Research

Cyanobacteria are ubiquitous Gram-negative prokaryotes capable of performing oxygenic photosynthesis. These microbes are extremely environmentally important since they are crucial players in oxygen generation and CO2 and N2 fixation on the Earth. Furthermore, cyanobacteria are also employed in biotechnology. Numerous cyanobacteria, similarly as many non-photosynthesizing prokaryotes, accumulate polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), polyesters which serve primarily as storage materials.

Optomechanics of levitating objects is building its theoretical and experimental foundations in interaction of photons and mechanical states of an object levitating in vacuum. This concept is unique in (i) tunability of key parameters of the optical trap in individual axes leading to desired non-linearity and dimensionality, (ii) relatively massive object oscillating with low friction and interacting with a thermal bath with tunable temperature and (iii) decreasing energy of the object and bringing it closer to the basic quantum state.

Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are polyesters which are accumulated in form of intracellular inclusions by numerous prokaryotes. These materials primarily serve as carbon and energy storage; nevertheless, their biological function is far more complex. Generally, presence of PHAs in microbial cells enhances their robustness against various stress factors. Apart from their biological function, PHAs attract attention as ecological alternative to petrochemical plastics which can be biotechnologically produced from waste streams of various industrial processes.

The nonclassical light is an essential resource in almost all areas of rapidly developing applications of quantum information research. As previously demonstrated, individual trapped atomic ions can constitute a scalable source of nonclassical light with record-breaking purity. Furthermore, unprecedent spatial localization of many ions allows employing optical coherence for manipulation of the emitted fluorescence direction. In this project, a source of nonclassical light allowing combination of these two unique properties will be realized for the first time.

Based on knowledge in the field of physics of electron-gas interactions and simulations of these phenomena, our MC software for ESEM will be adapted to a higher speed and accuracy of simulations, especially thanks to an optimised algorithm and the possibility to direct integration of precise gas flow data. The data will be counted using the enhanced mathematical model for ANSYS Fluent software, realized in the project. Simulation results will be tested in the design of a new differentially pumped part of the ESEM objective and high-efficiency detection systems.

Ice is a scantily explored reaction medium that catalyzes a large number of processes and reactions; some of these, such as bromine explosion and the related ozone layer depletion, have a major impact on the natural environment. Ice in nature hosts many compounds; however, neither their location on ice nor the chemical identity have been sufficiently explained thus far, despite being of essential importance for the compounds' (photo)reactivity. In this project we will examine the compounds' behaviour via optical spectroscopies and environmental electron microscopy.

Strategy of the further development of SYNPO, a.s. is to gain a competitive advantage in the market in the area of sophisticated development of casting systems by cooperation with the academic partner and to expand own production of prefilled casting systems for electrotechnical industry. Four new prefilled casting systems will be developed (3 for indoor, 1 for outdoor use) with hardeners complying with authorization REACH, one prospectively based on ecological resin EnviPOXY.

The aim of the project is the study and development of advanced laser-TIG and laser wobbling welding methods and their application to welding of modern types of high strength steels and other materials used in the automotive industry. The research will also include the development of methods for monitoring the laser welding process for monitoring the quality of welds produced. The aim of the submitted project is to improve the quality of the welds produced by the active influence of heat input on the above mentioned materials.

The Centre unifies all the key academic and industrial players in Czechia dealing with R&D and technology transfer in electron microscopy and lithography, optical microscopy and spectroscopy, laser and fiber technologies, optical and quantum metrology, ultraprecise optical manufacturing and sophisticated optical systems.