The following crystallographers in Bulgaria are registered in the World Directory of Crystallographers.

105 entries found

• Anastasova, Miss Eva PhD Student. Institute of Mineralogy and Crystallography, Acad. G. Bonchev 107, 1113, Sofia, Bulgaria.
• Apostolov, Dr Anton Assoc. Professor. Faculty of Chemistry, Sofia University, 1126 Sofia, Bulgaria.
• Apostolov, Mr Ognian chemist / biochemist. biomacromolecules and biomolecular interactions, Institute of biophysics and biomedical engineering - Bulgarian academy of sciences, acad. G.Bonchev street, bl. 21, 1113, Sofia, Bulgaria.
• Baeva, Dr Malina Associate Professor and Head of Laboratory, retired. X-ray Diffraction and Magnetic Resonance, Solid State Physics Institute, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Tzarigrad Chaussee 72, 1784, Sofia, Bulgaria.
• Barbov, Borislav PhD Student. Gradina St., 11, 3rd fl., 11 ap., 1700, Sofia, Bulgaria.
• Bostanov, Professor Vesselin professor. Central Laboratory for Electrochemical Power Sources, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 1040, Sofia, Bulgaria.
• Delchev, Professor Dr Vassil Chemistry lecturer. Physical Chemistry, University of Plovdiv, Tzar Assen 24, 4000, Plovdiv, Bulgaria.
• Delcheva, Zlatka PHD student. Institute of Mineralogy and Crystalography-BAS, akad.Georgi Bonchev street bl.107, 1113 Sofia, Sofia, Bulgaria.
• Dencheva, Dr Stefka Assistant Professor. Department of Mineralogy, Petrology and Economic Geology, SOFIA UNIVERSITY 'St. Kliment Ohridski', Bulgaria, 15 Tsar Osvoboditel Blvd., Sofia, 1504, Sofia, Bulgaria.
• Dimitrova, Ms Nina PHd. Electrochemistry and Corrosion, Institute of Physical Chemistry, Akad. Georgi Bonchev, 11, 1113, Sofia, Bulgaria.
• Dimova, Tanya assist. MPharm. str. Peter Raichev 35, Bulgaria, 9000, Varna, Bulgaria.
• Djarova, Dr Maria associate professor. Faculty of Chemistry, Sofia University, 1126 Sofia, Bulgaria.
• Georgieva, Miss Hristiana PhD student. Department of Mineralogy, Petrology and Economic Geology, Sofia University, 1504 Sofia, 15 Tsar Osvoboditel Blvd., Bulgaria, 1000, Sofia, Bulgaria.
• Gorolomova, Dr Paulina Faculty of chemistry and pharmacy. Analitycal chemistry, Faculty of chemistry and pharmacy, J. Boultier, 1, 1164, Sofia, Bulgaria.
• Gospodinov, Professor Marin professor. Institute of Solid State Physics, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Tzarigradsko Chaussee 72, 1784, Sofia, Bulgaria.
• Grozdanov, Professor Dr Lyudmil Retired. Geological Institute, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 1113, Sofia, Bulgaria.
• Hodjaoglu, Mrs Gyunver chemist engineer, PhD Student. Electrochemical deposition and metal dissolution, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Institute of Physical Chemistry, Acad. G. Bonchev, Str., bl. 11, 1113, Bulgaria, 1113, Sofia, Bulgaria.
• Hodzhaoglu, Dr Feyzim Assistant Professor. Phase formation, crystal and amorphous materials, Institute of Physical Chemistry, BAS, Acad. G. Bonchev Str., 1113, Sofia, Bulgaria.
• Ivanova, Ms Kristina student. Str., 1606, Sofia, Bulgaria.
• Kadiyski, Dr Milen Kuzmanov Assistant Professor. Aurubis Bulgaria AD, -, 2070, Pirdop, Bulgaria.
• Kalapsazova, Miss Mariya Ph.D. Student. Institute of General and Inorganic Chemistry, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Acad. G. Bonchev str., bld. 11, 1113, Sofia, Bulgaria.
• Kashchiev, Professor Dimo professor. Prof. Dimo Kashchiev, Institute of Physical Chemistry, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, ul. Acad. G. Bonchev, blok 11, Sofia 1113, Bulgaria.
• Kerestedjian, Professor Dr Thomas Head of department. Dr. Thomas Kerestedjian, Geol. Inst. Bulgarian Acad. Sci., 24 G. Bonchev Str., 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria.
• Kirov, Professor Georgi Nikolov professor. Faculty of Geology and Geography, Sofia University, 1000 Sofia, Bulgaria.
• Kostov, Professor Dr Ruslan Ivanov Full. Prof. Ruslan I. Kostov, PhD, DSc, University of Mining and Geology, "St. Ivan Rilski", Sofia 1700, BULGARIA.
• Kotzev, Dr Joseph N. Associate Professor, retired. Faculty of Physics, University of Sofia, 5, James Bauchier Blvd., 1164, Sofia, Bulgaria.
• Kovacheva, Professor Dr Daniela Professor. Laboratory of Crystal Chemistry of Composite Materials, Institute of General and Inorganic Chemistry, Acad. G. Bonchev, bl.11, 1113, Sofia, Bulgaria.
• Krasteva, Dr Manya (Mania) Nikolaeva Associate Professor, retired. Faculty of Physics, Sofia University, -, 1126, Sofia, Bulgaria.
