She has discovered new ways to use nanofibers in the environmental field. Fatma Yalcinkaya is a scientist whose name resonates both here and abroad. More than a decade ago, it was the nanoscale world that attracted her to the Technical University of Liberec from Turkey.Fatma comes to our interview right on time, ready for every question. It is clear at first glance that she has a fixed direction she wants to take, but she comes across as very modest and pleasant. Her dedication and diligence is paying off, as she has been among the top 2% of the most cited scientists in the world for four consecutive years across all fields covered by Scopus, according to Elsevier and SciTech Strategies together with Stanford University.<h4>Nano-small, mega-interesting</h4>Fatma chose the textile industry in Turkey because it was at a high level at that time. She chose the Technical University of Liberec as her Erasmus traineeship. Here she fell under the spell of the nanoworld. "The nanoworld is really small, but also really interesting. I like that it is a multidisciplinary combination of chemistry, polymers, materials or physics. I chose Liberec because it is one of the world leaders in nanotechnology," she says.At TUL she met Oldřich Jirsák, who made the first industrial nanospider. And she was rightly impressed. A nanospider can really be imagined as a spider that forms filaments so thin that a microscope is needed to see them nicely. But this device works much faster and is slightly larger than a human. And it is in speed that the nanospider is groundbreaking.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/CXI_TUL_It_amuses_me_when_people_tell_me_they_don_t_believe_in_nano_says_Fatma_Yalcinkaya_3_50c29eccaf.jpg" alt="CXI TUL: It amuses me when people tell me they don't believe in nano, says Fatma Yalcinkaya." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_CXI_TUL_It_amuses_me_when_people_tell_me_they_don_t_believe_in_nano_says_Fatma_Yalcinkaya_3_50c29eccaf.jpg 117w," sizes="100vw" width="1500" height="2000"><h4>Partners also in research</h4>In 2010 she decided to move to Liberec permanently and took her husband, who also worked at TUL but now works for the company, with her. She and her husband are also partners in research and help each other out. "He is a support for me, even though he accidentally electroshocked me once," she laughs. "After a grueling day of taking measurements for my dissertation, I still had my fingers on the needle where the fibers are forming. There's a voltage attached to it. And my husband didn't notice and accidentally let electricity into me. It wasn't explicitly painful, but it was unpleasant," Fatma recalls.<h4>Contact between research and industry</h4>Before Fatma joined the Institute for Nanomaterials, Advanced Technologies and Innovations at TUL, she tried her hand at working in a research company partly supported by the state, which focused more on basic research. "There was high-end instrumentation, we were given training on the different instruments and could use them. There was also a unique opportunity to publish much more frequently in the top decile. On the other hand, there was also a lot of competition and the pressure was discouraging. At TUL it is different, we can only work on instruments within our department. If we want to use another instrument, we have to find a project that will fund the work on it. But the facilities here are great," explains Fatma, for whom the positive side of <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://lcms.labrulez.com/companies/319">CXI TUL</a> is that the people there are very nice and there is a close connection with industry. She sees her research being used in industry."I never imagined the direction I wanted to take. I wanted to travel the world and explore. And as a scientist, that's exactly what I'm doing. I really enjoy it, meeting new people or new directions in research. Working at a university gives me more opportunities to start new research. In industry, I am closer to the real application, but starting new research is not so easy," Fatma lists the reasons why she chose a career as a scientist at university.<h4>Who doesn't believe in nano?</h4>Pure joy. That is what I feel from Fatma as soon as she starts describing her research on microbial fuel cells. Such a cell is made up of microorganisms from wastewater, and the wastewater also serves as a source of organic matter that is their food. The bacteria convert the food into electrons and the energy in them is further used. "Microbial fuel cells don't just stay in the lab. The system has been used to power a Glastonbury Festival or is being used in Africa as a light source in public toilets by top one of the top scientist Prof. Ioannis Ieropoulos and his team in UK.""I'm always surprised when someone says they don't believe in nano," Fatma continues to explain her research with amusement. "And yet it has so many different applications. For example, I work on membrane technologies for water purification and reuse. I prepare the membranes myself using nanofibres and they can trap a spesific range spectrum of substances, even microplastics or oily substances. But such a membrane can also be used for water desalination as support layer or air filtration," she enthuses, explaining the future directions of her research.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/CXI_TUL_It_amuses_me_when_people_tell_me_they_don_t_believe_in_nano_says_Fatma_Yalcinkaya_4_1fa67fc551.jpg" alt="CXI TUL: &quot;It amuses me when people tell me they don't believe in nano,&quot; says Fatma Yalcinkaya." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_CXI_TUL_It_amuses_me_when_people_tell_me_they_don_t_believe_in_nano_says_Fatma_Yalcinkaya_4_1fa67fc551.jpg 117w," sizes="100vw" width="1500" height="2000"><h4>Under the hood of companies</h4>Fatma is currently working most intensively on <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://sites.google.com/view/v4-project/home">a project</a> funded by the international Visegrad Fund, which connects the Technical University of Liberec with academic institutions in Poland and Hungary, as well as with industrial companies. "Our goal is to create a network of excellence in the field of nanofibers in the V4 countries involving three respected academic institutions and industrial partners. So I am bringing my knowledge about nanomembranes there. It's a project more focused on sharing experiences, but because we are also working with companies, we know which problems are burning the industry and what else we have to work on. I think if the science stays behind closed doors, there's no point. I'm very much in favour of open science, open science facilitates the exchange of knowledge and contributes to the development of science internationally. At the moment I am busy preparing the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://sites.google.com/view/electrospinningworkshop2024/home">workshop</a>," Fatma concludes.<h4>Czech family</h4>And where does Fatma see herself in five years? Again at CXI TUL. She is simply happy here, perhaps because she received a really warm welcome at the beginning. Her thesis advisor picked her up at the airport and brought her to the room she was to share with her roommate. He helped her with her luggage and prepared a few essentials for the kitchen so that she could prepare a meal. "My roommate thought he was my dad. And indeed, in reality, my dissertation advisor and his wife became my Czech family. I really appreciate their help."<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/CXI_TUL_It_amuses_me_when_people_tell_me_they_don_t_believe_in_nano_says_Fatma_Yalcinkaya_1_bac2e5ddd8.jpg" alt="CXI TUL: It amuses me when people tell me they don't believe in nano, says Fatma Yalcinkaya." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_CXI_TUL_It_amuses_me_when_people_tell_me_they_don_t_believe_in_nano_says_Fatma_Yalcinkaya_1_bac2e5ddd8.jpg 117w," sizes="100vw" width="3000" height="4000">

"It amuses me when people tell me they don't believe in nano," says Fatma Yalcinkaya

