NanoOstrava 2023: a captivating fusion of cutting-edge lectures and industrial splendour

Among the most prominent guests were Paolo Fornasiero, a world expert in photocatalysis and catalysis from the University of Trieste, Jagadeesh Rajenahally from the Leibniz Institute for Catalysis in Rostock, Germany, Mark H. Rümmeli from Soochow University and Pavel Hobza, laureate of the Czech Head Award.

"I think NanoOstrava 2023 was one of the best editions that have taken place so far. We had the opportunity to see current research trends presented by high-quality scientists from both the Czech Republic and abroad. I hope that the presentations delivered by our colleagues from VSB – Technical University of Ostrava (VSB-TUO) were equally interesting. I received very positive feedback, which I am very pleased about, and I would like to thank the sponsors who made it possible for us to hold such a conference. We may have set a high bar for ourselves, but we are already looking forward to new collaborations," said Daniela Plachá, Chair of the conference and Director of the organising Nanotechnology Centre, which is one of the parts of the Centre for Energy and Environmental Technologies at VSB-TUO.

Pavel Hobza, a renowned Czech scientist specialising in computational chemistry at the Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, agrees with Plachá. "The NanoOstrava 2023 conference, which took place at the Lower Vítkovice area complex, featured outstanding plenary and invited lectures encompassing a broad range of nanoscience topics. The conference provided a platform for discussing contemporary issues in both fundamental and applied research. As a result, the conference successfully achieved its primary objective of aiding participants in navigating this rapidly developing field," said Hobza.

During the conference, Jan Neuman, representing NenoVision in Brno, seized the chance to engage with fellow researchers and engage in scientific discussions. "I was very pleasantly surprised at the high calibre of lectures across diverse disciplines. I believe the conference was a resounding success and my colleagues from VSB-TUO did an excellent job in organising it," Neuman said. Among the highlights presented by NenoVision was the unique AFM-in-SEM LiteScope microscope, used for sample analysis in nanotechnology, materials research, the semiconductor industry, and even solar cell research.

In addition to lectures by renowned scientists, the conference also offered space for young researchers. "It was beneficial for me to see the work of other colleagues, especially from abroad. As a PhD student, I welcomed the opportunity to present my research in English, as it was my first appearance at such a big event," said Julie Smijová from the Nanotechnology Centre. The PhD students were also very involved in the organisation of the conference.

The conference took place from 15 to 18 May and was attended by more than a hundred guests. The speakers focused mainly on the application of new materials for energy and environmental technologies, but there were also topics on the safety and risks of nanomaterials and nanotechnologies or their use in biomedicine and other areas. One of the sessions was devoted to the characterisation of nanomaterials, which includes various microscopic, X-ray, spectroscopic and other techniques. One of the objectives of the conference was to open up more to the Region. Three Ostrava secondary schools, the Academician Heyrovský Secondary School of Chemistry, Matiční Grammar School and Wichterle Grammar School, were also invited. Two secondary school students presented their work developed within the framework of the Secondary School Professional Activity Competition (SOČ).

Text: Martina Šaradínová, PR specialist for R&D

Photo: Petr Havlíček