Czech Optical Cluster

🌟 New Chair of the Czechoslovak Microscopy Society! 🌟 We’re please to share that Dr. Kamila Hrubanová from Institute of Scientific Instruments of the CAS, has become the new Chair of Československá mikroskopická společnost as of January 1, 2025. She follows Dr. Vladislav Krzyzanek, now Chair of the European Microscopy Society. Dr. Hrubanová, leading scientist in the Microscopy for Biomedicine group at ISI CAS, is a proud recipient of the prestigious Otto Wichterle Award (2023) 🏆. Her leadership and organizational skills were evident, for example, during the 16th International Microscopy Congress 2022 in Brno, which hosted nearly 700 participants from science, industry and the public sector. Beyond her research, Dr. Hrubanová is passionate about science communication and public engagement. Czech Optical Cluster is a proud partner of Československá mikroskopická společnost actively collaborating on advancing optical and microscopy technologies, fostering innovation, and connecting academic and industrial communities. Together, we also co-organize events that promote cutting-edge research and strengthen ties between science and practice. 🎉 We congratulate Dr. Kamila Hrubanová on her appointment and look forward to working together on future initiatives that push the boundaries of microscopy! Photo by Institute of Scientific Instruments of the CAS #CzechMicroscopy #ScienceLeadership #ČSMS #WomenInScience #CzechOpticalCluster #brnoregionmicroscopy

Polish-Czech Photonics Workshop in Wrocław 🌟 After the success of Czech-Polish Photonics 2023 in Ostrava, we are thrilled to invite members of PPTF - Polish Technological Platform on Photonics 🇵🇱 and Czech Optical Cluster 🇨🇿 to reunite! This time, we’ll meet in the inspiring surroundings of Wrocław University of Science and Technology. 📅 Mark your calendars: The workshop will take place on 26-27 March 2025. Originally planned for September 2024, the event had to be postponed due to a flood alert – but we’re back and ready to make it worth the wait! What’s on the agenda? 👉 Updates on upcoming European R&D calls 👉 Company presentations showcasing cutting-edge photonics solutions 👉 Networking opportunities with top experts in the field 👉 Lab tours to explore the latest innovations Stay tuned for more details 🔜! #PhotonicsWorkshop #CzechPolishCooperation #Networking #CzechOpticalCluster #Innovation

Thank you to our members, partners, and collaborators for driving innovation and progress in optical technologies this year. Together, we are turning challenges into successes and ideas into reality🛠️💡. In 2️⃣ 0️⃣ 2️⃣ 5️⃣ , we look forward to strengthening our partnerships, developing cutting-edge solutions, and continuing to position optics as a key enabler of modern industries and science. Wishing you a successful and inspiring New Year 🥂! #PF2025 #CzechOpticalCluster #OpticsInnovation #PhotonicsLeadership

🌱Czech Optical Cluster is growing again! Czech Optical Cluster is proud to announce 3️⃣ new members who are joining our mission to push the boundaries of optics and photonics. With their addition, our cluster now brings together 4️⃣ 3️⃣ members, united by a shared passion for innovation! Let’s meet the newest contributors to our community: 🎓Charles University One of the world’s oldest and most prestigious universities, founded in 1348 in Prague, joins us through its Faculty of Mathematics and Physics and Faculty of Science (Přírodovědecká fakulta Univerzity Karlovy). Their cutting-edge research spans radiometry, spectroscopy, and femtosecond laser technology, among others. A true natural partner for the optical community. 🚀 Elya Solutions With over 15 years of experience in precision optics, mechanics, and system design, Elya Solutions is at the forefront of innovation. They specialize in optical systems for aerospace, defense, and AI-driven industrial applications, including head-up displays and laser systems for space exploration. 🚘 Valeo Autoklimatizace k.s. A global leader in automotive systems, Valeo brings advanced expertise in optics, electronics, and AI for autonomous driving and vehicle safety systems. Their Prague R&D center is a hub of innovation for software-defined vehicles and advanced lighting technologies. #OpticsInnovation #PhotonicsLeadership #CzechOpticalCluster #DrivingInnovation #FutureOfOptics