• Krezhov, Professor Dr Kiril physics. Neutron and X-Ray research, Institute for Nuclear Research and Nuclear Energy, 72 Tzarigradsko chaussee, 1784, Sofia, Bulgaria.
• Kuneva, Dr Mariana Research Associate. Mariana Kuneva, Institute of Solid State Physics, 72 Tzarigradsko Chaussee Blvd, Sofia 1784, Bulgaria.
• Macheva, Ms Lyubomira Researcher. Central Laboratory of Mineralogy and Crystallography, Acad. I. Kostov�, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Georgi Bonchev, 1113, Sofia, Bulgaria.
• Maciček, Dr Josef senior scientist. Central Laboratory of Mineralogy and Crystallography, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Rakovska 92, 1000, Sofia, Bulgaria.
• Maleev, Dr Michael director. `Earth and Man' National Museum, Blvd Cherni Vrach 4, 1421 Sofia, Bulgaria.
• Manoylova, Mrs Asya PhD. Acad.G.Bonchev Str. Bl.11, 1113, Sofia, Bulgaria.
• Marinova, Dr Delyana Assist. Prof.. IGIC - BAS, 1113 Sofia "Acad. Georgi Bonchev" str. bld.11, floor:3, room:309.
• Markov, Mr Crystallochemistry. z.k Studentskigrad, Sofia, 2100, Sofia, Bulgaria.
• Markov, Professor Ivan professor. Institute of Physical Chemistry, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 1113, Sofia, Bulgaria.
• Michailov, Mr Michail research associate. Institute of Physical Chemistry, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 1113, Sofia, Bulgaria.
• Mihaylov, Mr Lyubomir Proffesor assistant. Mineralogy and petrography, University of mining and geology, prof. Boyan Kamenov str., 1700, Sofia, Bulgaria.
• Mikhov, Dr Michael associate professor. Faculty of Physics, Sofia University, 1126 Sofia, Bulgaria.
• Milchev, Dr Alexander senior scientist. Institute of Physical Chemistry, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 1113, Sofia, Bulgaria.
• Milchev, Professor Dr Andrey senior scientist. Institute of Physical Chemistry, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, G. Bonchev Str. Block 11, 1113, Sofia, Bulgaria.
• Miloshev, Professor Georgi professor. Institute of Geophysics, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 1113, Sofia, Bulgaria.
• Nanev, Professor Christo director. Institute of Physical Chemistry, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 1113, Sofia, Bulgaria.
• Neov, Professor Dr Stoyko Professional researcher. Nuclear methods, Institute for Nuclear Research and Energy, Tzarigradsko chaussee 72, 1784, Sofia, Bulgaria.
• Nihtianova, Professor Dr Diana Dimitrova Associate Professor. Central Laboratory of Mineralogy and Crystallography, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Rakovska 92, 1000, Sofia, Bulgaria.
• Obretenov, Dr Willy senior scientist. Central Laboratory for Electrochemical Power Sources, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 1040, Sofia, Bulgaria.
• Ormanova, Mrs Maria PhD student. 72 Tsarigradsko Chaussee blvd, 1784, Sofia, Bulgaria.
• Paunov, Professor Dr Michael Assoc. Prof., retired. Crystal Growth, Institute of Physical Chemistry, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 1113, Sofia, Bulgaria.
• Petkova-Slipets, Dr Rositsa Associate Professor. Construction, Faculty of Architecture, Varna Free University, Chaika, Bulgaria, 9007, Varna, Bulgaria.
• Petrov, Dr Dimitar Assist. Prof. PhD. Physical Chemistry, Plovdiv University, 24 Tsar Asen Str., 4000, Plovdiv, Bulgaria.
• Petrov, Professor Kostadin research professor, retired. Laboratory of Solid State Chemistry, Institute of General and Inorganic Chemistry, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 1113, Sofia, Bulgaria.
• Petrov, Professor Ognyan Evtimov Deputy Director. Central Laboratory of Mineralogy and Crystallography, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Acad. G. Bonchev str., block 107, 1113, Sofia, Bulgaria.
• Petrova, Dr Rosica Central Laboratory of Mineralogy and Crystallography, Acad. G. Bonchev str., block 107, 1113, Sofia, Bulgaria.
• Platikanova, Dr Vesselina senior scientist. Central Laboratory of Photoprocesses, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 1040, Sofia, Bulgaria.
• Rabadjieva, Dr Diana Assoc. Prof.. Institute of General and Inorganic Chemistry, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Acad. G. Bonchev, bl 11, 1113, Sofia, Bulgaria.
• Ranguelov, Dr Bogdan Head of Laboratory Electron Microscopy. Laboratory of Electron Microscopy, Institute of Physical Chemistry, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Acad G Bonchev Str, blok 11, Bulgaria, 1113, Sofia, Bulgaria.
