The main task of the Institute is to conduct high quality research in the areas which are the focus of the world's science and technology. The most important fields of the Institute's expertise include theoretical and applied mechanics, theory of coupled mechanical and physical fields, theoretical and experimental mechanics of materials and structures, computational methods in mechanics, acoustoelectronics, and ultrasonic medical diagnostics. Extensive research is also conducted in several branches of fundamental science and technology, such as: physics and thermodynamics of continua; plasma physics; stochastic dynamics; fluid mechanics; laser beam interaction with metal surfaces, nanophotonic, applied mathematics, applied informatics, and bio-informatics.

Mission

• To be the reference centre of scientific and technological excellence, radical innovation and implementation of technology achievements into Polish scientific and industrial environment.
• To start up and participate in activities related to multifunctional materials, polymers, smart materials and technologies, biomedical applications of ultrasound and microfluidic technologies, applied information science, and innovation technologies.
• To provide first-rate PhD education in contemporary technology, mechanics, acoustics, computing, and its advances related to biomedical applications, enhanced by internationalization, links with industry, and the encouragement of a discovery spirit.
• To promote, support, drive and implement research and technology transfer initiatives and activities and links with industry and commerce to contribute to the sustainable development of society.

Actual research targets

Research and development of advanced multifunctional materials, numerical methods in structural mechanics and material modelling, development of novel measuring techniques, identification of mechanical properties of materials, construction of diagnostic equipment (particularly in acoustics), application of the so-called smart technologies, laser methods of surface modifications, development of the ultrasonic and optical methods for bio-material structure analysis, modelling cell signalling paths and development of microfluidic devices for manipulating and diagnostics at cell level.

Key words

• physics of continua,
• computational methods in mechanics,
• multifunctional materials, shape memory alloys, nano-materials,
• mechanics of materials and plasticity,
• fracture mechanics,
• structural optimization,
• nonlinear dynamics,
• stochastic dynamics,
• electromagnetic,thermal and mechanical interactions in solids,
• smart materials and technologies,
• rheology of polymers,
• microflows,
• bio-informatics and system biology,
• biomaterials,
• ultrasound in biomedicine,
• ultrasonic diagnosis of materials,
• environmental acoustics,
• laser induced surface modifications,
• nanophotonics,
• renewable energy,
• thermoelasticity,
• thermoplasticity,
• wave propagation,
• vibroacoustics,
• theory of defects.

 The Institute has an extensive experience in international co-operation particularly in the area of international Research and Technology Development projects (RTD). It resulted in establishing the EU National Contact Point for Research Programmes in the Institute, responsible for information and advisory support concerning participation of Polish researchers and enterprises in the EU Framework Programmes (starting from the 5th FP). In order to concentrate the Institute's potential  in the most promising and innovative areas, the Institute participates in several highly specialized research consortia.

 Great importance is attributed to various forms of co-operation with industry. Together with the results of scientific research, the Institute has developed a wide range of modern technologies, a considerable number of original measurement and diagnostic equipment, both engineering and medical, and a number of innovative computer programmes. These products were developed in close cooperation with industrial partners.