REC “SM&BA” at a Glance
Key Metrics
- Publications: 0
- Q1–Q2 Papers: 0
- Research Grants: 0
- Top H‑Index: 0
- Top IF Journal: 0
Our Team
- 19 PostDocs
- 9 PhD Students
+28 students, 9 adjuncts, 10–20 interns/yr, 20 alumni.
Research Laboratories
Laboratory of Plasmonic and Magneto‑Optical Nanostructures
Head: Victor Konstantinovich Belyaev, Candidate of Physical and Mathematical Sciences
Team: 1 professor, 2 postdocs, 2 postgraduate students, 2 master's students, 2 undergraduate students
Main Research Areas
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Magnetic field sensing:
Development of magnetoplasmonic crystal-based sensors for high-sensitivity magnetic field mapping and detection.
Magnetic field mapping using 1D and 2D magnetoplasmonic crystals. Murzin, D., Belyaev, V., et al. (2024). Sensors and Actuators A: Physical. -
Photothermal cancer therapy:
Research into composite nanoparticle systems for targeted photothermal therapy applications.
Composite nanoparticles (Au@CoFe₂O₄) and their photothermal effect. Journal of Biophotonics (2024).
Smart Polymer Composite Laboratory
Head: Dr. Petr Alexandrovich Ershov
Team: 1 Ph.D., 2 graduate students, 1 undergraduate student
Main Research Areas
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Design and fabrication of multiferroic polymer-based composites
We develop innovative multiferroic composite materials combining piezoelectric and magnetic properties.
Magnetoelectric PLA filament production. Amirov, A., et al. Processes, 10, 2412. (2022). -
3D printing with magnetoelectric composite filaments for biomedical use
Our team creates printable filaments for additive manufacturing of functional magnetoelectric devices.
Magnetic map of a printed “B” letter from a PLA/CFO composite. Ershov, P., et al. Materials Letters, 382, 137913. (2025). 
DIW and FDM printed structures with complex geometries.
Laboratory of Biomaterials
Head: Dr. Ekaterina Viktorovna Levada
Team: 1 PhD, 1 candidate of biological sciences, 1 junior research fellow, 1 engineer, 3 postgraduate students, 8 students
Main Research Areas
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Nanocomposites for Photothermal Therapy
We develop novel photothermal theranostic techniques for cancer treatment.
Huh7 cells after 24h cultivation with composite nanoparticles. Motorzhina, A., et al. ACS Applied Bio Materials (in publishing). -
Smart Materials for Stem Cell Differentiation
Investigating how smart materials can direct stem cell differentiation through biophysical stimulation.
Neuronal stem cell cultivated on a PVDF-based surface. Omelyanchik, A., et al. Nanomaterials, 11(5), 1154 (2021). -
Magnetic Nanoparticles in Cancer Theranostics
Studying nanoparticle-induced autophagy and cytotoxicity in tumor cells, enhancing internalization with magnetic fields.
Tumor cells stimulation with nanoclusters. Levada, K., et.al. Nano Convergence, 7, 17 (2020). 
Magnetic field assisted tumor cell treatment, enhancing nanoparticle internalization. Pshenichnikov, S., et al. J. Magn. Magn. Mater., 523, 1 (2021). -
3D Bioprinting with Collagen Bioinks
Developing and testing collagen-based bioinks for printing functional biological structures.
Letters printed by collagen bioinks.
Laboratory of Functional Nanomaterials and Computational Design
Head: PhD in Chemistry, Researcher Magomedov Kurban Eduardovich
Team: 1 doctoral student, 2 postdocs, 1 postgraduate student, 3 master's students, 4 undergraduate students
Main Research Areas
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Physical Chemistry of Magnetic Nanomaterials and 2D Materials:
We delve into the physical chemistry of magnetic nanomaterials and 2D materials, including spinel ferrites, perovskites, doped cobalt ferrites, bismuth ferrites, core/shell magnetic nanoparticles, and MXenes. The aim is to understand and manipulate physical and chemical properties of these materials for specific applications.
