The Centre of Excellence „Center for Synthesis, Processing and Characterization of Materials for Application in Extreme Conditions” (CEXTREME LAB) was founded within the Vinča Institute of Nuclear Sciences of the University of Belgrade and accredited for the first time in the year 2015. CEXTREME LAB, as the first officially accredited Center of Excellence of the largest research institute in the country, gathered a team of experts with different specialties, primarily in the field of material science, crystallography, metallurgy, chemical engineering, electrical and mechanical engineering, theoretical chemistry, mineralogy, and physical chemistry, to adequately address the challenges of modern interdisciplinary research. Scientific activities within CEXTREME LAB are focused on the basic sciences (chemistry, physics, biology), as well as on the applied research and engineering. Aiming to efficiently deal with recognized modern research, industrial and ecological challenges and conduct research activities within fundamental, innovative, and applied science the CEXTREME LAB research activities are organized within seven specialized Laboratories.

The CEXTREME LAB research activities are focused on the synthesis and investigation of innovative ceramic, metallic, carbon- and polymer-based materials obtained or operated under extreme conditions that include a wide range of temperatures, high pressures, high magnetic and electric fields, radiation conditions, extremely corrosive environments, high mechanical loads, and non-equilibrium thermodynamic conditions by combining modern experimental and computational methods.

Over the years the CEXTREME LAB team achieved exceptional results on the national and international level which is reflected not only in the numerous published high-quality research papers, published monograph studies, endorsed innovation and international research projects, but also in the numerous published patents, and signed cooperation agreements with highly-established international research institutions and domestic economic enterprises.

Aiming to popularize the research in their field of interest, the CEXTREME LAB team members in the year 2020 initiated the publication of the open-access scientific journal “Journal of Innovative Materials in Extreme Conditions” (ISSN (Online): 2738-0882), and starting with the year 2022 organize “The International Conference on Innovative Materials in Extreme Conditions” (IMEC).