Apply
Apply
Back to fellows

Ranjithkumar Raju, Ph.D.

  • Department of Semiconductors
Azoles
Boron-Doped Diamond Electrodes
Carbon Host Materials
polypyrrole
Supercapacitor
  • Project title:
  • Development of hetero atom-doped Porous Carbon structures for Energy Storage Applications
  • Supervisors:

prof. Ing. Alexander Kromka, DrSc.

Ing. Štěpán Potocký, Ph.D.

Biography

View CV

Dr. Ranjithkumar Raju (முனைவர். ரா. ரஞ்சித்குமார்), born on 5th May 1993 in Konampatti, Dharmapuri, Tamil Nadu, India, has an impressive academic background in Physics. He earned his Bachelor's degree (B.Sc.) in Physics in 2013 from P.M.P. Arts and Science College, affiliated with Periyar University, Salem, Tamil Nadu. He subsequently pursued a Master's degree (M.Sc.) in Physics from 2014 to 2016 at National College (Autonomous), affiliated with Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu. In 2021, Dr. Ranjithkumar was awarded his Ph.D. in Physics under the guidance of Prof. M. Krishnakumar and Prof. N. Nallamuthu at Kalasalingam Academy of Research and Education, Krishnankoil, Tamil Nadu.

From 2021 to 2024, he undertook postdoctoral research at Inha University and Gachon University in South Korea, working under the mentorship of Prof. Ji Ho Youk and Prof. Il Tae Kim. During this period, he developed nitrogen-doped porous carbon spheres and nitrogen-doped hollow carbon spheres with controlled particle sizes. His work led to a twofold enhancement in performance when these materials were decorated with metal alloy nanoparticles for use in battery and supercapacitor applications.

Dr. Ranjithkumar's research focuses on advanced carbon materials, including N-doped porous carbon spheres, N-doped hollow carbon spheres, carbon nanotubes, graphitic carbon nitride, carbon-based metal oxides, metal hydroxides, and alloy nanocomposites. These materials play a crucial role in the advancement of energy storage technologies, underscoring the impact of his contributions to the field of energy materials. Currently, he has begun his journey as a Physics for Future (P4F) Fellow in the research group of Prof. Alex Diamond at the Institute of Physics of the Czech Academy of Science (FZU), Czech Republic.

Why did you join P4F

P4F provides an excellent opportunity to gain advanced scientific experience in conducting research on cutting-edge carbon materials, such as nitrogen-doped porous carbon spheres and boron-doped diamond electrodes. I strongly believe that these advanced carbon materials hold the key to meeting both present and future demands for electrode materials in energy storage devices.

My long-term aim is to deepen my understanding of technological advancements in the field of carbon materials and to evolve as an independent researcher and to eventually launch a startup that contributes meaningfully to society through innovative solutions.

P4F
Project description

The development of nitrogen-doped porous carbon structures and polypyrrole (PPY) deposited on boron-doped diamond devices represents an exciting avenue in materials science and electrochemistry, particularly for energy storage applications. This approach combines the unique properties of these materials to create high-performance energy storage devices. N-doped Porous Carbon Spheres (NPCS) have gained significant attention due to their enhanced electrochemical activity, emerging as promising energy materials. However, nano-engineering NPCS with desired properties presents challenges such as uncontrolled/non-uniform N-doping, incomplete carbonization, and low graphitization, leading to poor electrical conductivity. Nitrogen-doped carbon materials offer enhanced electrical conductivity and electrochemical properties, with controlled nitrogen-doping configurations influencing their behavior. The deposition of conductive PPY further enhances electrical conductivity and pseudocapacitance, contributing to energy storage mechanisms. This project aims to develop nano-engineered synthetic protocols for NPCS, focusing on maximizing pyrrolic-N doping and achieving the desired porosity. To enhance pyrrolic-N doping, we propose a polymerization process with concurrent sol-gel reactions, allowing systematic variation of N-content in NPCS. Furthermore, employing five-membered azoles like imidazole, pyrazole, 1,2,3-triazole, and 1,2,4-triazole enhances pyrrolic-N doping. Boron-doped diamond electrodes are known for their chemical stability, electrochemical potential window, and resistance to fouling. These properties make them suitable for a wide range of electrochemical applications. These electrode materials will be used to fabricate supercapacitor electrodes, followed by a systematic evaluation of their electrochemical performance. Finally, optimized electrodes will undergo device performance assessments. This research aims to contribute to the development of efficient energy storage solutions with wideranging practical applications.