"I like the non-violence of the environmental chemistry field. We're trying to help society," says analytical chemist Martin Palušák from the Institute for Nanomaterials, Advanced Technologies and Innovation, who is currently working on methods for reusing metals from mine water.Martin grew up in the popularity of Jurassic Park. He wanted to travel the world and discover dinosaurs, but over time he found chemistry and physics more interesting. "My chemist and I went to the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://lcms.labrulez.com/companies/62">Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry</a> of the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://lcms.labrulez.com/companies/10">CAS</a>. We went to a lab where they were studying the structures of proteins. It was in the basement, with an old couch against the wall and a shelf full of fantasy books next to it. And I thought, I have to do this. That's when I decided that I wanted to be a scientist," recalls Martin, who returned to the Institute of Chemical Biology as part of his bachelor's thesis. "It was a valuable experience, there are real experts working there," he says. So Martin studied biochemistry at the UK and ended up at the Faculty of Nuclear and Physical Engineering at the Czech Technical University, where he went on to complete his PhD.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/CXI_TUL_Z_laborky_rovnou_na_longboard_Martin_Palusak_jede_ve_vede_a_adrenalinu_cover_image_0faeb1c613.jpg" alt="CXI TUL: Martin Palušák goes from lab to longboard: science and adrenaline" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_CXI_TUL_Z_laborky_rovnou_na_longboard_Martin_Palusak_jede_ve_vede_a_adrenalinu_cover_image_0faeb1c613.jpg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="1080" height="670">In a white coat instead of a helmet on the dig siteEventually he returned from Prague to his native Liberec and currently works in the environmental chemistry laboratory at the Institute for Nanomaterials, Advanced Technologies and Innovations (<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://lcms.labrulez.com/companies/319">CXI TUL</a>). "During my PhD I worked here two days a week. And then my wife was pregnant, so we decided to go back to our family. Everything goes better with the help of grandmothers," explains Martin.Martin values the freedom of self-realization and the opportunity to gain experience abroad. "We have a lot of international collaborations, I have gotten to places I would never have thought of in my life. I was in the oceanography lab. They had round windows on the door, just like on a ship. There were aquariums full of fish or even coral. Of course, we don't have that in the Czech Republic."Did his childhood dream come true? He travels the world and discovers. Not dinosaurs, but analytical methods.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/CXI_TUL_Z_laborky_rovnou_na_longboard_Martin_Palusak_jede_ve_vede_a_adrenalinu_1_4827d2c497.jpg" alt="CXI TUL: Martin Palušák goes from lab to longboard: science and adrenaline." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_CXI_TUL_Z_laborky_rovnou_na_longboard_Martin_Palusak_jede_ve_vede_a_adrenalinu_1_4827d2c497.jpg 156w," sizes="100vw" width="1080" height="1080">Hit the bull's-eyeAnd what would Martin recommend to budding scientists? "The most important thing is to choose the right field," he jokes."I chose environmental chemistry. I enjoy the fact that this field is trying to help society. For example, there is a lot of debate these days about whether or not there is global warming and who is to blame. We look for the facts and use them to decide on solutions to improve the current situation. In our case, for example, by treating water better or using neglected resources."The fact that Martin is passionate about chemistry is evidenced by the fact that he performed chemical experiments at schools and then taught organic chemistry and ran laboratories at the PhD level. "When I think about it, it was definitely an important experience. It made me realize how much I didn't know. Nowadays, teaching is no longer compulsory, but I think everyone who wants to work in a university should try it as a career."Did his childhood dream come true? He travels the world and discovers. Not dinosaurs, but analytical methods.From the lab straight to the longboardAnd what's Martin up to after work? He rides from the peaks of the Jizera Mountains on a longboard. He has no brakes, he controls everything with his body. "Now I take more care of myself for my family. I go slower, maybe 60 km per hour," explains Martin, who still relaxes after work by bouldering and of course with his wife and daughter.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/CXI_TUL_Z_laborky_rovnou_na_longboard_Martin_Palusak_jede_ve_vede_a_adrenalinu_3_2536599565.jpg" alt="CXI TUL: Martin Palušák goes from lab to longboard: science and adrenaline." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_CXI_TUL_Z_laborky_rovnou_na_longboard_Martin_Palusak_jede_ve_vede_a_adrenalinu_3_2536599565.jpg 229w," sizes="100vw" width="1627" height="1107">Horizon Europe TwinningMartin is working on several projects, one of the larger ones being <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://surri.eu/">SURRI</a> (Sustainable Remediation of Radionuclide Impacts on Land and Critical Materials Recovery). It is a prestigious international Horizon Europe Twinning project. The main idea is to form a team and exchange know-how through the world.And what is the project about? The Czech Republic has been one of the main producers of uranium in recent years. After mining, there are many sites with high levels of radioactive substances or rare heavy metals. However, these can still be considered strategic raw materials. "The first problem that SURRI is addressing is how to clean up the mine water. This is because a huge amount of money is spent to ensure that contaminated water does not flow into the environment. But by cleaning the water, we concentrate strategic materials such as uranium or heavy metals. The next problem is how to access and reuse these valuable resources. The options are biological or chemical. I am working on electrochemical methods."Extracting metals from mine waterTo a layman, what Martin is doing can be described as having two magnets that can attract certain chemicals, but instead of magnetism, electricity is used. "Our partner, the University of Southampton, has a lot of experience in this and that helps us transfer their methods to our conditions. And it was an English university that was almost excluded because of Brexit. And then we have partnerships with Sapienza University of Rome and the University of Granada, and in the Czech Republic we work with the national company Diamo. SURRI is a project that promotes knowledge transfer."<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/CXI_TUL_Z_laborky_rovnou_na_longboard_Martin_Palusak_jede_ve_vede_a_adrenalinu_2_d877d2c4c2.jpg" alt="CXI TUL: Martin Palušák goes from lab to longboard: science and adrenaline." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_CXI_TUL_Z_laborky_rovnou_na_longboard_Martin_Palusak_jede_ve_vede_a_adrenalinu_2_d877d2c4c2.jpg 145w," sizes="100vw" width="1046" height="1124">Comprehensive methodology and other projectsThe end result of the project will be a comprehensive methodology using both chemical and biological methods for the reuse of valuable raw materials from mine water. "Ideally, SURRI will be followed by another project that would integrate our technologies into site-specific operations. I would like to be involved in this. I appreciate the fact that I write interesting projects," Martin explains enthusiastically."For example, when I came from Prague, I didn't know how to write projects. At CXI TUL, I was immediately involved in all the processes and they helped me get collaborations going pretty quickly. So far, my projects haven't worked out well. I am at the beginning of my career. But I'm still trying. It's probably best to take the plunge and not be afraid to work on it again and again. That's what I'm free to do here."For CXI TUL and across half the countryAnd where does Martin see himself in five years? "I would like to go back to my PhD studies, but now we are about to have another child, so it will be slower," he calculates, adding in one breath that he would like to stay at CXI TUL, simply because he is working with leading capacities in the field of environmental chemistry. "For example, there are scientists working here who do not hesitate to commute to Liberec from Prague every day," he says.

