Artificial Intelligence in the Environment

Prospects of Artificial Intelligence in the Environment

Prospects of Artificial Intelligence in the Environment

by Ajitanshu Vedrtnam, Kevin P. Wyche, Balendra V. S. Chauhan, and Sneha Verma

This book offers a pioneering and comprehensive exploration of the transformative role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in environmental science and sustainability. It presents an in-depth analysis of AI’s applications in environmental monitoring, climate modeling, renewable energy optimization, disaster management, ecosystem preservation, and natural resource conservation. What makes this book unique is its interdisciplinary perspective—bridging advanced AI techniques with real-world environmental challenges. It introduces readers to the mathematical foundations of AI models, presents practical case studies, and explores both the beneficial and adverse impacts of AI on the environment.

Key highlights include:

        • AI-driven predictive models for climate change, pollution, and natural disasters.
        • Detailed strategies for AI-powered renewable energy and resource optimization.
        • Novel frameworks combining machine learning, optimization, and numerical methods.
        • Critical discussion on AI’s environmental costs, such as energy use and electronic waste.

The book serves as a valuable resource for researchers, students, policymakers, and AI practitioners seeking innovative and sustainable solutions to ecological issues. It also acts as a reference guide for advancing future research in AI-enhanced environmental sciences.

ISBN: 978-981-96-6862-5

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-96-6863-2

Published by Springer Nature Singapore, 2025.

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Student Scientific Conference

Student Scientific Conference

Student Scientific Conference

18 April 2025

On April 16, 2025, our colleagues had the pleasure of sitting on the jury of the Student Scientific Conference, at the Department of Materials Engineering and Physics at the Faculty of Civil Engineering of the Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava, to help promising engineers move forward in their studies and careers.

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Conference Kvalita cementu 2025

Conference Kvalita cementu 2025

Kvalita Cementu Conference 2025

3 April 2025

The Institute of Construction and Architecture of the Slovak Academy of Sciences traditionally participates in the Kvalita Cementu conference, which was taking place in Ostrava.

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