IGT SAS – The Institute of Geotechnics, Slovak Academy of Sciences in Košice (IGT SAS) comprises of 5 selected research departments active in chemistry, materials science, mineralogy, mineral processing, hydrometallurgy and soil science. The Department of Mechanochemistry is world well known center developing the mechanochemical reactions and solid-state chemistry. It was one of the first laboratories accepted by scientific community in particular field. This is a consequence of the fact that the Department of Mechanochemistry is one of the main centers for mechanochemically oriented solid-state research in Europe.

Mechanochemistry and solid state chemistry are indeed an important sector of the research activities at the Institute of Geotechnics, which has successfully competed nationally and internationally for many years by numerous research grants in the particular scientific field. The mutual interdisciplinary cooperation of these research groups concentrates on the preparation and characterization of novel synthetic and natural compounds as well as on the development of new materials.

The primary goals of the Department of Mechanochemistry at Institute of Geotechnics are (i) to provide a focus for the chemically-orientated mechanochemical and solid state research, (ii) to initiate and establish externally funded projects, (iii) to initiate and develop cooperation projects, (iv) to make use of and extend the joint facilities of the institute, (v) to improve the mutual exchange of information and know-how by organizing seminars and conferences, and (vi) to integrate and promote graduate and postgraduate students. The Institute of Geotechnics is fully equipped for experimental work in solid state research, especially for mechanochemical synthesis as well as investigations employing conventional techniques for synthesis and structure/morphology determination investigations employing conventional techniques. In a cooperation with universities IGT SAS provides the 3rd degree of university education and is accredited in the specialization of Engineering and Acquisition and Processing of Land Resources.