Martin Palušák goes from lab to longboard: science and adrenaline

She comes to work to play with glass plasticine. In fact, she already has several patents for different types of it, like for hydroponics or jewellery making. Marie Stará and the team from the Department of Glass Producing Machines and Robotics at the Technical University of Liberec are behind the discovery of how to give waste glass a chance that would otherwise end up in landfill.&nbsp;I open the door to Marie Stara's office and I am greeted by Barney the Boston Terrier. "I brought him into my office when he was a puppy so he wouldn't be alone. Just for fourteen days. Well, it's been two years. He's our pet,"&nbsp;explains Marie, whose office is full of glass specimens but has a homey feel.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/CXI_TUL_Sklenena_alchymie_Marie_Stare_Recyklat_ma_nova_vyuziti_1_c959b3ebd3.jpg" alt="CXI TUL: Glass alchemy of Marie Staré. The recyclate has new uses." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_CXI_TUL_Sklenena_alchymie_Marie_Stare_Recyklat_ma_nova_vyuziti_1_c959b3ebd3.jpg 117w," sizes="100vw" width="1500" height="2000"><h4>Glass as a fateful heritage</h4>Marie originally wanted to study nursing school, but she also liked to straighten screws with her dad as a child and was interested in technical things. In the end, she went to a technical high school and continued her studies at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering of TUL. In her third year she decided to major in glassmaking and stayed at TUL. "I have to say that I was attracted to glass because my uncle painted on it and my grandfather worked in a glasswork in Desná. However, I didn't try painting or blowing glass. I am purely a technologist, but I think there is some genetic memory there," explains Marie that the path to glass was given to her perhaps before she was born.<h4>The cold suits the glass</h4>Marie describes herself as being quite cold emotionally. "Unless it involves my family, I can't empathize with other people's feelings. It's actually lucky I didn't become a nurse. My husband laughs at me that my care would often be impossible for patients to handle. Glass is also cold, and I have gotten comfortable with this material," adds Marie, who teaches at TUL.&nbsp;The students certainly don't feel the chill from her, as she is one of their favourite teachers. She even received an award from the rector for outstanding teaching achievement. She enjoys teaching, but it has to be within a tolerable level. "I want to engage the students first and foremost. I don't give them technical explanations; I use common sense and show them a lot of things. I simply don't want to have a theoretical exercise."<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/CXI_TUL_Sklenena_alchymie_Marie_Stare_Recyklat_ma_nova_vyuziti_2_58b623e4be.jpg" alt="CXI TUL: Glass alchemy of Marie Staré. The recyclate has new uses." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_CXI_TUL_Sklenena_alchymie_Marie_Stare_Recyklat_ma_nova_vyuziti_2_58b623e4be.jpg 117w," sizes="100vw" width="1536" height="2048"><h4>Plasticine was created by accident</h4>The story of the glass plasticine called Glassticine began by accident. "Over and over again, we've treated silica sand with a laser to make it melt. We couldn't keep the sand in shape, it was a disaster. Then I put the sand in a mould in the oven and it turned into this white plasticine. I wanted to throw it in the trash because we wanted a transparent product. But the boss liked it and started to test what properties the material had," recalls Marie, who also collaborated with the Institute of Nanomaterials, Advanced Technologies and Innovations at TUL.<h4>Each variant of plasticine has its own charm&nbsp;</h4>The glass plasticine is made of silica sand or glass recyclate. "We use sand because it has a snow-white colour after firing and it is still the same. However, with recyclate, I enjoy the fact that we create a new use for the waste product, even though each piece is unique,"&nbsp;Marie explains.Plasticine can have different properties depending on what other additives are added. "It's not that you mix everything together and burn it. It needs a certain process. We've managed to do that and we've also worked out the optimum additive ratios for the desired properties." explains Marie, who works in the department with her husband. "Until a few years ago, we also shared an office. It's good, we have a common interest. We have been together since our student days and I was the one who brought us both to the Department of Glass Machinery."<h4>The future is in space</h4>The final material is non-toxic and porous, very absorbent. This characteristic makes it suitable for hydroponics, for example, and maybe one day plants will be grown on it in space. The material is reusable and at the end of its life cycle the product can be put into a glass bottle container. Finally, the glass can be scented so that the scent is released gradually. In this way, jewellery can be produced that also smells. "I have no sense of aesthetics at all. A student from the Faculty of Textile Engineering created it for us," explains Marie, who clearly answers no to the question of whether she wears plasticine jewellery. "I don't wear any jewellery, but it's a great idea and I like it."<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/CXI_TUL_Sklenena_alchymie_Marie_Stare_Recyklat_ma_nova_vyuziti_3_3928bc3af6.jpg" alt="CXI TUL: Glass alchemy of Marie Staré. The recyclate has new uses." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_CXI_TUL_Sklenena_alchymie_Marie_Stare_Recyklat_ma_nova_vyuziti_3_3928bc3af6.jpg 117w," sizes="100vw" width="1536" height="2048"><h4>Nobody wants this glass. Except for Marie.</h4>Marie was given the opportunity to lecture&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://amia.cxi.tul.cz/">at AMIA</a>. This association brings science to industry while enabling scientists to listen to the needs of industrial partners. The aim is to provide a basis for collaboration on specific technical problems of individual companies. AMIA also organises technical workshops where Marie presents the results of her research. "After my lecture, I was contacted by Miroslav Ležák from Praktik system s.r.o. Their company deals with the recycling of electrical appliances. They also recycle washing machines and these have doors with glass panels. That's a problem because it's borosilicate glass, and you can't just throw that in the collection. By the way, not a lot of people address this, but the glass recycling bins don't include simax glass, like baking dishes or medicine bottles. It raises the melting point of the final product, and therefore the price, and is accordingly not suitable for recycling. No one wants this glass and neither did I, at first. But thanks to AMIA's financial support, I was able to do analyses and found that there is not so much borosilicate impurity. So, we ended up working with this glass. And we got a nice product out of it."<h4>Closer to the market</h4>Because plasticine has become popular, a few months ago scientists decided to start a spin-off at TUL called&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://glassiteca.eu/">Glassiteca</a>. "I was involved in the birth of plasticine, I'm on patents. I didn't go directly into the spin off because my husband is there. That would be a family business," laughs Marie. "My colleagues had to take the plunge. There's a lot of potential for commercialisation. They wanted to move away from the university environment a bit and be more flexible and faster. There are now two strands to the company, scented jewellery and hydroponics on glass plasticine. We are currently testing hydroponics trays for ForrestBit, a hydroponics company. They are also growing lettuce on the roof of TUL with this technology," concludes Marie, who plans to stay at TUL.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/CXI_TUL_Sklenena_alchymie_Marie_Stare_Recyklat_ma_nova_vyuziti_4_71e6c48ecc.jpg" alt="CXI TUL: Glass alchemy of Marie Staré. The recyclate has new uses." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_CXI_TUL_Sklenena_alchymie_Marie_Stare_Recyklat_ma_nova_vyuziti_4_71e6c48ecc.jpg 117w," sizes="100vw" width="3000" height="4000">

Glass alchemy of Marie Staré. The recyclate has new uses.