🌟 LASER-PRO: Advancing Sustainable Laser Technologies for Europe’s Future We’re excited to share that Czech Optical Cluster is part of LASER-PRO, an ambitious international project that brings together 18 partners from Czechia 🇨🇿, Lithuania 🇱🇹 and Ukraine 🇺🇦 to revolutionize the high-tech industry with cutting-edge laser technologies. Led by the HiLASE Centre (Czechia) and Center for Physical Sciences and Technology (FTMC) (Lithuania), this 4-year initiative, starting in January 2025, focuses on: ▪️ Sustainable manufacturing using ultrashort-pulse lasers, ▪️ Breakthroughs in semiconductor technology aligned with the EU Chips Act, ▪️ Advancements in biomedical devices and 3D printing. 🌍 Why It’s Important? LASER-PRO showcases how collaboration across borders can: 🟢 Enable greener and more efficient manufacturing, 🟢 Empower SMEs and startups through knowledge sharing, 🟢 Position Europe as a leader in photonics and laser technologies. We’re particularly proud of the inclusion of Ukrainian partners, which demonstrates a commitment to fostering innovation, strengthening regional ties, and sharing expertise across borders. Together, we’re building a sustainable and competitive future for Europe’s industry, powered by the potential of laser technologies—the “super-tools of the 21st century.” 🚀 Středočeské inovační centrum, SIC, CARDAM s.r.o., STAR - Research & Innovation Cluster AMIRES, ELI - Extreme Light Infrastructure, Junior Achievement o.p.s. (JA Czech) Lietuvos inovacijų centras / Lithuanian Innovation Centre (LIC) Innovation Agency Lithuania | Global Lithuanian Laser Association Akoneer Lietuvos Junior Achievement Lviv Polytechnic National University SID City Scientific Park NoviNano Ltd Junior Achievement Ukraine #Innovation #LaserTechnologies #Photonics #Sustainability #CzechOpticalCluster #LASERPRO #HorizonEurope #Collaboration

🌟 Bringing Light to Learning: Czech Optical Cluster Supports STEM Education Through Interactive Science Center in Olomouc! 🌟 What makes science unforgettable? Hands-on experiments and a spark of curiosity! 🧑🔬✨ To light up classrooms and inspire future scientists and professionals, the Czech Optical Cluster has provided 2️⃣ 0️⃣ Photonics Explorer Kits to Pevnost poznání (interactive science center in Olomouc). These kits, widely used across Europe, enable students to experiment with fascinating optical phenomena—mixing colors, diffraction, polarization, and more. With comprehensive guides for both students and teachers, they’re an ideal tool for hands-on learning. 🔑 Why it matters: Access to advanced educational tools can be challenging for many schools in Czech Republic. Pevnost poznání’s unique shared borrowing system ensures these kits reach classrooms where they’re needed most, offering free 15-day rentals that maximize their impact. This initiative was made possible with the support of our member companies: ZKW Automotive Engineering CZ, Plastic Omnium, FORVIA HELLA, Magna Lighting Czech. Thank you for your contribution to the next generation of scientists and professionals! 👏 PhotonHub Europe #Photonics #STEMeducation #CzechOpticalCluster #EducationInnovation #photonicsexplorer

🌟 Czech Clusters Collaborate: Strengthening Optics, Semiconductors, and Student Training! Czech Optical Cluster and Czech National Semiconductor Cluster have officially joined forces through a cooperation agreement! Signed in Brno on November 27, 2024, at Ústav přístrojové techniky AV ČR, v.v.i., this strategic partnership promises to revolutionize the Czech tech industry by bridging optics and semiconductors—two pivotal fields in high-tech innovation. Key Highlights of the Partnership: 🔹 Advancing the National Semiconductor Strategy with joint efforts. 🔹 Driving research, innovation, and development in semiconductors, photonics, and microscopy. 🔹 Boosting education and knowledge-sharing for member companies. 🔹 Expanding global market access with consultation and market analysis. 🔹 Creating opportunities through joint projects, grants, and tenders. Silvie Skyvova, Chairwoman of the Executive Board of the Czech Optical Cluster, stated: "The cooperation between the Czech Optical Cluster and the Czech National Semiconductor Cluster represents a key step towards a deeper interconnection of two strategic sectors - optics and semiconductors. Thanks to joint activities, we will be able to better respond to current challenges in technological research, innovation and industrial production. This strengthens not only the support of our members, but also the position of the Czech Republic as a major player in the global high-tech market“. 🔗 This collaboration is particularly significant in the context of quantum technologies. As quantum computing, quantum communication, and quantum sensing progress, the synergy between optics and semiconductors becomes essential. Additionally, Czech Optical Cluster has also signed a Memorandum of Cooperation with the Moravian-Silesian Automotive Cluster Autoklastr 🚘. This agreement focuses in particular on enhancing technical education, creating internship opportunities, and promoting dual education to support the future workforce in both optical and automotive industries. Petr Přikryl Stanislav CERNY Josef Lazar Libor Dobeš Petr Kavalir Brnoregion Microscopy National Cluster Association - CZ #Innovation #TechLeadership #Optics #Semiconductors #Dualeducation #CzechClusters #QuantumFuture

