Senior Research Associate at Vinča Institute of Nuclear Sciences, University of Belgrade, National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, Serbia.
Dr. Svetlana Ilić 🇷🇸 is a Senior Research Associate at the Vinča Institute of Nuclear Sciences, University of Belgrade. Born in Belgrade in 1981, she is a passionate and persistent researcher known for her expertise in ceramics and nanomaterials 🔬. Over the past 14+ years, Dr. Ilić has made significant contributions to sustainable materials research, focusing on mullite ceramics, porous structures, and environmental applications 🌱. She actively collaborates in European research networks and has authored numerous high-impact publications 🧪. Beyond her technical skills, she is a strong team player, quick learner, and dedicated scientist who continually seeks to innovate through natural and recycled resources 🌍. Dr. Ilić is also engaged in editorial roles and peer-reviewing for top international journals 📚. Her work is an excellent blend of academic excellence, environmental consciousness, and applied science.
Professional Profile
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Suitability For Best Researcher Award – Dr. Svetlana Ilić
Dr. Svetlana Ilić embodies the qualities of a top-tier researcher: deep technical expertise, consistent research output, international collaboration, and strong alignment with current global priorities in sustainability and advanced materials. Her 14+ years of dedicated work in ceramic and nanomaterials—particularly using sustainable and recycled raw materials—places her at the forefront of environmentally conscious material science.She demonstrates a rare blend of experimental skill, innovation, academic leadership, and scientific communication, with tangible impact in applied technologies such as energy efficiency, environmental remediation, and thermal insulation. Her editorial and peer-review roles further reflect her peer recognition and thought leadership.
Education
Dr. Svetlana Ilić completed all levels of her academic education at the University of Belgrade – Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy 🎓. She earned her Bachelor’s (BSc) and later pursued both Master’s and PhD degrees in materials science 🧪. Her studies were rooted in ceramic materials, sintering technologies, and advanced characterization techniques 🔍. With a strong academic foundation and curiosity for sustainable solutions, she developed deep expertise in mullite synthesis, nanoindentation, and refractory materials 🔬. Her educational background continues to fuel her innovation in the synthesis and application of environmentally-friendly ceramic materials 🌱.
Experience
Since 2011, Dr. Ilić has served as a Senior Research Associate at the Vinča Institute of Nuclear Sciences, Department of Materials 🏢. Her research focuses on the synthesis, sintering, and characterization of ceramic and nanostructured materials, including work on refractory ceramics, porous materials, and LTCC systems 🔥. She is proficient in tools like XRD, SEM, Mossbauer spectroscopy, and nanoindentation, enabling her to explore structural, thermal, and mechanical properties in detail 🧫. Svetlana also plays a key role in international and national research projects, contributing to advancements in energy, environmental protection, and biomedicine 🌍. Her commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation has made her a respected figure in her field 🤝.
Professional Development
Dr. Ilić continually evolves through active participation in collaborative research projects, including COST Actions and EU-funded networks 🌐. From 2020 to 2025, she has contributed to projects on graphene-based wastewater treatment, nano-porous materials, and mullite-based insulation from industrial waste ♻️. She also serves as a peer reviewer for top journals such as the Journal of the American Ceramic Society, enhancing her insight into global research trends 📝. In 2024, she stepped into an editorial role as a Guest Editor for Metallurgical and Materials Data, showcasing leadership in scholarly publishing 🗂️. Her engagement in academic communities (Scopus, ORCID, ResearchGate) ensures she stays connected with the latest developments 📚. Fluent in English 🇬🇧 and digitally adept (MS Office, Google tools), Svetlana actively participates in knowledge-sharing across platforms. These ongoing activities reflect her commitment to lifelong learning and maintaining a cutting-edge research profile 🚀.
Research Focus Category
Dr. Svetlana Ilić’s research is primarily focused on ceramic materials and nanotechnology, with a strong emphasis on sustainable and energy-efficient applications 🌿. Her specialization lies in mullite-based ceramics, both dense and porous, which are crucial in thermal insulation, diesel filtration, and environmental remediation 🚗🌍. She has also explored the use of waste-derived raw materials, such as clay and diatomite, to create high-performance ceramics, aligning her work with circular economy goals 🔄. Additionally, she has worked on graphene films for wastewater treatment, integrating novel materials with real-world environmental challenges 💧. Her interdisciplinary research spans materials for mechanical engineering, biomedicine, and clean energy 🔋. The blend of ceramic science, environmental sustainability, and applied material design defines her category as Advanced Functional Materials for Sustainable Technologies. This focus addresses some of today’s most pressing scientific and industrial needs ♻️⚙️.