Project duration

21. 1. 2025 20. 1. 2027

Research results

Research Gate

Google Scholar

 

Publications

2024
1. R. Ranjithkumar, J.H. Youk: Nitrogen-doped hollow carbon spheres decorated with NiCo alloy nanoparticles for high-performance supercapacitor electrode, Mater. Today Chem. 36 (2024) 101939
2024
2. R. Ranjithkumar, J. Ho Youk: Nitrogen-doped mesoporous carbon spheres decorated with NiCo alloy nanoparticles for high-performance electrochemical supercapacitors, J. Electroanal. Chem. 960 (2024) 118183
2024
3. R. Ranjithkumar, P. Lakshmanan, N. Palanisami, P. Devendran, S. Sudhahar, N. Nallamuthu, G. Thrimurthulu, I.T. Kim, M. Krishna Kumar: Facile fabrication of 3D-α-Fe2O3@2D-g-C3N4 heterojunction composite materials: Effect of iron oxide loading on the electrochemical performance, Inorg. Chem. Commun. 165 (2024) 112553 https://doi.org/
2023
4. R. Ranjithkumar, P. Lakshmanan, N. Palanisami, P. Devendran, N. Nallamuthu, S. Sudhahar, M.K. Kumar: Facile, Morphology-Controlled and Mass Production of 0D-Ag/2D-g-C3N4/3D-TiO2 Nano-composite Materials: Effect of Silver Morphology and Loading on the Electrochemical Performance, Electron. Mater. Lett. 19 (2023) 172–183
2020
5. R. Ranjithkumar, S.E. Arasi, P. Devendran, N. Nallamuthu, A. Arivarasan, P. Lakshmanan, S. Sudhahar, M.K. Kumar: Investigations on structural, morphological and electrochemical properties of Co(OH)2 nanosheets embedded carbon nanotubes for supercapacitor applications, Diam. Relat. Mater. 110 (2020) 108120
2020
6. R. Ranjithkumar, S.E. Arasi, P. Devendran, N. Nallamuthu, P. Lakshmanan, S. Sudhahar, A. Arivarasan, M.K. Kumar: Investigations and fabrication of Ni(OH)2 encapsulated carbon nanotubes nanocomposites based asymmetrical hybrid electrochemical supercapacitor, J. Energy Storage 32 (2020) 101934
2021
7. R. Ranjithkumar, P. Lakshmanan, P. Devendran, N. Nallamuthu, S. Sudhahar, M.K. Kumar: Investigations on effect of graphitic carbon nitride loading on the properties and electrochemical performance of g-C3N4/TiO2 nanocomposites for energy storage device applications, Mater. Sci. Semicond. Process. 121 (2021) 105328
2020
8. R. Ranjithkumar, S.E. Arasi, N. Nallamuthu, P. Devendran, P. Lakshmanan, A. Arivarasan, M.K. Kumar: Investigation and fabrication of asymmetrical supercapacitor using nanostructured Mn3O4 immobilized carbon nanotube composite, Superlattices Microstruct. 138 (2020) 106380
2019
9. R. Ranjithkumar, S.E.E. Arasi, S. Sudhahar, N. Nallamuthu, P. Devendran, P. Lakshmanan, M.K.K. Kumar: Enhanced electrochemical studies of ZnO/CNT nanocomposite for supercapacitor devices, Phys. B Condens. Matter 568 (2019) 51–59
2023
10. M.S.P. Sudhakaran, R. Ranjithkumar, J.H. Youk: Polypyrrole-derived N-doped CNT nanocomposites decorated with CoNi alloy nanoparticles for high-performance supercapacitor electrodes, Appl. Surf. Sci. 619 (2023) 156796

Links to data
repositories

Are you interested?

For candidates

Stay in touch

Subscribe here and receive updates and news about the P4F programme.

