Sol-Gel Science and Technology in Latin America
One of the most enduring and impactful initiatives of the sol-gel community in South America are the regular Sol- Gel Schools (now known as the School of Nanostructured Materials Synthesis), which have been held every two years since 2003 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Nearly 500 students have participated in the 10 Schools held prior to 2024. During the course of two intensive weeks, students learn from invited professors on a range of topics from fundamental concepts underpinning the synthesis and processing of sol-gel materials through to state-of-the-art applications. In parallel, participants complete 40 hours of laboratory-based group-work, focusing on techniques in solution-based materials synthesis and characterisation. On 26 November 2024, one of the students from the first school in 2003, Dr Paula C. Angelomé, received a L’Oréal-UNESCO Award “For Women in Science” for her work in sol-gel science and technology.
The 11th School of Nanostructured Materials Synthesis, which was organised by Professors Roberto Candal and Galo Soler Illia, was held at the Campus Miguelete of the National University of San Martin from 23 September to 4 October, continuing the rich educational traditions established over the past two decades. The School featured presentations by Professors Elias Paiva (Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Brazil) and Cédric Boissière (Sorbonne Université, France) on aerogels and sol-gel materials for the green energy transition, respectively, while Dr Diego Onna (University of Buenos Aires) explored the use of artificial intelligence in the design of advanced mate-rials.
The ISGS offers its congratulations to Professors Sara Aldabe Bilmes, Roberto Candal, Alberto Regazzoni and Galo Soler Illia who first conceived of this initiative over two decades ago and who are still driving it today. This is a testament to the enduring impact of this initiative.