Research Skill Category
Dr. Ilić’s key research skills lie in the synthesis, processing, and advanced characterization of ceramic and nanostructured materials 🔬. She is skilled in sol-gel methods, solution combustion synthesis, and high-temperature sintering, enabling the production of both dense and porous ceramics 🧪. Her analytical toolbox includes X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Mossbauer spectroscopy, and nanoindentation for assessing structural and mechanical properties 🧫. She also demonstrates proficiency in thermal analysis techniques and microstructural evaluation, which are essential for high-performance ceramics 🔍. Furthermore, her experience with natural materials, dopant effects, and recyclable resources gives her a unique edge in sustainable material development 🌱. Her collaborative, data-driven approach ensures accurate, reproducible outcomes. In terms of skill category, she belongs to Advanced Materials Characterization & Processing, with a focus on sustainable, high-temperature materials and nano-engineered ceramics ♻️🔥.
Awards and Honors
While specific named awards are not listed, Dr. Svetlana Ilić has achieved editorial and peer-review recognition, which reflects her respected standing in the scientific community 🏆. She was selected as a Guest Editor (2024) for Metallurgical and Materials Data, highlighting her leadership in scholarly communication 📘. She has also been invited as a reviewer by top journals such as the Journal of the American Ceramic Society and the Journal of the European Ceramic Society, underscoring her expertise and credibility in materials science 🌍. Her extensive publication record and participation in high-impact, interdisciplinary projects are further testaments to her academic excellence and contribution to the field 🧠✨. These ongoing professional activities represent honors in the form of peer recognition, editorial trust, and institutional affiliation with leading research initiatives.
Publication Top Notes
1. Sol–gel synthesis and characterization of iron doped mullite
Authors: S. Ilić, S. Zec, M. Miljković, D. Poleti, M. Pošarac-Marković, D. Janaćković, et al.
Journal: Journal of Alloys and Compounds, Vol. 612, pp. 259–264, 2014
Citations: 49
Summary:
This paper explores the sol–gel synthesis of iron-doped mullite (3Al₂O₃·2SiO₂). The aim was to understand how iron incorporation affects mullite’s formation and structure.
2. Porous ceramic monoliths based on diatomite
Authors: A. Šaponjić, M. Stanković, J. Majstorović, B. Matović, S. Ilić, A. Egelja, et al.
Journal: Ceramics International, Vol. 41(8), pp. 9745–9752, 2015
Citations: 48
Summary:
The study presents a method for fabricating porous ceramic monoliths using natural diatomite as the main raw material.
3. Effect of boric acid on the porosity of clay and diatomite monoliths
Authors: M. Kokunešoski, A. Šaponjić, M. Stanković, J. Majstorović, A. Egelja, S. Ilić, et al.
Journal: Ceramics International, Vol. 42(5), pp. 6383–6390, 2016
Citations: 25
Summary:
This research investigates how boric acid as a pore-forming agent impacts the porosity and structure of monoliths made from clay and diatomite.
4. Structural and morphological characterization of iron-doped sol-gel derived mullite powders
Authors: S. Ilić, B. Babić, A. Bjelajac, N. Stoimenov, L. Kljajević, M. Pošarac–Marković, et al.
Journal: Ceramics International, Vol. 46(9), pp. 13107–13113, 2020
Citations: 15
Summary:
A follow-up to earlier work, this paper delves deeper into the microstructural and morphological aspects of iron-doped mullite powders synthesized via the sol–gel process.
5. High pressure densification of nanocrystalline mullite powder
Authors: S. Ilić, S. Zec, M. Rosić, V. Maksimović, J. Ružić, V. Urbanovich, B. Matović
Journal: Ceramics International, Vol. 42(4), pp. 5319–5325, 2016
Citations: 13
Summary:
This paper focuses on high-pressure sintering (HP-HT) of nanocrystalline mullite powders, aiming to enhance densification without grain growth.
6. Structural, microstructural and mechanical properties of sintered iron-doped mullite
Authors: S. Ilić, V.N. Ivanovski, Ž. Radovanović, A. Egelja, M. Kokunešoski, A. Šaponjić, et al.
Journal: Materials Science and Engineering: B, Vol. 256, Article 114543, 2020
Citations: 12
Summary:
Investigates the mechanical behavior (hardness, fracture toughness) of sintered iron-doped mullite ceramics and correlates these with structural and microstructural characteristics.
Conclusion
Dr. Svetlana Ilić is eminently qualified for a Best Researcher Award based on her sustained scientific contributions, innovative approaches to sustainable materials, and active participation in the international research community. Her profile reflects a rare synergy between academic depth, practical relevance, and societal impact.