Name: Centre of Materials and Nanotechnologies
Institution: University Pardubice
Coordinator: Prof. Dr. Tomáš Wágner; tomas.wagner@upce.cz
CEMNAT is a LRI for basic and applied research with particular significance in the field of chemistry and new materials technologies. In the Czech Republic, it contributes to fulfilling national priorities in terms of the sustainability of energetic and materials resources. R&I at CEMNAT is focused on 0D,1D and 2D nanomaterials (e.g., quantum dots, nanotubes, nanofibers, nano sheets, etc.) and thin films, in particular, on thin functional layers. It advances the latest trends in their synthesis and practical application. CEMNAT owns a whole range of modern scientific instruments that are operated in open access regime. Many of these are unique in Czechia, being intensively utilised by various user groups. Among these instruments, the device for atomic layer deposition is remarkable, as it enables users to deposit a whole range of functional material onto various substrates and hence it is a very attractive technique for various surface modifications. CEMNAT further operates a device for fibre synthesis that enables users to prepare high quality polymeric and inorganic fibres with diameters ranging from hundreds of nanometres up to units of micrometres. Also unique is the dual beam electron microscope, which can modify surfaces of various materials by focusing a beam of gallium ions and it can create targeted geometrical patterns, apart from classical visualisation functions and elemental analyses. All prepared or modified materials have various uses. Using the CEMNAT equipment, users can achieve excellent scientific results overcoming challenges in the fields, such as energy conversion and storage, optoelectronics or surface engineering. CEMNAT is a partner of Czech nanotechnological companies that deal with R&I of various types of nanomaterials for various uses. CEMNAT is a part of the NANOPROGRESS cluster connecting companies and research organisations active in R&I and the commercialisation of nanomaterials. CEMNAT also cooperates with RIs in the Czech Republic and abroad that are very significant in materials research. This applies, in particular, to synchrotron units, Elettra Synchrotron in Trieste, Italy, and ESRF (European Synchrotron Radiation Facility) in Grenoble, France, and also RIs utilising high energy lasers, ELI ERIC (Extreme Light Infrastructure) and HiLASE (High Average Power Pulsed Lasers) in Dolní Břežany, Czechia.
Societal and economic impacts
CEMNAT researchers prepare innovative materials with high added value (highly pure amorphous or crystalline inorganic materials) that have excellent performance in catalysis, medicine, batteries, sensors, memories and optoelectronics. Due to their comprehensive experience, excellent know-how and quality of equipment, CEMNAT has successfully developed collaboration with companies dealing with nanomaterials. The most important cooperations include the development of technologies for the production of various inorganic and biopolymeric fibres, inorganic nanoparticles and nanotubes. Based on these partnerships, new patents and verified technologies are being realised jointly, and this significantly strengthens the position of the involved parties on the market. The developed materials (and the technological fields behind them) are highly useful and reflect both the current, as well as future needs of the Czech Republic and many other countries. CEMNAT contributes to the competitiveness of Czechia also through the education of students and young researchers who learn to work with excellent technologies.