Bohumil Kolář applies artificial intelligence in places where ordinary people can hardly imagine it. We talked about how AI makes work easier, how construction kit Mercur continues to inspire a hundred years after its creation, and beer cups whose meaning will blow your mind.I'm taking pictures of Bohumil with the computer. "And now I'm going to take a picture of you with neural networks," I say mischievously. "Well, we have some graphic simulation, so I can send it to you," Bohumil replies with hesitation. I can see that my sense of humor is off, so I'm getting insecure with the conversation. ChatGPT is now an integral part of my life, but what's behind it, I don't know. And Bohumil knows, he's an AI expert.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/TUL_CXI_Bohumil_Kolar_5cdb8ef8d0.jpg" alt="TUL CXI: Bohumil Kolář" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_TUL_CXI_Bohumil_Kolar_5cdb8ef8d0.jpg 231w," sizes="100vw" width="800" height="540"><h5>Sometimes I'm lazy</h5>And what does Bohumil use ChatGPT for? "Sometimes I'm just lazy," Bohumil admits. "The AI saves me hours of reading," he says with a guilty smile. "Sometimes I copy a long text into ChatGPT and ask it to summarize it in two paragraphs. Why? Because I don't always have the desire or time to read anything longer than two pages," he explains candidly.Bohumil found out about the AI Specialist position at CXI TUL when he was looking for a job after school. "For example, I was offered a job developing a cable car control system, which is not interesting for me. Then I found an offer from CXI TUL and I'm happy, I often learn new things. I enjoy challenges. For example, I am working on an AI application for laser calibration," he shrugs. The aforementioned laser has many applications, for example from eye surgery, through brute force cutting to space research and defense systems.<h5>It started with Mercur</h5>Bohumil was a fan of the construction kit Merkur as a kid, but he was missing something to get the kit moving. So he became interested in electrical engineering. He soon discovered that there was always a need for a man to program everything. "I'm not really a programmer, I've always been attracted to the interdisciplinary field, the connection with electrical engineering. Now, for example, I'm tackling business efficiency with artificial intelligence in the European Digital Innovation Hub, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.edih-northeast.cz/en/home/">EDIH</a>."<h5>Real problems, practical solutions</h5>Businesses from across the spectrum of industries turn to Bohumil directly or attend training sessions where he shows them the possibilities of AI to streamline operations. "For example, Škoda approached us about vibrodiagnostics. The brief was to see if we could predict when an engine would break down. My job was to teach AI to recognize the vibration of a balanced engine and detect deflections such as bearing float, unbalance, and so on. Based on this data, they can prevent failures and maintain production quality," Bohumil recounts.<h5>Image analysis of wastewater</h5>One of the most interesting contracts is the detection of problems at wastewater treatment plants. "My job is to teach the program to recognize what a poorly working treatment plant looks like. For example, foaming water means an overgrowth of microorganisms. Color changes can indicate a different type of problem. Camera detection is fast and efficient, and you don't have to physically go around to all the treatment plants," he says.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/TUL_CXI_Bohumil_Kolar_Umela_inteligence_otevira_nove_pracovni_moznosti_5386b28764.jpg" alt="TUL CXI: Bohumil Kolář (Artificial intelligence opens up new job opportunities)" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_TUL_CXI_Bohumil_Kolar_Umela_inteligence_otevira_nove_pracovni_moznosti_5386b28764.jpg 117w," sizes="100vw" width="1500" height="2000"><h5>AI and Beer cups</h5>And what does Bohumil have on his desk besides his computer? "Lots of beer cups," he laughs. One of his apps detects whether you have an honest pint in front of you or under measurement.The audience immediately thinks: nice, but what is it good for? "The same algorithm can detect a tank and guide a missile. Maybe in Ukraine," Bohumil answered laconically. It shows that even a seemingly innocent AI application can be a weapon.<h5>Revolution</h5>The rapid development of artificial intelligence is a challenge for Bohumil. "The pace at which AI is growing is insane," he says. "New algorithms and technologies are being created every day. Sometimes I must understand how a certain technology works, only to find out a year later that it's already outdated. The world's largest organizations are rapidly pushing the boundaries of AI. Guessing the direction of development and keeping track is a big challenge."<h5>AI gives work</h5>From engineering to natural sciences, Bohumil sees no limits to artificial intelligence. "The only problem is the lack of data to train the models." Many people argue that AI is taking jobs. Bohumil sees it differently. “Automation opens up opportunities for more work."It is important to show that AI is a tool. "It is not a threat. It depends on how we use it," concludes Bohumil.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/TUL_CXI_Bohumil_Kolar_Umela_inteligence_otevira_nove_pracovni_moznosti_2_e943a453a0.jpg" alt="TUL CXI: Bohumil Kolář (Artificial intelligence opens up new job opportunities)" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_TUL_CXI_Bohumil_Kolar_Umela_inteligence_otevira_nove_pracovni_moznosti_2_e943a453a0.jpg 117w," sizes="100vw" width="1500" height="2000">

