LasApp partners welcomed journalists at a press day for LasApp – Breakthrough Laser Technologies for Smart Manufacturing, Space and Biotechnology Applications. The event took place on 26 March at the science centres BIOCEV in Vestec near Prague and HiLASE in Dolní Břežany. The journalists toured the state-of-the-art laboratories and met with the leading scientists of the project. They got a glimpse inside the research, which aims to push the boundaries of laser applications in various sectors – from biomedicine to aerospace.
The meeting with journalists was divided into two sessions. It started at the BIOCEV centre in Vestec near Prague, where the LasApp project was presented by Assoc. Prof. Pavel Peterka Ph.D. Subsequently, prof. RNDr. Zdena Palková, CSc. from the Faculty of Science, Charles University (BIOCEV), spoke on the role of microbiologists in biofilm research and their interaction with newly structured surfaces. The online presentation was continued by RNDr. Libor Mrňa, Ph.D. from the Institute of Instrumentation of the CAS.
After the initial presentation and introduction of the first three partners, a guided tour of the BIOCEV laboratories followed with prof. Palkova. Then the participants moved to the HiLASE Centre in nearby Dolní Břežany, where the second block of presentations took place.
The second part was opened by Ing. Jana De Merlier from STAR Research and Innovation Cluster. She presented the role of the cluster in supporting research and innovation infrastructure in the region. Then Ing. Miroslava Flimelová, Ph.D. presented the activities of the HiLASE Centre in the field of laser micromachining and surface development for biotechnology and industry. The next online presentation belonged to Ing. Jan Kočí from the Institute for Nanomaterials, Advanced Technologies and Innovation of TUL (Technical University of Liberec) and doc. RNDr. Karel Žídek, Ph.D. from the Institute of Plasma Physics of the CAS – TOPTEC Centre.
During a tour of the HiLASE laser laboratories with Dr. Flimelová, the journalists learned about the possibilities of laser micromachining and surface treatment for antibacterial purposes.
The visit to the BIOCEV and HiLASE centres gave guests a glimpse into the scientific development of special surfaces that prevent the adhesion of microorganisms. The results of the unique collaboration between microbiologists and laser technology experts will be used in several sectors – in medicine, industry and space research.
Acknowledgements
We would like to thank all guests of the press meeting – journalists, photographers and our partners for their participation, interest in science and research and dissemination of information about Czech research.