Twitter Facebook Linkedin
  • © 2023 Institute of Physics of the Czech Academy of Sciences

Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Research Executive Agency. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

Technical University of Darmstadt - Darmstadt, Germany

Functional Materials Group

Our international team at Functional Materials at TU Darmstadt conducts fundamental and applied materials research for the fields of energy conversion, mobility, cooling, medicine and robotics as well as hydrogen liquefaction and storage. The focus is on advanced nanostructured magnetic materials, which are analyzed and modelled on all length scales, from the atom to the device. This enables our FM team to develop novel multi-functional materials encompassing their synthesis, processing, and property characterization. We explore their multi-responsiveness in engineering components exposed to different stimuli and operating environments. We are especially concerned with the criticality of technology metals and the design of materials and devices for circularity from the very beginning. The transformation to renewable energy technologies is first of all a materials´ transition! Sustainable materials are a necessity for a net-zero emission energy scenario.

Show website

Science and Technology Facilities Council, UK Research and Innovation - Didcot, United Kingdom

ISIS Neutron and Muon Source

The ISIS Neutron and Muon Source, based at the STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, is a world-leading facility providing neutron and muon beam for research in physical and life science. The neutron and muon instruments give unique insights into the properties of materials on the atomic scale.

Within the instrument suite, WISH is a state of the art long-wavelength diffractometer with high-resolution and high signal to noise ratio designed for powder and single crystal diffraction at long d-spacing in magnetic and large unit cell systems.

Show website

University of Pardubice - Pardubice, Czech Republic

Faculty of Chemical Technology

We are historically the oldest faculty of the University with more than 70 years of teaching and research in chemistry and chemical technology, pharmacochemistry, materials engineering, nanotechnology, biological and bio-chemical disciplines as well as management and control processes.

The faculty has a high professional credit in the Czech Republic and abroad. In scientific activities we focus on basic and applied research. Our postgraduate and doctoral students participate in research projects. They also gain experience at foreign universities and scientific conferences.

We work on many unique projects in cooperation with industry. In addition to extensive publishing activities, we hold a number of prestigious scientific conferences and Scientific schools every year. Our scientists are involved in international projects, and we are honoured to have distinguished experts working for us. Thanks to the scientific research activities of the faculty and our individual departments, we consistently maintain a high reputation in the international academic and Scientific community. Our graduates are sought-after experts in chemical, food, pharmaceutical, printing, and other industrial and commercial companies, both Czech and international. Many of them are successful in research institutes and educational institutions.

Show website

Linköping University - Linköping, Sweden

Plasma and Coatings Physics (PLASM)

The group is focused on the research and application of advanced plasma techniques. The goal is to address major challenges facing contemporary materials science and technology.

Show website

University of Turin - Turin, Italy

Founded in 1404, the University of Turin (UniTo) is one of the largest Italian Universities, with over 80k students, around 4k employees , and more than 1.5k among PhD students and research fellows. According to various international rankings (THE, ARWU, CWUR, NTU) in UniTo ranked as the 5th university in Italy and among the top 500 universities worldwide. Today, the University of Torino offers over 150 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in almost every field of study involving about 5k international students. A growing number of programs are taught in English, and Italian language tuition is available for incoming students. Doctoral school provides 38 doctoral programs. As for internationalization, UniTo is involved in about 500 cooperation agreements with institutions all around the world (South America, Mediterranean countries, India and China, in addition to Europe), including joint educational programs at undergraduate and doctoral level. In addition, the University’s Departments offer excellent opportunities for Italian and non-Italian academic staff. International and local funding programs, both public and private, support the University’s commitment to innovation and research.

UniTo manages roughly 500 research projects per year. The long record of participation of UniTo in the EU strategic research agenda results from 115 FP7 and 176 H2020 funded research projects. Under H2020, UniTo coordinated 40 projects and 13 ERC, out of which 3 Starting Grant, 8 Consolidator, 1 Advanced and 1 Synergy. UniTo took part in 42 Marie Skłodowska Curie Actions and 9 Research Infrastructures projects overall. In Horizon Europe, 16 projects have been financed so far: 4 of them are coordinated by UniTo and 3 have been funded under the Research Infrastructures programme.

Show website

Joint Research Centre on Nuclear Safety and Security - Karslruhe, Germany

G.II.6 sector - PAMEC laboratory

The G.II.6 Sector Scientific Foundations of Nuclear Materials Safety (SFNMS) operates state-of-the-art instruments for the production and the study of research and applied nuclear based safety materials. Specialised facilities are devoted to the preparation of high-quality single crystals and samples, from oxide and intermetallic to organometallic complexes. Structural and ground states properties of the materials are obtained by XRD scattering, spectroscopic, thermodynamic, magnetic, and electrical transport techniques. Since 2002, the sector coordinates Open Access to research infrastructures in JRC Karlsruhe and implements projects of external scientists („users“) on the basis of peer- reviewed proposals (ACTUSLAB).