TEM of MNPs with different sizes. Omelyanchik, A., et al. Nanoscale Adv., 3.24, 6912–6924. (2021). -
Nanostructures for Environmental Applications:
We focus on the development and application of nanostructures, such as magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles and MXenes, for environmental remediation technologies. The primary objectives include the creation of effective nanoadsorbents, and the exploration of surface coating techniques for wastewater treatment and photocatalysis enhancement.
Adsorption of Methylene Blue (MB) on the functionalized iron oxide nanoparticle. Magomedov, K.E., et al. Bull. Russ. Acad. Sci. Phys., 87, 720–727. (2023). -
Magnetic Nano- and Microfillers for Smart Materials & Additive Manufacturing:
We develop magnetic nano- and microfillers for composite magnetic filaments, and 3D-print structures with tunable magnetic properties. For this, we produce magnetic and ferroelectric particles of different sizes and chemical compositions. Our goal is to advance the development of functional materials with defined magnetic and electrical properties.
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Advanced Electrode Materials for Energy Storage:
We design, synthesize, and characterize novel nanomaterials for next-generation energy storage devices. Our research focuses on high-performance anode materials for Lithium-Ion (LIB) and Sodium-Ion Batteries (SIB), as well as electrode materials for Supercapacitors (SC). Key materials include tailored MXenes, nanostructured carbon-based materials, and composites, with special attention to morphology, surface chemistry, and electrochemical performance.
Laboratory of Nano- and Micromagnetism
Head: Kolesnikova Valeria Grigorevna
Team: 1 candidate of physical and mathematical sciences, 3 junior research fellows, 1 engineer, 2 students
Main Research Areas
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Magnetic Properties of Micro- and Nanostructures
We complexly examine magnetic properties of various micro- and nanostructures, such as microwires, thin films, nanoparticles of various shapes, materials for memory and logical devices. Our work includes studying the magnetic anisotropy, FORC, IRM-DCD analysis, micromagnetic structure, domain wall dynamics, FMR and high-frequency impedance of these structures. The ultimate goal is to leverage these properties for advanced technologies, including spintronics and rare-earth free magnets.
(left) Strontium hexaferrite, (right) Ni-substituted cobalt ferrite. *Unpublished data 
Mn-substituted cobalt ferrite. *Unpublished data 
v(H) dependences in Fe77.5Si7.5B15 microwire with two regimes of DW motion (left) and SEM image of the core/shell bimagnetic microwires with asymmetric shell (right). Savin V. et al. Intermetallics. – 2025. – Т. 181. – С. 108726; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmmm.2023.171399 One of our research interests is to understand and describe mechanisms of magnetization reversal processes as well as magnetic anisotropy phenomenon in thin film structures based on magnetically soft and magnetically hard alloys. We study such structures as permalloy or Co based thin film materials, not just flat ones but also nanostructured like with a special relief. We provide precise analysis for magnetic hysteresis behavior and its relation to a sample crystal structure and other characteristics. Such investigations help us to develop new materials for a particular application in the field of spintronics or magnetic sensorics.