Bohumil Kolář: Artificial intelligence opens up new job opportunities

<div>During his academic career he has collected one prestigious award after another. However, he is not interested in&nbsp;awards&nbsp;and instead he seeks new interesting challenges. With a head full of ambitious ideas that have the potential to transform the way we look at chemistry, and despite his wealth of experience, he realises that his scientific journey is still at the beginning.He is as passionate about his love of coffee as he is about science. If you love it too, you might meet him in one of the cafes in Liberec. In them, and not only in them, he likes to taste different types coming from all over the world. Among his favourites are coffees from Panama, East Timor or Tanzania. "My research, which involves the use of lasers to shape matter at the nanoscale, can also be linked to coffee. For example, the laser fragmentation method I use for this can also be used for cold brew, i.e. cold coffee preparation," says Ondra from CXI TUL.Garbage man, president or scientist?Although science is now his passion, Ondra's journey did not necessarily have to end there. "I didn't want to do research. All through high school, I heard that I should go do math, physics and nuclear research and become a professor there. In the end, I decided not to go to either faculty. Instead, based on the recommendation of the head of the research on modular nuclear reactors in Řež, I applied to study nanotechnology at TUL, with the idea that after my studies I would anchor myself in a company and enjoy a quiet non-scientific life. And the very good reputation of the local&nbsp;student houses&nbsp;helped me in my final choice of this university," laughs Ondra. "Interestingly, it has always proven to me that even the most seemingly trivial thing can be a great indicator to decide on something."Similarly, in the fifth grade, he chose a grammar school because of the new cafeteria, and that turned out to be the right choice. Although he didn't like the school very much, his outlook gradually changed. As a kid he wanted to be a garbage man, and a few months later he wanted to be president, mainly so he could cancel school outright. "I was bored at school, the assignments were taking up my free time, so I was looking for the shortest way to solve them. I was quite a pain in the&nbsp;neck&nbsp;at times. Even the teachers took a break when I was sick," he recalls. Eventually, though, he found a passion for education. His subject became laser nanotechnology, which allows him to look at things differently.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/CXI_TUL_Ondrej_Havelka_Laser_muze_zbavit_chemii_kadinek_i_zazitych_predstav_9798f8a648.jpg" alt="CXI TUL: Ondřej Havelka: Laser can get rid of the chemistry of the beakers" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_CXI_TUL_Ondrej_Havelka_Laser_muze_zbavit_chemii_kadinek_i_zazitych_predstav_9798f8a648.jpg 227w," sizes="100vw" width="5463" height="3747">Laser synthesis of nanoparticlesInstead of preparing nanoparticles using conventional wet chemical methods, he prepares them using a laser. And why is that? "The advantage of laser-prepared nanoparticles in liquid lies mainly in their atypical internal structure. The formation of such a structure occurs because of the extremely rapid cooling during their preparation. In other words, the nanoparticles released by the laser from the solid material first take the form of hot spheres of liquid metal, which cool and solidify extremely quickly on contact with the cold liquid. Because of the speed of this process, the atoms inside the nanoparticles don't have enough time to get to places where they would feel comfortable and instead solidify in places we wouldn't expect them to. This creates defects and clusters of atoms that are otherwise unstable in the long term. This gives the nanoparticles unique properties for a number of applications - especially catalysis. We use this advantage to purify water from a variety of pollutants," explains Ondra, who demonstrated the use of laser nanoparticles to purify water from oils, persistent organic substances, and antibiotics.Nanotechnology for clean waterAntibiotic contamination of water has become a much-discussed problem in recent years because it threatens human health. The development of antibiotic resistance alone is already estimated to be responsible for hundreds of thousands of deaths a year. Moreover, other predictions warn that by 2050, resistance could result in up to 10 million deaths per year.Experts from across disciplines are aware of the importance of the solution, which is why a special platform <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://czepar.cz/">CZEPAR</a> (Czech Platform for Antibiotic Resistance) was created in the Czech Republic, of which Ondra is a member. He deals with the solution of cleaning water from antibiotics, which is complicated due to their chemical nature. This is where laser-created nanoparticles come into play. They simply break down antibiotics into simpler substances. "We wanted to keep the process simple, so we developed special nanosheets that can break down antibiotics using visible light, potentially very well with sunlight."The use of nanoalloys and light overcomes the disadvantages of alternative methods for water purification such as biological removal or adsorption. Biodegradation often shows low efficiency and adsorption, on the other hand, is prone to the back-release of antibiotics when external conditions change. Nanoalloys do not have these problems. Another advantage is the ability to manipulate the nanoparticles with a conventional magnet, allowing them to be easily removed from the water after the process is complete and subsequently reused. "This avoids the paradoxical scenario of removing the antibiotics but adding another potentially hazardous material to the water," Ondra adds. "Although the research is only at the beginning, the first results show a very promising direction for further research. We are already working on the possibility of further improvements," he concludes by discussing one of his research projects.Chemistry without beakersIn addition to the application of nanoparticles for water purification, Ondra is newly involved in the actual shift in the form of laser nanotechnology. To work with nanoparticles, he stops using conventional laboratory glassware and instead uses a nanoprinter. This approach, for example, allows him to build more complex structures from the nanoparticles themselves. "It's amazing to see such a structure in operation. I like to say that the laser is a tool that can rid chemistry of its cachet and of the conventional ideas about its possibilities," Ondra explains, adding: "We often have very clear ideas about the shape of fields like chemistry or physics. However, the concept of fields that is only in our heads is gradually changing. This was evident, for example, at the last Nobel Prize ceremony, where two prizes were based on the topic of artificial intelligence."<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/CXI_TUL_Ondrej_Havelka_Laser_muze_zbavit_chemii_kadinek_i_zazitych_predstav_2_aaef113c95.jpg" alt="CXI TUL: Ondřej Havelka: Laser can get rid of the chemistry of the beakers" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_CXI_TUL_Ondrej_Havelka_Laser_muze_zbavit_chemii_kadinek_i_zazitych_predstav_2_aaef113c95.jpg 235w," sizes="100vw" width="1692" height="1125">Teaching is importantOndra has received a number of awards for his activities in the academic environment. Among them are three prestigious awards from the Minister of Education of the Czech Republic and two awards from IOP Publishing. However, he does not want to talk much about the awards. He enjoys the activities themselves. "I try to make sure that everything I do contains an element of enthusiasm. I like to pass this on to others, which is why I love teaching nanotechnology and bioengineering to students. I look for ways to transform the teaching for them, to make it useful, fun and something out of the ordinary. It's great to then see the students progress year on year in what they can do," he says, highlighting the importance of teaching future young scientistsNew challenge: Developing a new nanotechnologyOndra's dissertation defense is just around the corner. So what are his future plans? "I have been offered the opportunity to lead a materials research course in Germany. I don't know yet whether it will be again at the Max Planck Institute, where I worked last year, or at one of the German universities. There are now a number of negotiations going on around that with universities in the Excellence Initiative, which is a kind of equivalent of the American Ivy League. Good laboratory facilities where research ideas can be translated into reality will be essential. If all goes well, I would like to start developing a new type of nanotechnology," he adds.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/CXI_TUL_Ondrej_Havelka_Laser_muze_zbavit_chemii_kadinek_i_zazitych_predstav_3_97cb08dcb3.jpg" alt="CXI TUL: Ondřej Havelka: Laser can get rid of the chemistry of the beakers" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_CXI_TUL_Ondrej_Havelka_Laser_muze_zbavit_chemii_kadinek_i_zazitych_predstav_3_97cb08dcb3.jpg 234w," sizes="100vw" width="4671" height="3106"></div>