• Russev, Dr Krassimir senior scientist. Institute of Metal Science, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Shipchenski Prochod 67, 1574, Sofia, Bulgaria.
• Sbirkova, Ms Hrisina PhD Student. Institute of Mineralogy and Crystallography �Acad. Ivan Kostov� (IMC-BAS)., akad. G. Bonchev, bl. 107, Sofia, 1113, Sofia, Bulgaria.
• Sergeeva, Mrs Ivanina Student. Mineral Resources, Geological Institute, Acad.G.Bonchev st. bl.24, 1113, Sofia, Bulgaria.
• Shivachev, Dr Boris Scientific researcher. Institute of Mineralogy and Crystallography (CLMC) -Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Acad. Georgi Bonchev Str., bl. 107, 1113, Sofia, Bulgaria.
• Spassov, Dr Tony assistant. Faculty of Chemistry, Sofia University, 1126 Sofia, Bulgaria.
• Staneva, Mrs Diana Ph.D Student. Bulgarian Academy of Science, Institute of Physical Chemistry, Acad. G. Bonchev Str., bl. 11, 1113, Sofia, Bulgaria.
• Stefanov, Professor Dr Dechko Retired. Geological Institute, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 1113, Sofia, Bulgaria.
• Stojanova, Dr Liljana research associate. Institute of Metal Science, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Shipchenski Prochod 67, 1574, Sofia, Bulgaria.
• Stoyanov, Professor Stoyan professor. Institute of Physical Chemistry, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 1113, Sofia, Bulgaria.
• Stoyanova, Dr Valeria Assoc.Prof.. Phase Formation and Crystal growth, Institute of Physical Chemistry, 1113, Sofia, Bulgaria.
• Stoychev, Professor Nikola professor. Institute of Metal Science, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Shipchenski Prochod 67, 1574, Sofia, Bulgaria.
• Tasheva, Mrs Tina PhD student. Department of Silicate Technology, University of Chemistry and Metallurgy Technology, Kl. Ohridski 8, 1756, Sofia, Bulgaria.
• Tatchev, Dr Dragomir Associate Professor. Institute of Physical Chemistry, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Acad. G. Bonchev Str., bl. 11, Sofia, Bulgaria.
• Todorova, Dr Stanislava Assisitant Professor. Department of Applied Inorganic Chemistry, Sofia University, 1 James Bourchier Blvd., 1164, Sofia, Bulgaria.
• Todorova, Miss Totka PhD student. Bugarievo 45 Str, 4000, Plovdiv, Bulgaria.
• Tomov, Dr Ivan senior scientist. Institute of Physical Chemistry, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 1113, Sofia, Bulgaria.
• Topalova-Kalitzova, Dr Maria research associate. Institute of Solid State Physics, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Tzarigradsko Chaussee 72, 1184, Sofia, Bulgaria.
• Tsvetkov, Mr Tsvetan Assistant professor. Department of Reproductive Biotechnologies and Cryobiology of Gametes, Institute of Biology and Immunology of Reproduction (BAS), 73, Sofia, 1113, Sofia, Bulgaria.
• Tzvetkov, Mr Peter Powder X-Ray diffraction analysis and Rietveld refinement.. Laboratory of Solid State Chemistry, Institute of General and Inorganic Chemistry, Acad. G. Bonchev str. bl.11, 1113, Sofia, Bulgaria.
• Ublekov, Dr Filip Research Fellow. Conjugated Polymers, Institute of polymers-Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Acad. G. Bonchev Str., block 103-A, Sofia, 1113, Sofia, Bulgaria.
• Valkov, Mr Stefan PhD student. 72 Tsarigradsko Chaussee blvd., 1784, Sofia, Bulgaria.
• Vasilev, Mr Dimitar PhD student at IMC BAS. Institute of Mineralogy and Christallography, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Acad. Georgi Bonchev Str. bl. 107, Sofia, 1113, Sofia, Bulgaria.
• Velcheva, Miss Vyara student. Analytical chemistry, Sofia University, 1 James Bourchier Blvd., 1164, Sofia, Bulgaria.
• Velikova, Ms Nina Chemist. Institute of General and Inorganic Chemistry, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Acad. G. Bonchev Str. Blok 11, 1113, Sofia, Bulgaria, Bulgaria.
• Vrajilova (Vrazhilova), Miss Mirela PhD student. Analytical chemistry, Sofia University, 1 James Bourchier Blvd., 1164, Sofia, Bulgaria.
• Yaneva, Dr Svetlana senior scientist, retired. Physics and Physical Chemistry of Metals and Alloys, Institute of Metal Science, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 67,Shipchenski Prochod str., 1574, Sofia, Bulgaria.
• Zidarova, Dr Bogdana Assoc. Professor, retired. Central Laboratory of Mineralogy and Crystallography, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 1113 Sofia, Acad. G. Bonchev Str, 1000, Sofia, Bulgaria.

