NanoOstrava 2023 will mainly focus on research and applications for energy and the environment

The conference is traditionally organised by the Nanotechnology Centre, which is part of the Centre for Energy and Environmental Technologies (CEET) at VSB-TUO. Interested parties can register until 5 May.

"Since we have become part of CEET, and due to the high relevance of the topics, this year's conference will focus mainly on applications of new materials for energy and environmental technologies. However, lectures on the safety and risks of nanomaterials and nanotechnologies or applications of these materials and technologies in biomedicine are also included. There will also be no shortage of speakers from industry. In the third section, we will focus on the characterisation of nanomaterials, which includes various microscopic, X-ray, spectroscopic and other techniques," said Daniela Plachá, Director of the Nanotechnology Centre and Chair of the Conference.

As in previous years, the conference will be attended by distinguished international scientists. Lectures will be given by Paolo Fornasiero from the University of Trieste, Italy, Mark H. Rümmeli from Soochow University, China, and Jagadeesh Rajenahally from the Leibniz Institute for Catalysis in Rostock, Germany. At the same time, top Czech scientists will present their work, including theoretical chemist Pavel Hobza, the winner of the Czech Head Award and the Neuron Prize, Martin Pumera, one of the most prominent Czech nanotechnologists, and Jana Kukutschová, the Vice-Rector for Science and Research at VSB-TUO.

"Some of them will be participating in our conference for the first time. We are looking forward not only to the inspiring presentations, but we would like to seek opportunities for further collaboration with these top scientists," Plachá added. However, she said the meeting of experts also supports young scientists and enthusiastic students and helps open doors to scientific careers. Not only PhD students, but also Master's students can present their work in the form of posters.

The conference, which will be held for the eighth time, will be more open this year, not only to scientific institutions but also to the Region. Three Ostrava secondary schools have been invited - the Academician Heyrovský Secondary School of Chemistry, Matiční Grammar School and Wichterle Grammar School, two of whose students will even present their work developed as part of the prestigious Secondary School Professional Activity Competition (SOČ).

NanoOstrava was held for the first time in 2008, since then the Nanotechnology Centre has organised it every two years with the participation of about 120 guests. Each time, the meeting offers plenty of opportunities for open discussions between scientists, students and company representatives interested in research and development of nanomaterials and nanotechnology. Detailed information is available at nanoostrava.cz, where you can also find the registration form.

Text: Martina Šaradínová, PR specialist for R&D