The facility includes the following devices:

Activity

Facility

(GB= sample in Glove Box)

(SC= sample in Safe Container)

Remarks

 

Sample Preparation

Arc Melting (GB)

Solid-solid reaction (GB)

Metal Flux (GB)

Furnace (GB)

Sputter deposition (GB)

Solution chemistry (GB)

Polycrystalline

Polycrystalline

Single crystal

Annealing

Thin films

Complexes

Sample Characterization

Powder X-ray diffraction (GB)

Powder X-ray diffraction High-temperature (GB)

Single-crystal XRD; 4-circles diffractometer (SC)

Single-crystal XRD; Laue diffractometer (SC)

300-1600K

Surface Science

techniques

Film deposition by DC sputtering

Photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS, XPS, AES) (GB)

LEED

HREELS (GB)

TPD

Oxide, nitride, intermetallic films in different condition of deposition

Sample Encapsulation

U-Th glove box

Transuranics glove box

Press glove box

Decontamination glove box

Specific for each measurement

 

Physical Properties Measurements

AC and DC Magnetometry (MPMS3) (SC)

Specific heat (PPMS9 and PPMS14) (SC)

Electrical resistivity (PPMS9 and PPMS14) (SC)

Electrical resistivity High-Pressure (SC)

Thermo-power (SC)

237Np Mössbauer spectroscopy (SC)

Solid-state Magic Angle Spinning NMR (GB)

2K<T<300K  -7T<B<7T

0.35K<T<300K 0<B<14T

0.35K<T<300K 0<B<14T

0<P<20Gpa

1.5K<T<300K

1.5K<T<150K

 

Show website

Faculty of Mathematics, Physics and Informatics, Comenius University - Bratislava, Slovakia

Department of Experimental Physics

Department of Experimental Physics of the Faculty of Mathematics, Physics, and Informatics of the Comenius University in Bratislava, Slovakia, has research groups in several subfields of condensed matter physics. Experimental research is devoted to superconducting qubits, basic research on superconducting materials, and the application of semiconductor physics in sensorics. Theoretical research focuses on crystal structure prediction by ab initio methods and the study of correlated electrons and unconventional superconductivity.

Show website

Oak Ridge National Laboratory - Oak Ridge, Tennessee

Neutron Scattering Division

Oak Ridge National Laboratory conducts world-leading research that translates science into solutions for the world’s biggest problems. ORNL’s translational R&D approach spans fundamental science to demonstration and deployment, leveraging signature strengths in materials, neutrons, nuclear, and computing sciences.
The Neutron Sciences Directorate (NScD) seeks to answer big science questions about the fundamental nature of materials at the atomic scale. NScD operates two of the most advanced neutron scattering facilities in the world: the High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR) and the Spallation Neutron Source (SNS), funded by the US Department of Energy’s Office of Science and Office of Basic Energy Sciences.
The Neutron Scattering Division (NSD) provides scientific and technical expertise to support and develop world-class neutron scattering user facilities. NSD works with scientists from around the world and across a wide range of research fields who are using ORNL’s 30 neutron scattering instruments to solve critical research problems and foster breakthrough scientific discoveries.

Show website

Vienna University of Technology - Vienna, Austria

Institute of Solid State Physics

Solid state physics stands out through an extraordinary width of different phenomena and applications, from superconductors to semiconductors, from solar cells to thermoelectrics, from single crystals to nano- and heterostructures. It is the area were most physicists work in fundamental physics and industry.
At the center we have the (solid) material. At the Institute of Solid State Physics we synthesize materials e.g. in Tetra arc furnaces or through sputtering atomic layer by atomic layer. Structure and chemical decomposition is analyzed through x-ray diffraction, electron and atomic force microscopes. Of prime interest are the physical properties from thermodynamics to spectroscopy and transport, which we study under extreme conditions such as ultra-low temperatures and high pressures.
Theoretically, we calculate materials and their properties with the help of high performance computers and quantum field theory.

