"The Institute of Mechanics at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences was established in 1972 on the basis of the Institute of Technical Mechanics (founded in 1962). The institute is a leading research center in the field of theoretical and applied mechanics. It performs research, consultations and experts’ reports, metrology measurements, construction of scientific devices and education of highly qualified specialists in theoretical and applied mechanics, biomechanics and mechatronics. The institute consists of 8 departments and 8 laboratories. The staff of the institute comprises about 100 scientists and researchers viz., 1 academician, 1 corresonding member of BAS, 10 professors and 60 associate professors. 11 scientists are Doctors of Sciences and 71 scientists have Ph.D. degree. Annually the scientists from the institute publish about 120 publications, two third of which are in international journals and scientific events proceedings. Scientists from the Institute of Mechanics possess about 170 National Patents. More than 80 innovations are patented in 15 countries. The research results of the Institute are applied in many branches of industry, agriculture, the medicine and sport."Source: Institute's website, as accessed in March 2014.