IKU-SPECTRA:
Molecular Sciences and Spectroscopy Applied Research Center is established
within Istanbul Kültür University to conduct advanced research and promote
scientific excellence in the fields of molecular sciences.
Our center is shaped
by the Spectroscopy@IKU ERA-Chair Project, the first project in Türkiye funded
by the European Union under the Horizon Europe Programme, Grant No: 101184899,
within the Widening Participation and Strengthening the European Research Area
(WIDERA) ERA-CHAIRS Programme. With a budget of 2.5 million Euros, the project
is developed over a five-year period at Istanbul Kültür University, laying the
foundation for a Center of Excellence (IKU-SPECTRA) equipped with advanced
instrumentation and specialized human resources to foster research and
innovation in physics, chemistry and materials sciences with spectroscopy as
the unifying vector.
Our research focuses
on critical scientific areas, including environmental, atmospheric and space
chemistries, as well as materials sciences with pharmaceutically relevant
materials at the core of our investigations. By employing advanced molecular
spectroscopy techniques, we explore the structure and reactivity of atmospheric
molecules and investigate the polymorphism exhibited by molecular crystals, a
crucial concern for the pharmaceutical industry. These research activities are
supported by state-of-the-art laboratory infrastructure and advanced
computational methods, enhancing Istanbul Kültür University's scientific
capacity and its international visibility.
As part of our
mission, IKU-SPECTRA contributes to the strengthening of the MSc Program in
Physics and the creation of a new Physics PhD Program at IKU, fostering an
attractive and stimulating environment for young national and international
researchers.
We are also proud to
host Türkiye’s first matrix isolation spectroscopy facility, along with modern
Raman imaging and X-Ray diffraction laboratories. As a new hub for scientific
excellence, IKU-SPECTRA offers high-quality services to national and international
academic and industrial users, positioning Istanbul and Türkiye as privileged
international platforms for knowledge-based services and advanced technology
transfer to societal stakeholders.
As a whole,
IKU-SPECTRA aims to make Istanbul Kültür University an internationally
recognized major player in spectroscopy, while contributing to global
scientific agendas such as the European Strategic Research and Innovation
Agenda (SRIA) and the Green Deal.
At IKU-SPECTRA, we
strive not only to enhance IKU's research capacity but also to establish
ourselves as a leading center in spectroscopy in the region. We aim to foster
interdisciplinary collaborations while advancing scientific knowledge through
national and international partnerships, ultimately serving society.