Show website

Faculty of Electrical Engineering CTU in Prague - Prague, Czech Republic

Show website

Astronomical Institute of the Czech Academy of Sciences - Ondřejov, Czech Repbulic

The Astronomical Institute of the Czech Academy of Sciences (ASU) is the foremost astronomy organization and at the same time one of the oldest scientific institutions in the country. The major part of the institute is located in the village Ondřejov southeast from Prague, a separate worksite is located in the capital city of Prague. 

The research conducted at ASU covers a wide range of topics; from the immediate environs of the Earth to distant galaxies and black holes in their cores. More specifically, our expertise lies in the solar physics (flares and prominences, solar atmosphere, helioseismology, space weather), physics of hot stars, exoplanets, asteroid and meteor physics, astrophysics of galaxies and star evolution, relativistic astrophysics and the planet Earth itself. Our researchers are involved in a rich set of international projects in Europe and worldwide. A major part of research is oriented internationally, we have close cooperation with European Southern Observatory (ESO), European Space Agency (ESA) and other organizations . Our researchers make use of some of the world’s largest infrastructures for astronomical observations (ALMA, VLT) or collaborate on the development on the next-generation instruments (CTA, LISA, ATHENA, EST), the Institute has founded and operates the Central-European network of fireball detectors.

Our researches frequently publish in high impact scientific journals. About two thirds of all our impact papers are published in the most renowned astronomical journals like Nature, Science, Astronomy & Astrophysics, The Astrophysical Journal and Monthly Notices, and the remaining one third in other more specialized journals. We regularly publish about 100 original papers  per year in international impacted peer-reviewed journals. 

ASU is deeply involved in a number of ESA projects through the PRODEX program currently contributing to the development of LISA and ATHENA missions. Quite recently we have contributed to the construction of instruments that are onboard Solar Orbiter  or JUICE missions.

The Institute also provides a highly-developed infrastructure for its own astronomical observations. It operates a 2-m on-site optical telescope and two additional 1.5-m telescopes at ESO La Silla observatory in Chile. These instruments are used in exoplanet research (as a support for TESS and PLATO missions), asteroid observations (contributing to the recent DART mission successful impact) and exploration of hot stars. We are also part of the European Space Weather Service Network SWESNET doing day-by-day Sun observations and space weather predictions.

Show website

Slovak Academy of Sciences - Bratislava, Slovakia

Slovak Academy of Sciences is a self-governing scientific institution focused on the development of science, education, culture and economy. The main mission of SAS and its organizations is to carry out basic and applied research in a wide range of technical, natural, humanities and social sciences. Through its research activity, SAS strives to develop knowledge at the international level, while respecting the current needs of Slovak society and domestic culture. The academy’s organizations, in cooperation with universities, participate in education, especially by educating young scientists, but also by pedagogical activity at universities. Through bilateral and multilateral scientific international and domestic projects, especially from EU structural funds, and membership in international associations and institutions, SAS develops extensive international cooperation, thereby integrating Slovak science into a transnational context.

Show website

Astronomical Institute

Astronomical Institute of Slovak Academy of Sciences consists of these 3 scientific departments:

Solar physics

Observational facilities: Stará Lesná Observatory, Lomnicky Peak Observatory

The research in Solar physics department is focused mainly on the magnetism, dynamics and variability of solar atmosphere.

Department of interplanetary matter

Observational facilities: Skalnaté Pleso Observatory, Stará Lesná Observatory

Main research areas: We are studying the transition orbits among different populations of the small bodies in the Solar System – mainly regarding the near-Earth objects (NEOs)..

Stellar Department

Observational facilities: Skalnaté Pleso observatory, Stará Lesná observatory

Research of symbiotic stars and novae is focused on the physical processes during the outburst phase: jets, accretion, envelope shedding.

Show website

Centre for Advanced Materials Application

Establishment of the Centre for advanced materials application SAS (CEMEA) was initiated by the project Building-up Centre of Excellence for advanced materials application, CEMEA No. 664337 within the call of H2020 programme WIDESPREAD-1-2014-Teaming, which was awarded by the Seal of excellence and recommended for national funding.

The Centre was established on the basis of a resolution of the SAS Presidium on 1.6. 2017

The core activities of the CEMEA SAS are focused on the research in the field of materials science and new technologies aimed at modification of surfaces and interfaces in the domain of advanced nanomaterials, sustainable energy and biomedicine.
The research activities include:

  • Thin films and surface properties
  • Functional polymer surfaces
  • Special light construction materials and composites
  • Advanced ceramic materials
  • Inorganic and organic nanostructures for electronics and sensorics
  • Advanced materials for biomedicine and biotechnologies

Centre focuses primarily on materials research (inorganic, organic, electro-chemistry, physical chemistry) with a focus on biomaterials and materials suitable for use in batteries.

