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What exactly are you researching and developing, and what will it be used for?
I mainly focus on the research and development of smart knitted heated gloves. In my dissertation, I concentrate primarily on people with Raynaud’s syndrome, a condition that causes reduced blood flow, especially to the fingertips. I know several people who suffer from it, and I’m aware that it can be quite painful. When we discussed this type of glove with them, they were very enthusiastic. Heated gloves already exist, of course, but these are lightweight, fit closely around the fingers, and are not bulky like ski gloves. They are primarily designed as a base layer, worn under another, more aesthetic glove, essentially as an insert or lining. We have already explored possible applications with an industrial partner, and this lining solution is one of the options. Such gloves could also be used in winter sports, by people working in cold environments, and by everyday users.

And how should we imagine such a heated glove? How does it work?
We already have a functional sample with a microprocessor-equipped button. Once connected to a power bank, the glove starts to heat up. We can verify this using a thermal camera. Right now, the maximum temperature is around 43 °C. The button has three settings: red for 100%, green for 70%, and blue for 40%. The parameters can be further adjusted depending on the target group. Structurally, the glove is quite complex and differs significantly from a conventional product. To achieve a continuous circuit, which is essential for heating, I rotated the knitting direction by 90 degrees compared to standard methods and knit the glove from the little finger toward the thumb. I use hybrid conductive yarns that contain micro-wires, and the yarn used in the glove has been specially modified for our needs.

What does your collaboration with the Faculty of Electrical Engineering look like in practice?
My main responsibilities are knitting technology, programming the knitting machine, and designing the visual appearance. I sometimes need to refine or adjust others’ ideas, but I also contribute my own. The final results are always developed collaboratively. As for the electronics, my colleagues handle it mainly. The whole process is very much about compromise. We usually start with a brainstorming session where we explore multiple ideas. From that, another cohesive concept emerges, and I move to the computer to design and develop the specific sample, which I subsequently knit. After that, we evaluate it together and decide on the next steps. It typically takes several samples before we arrive at the final result.

Are you already close to commercial use?
Not quite yet. The project is still in development and is tied to a grant that runs until December. The goal is to have a fully functional prototype by then. If everything goes well, we can then move on to exploring further applications. We collaborate with several companies that provide feedback, suggest improvements, and are interested in finding additional partners who could bring the technology into practical use. The biggest challenge at the moment is the power supply. Power banks are relatively bulky, and they need to last long enough. We have also tried integrating them into clothing, such as jackets, but that is not a universal solution. Smaller batteries, on the other hand, either do not provide sufficient performance or are too expensive.

Why did you decide to pursue a PhD instead of going straight into practice? And what led you to this topic?
My master’s thesis in fashion design focused on trends, but it centered on knitting. In collaboration with the Technical University in Liberec, I began working with a flat-knitting machine, programming all my designs myself. By chance, I then got in touch with the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, and that’s how this collaboration began. Smart textiles made sense to me; I see great potential in them for the future, as well as an opportunity to help people. I knew for sure that I wanted to continue knitting; seamless knitting really fascinated me, and the idea of a heated glove emerged during my research. And why didn’t I go into industry? I wanted to go deeper, to explore the topic more thoroughly, continue learning, and develop further. In a company, you can sometimes fall into repetitive work, and there isn’t always as much space for growth.

What does a typical day look like for a PhD student working in smart textile development?
That’s exactly what I enjoy about my work, no two days are the same. I can’t really define a typical day. Sometimes I spend the whole day teaching, which is usually one day a week. Before classes, I often manage to knit a sample. Otherwise, it’s very varied. I knit samples, test them, and travel, for example, to a company in Přeštice where we conduct tests on abrasion resistance or pilling. We also carry out washing tests. At the same time, I work with students, guiding and mentoring them on projects. We also travel for business, communicate with industrial partners, and attend various meetings. I spent three months on a research stay at the Politecnico di Milano in Italy. In addition to my dissertation, I’m also involved in other important projects.

What should someone know before applying for a PhD, in your opinion?
They should definitely find out how time-consuming it is, which can be a challenge for many people. If someone already has a job and tries to pursue a PhD alongside it, I think it can be very demanding. I had the advantage of starting right after my master’s studies and getting involved in projects simultaneously. My collaboration with the Faculty of Electrical Engineering also helped a lot, because the PhD program there is already well established. In contrast, I was part of the very first doctoral cohort at the Sutnar Faculty, so the beginning was quite challenging. It’s also important to keep in mind that you need to publish, attend conferences, and produce research outputs. And there’s a lot of writing involved, which we weren’t entirely used to coming from an art faculty.

How much do you think money influences whether students decide to apply for and complete a PhD program?
I think it plays a major role. The situation has improved recently, and stipends are higher, but that didn’t apply to me anymore because I was already in my fourth year. The stipend is provided only for the standard study duration of three years (at FDU). That can be a complication. Another disadvantage is that a stipend is not the same as a regular salary, which can be an issue, for example, when applying for a mortgage. I personally benefited from being involved in projects from the beginning; otherwise, I probably couldn’t have afforded the studies. Interdisciplinary collaboration is, therefore, a significant advantage, as it allows students to get involved in projects across different faculties.

Where do you see yourself after completing your PhD? Do you plan to stay in this field?
For now, definitely yes. After finishing my dissertation, I would like to continue working on additional projects, as many are emerging. I enjoy it; those two worlds (FDU and FEL) complement each other well in my view. Each has something to offer. The field of knitting also currently has strong potential and is attracting interest. Since I have a full-time position here at the UWB, I am already fully occupied. However, I do not rule out other activities outside the university either. Ideally, it’s about combining both.


Three words that, in your opinion, describe a PhD:
Diversity, collaboration, writing.

The best advice from your supervisor:
Less is sometimes more.

The biggest myth about PhD students:
That their work is boring and that they are always just locked away in the lab.

One thing you would change about doctoral studies starting tomorrow:
More working spaces for PhD students. The spaces are often small or shared, and there is a lack of quiet for focused work. At the same time, having one’s own space, in my opinion, also increases the feeling that the faculty values its PhD students.


Are you currently studying a follow-up Master’s degree and enjoy science? Stay and explore further. Applications for doctoral studies at the UWB Ladislav Sutnar Faculty of Design and Art are open until 28 May 2026.