Hysteresis loops (left) and atomic force microscope images for two-dimensional permalloy based magnetoplasmonic crystals. https://doi.org/10.1134/S0031918X2360197X -
Magnetoelectric composite materials for magnetic field detection
We clarify mechanisms of origins magnetoelectric effect in polymer-based thin film composites. We examine magnetoelectric composite films based on polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and ferromagnetic nanoparticles. Our work includes synthesis of magnetic nanoparticles based on cobalt, iron, manganese, studying of their magnetic, thermal and structure properties and also studying magnetic, dielectric and magnetoelectric properties of thin film composites. These composites are notable because they merge magnetic and ferroelectric properties, offering significant magnetoelectric coupling at room temperature, which is a promising feature for new multifunctional devices. [1, 2, 5]
Self-made unit for measuring the Magnetoelectric coefficient (left); Dependencies of the ME voltage coefficient (αME) on DC bias magnetic field composites at AC field frequency of 10 kHz for PVDF-TrFE -based samples with ZCFO, BTO5/CFO and BTO10/CFO fillers (right). https://doi.org/10.3390/nano11051154 -
Digital twins of magnetic micromaterials and composites
We are studying the properties of three-phase composite materials using a computer experiment. To examine the direct magnetoelectric effect, we exploit the finite element method implemented using Python and the DOLFINx library. Experiments on the investigation of the micromagnetic properties of composite fillers were conducted using the mumax3 modeling package. We also study magnetic interactions of nano- and microsized ferromagnetic materials, and create their digital twins via MuMax and Comsol Multiphysics setups. This approach of creating accurate virtual representations of physical materials helps in understanding the correlation between microstructure and magnetic properties, ultimately accelerating the development of new and optimized materials. [3, 8]
A 2D cell that comprises a single-domain uniaxial particle experiencing the joint action of magnetostrictive and magnetorotational effects (left), and micromagnetic simulations of Fe-based microwire domain structure (right). Stolbov, O.V.; Raikher, Y.L. Nanomaterials 2024, 14, 31. https://doi.org/10.3390/nano14010031; *unpublished data -
High-tech instrument making
Our activities include the development and creation of specialized equipment for materials research.
Equipment complex for optimization of ferroelectric properties of multiferroics based on piezopolymers. 
Magnetometric complex for studying of the magnetization reversal of soft magnetic micro-materials (hysteresis losses study). 
Development and creation of a promising magnetometric complex for the study of geological rocks and structural materials (in frame of RSF project 25-72-30009).
Education at REC SM&BA
In partnership with the School of Nanotechnology and Engineering, we supervise cutting-edge educational programs at Immanuel Kant Baltic Federal University.
Immanuel Kant Baltic Federal University
Core Focus Areas
Educational Focus
- Physics
- Material Science
- Engineering
Objective Focuses
- Biomedical & Industrial Applications
- Neurotechnologies
- Space Industry Engine Production
- Solar Power Engineering
Education Features
- Real Student Projects
- Problem-Based Learning
- "Start-up as a Diploma" Track
- Science-Oriented Education
Our Programs
Applied Physics for High-Tech Industries
On the basis of general physics, students learn applied and engineering aspects of advanced engine manufacturing for the space industry.
Smart Materials Design / Functional Nanomaterials
This program broadens and deepens students' knowledge in physics and material science. During the first year, students are introduced to techniques for creating and characterizing smart materials while solving related scientific problems. The second year is dedicated to intensive research practice, fostering interdisciplinary projects under the guidance of leading scientists.
Solar Energy and Renewable Resources
Students learn to organize technological processes for the production of photovoltaic converters and modules, design and construct solar power plants, and utilize other types of alternative energy.
Our Education Partners
- ITMO University
- ETU “LETI”
- EDB “Fakel”
- GC “Hevel”
- Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University
Events Organized by REC “SM&BA”
International Baltic Conference on Magnetism “IBCM”
IBCM is a biannual conference providing a forum for discussion on the latest achievements in fundamental and applied aspects of nanomagnetism, with a special focus on nanobiomedicine and smart materials.
Key Fields:
- Nanobiomedicine
- Nanomagnetism
- Smart Materials
- Digital Twins of Magnetic Materials
Smart Composites International School “SCIS”
A two-week school for students and young scientists, divided into tracks for beginners and advanced researchers to explore the field of smart composites and their applications.
Topics Include:
- Magnetic & Piezoelectric Particles
- Polymer-based Composites
- Digital Twins of Smart Composites
- Applications of Smart Composites
Sofia Kovalevskaya Mathematical Seminars
These scientific seminars aim to foster cooperation between mathematical centers and institutes, improve training quality, and provide a platform for young scientists to discuss achievements in soft magnetic materials.