Show website

Institute of Electrical Engineering

Institute of Electrical Engineering SAS is presently engaged in basic and applied research in the field of semiconductors and superconductors. Research into technology deals with: the preparation of the thin film layers of superconductors, semiconductors, semiconductors structures for microelectronics and optoelectronics. Vacuum deposition and plasma deposition techniques as well as the low-pressure metal organic chemical vapour deposition (LP MOCVD) are used. Metallurgical preparation techniques are used to prepare bulk superconducting materials and superconductors. Considerable attention is paid also to the development of new structures, elements, instruments and systems applicable in electronics and electrical engineering. The results of research activities are published mostly in the Journal of Electrical Engineering, which is co – published with the Slovak Technical University.

Show website

Institute of Experimental Physics

The Institute of Experimental Physics of the Slovak Academy of Sciences in Košice was established on January 1, 1969. The Institute of Experimental Physics consists of seven scientific departments:

  • The Department of Space Physics
  • The Department of Subnuclear Physics
  • The Department of Magnetism
  • The Department of Low Temperature
  • The Department of Metal Physics
  • The Department of Biophysics
  • The Department of Theoretical Physics

 

The institute employs around 120 people including research staff with the scientific qualification – Candidatus Scientiarum (PhD) and Doctor Scientiarum (second degree), graduate students, technicians and administration.

Show website

Institute of Physics

Institute of Physics of the Slovak Academy of Sciences has been founded as the Cabinet of Physics SAS in 1955. Later, in 1963 it was transformed into the Institute of Physics SAS. The main task of the Institute is to carry out basic theoretical and experimental research in physics. The research areas are solid state physics, quantum optics, nuclear and subnuclear physics.

In solid state physics the effort is focused to rapidly solidified materials, (e.g. metallic glasses), thin films and multilayers and to special diagnostic methods like the deep-level transient spectroscopy, positron annihilation, scanning probe microscopy, thermophysical properties measurements, atomic absorption and emission spectroscopy and X-ray diffractometry and reflectometry. Research in solid state theory is focused to low-dimensional systems, phase transitions and quasicrystals. In theoretical quantum optics, nonclassical properties of optical fields (such as a reduction of quantum fluctuations, quantum entanglement, creation and destruction of quantum coherence, etc.) in nonlinear quantum-optical parametric processes are investigated. In the field of nuclear and subnuclear physics the nuclear structure, phenomenology of high-energy collisions, and properties of hadronic spectra are studied.

Specialized services provided by the Institute’s research teams:

  • Transmission electron microscopy
  • Vacuum furnace melting
  • UHV deposition techniques for thin films (evaporation, sputtering)
  • Powder and high-resolution X-ray diffractometry
  • Deep-level transient spectroscopy
  • Scanning tunneling microscopy
  • Atomic absorption and emission spectroscopy
  • Pulse technique measurements of thermophysical properties
  • Positron annihilation method
  • High precision resistometry, dilatometry and magnetostriction measurements
  • Magnetic measurements of soft magnetic materials
  • Ion beam etching
Show website

Mathematical Institute

The Institute of Mathematics was founded in 1959. In 1975 its Branch Institute was established in Košice. Finally, in 1993 the Department of Informatics (founded in 1991) was attached to the Institute. Institute of mathematics and informatics in Banska Bystrica was established in 2001 in cooperation with FPV of University of Matej Bel in Banska Bystrica.

Prime research activities of the Institute are focused on algebraic and topologic structures, number theory, mathematical logics, quantum structures, functional, harmonic and stochastic analysis, probability theory, mathematical statistics, graph theory, differential equations, computing complexes, theoretical aspects of programming languages, automata and computing systems.

The Institute of Mathematics is the publisher of two international scientific journals: Mathematica Slovaca and Tatra Mountains Mathematical Publications, and the site of Slovak unit of Zentralblatt Math, Springer.