🎉 Congratulations to the winners of the Technologická agentura České republiky Awards 2024! The Centre for Electron and Photon Optics project, which connects key academic and industrial players in the field of electron and photon optics, has won the prestigious TA CR Award 2024 in the Partnership category. The award was accepted by the project’s principal investigator Dr. Ilona Müllerová and we are proud that members of Czech Optical Cluster: Ústav přístrojové techniky AV ČR, v.v.i. Meopta s.r.o., CRYTUR, spol. s r.o., Fyzikální ústav AV ČR, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Ústav fotoniky a elektroniky AV ČR, Ústav fyziky plazmatu AV ČR, České vysoké učení technické v Praze, Univerzita Palackého v Olomouci, Vysoké učení technické v Brně contributed to this success. 👉 Highlights of the project’s remarkable outcomes: ✅ 220 results, including: 107 functional prototypes 20 validated technologies 3 software applications This project moves the Czech Republic closer to the global forefront of research and industry. 💪 📍 The awards ceremony took place on November 7, 2024, in the historic National Museum in Prague during the TA CR Day, which also celebrated the 15th anniversary of the Technology Agency of the Czech Republic. Once again, huge congratulations to all the partners! #Research #Innovation #Optics #CzechOpticalCluster Photo: Lukáš Višňák

📢 Czech Optical Cluster Petr Přikryl is now part of the Photonics21 Board of Stakeholders! 🌟 🇪🇺 . We’re thrilled to join over 20 new members elected to drive European photonics forward! With 3,800+ members, Photonics21 is Europe’s hub for advancing light-based tech in ICT, healthcare, manufacturing, and beyond. It defines research and innovation priorities in photonics and provides essential input to the Horizon Europe research framework programme. 🚀 As we enter the “photon century,” European industries depend on photonics leadership to stay globally competitive. Together, we’re creating breakthroughs that light the way for jobs, innovation, and growth across Europe. 💪🔦 Proud to represent 🇨🇿 on this journey! #Photonics #Photonics21 #CzechOptics #FutureOfLight #PhotonCentury #EuropeanTech #CzechRepublic #Optics #CzechOpticalCluster

✨ What unfolds when top minds from materials science, life science, and computer science come together once again under one roof? At this year’s Correlative Materials Characterization Workshop (CMC 2024)—an annual gathering—we experienced the remarkable power of these interdisciplinary connections! Held in Dresden (November, 6-7), at the heart of “Silicon Saxony". Dresden’s vibrant ecosystem, known for its advancements in semiconductor and materials science, provided the ideal backdrop for exploring cutting-edge techniques in Light, Electron, X-ray, and Atomic Force Microscopy. This dynamic location only enhanced the workshop’s purpose: to drive forward new insights and collaboration in fields shaping our technological future. And not only between Germany and the Czech Republic! 🇩🇪 🇨🇿 Organized by Fraunhofer IKTS, together with CEITEC - Central European Institute of Technology, NenoVision, GlobalFoundries and Czech Optical Cluster, CMC 2024 welcomed participants from leading research institutions, pioneering companies, and emerging talents from the European School for Young Materials Scientists. 🙏 A special thank you to Fraunhofer IKTS André Clausner Anne-Kristin Leis and all team for their leadership and for hosting us in this inspiring region. A big thank you also goes to the father of the event - Jan Neuman - who has the lion's share in the success of the whole event 🦁.  We’re also grateful to our sponsors, partners, and the brilliant speakers who shared their insights, making CMC 2024 an exciting platform for learning and innovation. TESCAN Bruker Imina Technologies SA point electronic GmbH Infineon Technologies Brnoregion Microscopy To everyone who joined us—your energy and enthusiasm were invaluable! We look forward to CMC’s growth. Stay tuned for updates on where we’ll gather for CMC 2025! 🌍 Photos: Fraunhofer IKTS, Czech Optical Cluster #CMC2024 #MaterialsScience #CzechOpticalCluster #CzechOptics #Collaboration #Dresden #FraunhoferIKTS