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Artificial Intelligence Accelerates Plasma Simulations and Opens New Pathways to Fusion Energy
Researchers at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering UL (UL FS) have developed a machine-learning approach that significantly accelerates complex physical simulations of plasma in fusion reactors. By using advanced surrogate models, researchers can predict plasma behaviour much faster, contributing to more efficient development of fusion energy as one of the key sustainable energy sources of the future.
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Amina Gačo Jež of the UL Biotechnical Faculty wins science slam
This year’s Food for the Brain Festival concluded at Kino Šiška on 26 March 2026 with the science slam event “(Algo)rhythm of the Planet”. At the event, researchers presented a range of digital solutions for a sustainable future in an engaging and entertaining way. The jury and the audience were most impressed by Amina Gačo Jež of the UL Biotechnical Faculty.
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Why Gas Content Matters for Cavitation: The Hidden Role of Tiny Gas Bubbles
Cavitation plays a key role in many technologies – from ultrasonic cleaning to chemical processing – but can behave unpredictably depending on the quality of the liquid. It is influenced not only by dissolved gases, but also by small undissolved gas bubbles.
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Recipients of the 6th University of Ljubljana Innovation Fund announced
The evaluation committee selected six projects from among those submitted. The selected projects are distinguished by strong interdisciplinarity and address key challenges of the present day. They cover sustainable materials, biodiversity protection, medicine, energy, quality of life and the development of advanced therapeutic solutions. Through their innovations, they contribute to a more sustainable future, improved health and quality of life, and the development of advanced technologies with a direct societal impact.
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University of Ljubljana and Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation sign funding agreement for new Faculty of Mechanical Engineering building
A funding agreement for the new Faculty of Mechanical Engineering building at the University of Ljubljana, one of the University’s biggest construction and research projects, was signed today by Rector Gregor Majdič and Minister Igor Papič. It is an ambitious project financed through the European Regional Development Fund under the 2021–2027 European Cohesion Policy programme and by the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, with construction set to begin in 2026 and completion planned for June 2029.
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Cavitation Bubbles: How “Bursting” Micro-explosions Can Create Better Chitosan
Researchers from the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering UL and the Institute of Chemistry have developed a new, faster, and more environmentally friendly method for preparing low molecular weight chitosan. In their work, they utilized cavitation—a clean, fast, and efficient technology that could replace some less sustainable existing methods. This breakthrough opens the way for the development of a new generation of materials that could be used in medicine, pharmacy, food applications, industry, and environmental solutions.
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3D-Printed Sensors with Automatic Adaptation to Temperature Changes Without Additional Detectors
Researchers at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering have developed a groundbreaking method that enables 3D-printed sensors to automatically adapt to temperature variations without the need for additional temperature sensors. The discovery opens the door to broad use of smart structures in variable environments—from aircraft to infrastructure—where existing solutions have not been reliable enough or have been overly complex.
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You Have Selected The Most Interesting Research Achievement Of 2025
The most interesting research achievement of 2025 is the news item “Waste heat – a problem or a solution?”. Out of a total of 49 research achievements, it was selected through voting by readers of the University of Ljubljana’s website and social media channels.
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A new method enables significantly more precise measurements in engines – a step toward cleaner and more efficient vehicles
Researchers from the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Ljubljana participated in the development of a new method for measuring pressure in internal combustion engines, which can significantly improve their efficiency and reduce emissions. Using this method, they achieved up to 48% more accurate determination of heat release, up to 38% more accurate measurement of the rate of pressure rise, and up to 13% more accurate measurement of in-cylinder pressure.
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Waste Heat – Problem or Solution?
Waste heat could become one of the key sources of clean energy in the future. A new breakthrough study by researchers from the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Ljubljana shows that advanced high-temperature heat pumps can significantly reduce energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, and thermal environmental impact—particularly in industry and the energy sector.