Ondřej Havelka: Laser can get rid of the chemistry of the beakers

With short videos on Instagram, they open the doors to the world of the laboratory, where they are looking for ways to clean water from persistent chemicals. Pavlína Konopáčová and David Mareš have already reached thousands of followers, and in October they will present their experiences at the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cxi.tul.cz/kalendar-akci/424/">Sdílej vědu!</a> event.Michal Řezanka, head of the nanochemistry laboratory, came up with the idea that Instagram is popular, so why not set up an account for the laboratory as well. And because Pavla and David were familiar with this social network, it went quickly. The original idea of using Instagram to find industrial partners proved to be a dead end. "We realised that this was not the way forward. So we changed our strategy and are currently building a community of followers to raise awareness about us," they explain.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/CXI_TUL_Veda_je_super_a_ukazat_ji_ostatnim_je_satisfakce_rikaji_chemici_z_CXI_TUL_56e1d28ba5.jpg" alt="CXI TUL: Science is great, sharing it is rewarding, say CXI TUL chemists" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_CXI_TUL_Veda_je_super_a_ukazat_ji_ostatnim_je_satisfakce_rikaji_chemici_z_CXI_TUL_56e1d28ba5.jpg 209w," sizes="100vw" width="1205" height="900"><h4>Anyone can start, the main thing is to persevere</h4>And what are the biggest challenges in popularising science? "Getting started," David says promptly. "And anyone can get started. The most important thing is not to get discouraged when it doesn't work right away. It takes patience and finding your own style and doing it because you enjoy it, not out of obligation," adds Pavlína.They do everything themselves in the videos. "I can make a short clip in five minutes, but I can easily spend hours on a longer one. For me, the biggest problem isn't editing, but finding the right music," laughs David, who taught himself everything with the help of self-study guides.<h4>Classmates are supportive, but they started from scratch</h4>Their classmates, who are the same age, are enthusiastic about the profile. Outside the laboratory, however, no one really cares. "No one shared our videos, we started from scratch. Fortunately, we have a lot of support from our supervisor, who sometimes gets involved himself.""It helps us a lot when one of our colleagues comes up with an idea or helps with filming. We have to stick to our posting schedule, and that's not always easy," explain the young chemists. Their fans come mostly from the USA, Asia and, of course, from Czechia.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/CXI_TUL_Veda_je_super_a_ukazat_ji_ostatnim_je_satisfakce_rikaji_chemici_z_CXI_TUL_5_058d099fb9.jpg" alt="CXI TUL: Science is great, sharing it is rewarding, say CXI TUL chemists" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_CXI_TUL_Veda_je_super_a_ukazat_ji_ostatnim_je_satisfakce_rikaji_chemici_z_CXI_TUL_5_058d099fb9.jpg 208w," sizes="100vw" width="1200" height="900"><h4>Rick and Morty in the lab</h4>In their free time, they watch videos on Instagram. The algorithm serves them a lot of scientific content, but they also draw inspiration from non-scientific clips, which they then set in a laboratory environment. "I like Chemistry Daily, for example," says Pavlína. David also finds inspiration outside of Instagram and is a big fan of the series Rick and Morty. "Our humour is a bit harsher, so we don't take offence and we feel free to tease each other. And we usually agree on ideas," he adds.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/CXI_TUL_Veda_je_super_a_ukazat_ji_ostatnim_je_satisfakce_rikaji_chemici_z_CXI_TUL_4_8fb3beae61.jpg" alt="CXI TUL: Science is great, sharing it is rewarding, say CXI TUL chemists" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_CXI_TUL_Veda_je_super_a_ukazat_ji_ostatnim_je_satisfakce_rikaji_chemici_z_CXI_TUL_4_8fb3beae61.jpg 208w," sizes="100vw" width="1200" height="900"><h4>Science in the background: the fight against persistent chemicals</h4>But behind the attractive videos lies a serious topic: research into how to remove perfluorinated substances (PFAS) from water. These substances, used in Teflon, outdoor clothing and firefighting foams, are dangerous because they do not decompose in nature and therefore accumulate in living organisms. They have been found in the blood of humans and animals across the planet, and even in Antarctica.Their risks began to be highlighted thanks to the DuPont case in West Virginia, USA. A farmer was dealing with the prolonged death of cows, but it gradually became apparent that the factory had been polluting the surrounding environment for a long time with one of the many forms of PFAS used in the production of Teflon. Further revelations showed that the substance threatens unborn foetuses and is linked to certain types of cancer, thyroid disease and high cholesterol levels. It was this scandal that sparked a global debate and the gradual regulation of forever chemicals.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/CXI_TUL_Veda_je_super_a_ukazat_ji_ostatnim_je_satisfakce_rikaji_chemici_z_CXI_TUL_2_9061b2b985.jpg" alt="CXI TUL: Science is great, sharing it is rewarding, say CXI TUL chemists" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_CXI_TUL_Veda_je_super_a_ukazat_ji_ostatnim_je_satisfakce_rikaji_chemici_z_CXI_TUL_2_9061b2b985.jpg 208w," sizes="100vw" width="1200" height="900"><h4>Cyclodextrins: a weapon against PFAS</h4>Research at CXI TUL is trying to find a solution to the global PFAS problem. The team has already shown that the key is cyclodextrins, which are ring-shaped cyclic sugars that can capture PFAS molecules in their cavity and thus filter them out of water.Surprisingly, cyclodextrins are more effective than commonly used activated carbon. And they have another advantage: they are cheap because they are produced by breaking down starch, so they are actually a special form of sugar."So far, we are binding them into insoluble polymers that can capture these compounds in water," the researchers explain. "In the future, we want to bind them to magnetic nanoparticles so that we can easily separate them from the water using a magnet."<h4>Connection between the Czech Republic and the USA</h4>The research is supported by several projects. Pavlína mentions, for example, a project by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports, in which they are collaborating with the University of Rhode Island, where Pavlína completed an internship. In the USA, the PFAS problem is even more pressing, as drinking water is often contaminated above the permitted limits. "It was beneficial to see how they do sorption experiments there, and also to go out into the field and take samples," she says.The situation in the Czech Republic is good, although PFAS concentrations are higher in the Jizera Mountains due to the use of cross-country skiing waxes, and contamination also occurs at airports, for example, due to firefighting foams.<h4>Above all, more information</h4>The Instagram community, positive reactions from followers, the opportunity to speak at conferences and be inspired by others – Pavlína and David see all this as a bonus. But the main thing for them is the research itself. And if their videos spark an interest in chemistry and bring young people into the laboratory, then their work has meaning not only in the laboratory, but also outside it.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/CXI_TUL_Veda_je_super_a_ukazat_ji_ostatnim_je_satisfakce_rikaji_chemici_z_CXI_TUL_3_9bb293a651.jpg" alt="CXI TUL: Science is great, sharing it is rewarding, say CXI TUL chemists" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_CXI_TUL_Veda_je_super_a_ukazat_ji_ostatnim_je_satisfakce_rikaji_chemici_z_CXI_TUL_3_9bb293a651.jpg 208w," sizes="100vw" width="1200" height="900">Pavlína Konopáčová also did well in the Falling Walls Lab competition at the beginning of this week, placing third in the Czech finals of this prestigious competition.

