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Ján Minár (JM) and Saleem Ayaz Khan (SK) work at the New Technologies – Research Centre of the University of West Bohemia in Pilsen (NTC UWB), exploring a world that most people can hardly imagine. Using instruments that look like something from a science fiction movie, they study and design materials that behave in completely different ways thanks to quantum physics. They investigate why materials have the properties they do, examining their structure, as well as their electronic, optical, and magnetic characteristics, and how they respond to various stimuli. They operate in a realm so small that it cannot be seen or perceived by the human eye.

SK: For me, it’s a world full of possibilities. Quantum materials act as building blocks for new technologies. I find it fascinating to see how quantum physics connects with engineering — from developing quantum computers and ultra-fast charging batteries to communication networks that are almost impossible to break.

JM: Today, thanks to the reliability and feasibility of advanced computational methods, it has become possible to predict the properties of materials that do not even exist yet. Such research allows the development of technologies that require minimal energy, are highly precise, and can be much smaller than today’s devices — such as special chips, sensors, or memory systems. These will find use in quantum computers, energy, medicine, biotechnology, and smart sensors. In our research, we use both experimental and theoretical methods. It’s fascinating to see how the microscopic behavior of electrons leads to the emergence of macroscopic properties we can observe.

Quantum physics combines precision and imagination. How do you complement each other in your research — who has the more analytical and who the more intuitive approach?

SK: I focus on applying and using the computational codes developed by Professor Minár. Together, we collaborate with experimental teams both here and around the world. This enables us to link experimental results with theoretical calculations on the microscopic level — something that is often too difficult to achieve experimentally.

JM: I believe both approaches are essential. Every project we work on combines theoretical modeling and experimental measurement. This combination allows us to understand the properties of quantum materials and discover new possibilities for their application.

How did your collaboration begin? Do you remember your first joint project or the moment you realized you “clicked” scientifically?

JM: Saleem came to Pilsen as a PhD student and was immediately working on interesting theoretical predictions. Over time, we realized that our collaboration opened new possibilities for connecting theoretical and experimental insights.

SK: Exactly as Professor Minár says — my journey began in 2011 when I was a student at Hazara University in Pakistan. My contact with the University of South Bohemia regarding research collaboration gave me the opportunity to work in the Czech Republic. Later, I moved to Pilsen, where I worked as a research assistant and then started my doctoral studies under the supervision of RNDr. Ondřej Šipr. At NTC, I met Professor Minár, who was leading the CENTEM project. We began working together and completed several successful projects and papers published in international journals.

Science is often described as a universal language. When you discuss complex quantum problems, do you feel that national or cultural differences disappear — or do they enrich your work?

SK: I believe our cultural differences enrich our work. NTC is like a bouquet of flowers — each one has its own color and scent, and our diverse approaches to problems help us tackle complex challenges.

JM: I agree. In my experience, an international environment is truly inspiring — each team member brings unique experience, ways of thinking, and new ideas. Today, NTC has the highest number of international employees among all university units, and the leadership actively supports this openness. We believe that international collaboration drives us forward.

How can NTC contribute to making Pilsen and the entire region a center of research and innovation in quantum technologies?

JM: Our goal is to strengthen NTC’s connection to the European research area and to attract more students and young talented researchers to Pilsen to develop new technologies and collaborate with local companies in the field of quantum technologies.

SK: I hope we can make this dream come true. When I arrived in Pilsen in 2014 and met Professor Minár, only a few of us shared this vision. Today, our group includes dozens of researchers, and we have the most advanced instruments in the Czech Republic — bringing experimental and theoretical teams together under one roof.

How do you see the future of quantum research at NTC — how might your collaboration evolve?

JM: We want to bring quantum technologies into real life — into computers, mobile phones, and beyond. Together with Saleem, we are working to build the theoretical and experimental foundation to make that possible.

SK: Professor Minár and I are currently involved in several projects with teams from different parts of the world. Each of them offers a chance to discover new properties of quantum materials that open up new areas of physics and technology.

If you could share one thought with students and future scientists — something that keeps you motivated in your research — what would it be?

JM: I would tell students to stay curious and always look beneath the surface — and never stop asking “why.”

SK: Quantum mechanics is built on uncertainty and curiosity. My message to young scientists and students is similar: be curious and ask bold questions — that’s how nature’s secrets are revealed.