History

The rapid development and diversification of research topics in the world at that time in the field of materials technology, including semiconductors, cybernetics, automation, systems theory, computer techniques, etc., combined with the creation of interdisciplinary research directions, was the reason for the formation and development of new research teams, including interdisciplinary teams. A corollary of this was the need to reorganize research institutions. This also occurred in Poland, which was reflected in the formation and reorganization of institutes of the Polish Academy of Sciences. In 1971, the Institute of Applied Cybernetics of the Polish Academy of Sciences (ICS PAN) was created from the Institute of Automation of the Polish Academy of Sciences, with Prof. Maciej Nałęcz as director. Research topics conducted at ICS PAN included: (1) methods and devices for measuring various mechanical, electrical, magnetic and optical quantities; (2) use of the obtained measurement signals for various purposes, including biomedical, mainly using electrical methods; (3) computer methods and devices for processing and analyzing biomedical signals and images; (4) cybernetic methods and (5) bionics.

At the same time, in 1971-1975, extensive interdisciplinary research was undertaken in Poland, within the framework of the nationwide nodal problem 06.6.1 "Research on the application of new physical phenomena and technologies to the construction of measuring instruments and automation components, and the development and implementation for small-scale production of scientific and research apparatus." ICS PAS has been designated as the coordinating unit in this case, and Prof. Maciej Nalecz has been appointed as the head of this nodal problem.

Undertaking research on such an extensive topic required taking an interest in it and attracting research teams and employees with relevant specialties from numerous institutions. In addition to the aforementioned graduates of the Faculties of Electrical Engineering and Electronics of the Warsaw University of Technology, graduates of universities with other specialties, such as from the Faculties of Precision Mechanics (now Mechatronics), Chemical Engineering and Chemical and Process Engineering of the Warsaw University of Technology, as well as - from the Medical Academies, also participated in the implementation of the tasks of nodal problem 06.6.1.

An important factor stimulating the dissemination of new scientific disciplines in the country was the establishment of the Committee on Biocybernetics and Biomedical Engineering of the Polish Academy of Sciences in 1972, the chairman of which, as a result of the election, became Prof. Maciej Nałęcz and held this position until 2007. 

In 1973, in connection with the slogan of creating "large economic organizations" (WOGs) promoted by the country's political authorities of the time, the Institute of Applied Cybernetics of the Polish Academy of Sciences and selected research teams from the Institute of Philosophy and Sociology of the Polish Academy of Sciences and other units dealing with information technology were formed from the merger of the Institute of Organization and Management (IOiK), as a scientific unit subordinate to the Polish Academy of Sciences and the Ministry of Science, Higher Education and Technology. 

Within the framework of IOiK PAN and MNSWiT, of which Prof. Andrzej Straszak became Director, the research previously conducted at ICS PAN was continued, preferred due to the political and economic needs of the time. In particular, this included: the theory of control of large systems, the theory and methods of work organization, the theory and basis of operation of multicomputer information systems, etc. Within this Institute, the Biocybernetics and Biomedical Engineering Center (OBiIB), established on the initiative of Prof. Maciej Nałęcz, who became Head of this Center, continued research previously conducted at ICS PAS in the fields of biocybernetics and biomedical engineering, as well as measurement and control systems. This prevented the reduction of research at IOiK from this area. The institute, established in this way for political reasons, lasted only two years.

Based on the scientific staff working at the Center for Biocybernetics and Biomedical Engineering of the IOiK PAN and the MNSzWiT, in January 1975, a team led by Prof. Maciej Nałęcz prepared a proposal for the establishment of the IBIB PAN. An important rationale for the establishment of this interdisciplinary Institute in Poland was to base its activities on the integration of distant fields of knowledge - biology and medicine on the one hand, and science and technical sciences with its research, measurement and mathematical methods on the other. In the leading countries of the world at that time, numerous institutions were established to conduct research in the aforementioned field. There were journals published on the subject. The IBIB of the Polish Academy of Sciences began its activities on October 15, 1975 - on the basis of the Resolution of the Presidium of the Polish Academy of Sciences of July 15, 1975. The main organizer of the Institute and its first Director was Professor Maciej Nałęcz. Favorable conditions for the development of the Institute, as well as the new discipline in Poland, were also provided by various initiated events, which became the basis for long-term activity, including the organization of the National Scientific Conferences on Biocybernetics and Biomedical Engineering (since 1976) and the publication of the quarterly Biocybernetics and Biomedical Engineering (since 1980), as well as the construction of the Institute's new headquarters at 4 Prince Trojden Street in Warsaw. An important role in the aforementioned organizational and research activities was played, mainly in the initial period of IBIB PAN's activity, by Prof. Maciej Nałęcz's closest collaborators, including later professors Stanisław Topiński, Ignacy Zawicki, Władysław Torbicz, Andrzej Weryński, Roman Maniewski, Zbigniew Dunajski, Wojciech Piątkiewicz, Marek Darowski, Wojciech Zmysłowski and Jan Wójcicki. 

new discipline in Poland, were also provided by various initiated events, which became the basis for long-term activity, including the organization of the National Scientific Conferences on Biocybernetics and Biomedical Engineering (since 1976) and the publication of the quarterly Biocybernetics and Biomedical Engineering (since 1980), as well as the construction of the Institute's new headquarters at 4 Prince Trojden Street in Warsaw. An important role in the aforementioned organizational and research activities was played, mainly in the initial period of IBIB PAN's activity, by Prof. Maciej Nałęcz's closest collaborators, including later professors Stanisław Topiński, Ignacy Zawicki, Władysław Torbicz, Andrzej Weryński, Roman Maniewski, Zbigniew Dunajski, Wojciech Piątkiewicz, Marek Darowski, Wojciech Zmysłowski and Jan Wójcicki. The IBIB of the Polish Academy of Sciences is the largest institution in Poland conducting research on the discipline of biomedical engineering. As the first in Poland, it was authorized to confer doctoral (1983) and postdoctoral (1987) degrees in the field of engineering sciences - in the discipline of biocybernetics and biomedical engineering. The current designations are: the field of engineering sciences and the discipline of biomedical engineering. The IBIB of the Polish Academy of Sciences, since its establishment, in addition to its statutory activities, has actively joined in activities aimed at developing biomedical engineering in the country. Since the establishment in 1988 of the International Center for Biocybernetics of the Polish Academy of Sciences (MCB), which is administratively linked to IBIB PAN, and whose director for 21 years was Prof. Maciej Nałęcz, the Institute has developed close contacts with many foreign institutions and organizations. This facilitated international scientific cooperation not only for the Institute, but also for other research teams from Poland. The currently good premises, including hotel rooms at the Institute's headquarters, facilitate the organization of seminars and scientific conferences - national and international.