Science is great, sharing it is rewarding, say CXI TUL chemists

The life of a scientist isn’t just about wearing a white lab coat; it’s also about international internships, endless reading of articles, and searching for answers to questions no one has asked before. Veronika Leová initially had no idea what working in research entailed. Today, as a doctoral student at the CXI TUL institute in Liberec, she captures invisible radicals and seeks solutions to remove contaminants from water. How can you balance doctoral studies with playing in an orchestra, and why should every curious student try their hand at research?<h5>How would you introduce yourself and your work to someone who has never heard of CXI TUL?</h5>I am a doctoral student at the Faculty of Mechatronics and also work in the Department of Environmental Chemistry at the CXI TUL Institute, where we mainly focus on water treatment and monitoring, as well as removing pollution from the environment. Our institute uniquely combines mechanical engineering, software engineering, nanomaterials, and chemistry.<h5>So, for example, do you also deal with removing residual pharmaceuticals from water?</h5>Yes, that is one of the topics of the project I am currently in charge of. Pharmaceuticals in water are a major topic in science today.<h5>If you had to explain the nature of your work to a layperson, what would that look like?</h5>People always picture us in the lab, but a lot of time is spent working on the computer. We have to stay up to date on what research has already been done around the world. We then have to interpret the measured results and write scientific articles about them. The job also includes administrative tasks, ordering chemicals, and communicating with other scientists. I’ve also helped organize events and even given lectures. So a researcher’s job is very diverse.<h5>Do you remember the moment when you first decided you wanted to pursue a career in research?</h5>Even in high school, I was particularly interested in the natural sciences. When someone asked me what I wanted to be, I’d joke that I wanted to be a “crazy scientist,” even though I had no idea what working in science actually entailed. During my bachelor’s program, it was a bit of a rollercoaster, and I began to discover what working in science entailed, but by the time I started my master’s, I had already subconsciously decided that I would stay in research.<h5>Was it a clear choice for you to go to CXI TUL, or did you have to choose?</h5>I was studying at the University of Chemistry and Technology in Prague and was very hesitant about whether to stay there. But my husband and I moved to Liberec, and commuting would have been very difficult. I wanted to stay in academia, so I looked into opportunities at the Technical University, and Associate Professor Waclawek’s group interested me the most. So CXI TUL was the logical choice.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/CXI_TUL_Rozhovor_s_Veronikou_Leovou_Od_blazniveho_vedatora_k_odbornemu_vyzkumu_2_cdcb8d388a.jpg" alt="CXI TUL: Interview with Veronika Leová: From „Crazy Scientist“ to Professional Research" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_CXI_TUL_Rozhovor_s_Veronikou_Leovou_Od_blazniveho_vedatora_k_odbornemu_vyzkumu_2_cdcb8d388a.jpg 234w," sizes="100vw" width="1024" height="683"><h5>What was the hardest part about starting your research work in Liberec?</h5>The transition to a new topic. You have to learn everything all over again, and you don’t see tangible results for a long time. I felt unproductive when I was “just” reading articles and learning. It was hard to accept that this is a normal phase and that it takes time to fully get into the research.<h5>Was there ever a moment when you weren’t sure whether to continue in science? What motivated you?</h5>Yes, during those tough early days. When nothing is working out, you start to doubt yourself. Talking about it with colleagues or my advisor, Standa Waclawek, motivates me. At home, my husband supported me; he had been doing experimental chemistry for longer and explained to me that it’s common for experiments to fail. Sharing experiences with a friend who’s doing her PhD in Norway also helps.<h5>What is the most interesting or “wow” moment in your research?</h5>In science, just as in life, one should find joy in the little things. For example, we’re currently studying reactions that produce extremely reactive particles—radicals. They’re so fast that the human eye can’t detect them. But we have a new instrument that allows us to observe them. I don’t have much experience with it yet, so it’s quite challenging to set all the parameters correctly. That moment when a signal appears on the display that we weren’t even expecting—that’s the “wow” moment.<h5>Can you recall a situation that pushed you the most, or a moment when, on the contrary, something went wrong?</h5>Most things don’t work out, but I’ve learned that’s normal. It’s precisely failure that prompts us to investigate why it didn’t work. That leads to more questions we seek answers to, and that’s what moves us forward.<h5>Is there such a thing as writer’s block in science? What do you do when you get stuck?</h5>I used to get writer’s block occasionally at first, especially when experiments didn’t work out. The upside is that the work is varied. When I get stuck on a creative task, I do routine lab work or administrative tasks. I also jot down inspiration from colleagues and the literature—when I hit a dead end, I pull out that list and try a different direction.<h5>Can science be balanced with a normal life, or do you have to sacrifice your hobbies?</h5>Definitely. After work, I go running or play in an orchestra. These activities help me relax, and I’m refreshed for work the next day. You can devote all your time to science, but the question is, at what cost? Active rest is usually a necessity.<h5>Does research at CXI TUL also take you out into the world?</h5>There are plenty of opportunities, and as part of my doctoral studies, I even have a mandatory internship abroad. As part of the internship, I’ve already spent two weeks in Essen, Germany, and I’m probably heading to Vienna this fall.<h5>Do you have any funny stories from abroad?</h5>A funny experience abroad was our Czech-Polish project. At the first meeting, there were more Polish partners, so it was democratically decided that we would speak Polish. I had to pay close attention to understand the technical discussion.<h5>What advice would you give to students considering a career in research?</h5>I would advise them to think about whether they enjoy the work they do as part of their bachelor’s or master’s studies. After all, scientific work involves a combination of lab work, data analysis, writing, and research. If they’re unsure, I recommend trying an internship at a company, for example, so they have something to compare it to.<h5>Why do you think students should give science a chance?</h5>Compared to working in a company, you have a lot of freedom in science. You’re the master of your own time. It requires responsibility, but the flexibility is great. One day I don’t feel like writing, so I go to the lab. The next day, it’s the opposite. It’s the ideal mix of manual and creative work.<h5>If I wanted to get started as a student at CXI TUL—what are the specific options?</h5>The best way is to start by writing your bachelor’s or master’s thesis with us. We usually have openings and are happy to involve students in our current projects. Just don’t be afraid to reach out to a supervisor whose topic interests you.

