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How can research results be best applied in industrial practice? In mid-January, representatives of universities, research institutions, and companies gathered at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering of the University of West Bohemia in Pilsen to explore this question. They discussed cooperation in the field of technical and smart textiles and ways to systematically apply research outcomes in industrial practice and other areas, such as healthcare or occupational safety. “Connecting research with practice is essential if new materials and technologies are to function effectively in real-world operations and deliver tangible benefits,” emphasized Libuše Fouňová, president of the CLUTEX cluster, that brings together Czech companies, research, and educational institutions active in the field of technical textiles.

Scientists, academics, and company managers also had the opportunity to visit selected laboratories at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering (FEL) at the University of West Bohemia, where they saw examples of research in smart textiles, diagnostics, materials analysis, and acoustics, along with their potential industrial applications. “Cooperation with companies allows us to steer our research toward practical solutions with clear application beyond the academic environment,” said Jiří Hammerbauer, Vice-Rector for Creative Activities at UWB. One of the key topics of the meeting was the possibility of the UWB joining the CLUTEX cluster. According to Hammerbauer, this step would open up further opportunities for applied research, student education, and joint projects with industrial partners.

The meeting in Pilsen was also attended by members of the FEL management, including František Steiner, who will assume the position of dean of the faculty on March 1. Other participants included FEL Vice-Dean for Science František Mach,head of the Materials Research Group and the Department of Materials and Technologies Aleš Hamáček, and Radek Soukup, head of the Smart Textiles Team. The CLUTEX cluster (technical textiles cluster) was represented by companies such as Sintex, Jitex Comfort, and Inotex. Participating institutions included the Technical University of Liberec, the Secondary and Higher Vocational School in Liberec, VÚTS (Research Institute of Textile Machinery), TZÚ (Textile Testing Institute), and VÚB, a manufacturer of protective textiles.