Colloids are suspensions containing particles no larger than 1/100 of a human hair that are dispersed within a continuous medium. They are used in many consumer products including foodstuffs such as ice cream, cosmetics such as toothpaste, ink and paints etc.
Microgels are a type of colloids based on rubberlike particles sensitive to environmental factors such as temperature and employed in a range of applications from drug delivery systems to enhanced oil recovery. We will outline their synthesis and key features, and then we will discuss interactions between individual microgel particles as the basis of physics of these advanced materials.
This event will be held in English.
Organized by: Fran Ivan Vrban.
Happy Future with AI: How AI affects our health, wellbeing and happiness
The workshop is based on our European project GETM4 (Global Entrepreneurial Talent Management) explores how emerging technologies like artificial intelligence are transforming how we work, live, and stay healthy. Participants will discover how the digital workplace impacts mental health, happiness, and productivity, offering both opportunities and challenges.
ERN 2025 Poster EF_GETM4_anonymous
Through interactive activities and real-life examples, we will examine issues like technostress and digital overload, while also highlighting flexibility, autonomy, and innovation. Attendees, especially young people, will reflect on their digital habits and help design a happy digital workplace of the future. The session will spark curiosity and inspire strategies to create healthier, more human-centered work environments in an increasingly tech-driven world.
This event will be held in English.
Organized by: Anja Markovič.
Science Bazaar: Powering a Green future with Hydrogen
In our lab, we design, synthesize, and study new compounds to understand their properties and applications as catalysts, as well as in biology and medicine. We also explore how computational studies can guide the design of compounds for specific applications.
We will explain in simple ways how these compounds can be applied across different fields, including hydrogen fuel production and storage. Through discussion, visitors will learn how catalysts enable efficient hydrogen storage and release. Using visuals and molecular models, we will present our research and its impact on clean energy and other scientific fields.
The event will be held in English.
Organized by: Temiloluwa Timothy Adejumo (Vrije Universiteit Brussels).
Science Bazaar: A Virtual Assistant for Health Improvement?
Discover whether artificial intelligence (AI) can support a healthy lifestyle through virtual assistants, and test your knowledge in a fun board game or quiz.
Science Bazaar: A Virtual Assistant for Health Improvement?
We will explore how AI provides personalized advice on nutrition and physical activity, and which knowledge and skills are needed to make informed decisions. This will be illustrated through measuring vitamin C levels in fruits and vegetables using methods proposed by both humans and AI.
Organized by: Irina Milisav (UL MF).
Theatre Studies with the Help of Artificial Intelligence and Projection
On a guided tour of the Slovenian Theatre Institute – Theatre Museum, we will explore various examples of theatre heritage and discuss how to collect, analyze, and present data on the history of theatre.
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We will take a closer look at repositories as carriers of fascinating information. Using best-practice examples, we’ll show how you can actively contribute to the study of theatre heritage (through citizen science and crowdsourcing) and how artificial intelligence can assist in this process.
This event is aimed at the general public, from primary school students and up.
Organized by: The Slovenian Theatre Institute.
Spanish Language Workshop
The event Spanish language workshop, taking place one week before the European Day of Languages as a preparatory activity, is designed as a series of four diverse workshops.
These workshops will bring Spanish language, literature, art, and the history of the Spanish-speaking world closer to young people and the wider public, while also revealing the connections between the Slovenian and Spanish-speaking cultural spaces.
In workshops interwoven with social, historical, linguistic, literary, and artistic content, participants will gain new knowledge of Hispanic culture and discover that, although the Slovenian and Spanish-speaking worlds may not seem closely connected at first glance, Spanish is not as different as we thought.
Information and registration: vita.veselko@ff.uni-lj.si
The event is prepared for you by: colleagues from the Department of Romance Languages and Literatures (UL FF).
Science Bazaar: INNO2MARE – Presentation and Showcase of Advanced Technologies for a Sustainable Maritime Future
At our booth, we will use videos and demonstrations to showcase our work within the INNO2MARE project and highlight how the project contributes to innovation and the sustainable development of maritime regions.
We aim to introduce the general public to the INNO2MARE project, which supports the digital and green transition of innovation ecosystems in Western Slovenia and the Adriatic coast of Croatia—regions connected by the Adriatic Sea and its related industries. On this occasion, we will present three key pilot projects addressing the most important technological challenges in the maritime sector:
Enhanced VR Engine Room Model for Fire Evacuation: Developing advanced virtual simulations to improve preparedness for emergency situations.
AI-Powered Digital Twin for Energy Management: Using artificial intelligence to create sustainable and efficient solutions for managing energy systems.
Autonomous Vessel Operation with AI Support: Developing methods and technologies for autonomous vessel operation, contributing to safer and more efficient maritime traffic.
Organized by: Dr. Marko Šimic and Petra Pintar (University of Ljubljana , Faculty of Mechanical Engineering , LASIM Laboratory).
Science Bazaar: Hidden Talents of Insects – The Potential of Insect Bioconversion Using Side Stream Organic Materials
In this presentation, we will showcase insect bioconversion technology using the black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens), one of the most promising technologies for systematically introducing principles of sustainable management and circularity in bioeconomy and food production.
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The input material consists of biomass from various sources (e.g., side-streams from the agri-food industry), while the output streams are insect larvae and the residual organic fraction (frass). We will demonstrate how insect larvae can be used as an alternative protein source for animal feed and to promote animal health, as well as which bioactive compounds in frass help enhance plant resistance and control diseases.
The most curious and adventurous participants will even have a chance for a snack …
Organized by: Aleš Kuhar (University of Ljubljana, Biotechnical Faculty – UL BF) and EUTOPIA.
Science Bazaar: Historical Quiz on 20th Century Inventions
Test your knowledge and guess which inventions shaped the 20th century.
Foto-Sašo Kovačič
For younger visitors, we will offer an opportunity to explore the world of artificial intelligence through tools that create images related to health and pharmacy topics.
At the interactive workshop of the Museum of Contemporary History of Slovenia, we will use a fun quiz to explore how various technological achievements have influenced people’s everyday lives. Participants will also discover some interesting and lesser-known objects from the museum’s collection. Suitable for all curious visitors.
Organized by: Museum of Contemporary History of Slovenia.
Science Bazaar: Statistically Speaking… We Are Interesting
How does a research question turn into an investigation? How do data tell a story? In this workshop, participants will explore the research process through short games and simple examples — from the initial idea and hypothesis to data collection and basic analysis.
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For younger visitors, we will offer an opportunity to explore the world of artificial intelligence through tools that create images related to health and pharmacy topics.
Together, we will discover how researchers think and why statistics is such an important part of scientific investigation. Join us and become a researcher for an hour!
Organized by: TAKA TUKA.
