An Important Step Toward Scientific Collaboration and Advanced Technologies

A productive meeting was held with Prof. Anvar Zakhidov, a world-renowned expert in nanomaterials from The University of Texas at Dallas, together with Prof. Odilkhuja Parpiev, Director of the Institute of Materials Science and Dr. Shavkat Mamatkulov, Head of Laboratory.

Prof. Zakhidov is recognized as one of the leading scientists in the fields of nanomaterials and carbon nanostructures. In 2024, our institute, in cooperation with the Institute of Materials Science of the Academy of Sciences of Uzbekistan, established a joint “Advanced Materials” laboratory. Today, active research is being conducted in this laboratory on the synthesis of MXenes, functional materials and nanocomposites.

During the meeting, Prof. Zakhidov presented synthesized carbon nanostructured aerogels with an ultra-low density of only 0.5 kg/m³, demonstrating the prepared samples.

Aerogels have exceptionally high practical significance, particularly in:
🔋 Energy storage systems (batteries and supercapacitors)
🌡 Thermal insulation (aviation and space technologies)
🌊 Water and gas purification technologies
🧠 Sensors and electronic devices

Discussions were also held on the synthesis of three-dimensional nanocomposite materials. It was highlighted that such materials could enable the development of next-generation batteries with up to a tenfold increase in capacity.

In his Address to the Oliy Majlis and the nation of Uzbekistan, the President has emphasized:
“From now on, every dollar of investment should primarily serve the transfer of advanced technologies, the production of high value-added products with clearly defined markets and the efficient use of energy, water, land and other natural resources.”

In line with this vision, joint scientific research on the production of high-performance functional nanomaterials is being carried out in collaboration with scientists from The University of Texas at Dallas, the Institute of Materials Science, and our institute.

A clear example: the value-addition chain from 1 kg of copper

Product	Size	Price per kg
Raw copper (raw state)	bulk	~$10–$13
Copper powder (industrial)	micrometer (µm)	$20–$40
Antibacterial coatings (CuO nanoparticles)	50–500 nm	$1,000–$4,000
Catalysts (Cu nanoparticles)	20–50 nm	$2,000–$8,000
Photocatalysts (CuO / Cu₂O)	10–50 nm	$2,500–$12,000
Conductive inks/pastes (Cu nanoparticles)	50–200 nm	$3,000–$10,000
Sensor materials (Cu / CuO nanoparticles)	10–50 nm	$5,000–$15,000

When 1 kg of copper is scientifically functionalized, its value can increase by 100–1000 times.

Not raw materials, but science, technology and innovation create real wealth.