Interview with Veronika Leová: From „Crazy Scientist“ to Professional Research

Wastewater treatment plants struggle every day with substances that don’t simply disappear from the water. The removal of nitrogen compounds is very important at these plants. If too much of these substances remains in the water, they harm rivers and the life within them. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://lcms.labrulez.com/article/5403">Karel Havlíček </a>from CXI TUL was a co-investigator on the HYMNA project, which combined two well-known treatment technologies into a single system. And he added something to them that isn’t commonly used at treatment plants: nanofibers.The full name of the project is “Hybrid MBR-MBBR System Using Nanomaterials for Advanced Wastewater Treatment.” The acronym is HYMNA. “It sounds a bit grand,” laughs co-investigator Karel Havlíček from the Department of Environmental Protection Technology. But the goal was indeed grand. The water that flows out of a treatment plant isn’t always as clean as it could be. And that’s a problem worth solving.<h4>A Screen and Beads</h4>Behind the acronyms MBR and MBBR lie two technologies that treatment plants typically deploy separately. But Karel combined them into a single process and demonstrated that together they can work significantly better. He validated the combination in practice and used it to design a technology with a clear procedure, measurable results, and the potential for real-world application.The MBR functions as a fine screen. The membranes trap impurities, organic matter, and undissolved particles. But even then, the process isn’t complete—nitrogenous compounds still remain in the clarified water.To address this, Karel Havlíček and his partners implemented the second part of the technology: MBBR. Small plastic beads with holes and nanofibers inside move freely in the tank with the help of aeration. Microorganisms grow and live on the surface of the nanofibers, converting ammonia nitrogen into nitrates.Why does this matter? Ammoniacal nitrogen is toxic to fish; it damages their gills and, at higher concentrations, kills them. An excess of nitrogen triggers algae blooms, causing the water to turn green, depleting oxygen levels, and suffocating aquatic life.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/CXI_TUL_Kulicky_s_nanovlakennym_srdcem_Takhle_se_da_cistit_voda_lip_2_6559ff2373.jpg" alt="CXI TUL: Beads with a nanofiber core. This is a better way to purify water." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_CXI_TUL_Kulicky_s_nanovlakennym_srdcem_Takhle_se_da_cistit_voda_lip_2_6559ff2373.jpg 117w," sizes="100vw" width="768" height="1024"><h4>Beads with a Nanofiber Core</h4>The beads are no accident. Karel inserted nanofiber carriers—a fine fibrous material to which microorganisms quickly and firmly attach—into plastic bodies with holes. He had already proposed this concept in his dissertation.The path to the final design was not straightforward. Originally, it was a nanofiber layer. However, it gradually washed off the beads. They replaced it with yarn, which holds its shape. The result is a utility model for new biomass carriers.The main advantage is the speed of colonization. On conventional materials, colonization takes much longer. Microorganisms colonize the nanofibers quickly. This is crucial, especially where the water is hostile or toxic to them.Industrial wastewater is often so polluted that bacteria cannot survive on conventional carriers. On a nanofiber surface, however, they manage to attach themselves before the environment destroys them. The system then works even where other technologies would fail.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/CXI_TUL_Kulicky_s_nanovlakennym_srdcem_Takhle_se_da_cistit_voda_lip_3_290e60625f.jpg" alt="CXI TUL: Beads with a nanofiber core. This is a better way to purify water." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_CXI_TUL_Kulicky_s_nanovlakennym_srdcem_Takhle_se_da_cistit_voda_lip_3_290e60625f.jpg 117w," sizes="100vw" width="768" height="1024"><h4>A Surprising Number</h4>The most important factor was how the system would handle ammonia nitrogen. The team even tested extreme concentrations of up to eighty milligrams per liter. And that’s not just fine-tuning. That’s a stress test pushing the limits—one that could cripple or completely halt the activity of the purifying microorganisms.The system handled it. At the outflow, they measured less than one milligram per liter.“We achieved a level that even a conventional treatment plant often can’t handle,” Karel said, expressing his surprise.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/CXI_TUL_Kulicky_s_nanovlakennym_srdcem_Takhle_se_da_cistit_voda_lip_4_00a10f7915.jpg" alt="CXI TUL: Beads with a nanofiber core. This is a better way to purify water." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_CXI_TUL_Kulicky_s_nanovlakennym_srdcem_Takhle_se_da_cistit_voda_lip_4_00a10f7915.jpg 117w," sizes="100vw" width="768" height="1024"><h4>Container-Based Treatment Plant</h4>Combining the two technologies brought an added benefit. The system can function not only as a post-treatment unit following a standard treatment plant but also as a standalone modular treatment plant. No construction is needed; the system can be delivered, connected, and put into operation.“Industrial facilities will especially appreciate this. Companies that currently transport contaminated water in barrels as hazardous waste could handle part of the treatment themselves,” explains Karel. According to him, this would mean less waste, less logistics, and lower costs for companies.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/CXI_TUL_Kulicky_s_nanovlakennym_srdcem_Takhle_se_da_cistit_voda_lip_5_15c7bfefc3.jpg" alt="CXI TUL: Beads with a nanofiber core. This is a better way to purify water." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_CXI_TUL_Kulicky_s_nanovlakennym_srdcem_Takhle_se_da_cistit_voda_lip_5_15c7bfefc3.jpg 117w," sizes="100vw" width="768" height="1024"><h4>A Myth That Didn’t Pan Out</h4>Apart from the main project, Karel’s team asked themselves another question: Can microorganisms in a standard wastewater treatment plant biofilm on carriers break down micropollutants—that is, traces of medications or pesticides that end up in the water?Some studies suggested that this might be possible.But the enthusiasm quickly faded. “No degradation occurs. The micropollutants simply accumulate in the system,” Karel states. The system captures them but does not destroy them. That requires more powerful methods, such as ozone or UV radiation.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/CXI_TUL_Kulicky_s_nanovlakennym_srdcem_Takhle_se_da_cistit_voda_lip_f8251f3b2e.jpg" alt="CXI TUL: Beads with a nanofiber core. This is a better way to purify water." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_CXI_TUL_Kulicky_s_nanovlakennym_srdcem_Takhle_se_da_cistit_voda_lip_f8251f3b2e.jpg 110w," sizes="100vw" width="724" height="1024"><blockquote>The HYMNA project, part of the TREND program of the Technology Agency of the Czech Republic, in collaboration with ENVI-PUR, s.r.o. (principal investigator) and Pražské vodovody a kanalizace, a.s.</blockquote>

Beads with a nanofiber core. This is a better way to purify water.

In late February 2025, a train carrying benzene derailed in Hustopeče nad Bečvou, and within hours, a race was on to save the groundwater and surface water. One of the most toxic industrial substances began seeping into the gravel-sand subsoil. While fieldwork was underway to prevent the spread of contamination, decisions were already being made in the CXI TUL laboratories regarding how to subsequently clean up the contaminated rock environment.The accident ranks among the most serious environmental incidents in the Czech Republic in recent years. After a tanker train derailed, hundreds of metric tons of benzene leaked; due to the highly permeable geological subsoil, it quickly seeped into deeper soil layers and into the groundwater. The combination of the substance’s high toxicity and local conditions complicated both the emergency response and the subsequent remediation. The key was to stop further spread, determine the extent of the contamination, and establish a remediation strategy for the entire site.It was at this stage that CXI TUL became involved in the solution. At the request of the renowned remediation company DEKONTA, a.s., a team led by RNDr. Jan Němeček, Ph.D., began testing the feasibility of the in situ chemical oxidation (ISCO) method. This technology is designed to break down benzene directly within the rock matrix, without the need for extensive excavation of contaminated soil or the pumping out of large volumes of groundwater. The goal was simple: to find a method that would work quickly, safely, and under the actual conditions of the affected site.<h4>Benzene Remediation: Technically Simple, Complicated in Practice</h4>Benzene is a highly toxic and carcinogenic substance that rapidly penetrates into groundwater in permeable subsoil, where it dissolves and spreads further as the water flows toward surface water bodies. Benzene also binds to rock particles and migrates in the form of vapors into overlying unconsolidated layers.Scientists in Liberec therefore tested in situ chemical oxidation (ISCO) technology under laboratory conditions. The goal was to find an oxidant capable of breaking down benzene directly underground into less hazardous substances.The tests evaluated two main options: activated hydrogen peroxide and sodium peroxodisulfate. Both substances removed up to 99.99% of the benzene, but there was a difference in their kinetics and impacts on the natural environment. Activated hydrogen peroxide achieved nearly complete degradation of the contaminant within a single day. Activated sodium peroxodisulfate was slower and also significantly altered the chemistry of the water; it acidified the environment and increased the sulfate content in the water, which poses an additional environmental burden.For field applications, the researchers therefore unequivocally recommended activated hydrogen peroxide.<h4>Dosage Matters</h4>It was not just the oxidant’s effectiveness that was key. It was equally important to determine how the chemical reaction would behave in a real geological environment. The team of scientists therefore also analyzed what is known as soil oxidant consumption (SOD). It turned out that a significant portion of the oxidizing agent does not react solely with benzene but is also consumed to a significant extent by the rock environment itself, particularly by natural organic substances present in the fine-grained fraction of the soil.An oxidant consumption value was determined specifically for the local composition of the aquifers, which is essential for the correct dosing of chemicals in the field so that the remediation is not only effective but also economically viable and safe for surrounding ecosystems.<h4>One Year After the Accident: Research Turns into Real-World Assistance</h4>While the public often perceives university science as a distant world of laboratories and grant projects, it is precisely situations like this that demonstrate its practical impact. The results of the work by researchers at CXI TUL did not remain confined to academic studies but directly influenced decisions regarding the technology used to clean up one of the largest environmental accidents in recent years.

Science on the Front Lines: Cleanup of a Benzene Spill

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The Institute for Nanomaterials, Advanced Technologies and Innovations of the Technical University of Liberec, also known as CXI TUL, was founded in 2009. Our mission is to support TUL's long-term vision of collaboration with industry and innovation.

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