University Technology Centre Plays Key Role in Water Treatment
The Regional Centre of Advanced Technologies and Materials building
Scientists at the Regional Centre of Advanced Technologies and Materials (RCPTM) have joined a large European project focussing on the application of nanomaterials in industrial waste water treatment. Altogether twenty-eight institutes will collaborate on this project, with an overall funding of CZK 300 million.
One of the goals of the project is to test the nanotechnologies developed in the Czech Republic in different environments. “The main purpose is to demonstrate in other European countries how efficiently our technologies work,” says Pavel Tuček from RCPTM. This Palacký University research centre will play a key role in the project, together with the Institute for Nanomaterials, Advanced Technology and Innovation at the Technical University of Liberec. They will be in charge of the development of nanomaterials and their application in selected locations.
Nanomaterials are objects consisting of particles 100–1000 times smaller than the diameter of a human hair. They show increased reactivity, due to their size. Experts have responded to the growing demand for such technologies. The problem of water pollution has become progressively worse, while consumption of water has dramatically increased.
The RCPTM scientists have proven themselves in the past by designing and patenting the technology of production and application of iron nanoparticles, which are commonly used for treatment of contaminated groundwater today. Recently, they have developed technologies allowing the ecological disposal of cyanobacteria, highly toxic arsenic, or heavy metals from contaminated water and soil. A number of these technologies have been field-tested at specific sites by the Czech Competence Centres, supported by the Technology Agency of the Czech Republic, whose allocation amounts to €12 million.
Further projects: studying biomolecules and developing ultra-thin insulants
The Centre is involved in several other international projects. For instance, its experts are installing the optical components for detection of high-energy cosmic rays at an observatory in Argentina. Olomouc scientists also participate in the research conducted by the Centre of Excellence of the Czech Science Foundation under the supervision of Pavel Hobza, currently the most cited scientist in the Czech Republic. This collaboration allows them to study biomolecules and new carbon materials and their applications and interactions.
In collaboration with their Greek colleagues, the RCPTM scientists participated in the discovery of two-dimensional fluorographene, the thinnest known insulant, with properties similar to Teflon. Great attention is being paid to graphene, the most intensely studied material of the present day, whose discovery resulted in the award of the 2010 Nobel Prize in Physics. Graphene is the hardest material known to man, an excellent electrical current conductor, and the best heat conductor.
During the last year only, the RCPTM experts patented several technologies and published almost 300 scientific studies in the most prestigious scientific journals. “Olomouc has given birth to one of most prominent European institutes in nanomaterials, chemical, and optical research, collaborating with the best institutions in the world on a long-term basis,” says the RCPTM Director Radek Zbořil. Approximately one-fifth of his research team is formed by foreign scientists, for example from the United States, Israel, Switzerland, Greece, and Italy.
High-definition electron microscope at hand
Investigations into the world of quantum dots, magnetic nanoparticles, and biomolecules have been made possible due to the unique equipment of the Centre. The researchers will also be able to use several new pieces of equipment financed from European Union grants. One of the most important ones is a high-definition electron microscope adapted to work at low temperatures; it allows distinguishing individual atoms in the structure of various materials or mapping the chemical composition of nanomaterials. Further equipment will be installed in the new premises of the Centre, whose official opening should be in April 2013.
The foundation of the RCPTM, which is one of the most efficient institutes within Palacký University of Olomouc, is co-financed by the European Union and the state budget of the Czech Republic at a sum of €22 million.
