Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — The fifth international FAN 0+ festival, aimed at promoting science and introducing young people to modern technologies, was held at the Institute of Materials Science of the Academy of Sciences of Uzbekistan on 7–8 November. One of the event's main venues was the institute in the Solnechnoe settlement of Parkent district.
The festival was held as part of BRICS+ Open Science Week under the theme “Your Space”.
The event also marked the 65th anniversary of Yuri Gagarin’s first space flight.
The Institute of Materials Science’s programme was titled “Solar Energy in the Service of Science”. Visitors were shown the capabilities of Uzbekistan’s solar technology infrastructure, including the operation of optical systems and solar concentrators.
During demonstrations, participants observed how concentrated sunlight can be used to heat and boil water rapidly. One demonstration involved lighting the Olympic torch using solar energy.
Institute staff also introduced school pupils, university students and other visitors to developments in functional materials and environmentally friendly technologies.
The festival was held at several venues across Uzbekistan, including the Tashkent Polytechnic Museum, branches of leading Russian universities — Moscow State University, the D. I. Mendeleev University of Chemical Technology of Russia and the National Research Nuclear University MEPhI — as well as specialised schools in the regions.
The Academy of Sciences said the Institute of Materials Science’s programme demonstrated the capabilities of Uzbekistan’s scientific community in alternative energy and helped promote scientific and technological developments among young people.
