In the "Young Scientist of the Year" competition held by Baku State University (BSU), Lalə Qəhrəmanlı, Senior Lecturer at the Department of Chemical Physics of Nanomaterials and PhD in Physics, achieved the highest result in the fields of natural, exact, and technical sciences. She is also a leading scientific researcher at BSU's Research, Development, and Innovation Excellence Center's Nano Research Laboratory. In an interview with AZERTAC, the young scientist shared her thoughts on the competition and her scientific work. Here is the interview:

• Ms. Lalə, you were selected as the "Young Scientist of the Year" for achieving the highest result in BSU's competition. Can you tell us about the work you presented in the competition?
• First of all, I should mention that the "Young Scientist of the Year" competition has been held annually at Baku State University since 2020, dedicated to 2 February – Azerbaijan Youth Day. This competition announces nominations in two categories: one for natural, exact, and technical sciences, and the other for humanitarian and social sciences. I participated in the competition in the exact sciences category. The evaluation of the competition was conducted based on 10 criteria, with specific points assigned to each. These criteria included articles published in Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4 category journals indexed internationally, industrially useful models, participation in local and international conferences, teaching activities, and other aspects. I had published 5 articles in Q1 category journals, 5 in Q2 category journals, and 3 in Q3 category journals, all of which I submitted for the competition. After evaluating the work of 12 participants, I was selected as the winner. I should also note that I have been consecutively selected as the "Young Scientist of the Year" in this competition for the past three years. I would like to express my sincere thanks to the university administration for this initiative, which motivates young people and recognizes their scientific activities.
• How did your interest in nanotechnology arise?
• During my undergraduate studies at the Faculty of Physics at Baku State University, nanotechnology among the subjects began to catch my attention. Additionally, our university had a Nano Research Scientific Center, which I had become familiar with during my student years. The topics we were taught in this field, the textbooks I studied, and the research I encountered revealed the unique properties of nanoparticles – these small-sized particles – which distinguish them from their counterparts. The ability to vary their properties in any desired way expanded their application possibilities, and I decided to continue my education in this field. I completed my master's degree at BSU and earned a PhD in Physics in 2022 in the field of nanostructures physics and technology. Later, I conducted research at Italy’s National Institute of Nuclear Physics, Frascati Laboratory, and continued the research I started in Azerbaijan there. As a result, we have established strong scientific connections. We organize conferences together, and they come to Azerbaijan as invited speakers, while we also participate in international conferences there as invited speakers.
• What kind of research is conducted in the Department of Chemical Physics of Nanomaterials, where you serve as a senior lecturer?
• Our department conducts scientific research in collaboration with the Nano Research Laboratory. Among the areas of research are sensor technologies, materials with supercapacitive properties, and the investigation of their physical and chemical properties, morphology, and application potential. Currently, the group I lead in the laboratory is working on triboelectric nanogenerators – the conversion of mechanical or biomechanical energy into electrical energy. We are implementing specific projects in this area. These projects have repeatedly won grants in competitions announced by KOBIA and have been accepted internationally. We are also working with carbon-based materials, such as graphene and graphene oxide, which have wide potential in the use of supercapacitors and sensor technologies. We have already obtained results in these areas. For example, the application of graphene-based materials in biosensors is the result of our joint research with colleagues from Italy and Germany, where we assess their efficiency. The results of these studies have started to find application in practical fields, starting from the synthesis stage in the laboratory.
• By the way, I would like to mention the patent we received this year. This year, we created an industrially useful model for wastewater purification based on silver nanowires using the photodegradation method, with the rights belonging to Baku State University. This model was developed with the collaboration of Mustafa Muradov, Head of the Nano Research Scientific Research Laboratory at the Research, Development, and Innovation Excellence Center, and me. Our research has yielded concrete results, and we obtained a patent for it. It is well known that water pollution occurs due to the discharge of various dyes and organic compounds into water, resulting in reduced water resources. The necessity to effectively purify water arises. With our research, we were able to achieve a 98% purification rate.
• How do you share your scientific knowledge and experience with your younger colleagues?
• Every week, we organize seminars for both students and staff. Our colleagues present the research they are working on and share information about the latest developments in their fields. During these seminars, students also present their research, based on their tasks or research areas, and share their opinions. This process motivates and guides them. We constantly provide advice on how to approach different areas of research and guide them on methods.
• In my opinion, collaboration between young scientists and their foreign counterparts is essential. What is being done in your department or faculty in terms of joint research or collaboration?
• Our laboratory has extensive international connections, particularly with institutions in Turkey, Italy, and Germany. These connections are clearly visible in the articles we have published. We conduct joint research projects with several universities. Within the framework of these projects, we go on short-term missions to those countries to continue our research and collaborate on studies. This enables us to exchange knowledge and transfer technology with the leading universities of the world.
• How do your foreign colleagues evaluate the research conducted at BSU?
• Whether it is the educational and research opportunities at Baku State University or the enthusiasm of the young people, and their research efforts, it is clear that BSU does not fall behind other universities around the world. For example, when a project starts, the foundational research is carried out at our university. Not only are the young scientists conducting research at our university highly motivated, but overall, Azerbaijani youth are extremely hardworking. They are dedicated to science, working diligently and continually improving themselves. If our doctoral students can present their research clearly in a foreign language at an international conference and their research is well-received, this is a significant achievement.
• What are your research goals in your field?
• I have already been admitted to the doctoral program for the Doctor of Science degree. Currently, I am conducting research on the modifications of carbon, its structure, and related applications. The main focus of my research is graphene, which forms the basis of electronics. These compounds have significant potential in wastewater purification, green technologies, and renewable energy, among other applications. They have a very positive impact on the environment by reducing carbon emissions. I am continuing my research in this area.
• What advice would you give to young people?
• My advice is that young people should keep working hard on their research. If they face a setback, they should not lose heart and continue to work on improving themselves. Persistence always leads to success; stopping is when all hopes are lost. If they continue their efforts consistently, they will definitely achieve results. I should also mention that we are fortunate to be part of a very good scientific school. Our mentor has been exceptional. Both during my master's and doctoral studies, my supervisor has always motivated us and never let us feel discouraged. We try to follow his example and pass on the same motivation to the younger generation.

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