This Special Report was published in the IUCr Newsletter, Vol. 19, No. 4 (2011).

Crystallography in Bulgaria

The Beginnings

Crystallography began in Sofia U., Bulgaria, in 1893 with the establishment of the Dept. of Natural History by G. Bonchev. Bonchev, the first PhD student in crystallography in Zagreb, Croatia, taught geology, introduced a course in crystallography and published the first books on crystallography in Bulgaria in the 1890s. In 1905 he was appointed Chair of the Dept. of Mineralogy and Petrography.

New minerals found in Bulgaria: Manganilvaite, CaFe²⁺Fe³⁺(Mn, Fe²⁺)(Si₂O₇)O(OH) (approved by IMA-CNMMN 16-2002; I. Bonev et al., 2005) from the Madan region, Central Rhodopes, Bulgaria.

Academician Prof. Ivan Kostov.

I. Kostov graduated from the Natural Sciences Dept. of Sofia U. 'St. Kliment Ohridski' in 1936. After studying at the Imperial College of Science and Technology in London (1940-1945), he returned to Sofia U. In 1953, as the first Head of the Dept. of Mineralogy and Crystallography, he taught crystallography, organized mineral collections, published Bulgarian, Russian and English editions of his textbooks on Mineralogy and Crystallography, and supervised doctoral studies. In 1967, Kostov was elected to Membership in the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (BAS), where he served as Head of the Geological Institute, Head of the Sector Mineralogy and Geochemistry, and Director of the National Museum of Natural History. He was a member of the German and Russian Academies of Sciences and an Honorary member of the Bulgarian, Russian and Ukrainian Mineralogical Societies. His successor at the Dept. of Mineralogy and Crystallography V. Breskovska, conducted crystallographic activities with G. Kirov, M. Maleev and S. Petrov.

