The AMULET project presented its research results at the event Heyrovský Institute Opens Its Doors
At the 4th annual event "Heyrovský Institute Opens Its Doors," researchers presented cutting-edge research in nanomaterials and their practical applications. Among the 70 attendees from both academia and industry, the presentation by the research team of the AMULET project (Advanced MUltiscaLe materials for key Enabling Technologies) attracted significant attention. The team showcased a range of technologies developed in collaboration with several leading Czech scientific institutions.
The AMULET project, funded by the Jan Amos Komenský Operational Programme (OP JAK) of the Czech Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports, brings together top Czech research institutions. During the conference, the project was introduced by its main coordinator, Martin Kalbáč from the J. Heyrovský Institute of Physical Chemistry.
“Our goal is to create materials of the future that will find applications in key technological areas—from energy to medicine,” Martin Kalbáč explained during his presentation. “What we are presenting today is the result of intense collaboration between top laboratories and experts from various scientific disciplines.”
Presented Technologies: From the Nanoscale to Practical Applications
The AMULET team introduced four technologies that demonstrate the breadth and depth of their research:
State-of-the-art biosensors to save lives
Researchers from the Institute of Photonics and Electronics showcased revolutionary biosensors capable of detecting hazardous substances with exceptional precision. These devices, based on optical detection, can identify bacteria in food, toxic compounds in drinking water, and even cancer at an early stage.
Innovative photocatalyst for cleaner water
A team from the J. Heyrovský Institute of Physical Chemistry presented an advanced photocatalyst that effectively removes antibiotics and other harmful substances from wastewater. The material proved particularly efficient in eliminating biologically active compounds, even at very low concentrations.
Experimental batteries of the future
Another major achievement by the team at the J. Heyrovský Institute is the development of an experimental battery with a nanostructured silicon particle anode. This innovation promises significantly higher capacity and longer lifespan compared to conventional batteries that use graphite anodes.
Multifunctional nanomaterials: Building blocks of advanced technologies
Researchers from the Faculty of Science at Charles University presented their work on multifunctional nanomaterials, which form one of the core pillars of the AMULET project.
“Our group focuses mainly on the synthesis of multifunctional nanomaterials in the 0D scale—nanoparticles smaller than 100 nanometers in all dimensions,” explained Štefan Hricov from the research team. “We design these nanoparticles with targeted magnetic, electric, or optical properties and study how they respond to various external factors.”
The researchers primarily work with metals and oxide materials, especially spinel and perovskite structures. They aim to combine multiple functional properties within a single material, tailored through internal structure design. In essence, they are creating foundational building blocks for constructing more sophisticated nanomaterials customized to specific application needs.
The Future of Research
The "Heyrovský Institute Opens Its Doors" conference provided a valuable platform to showcase the ongoing results of the AMULET project and to foster new collaborations with academic and industrial partners. In addition to AMULET, other major research initiatives were also presented, including SenDISo (Sensors and Detectors for the Information Society), ECO&Stor (Energy Conversion and Storage), and QUEENTEC (Quantum Engineering and Nanotechnology).