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Why Small Differences in Materials Lead to Big Energy Savings?
Even small statistical variations in the magnetic properties of magnetocaloric materials have a major impact on the performance of future environmentally friendly cooling systems, researchers from the UL Faculty of Mechanical Engineering observe. These findings support the development of robust and reliable cooling devices and heat pumps that operate without harmful refrigerants.
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Slovenian Students Explore “Space Mayonnaise” in Microgravity
The CAVE 0g team from the University of Ljubljana studied the formation of emulsions in microgravity during the 87th parabolic flight campaign of the European Space Agency – a key step toward preparing food and medicine in space.
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Breakthrough Materials for Atmospheric Water Harvesting – A Success by Assist. Prof. Primož Poredoš
The shortage of drinking water is one of the greatest global challenges of the modern world. While surface freshwater resources are rapidly declining, the atmosphere contains as much as six times more water vapor than all the water in the world’s river systems combined. This remarkable yet still underutilized natural resource opens the way to new, sustainable solutions for supplying drinking water. It is precisely in this field that an important scientific milestone has been achieved by Assist. Prof. Primož Poredoš from the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering UL.
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Prof. Dr Mitjan Kalin becomes the first European in two decades to receive the ASME Mayo D. Hersey Award
Prof. Dr Mitjan Kalin from the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Ljubljana has become the first European in 20 years to receive the prestigious ASME Mayo D. Hersey Award – the highest academic honour in the field of tribology.
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UL FS Develops Multi-Robot System for Lunar Surface Exploration
Researchers at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Ljubljana, have developed an intelligent multi-robot system that could be used in the future for exploring the lunar surface. The system was successfully tested at the LUNA facility in Germany, which simulates lunar surface conditions.
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Statement by the management of the University of Ljubljana on participation in European projects and remarks by the UN Special Rapporteur
The University of Ljubljana is following the situation in Gaza and the suffering of the population with great concern. As an academic institution founded on respect for human rights, we are firmly committed to strict adherence to international law. We express our deep sympathy for all those affected by the violence and the ongoing humanitarian crisis.
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Can droplets reveal the pressure threshold of water-repellent surfaces?
Researchers from the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Ljubljana developed a simple yet remarkably precise method that can determine, from a single drop of water, when superhydrophobic surfaces lose their water-repellent properties. This breakthrough will aid in the development of more durable water-repellent materials that can be used in industry, for example in cooling, self-cleaning, or corrosion protection.
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Dr Ana Mayer Kansky Awards bestowed for the third time at the UL
On Wednesday, 18 June 2025, the Dr Ana Mayer Kansky Awards for outstanding doctoral theses were awarded for the third time in the Assembly Hall at the Rector’s Office of the University of Ljubljana (UL). The awards were presented to Dr Matej Perovnik, Dr Faris Kočan, Dr Aleša Bricelj, Dr Duje Kodžoman, and Dr Katja Klinar. The award ceremony was held under the patronage of the President of the Republic of Slovenia, Nataša Pirc Musar.
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Microreactors of the Future for Efficient Wastewater Treatment Using Hydroxyl Radicals
The issue of wastewater treatment is becoming increasingly pressing in modern society, which is also reflected in the intensive research in this field. Conventional treatment methods are struggling to keep up with the growing diversity of pollutants that end up in various water bodies – both surface and groundwater. As a result, significant efforts are being invested in developing new technological approaches to address this challenge, with cavitation emerging as one of the promising technologies.
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SpaceDent Exhibit Now Part of the Permanent Exhibition at the Noordung Center
The permanent exhibition of the Herman Potočnik Noordung Space Technology Center in Vitanje now features an exhibit from the SpaceDent research project – the first Slovenian student project conducted within the ESA Academy programme of the European Space Agency (ESA), in collaboration with the University of Ljubljana’s Faculty of Medicine and Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, where students successfully simulated dental procedures in microgravity during a parabolic flight.