Mikhail Maleev and Kostadin Petrov discussing in front of a giant quartz crystal during the 2nd National Crystallographic Symposium.

Equipment currently available for crystallographic studies in the Geological Inst. of BAS includes a modern digital image foil Guinier camera (Huber GmbH), older Weissenberg and precession cameras, and the last functional optical (double-circle) goniometer for crystal morphology studies in the country.

The Institute of General and Inorganic Chemistry of the BAS was founded in 1960 by G. Bliznakov whose studies of the effects of impurities on the nucleation, growth and shape of crystals received international recognition. Crystallographic research was initiated in the 1960s with an electron microscope and Debye-Scherrer camera. In 1974, a DRON-1 diffractometer equipped with high- and low-temperature chambers was installed. In 2006, the Institute obtained Bruker D8 equipment, which was successfully upgraded in 2010 with a linear LynxEye detector.

(right) Associate Prof. Daniela Kovacheva with her staff and (left) the new XRD diffractometer (2008) in the Laboratory of Solid State Chemistry and XRD analysis.

Between 1982 and 1985, K. Petrov was Head of the Methodical X-Ray Diffraction Lab at the Center of Chemical Sciences, which consists of 10 institutes. His research activities were in the fields of preparative and applied inorganic solid state chemistry, structural perfection and texture of materials for electronics, superconductors, catalysts, refractory compounds, thin films, diffusion layers and galvanic coatings. He applied X-ray and neutron powder diffraction and Rietveld methods to materials identification, phase analysis and determination of crystallite sizes and microdeformations. His PhD thesis was concerned with polycrystalline inorganic catalysts, and microstructure and topotactic synthesis of materials (K. Petrov, N. Zotov and D. Kovacheva).

Crystallography in the 1980s

In the 1980s, researchers from the BAS and Sofia U. held four meetings to discuss X-ray diffraction methods. The meetings evolved into National symposia held in 1983, 1985, 1987 and 1991. These symposia were attended by over 80 scientists from 30 universities, research institutes and industrial laboratories in Bulgaria who gathered to share experiences and plan future studies. The interest in applying XRD-based methods for study of materials grew among physicists, chemists, geologists, mineralogists and soil researchers. Resulting publications concerned small angle diffraction, X-ray topography, micro-deformations of metal structures, thin layers, fiber composites, textures, and high- and low-temperature experiments.

Institute of Applied Mineralogy

The new X-ray single crystal diffractometer Supernova A (Oxford Diffraction) in the Laboratory of X-ray diffraction analysis, IAM (2010).

The new X-ray powder diffractometer D2 Phaser (Bruker AXS) in the Laboratory of X-ray diffraction analysis, IAM (2009).

The recent staff of the Laboratory of X-Ray Diffraction Analysis (IAM). From left to right: Boris Shivachev, Rositsa Petrova, Luiza Dimova, Yana Tsvetanova, Ognyan Petrov, Vladislav Kostov-Kytin.

The Institute of Applied Mineralogy of the BAS was established in 1984 for research on minerals and their applications in industry and ecology. The Institute housed an XRD laboratory with an Enraf-Nonius CAD-4 single-crystal diffractometer and two powder diffractometers, and Electron Microscopy and Crystal Growth laboratories. More than 100 structures of new crystalline materials were published under the leadership of J. Macicek who also supervised the PhD studies of O. Angelova, T. Todorov, R. Petrova and others. In 1988, the research group obtained a grant from the International Centre for Diffraction Data (ICDD) for production of PDF patterns of new crystalline phases. More than 200 new diffraction patterns were added to the ICDD (simple and double selenates, selenites, hydroselenites, adducts of inorganic salts with organic molecules, and perrhenates with nicotinic and isonicotinic hydrazides). The research included synthesis and determination of structures and corundum numbers (RIRs). Computer programs were developed for calculating RIRs of powder patterns from known structures and characterization of the data according to IUCr guidelines.

