Ukrainian Scientists Achieve Global Recognition During War: A Story of Cutting-Edge Advances in Physics
Amid Ukraine’s most challenging times — over two years of full-scale war — Ukrainian scientists continue to prove that science knows no borders and can be a beacon of hope in darkness.
This is the story of a unique project born and developed in Kharkiv, at one of Ukraine’s most vital scientific institutions — the Scintillation Materials Institute.
It narrates how, during the hardest periods, Ukrainian researchers created a new level of technology for global physics research and received international recognition.
In May 2022, while Kharkiv was still rocked by explosions and fierce battles, a team from this institute began growing crystals for complex detectors within the framework of the EU-funded TWISMA project.
Sometimes, the greatest breakthroughs occur amid great adversity.
Imagine: these innovative scientific efforts took place in a basement under relentless shelling and brutal fighting, when most colleagues had to leave the region or worked under terrifying war conditions.
The crystals created by Ukrainian physicists will become crucial components in the highly complex experiments of CERN’s Large Hadron Collider, located in Geneva, Switzerland.
They help researchers better detect and analyze millions of particle collisions at nearly the speed of light.
This contribution to fundamental physics is invaluable and demonstrates that even in destructive times, a nation can maintain leading scientific activity.
The TWISMA project, led by Dr.
Oleg Sidel’tsky and supported by institute director Boris Gryn’ov, aims to develop new highly sensitive crystals capable of enduring extreme loads and radiation.
These materials are already being tested at CERN, and their results have amazed the global scientific community, proving that Ukrainian researchers can overcome numerous bureaucratic and technical obstacles working in extreme conditions.
This achievement is not only scientific but also a symbol of the resilience of Ukrainian scholars, who continue to push forward for discoveries that can change the world.
It’s also noteworthy that this project became the first in Horizon Europe history to be coordinated by a Ukrainian research institution.
In war-torn conditions, with resource shortages and logistic challenges, Ukrainian scientists displayed exceptional professionalism, perseverance, and faith in their future.
It is a story of heroism, perseverance, and unwavering belief in the power of science.
Once again, it proves that even in the darkest times, human ingenuity and tenacity can accomplish extraordinary feats and push the boundaries of the possible.