The CEET Nanotechnology Centre has officially launched a collaboration with Estetico Energo s.r.o. in the field of graphene ink development. The partnership was sealed by the signing of a memorandum of understanding and cooperation by Grażyna Simha Martynková, Director of the CEET Nanotechnology Centre, and Otakar Bárta, Director of Estetico Energo s.r.o.
A new partnership bridges the gap between academic research and industrial practice. Joint research under the DMS MEET project will focus on the development of advanced graphene inks with potential applications in areas such as printed electronics and composite materials.
The uniqueness of the project is further highlighted by the venue where the research takes place. It is a historic granary in Jevišovice, which Estetico Energo has completely reconstructed and transformed into an innovative technological facility. The company has installed unique equipment there that utilises nanotechnology processes to prepare high-quality graphene.
"Our joint research also extends into education of the new generation of scientists. My doctoral student, Shamal Kareem, is also involved in this project. His dissertation focuses on the preparation and use of graphene materials. At the same time, the research connects the Nanotechnology Centre with the Faculty of Materials Science and Technology at VSB-TUO, from which Adéla Macháčková provides expert consultancy support in supervising the student," said Grażyna Simha Martynková, supervisor and principal investigator of the DMS MEET project.
The research utilizes two pilot-scale facilities for liquid-phase exfoliation of graphene. One is located at the CEET Nanotechnology Centre, while the other is in Jevišovice. This setup enables an efficient link between laboratory research and technology verification under conditions approaching industrial operations.
Both parties are already actively preparing for the further development of their shared infrastructure. A specialised laboratory for preparing thin graphene films and their subsequent operational characterisation will be established on the second floor of the Jevišovice granary. The new facility will expand research possibilities and future technological applications.
The partnership between the CEET Nanotechnology Centre and Estetico Energo represents another step towards the successful application of research results in practice and strengthening cooperation between academia and industry.
All activities are carried out with the support of the DMS MEET project – Advanced Materials for Energy and Environmental Technologies (CZ.02.01.01/00/23_021/0008592).