Institute of Mineralogy and Crystallography

The Central Laboratory of Mineralogy and Crystallography (CLMC) of the BAS was established in March 1995 to conduct fundamental and applied investigations, provide consultation on and application of analytical methods and training of specialists in mineralogy and crystallography. At the 5th General Assembly of the BAS, the Laboratory was renamed Inst. of Mineralogy and Crystallography 'Acad. Ivan Kostov' (IMC-BAS). Today, IMC consists of well-equipped laboratories, offices and a library, it is supplied with an optical cable and Internet as well as PC for every research associate and specialist. Achievements are presented through Annual Reports (www.clmc.bas.bg), at scientific conferences and exhibitions, in periodicals, and via the mass media.

The laboratories of CLMC and IAM have produced hundreds of scientific papers, conducted dozens of national and international projects, awarded PhD degrees and acquired a new scanning electron microscope (ZEISS EVO LS25), powder diffractometer (D2 Phaser Bruker AXS), single-crystal diffractometer (Oxford Supernova A with temperature control from 80 to 400 K), a micro-FTIR Spectrometer (TENSOR 37 Bruker, MIR and NIR with ATR accessories), and SETSYS Evolution TGA-DTA/DSC/MS up to 2400 K (Setaram).

Bulgarian crystallographers during the 2nd National Crystallographic Symposium.

The Bulgarian National Committee for Crystallography (BNCC) was founded in 1992 as an adhering body of the BAS. The members of the BNCC are specialists in the fields of structural crystallography, crystal chemistry, crystal physics, mineralogy and materials sciences. BNCC coordinates the activities of the Bulgarian crystallographic community and maintains relations with the IUCr and the European Crystallographic Association (ECA). Former Chairmen of BNCC were A. Apostolov (Sofia U., 1992-2000), K. Petrov (Inst. of General and Inorganic Chem., BAS, 2000-2008), and O. Petrov (Central Lab. of Min. and Cryst., BAS, 2009-2010).

The 1st Bulgarian National Crystallographic Symposium organized by the BNCC in Oct. 2009 was attended by 98 participants presenting 68 oral and poster reports. Full papers were published in the Proceedings volume 1st National Crystallographic Symposium (ISSN 1313-9991, Academic Publishing House. M. Drinov, editor; online at http://clmc.bas.bg/symp09/docs/First_Cryst_Symp.pdf).

An assembly to establish the Bulgarian Crystallographic Society (BCS) was held on February 27, 2010, at the Inst. of Min. and Cryst. of the BAS. 47 crystallographers from institutions throughout the country attended the assembly. The Bulgarian Crystallographic Society was officially registered in Bulgaria in April, 2010 with a Board of seven Managers, O. Petrov, President of the Board, and R. Nikolova, Vice-President. They planned to apply for membership of the IUCr at the XXII General Assembly and Congress in Madrid, 2011.

The 2nd Bulgarian National Crystallographic Symposium (www.bgcryst.com/symp10) was organized by the Faculty of Chemistry, Sofia U., chaired by T. Spassov and featured international speakers B. Krebs (U. of Münster, Germany), M. Aroyo (U. of the Basque Country, Spain), B. Mihailova (U. of Hamburg, Germany), and S. Ferdov (U. of Minho, Portugal). The symposium, attended by 78 participants and more than 20 students, covered crystal growth, inorganic and mineral structures, organic and organometallic compounds, nano materials, macromolecules, structure-properties relationships, defects, microstructures and textures, experimental techniques and equipment. There were round-table discussions on state-of-the-art equipment and modern laboratories in Bulgaria, and planning of further activities of the BCS. Outstanding presentations by three young scientists were awarded prizes. The symposium allowed young crystallographers to present their research, exchange ideas and participate in the open discussions.

In the last two years Bulgarian crystallographers have advanced scientifically and organizationally. The crystallographic community in Bulgaria is fully aware of achievements of scientists and specialists in crystallography, crystal chemistry, mineralogy, and materials science and recognize that crystallography is crucial to modern materials sciences and the study of mineral systems, natural resources, biomaterials and nanomaterials. Crystallographic research contributes to technological progress and the quality of life, critically needed at times of economic crisis. The BCS hopes to foster investment of the business community in technologically advanced materials.

Ognyan Petrov (opetrov@dir.bg)