International Cooperation Science
The December meetings with representatives of universities, start-ups, and research and business institutions in the American Midwest were organized by the CzechInvest agency and the General Consulate of the Czech Republic in Chicago. The Czech delegation included representatives from the University of West Bohemia in Pilsen: Pavel Žlábek and Ludmila Kučerová from the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Martin Střelec from the Faculty of Applied Sciences. Together with representatives from the Czech Technical University and the Czech Academy of Sciences, they discussed opportunities for transatlantic research collaboration, focusing on hydrogen technologies, decarbonization and decentralization of energy production, energy efficiency, and other technologies.
"As a promising topic for further collaboration in material and technological research for energy – an area we focus on at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering – we identified the research and development of advanced materials based on high-entropy alloys," said Ludmila Kučerová, who specializes in this research. She emphasized the importance of establishing contacts with the largest universities in the American Midwest, which could offer UWB students attractive opportunities for foreign study stays. Representatives of University of Illinois Chicago, University of Michigan, Kettering University, and the University of Notre Dame expressed interest in mutual student exchanges at all levels of study. "We already know of several doctoral students who would welcome this opportunity. Their dissertations focus on advanced materials research, and they now have the chance to continue their work in well-equipped laboratories abroad," added Ludmila Kučerová.
According to Pavel Žlábek from the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, it was interesting to see how topics like decarbonization and green energy are perceived on the other side of the Atlantic. "In this area, the USA is aiming for similar environmental goals as the EU. Like the Czech Republic, the energy mix of the American Midwest relies heavily on nuclear power plants, complemented by renewable energy sources and energy storage. While the topics are common for both sides, differences in technological specifics, as well as social and cultural factors, are apparent," he said.
Martin Střelec from the Faculty of Applied Sciences highlighted the targeted and effective collaboration between research organizations, industrial partners, and start-ups. "There is a strong emphasis on transferring knowledge and technologies between research and application sectors. Systematic support for start-ups, for example, is very promising, though unfortunately, it still does not reach the necessary level in the Czech Republic," he noted.
The University of West Bohemia plans to sign collaboration agreements with several of the universities and research organizations visited. These agreements will provide opportunities for student, teaching, and researcher exchanges or long-term internships, as well as future research collaboration.
Faculty of Mechanical Engineering |
Kamila Kolářová |
17. 12. 2024 |