Show website

Polymer Institute

The Polymer Institute of the Slovak Academy of Sciences was established in 1967 from Laboratory of Polymers founded in 1963. The research is concentrated on intentional and spontaneous structural changes in polymers in relation to their properties. Research projects are focused on modification by introduction of functional groups, grafting, cross-linking, thermal and light stabilization of polymers, on mechanism of emulsion polymerization, preparation of new polymer materials based on polymer mixtures and composites, materials for biotechnology and biomedicine and supports for liquids chromatography. The thermodynamics of polymeric systems, conformation and mobility of polymer chain of synthetic polymers and biopolymers is investigated. New chromathographic separation and characterization techniques for complex polymer systems are being developed.

Institute would be able to accept fellows interested in nanoparticles, 3D printing, (hydro)gels and computer simulations.

Show website

University of Buenos Aires - Buenos Aires, Argentina

Gravitation Cosmology and Large Scale Structures

Gravitation Cosmology And Large Scale Structure group has diverse and complementary expertises. Research topics include nonequilibrium quantum field theory and effective theories applied to cosmology, the study of models of dark matter, gravity and inflation, with the main purpose of identifying and characterizing observable properties pertinent to the discrimination between alternative models. Recently, it has been focusing on predictions of models for the origin and the evolution of cosmological perturbations, as well as on other relevant observables for pulsars and gravitational waves detectors.

Show website

University of Konstanz - Konstanz, Germany

Department of Physics

The Department of Physics at the University of Konstanz comprises 16 research and junior research groups, which closely collaborate and address scientific questions in a variety of research fields such as solid state physics, optics, photonics, quantum information, renewable energies, statistical physics, computer simulations, and soft matter. The Department furthermore offers a range of study programmes, including Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Physics and in Nanoscience, Bachelor of Education and Master of Education in Physics, as well as PhD programmes, all with a strong focus on internationally recognized research in combination with personalized support and mentorship.

Show website

Strasbourg Institute of Materials Physics and Chemistry - Strasbourg, France

The CNRS (National Center for Scientific Research, 11 677 permanent researchers, 14 456 engineers, and technicians) is the largest research center of France. It is a government-funded multidisciplinary research organization under the administrative authority of the French Ministry of Research. The missions of CNRS are: to stimulate research capable of advancing knowledge and bringing social, cultural, and economic benefits to society, to contribute to the application and promotion of research results, to develop scientific information, and to support research training. The IPCMS is a joint unit affiliated to CNRS and University of Strasbourg. It is an exceptional research environment (labelled “excellence laboratory”) in terms of infrastructure, equipment and technical staff (workshop, electronics or informatics engineers…), focusing on the physical and chemical properties of materials, including quantum nanostructures.

Show website

IPP - Institute of Plasma Physics of the Czech Academy of Sciences - Prague, Czech Republic

Institute of plasma physics carries out fundamental and applied research in the field of plasma physics and materials science. The plasmas studied range from relatively cold discharge to very hot fusin plasma with very wide range of densities and lifetime from nearly-stationary thermal equilibrium plasma to highly non-equilibrium plasmas with lifetime of 1 μs or less. The Plasma Chemistry and Materials division focuses on plasma generated either by high-voltage electric discharges in gasses and liquids or by dedicated plasma torches. We study fundamental physical and chemical processes in the plasma to control and tune its properties to achieve specific effects for use in various applications, as in ecology , biology, medicine and surface treatment of materials. Thanks to smart utilization of plasma properties, we can produce pure „green“ or “turquoise” hydrogen and various forms of nanomaterials (like carbon nanoparticles), safely and ecologically dispose of hazardous waste, and protect the surfaces of components from the destructive effects of aggressive environments. We prepare and fully characterize tungsten-based materials for fusion applications, special protective coatings (as functionally-graded materials and layered composites), cold sprayed materials, and photocatalytic and dielectric materials.

Show website

TU Bergakademie Freiberg - Freiberg, Germany

Institute of Materials Science

The central topics of our Institute (Institute of Materials Science) are the description of the relationships between material’s processing, crystal structure and microstructure of the materials (preferentially solids) and their properties, and the application of these relationships for ‚defect engineering‘ that means the tailoring of the materials properties through a targeted interaction of the crystal structure defects. In particular, we investigate the effect of interacting crystal structure defects on the mechanical properties as well as on the phase and thermal stability. Our main experimental tools are laboratory and synchrotron X-ray diffraction (mainly for in situ and in operando studies), electron diffraction, electron microscopy, X-ray and electron spectroscopy, and thermal analysis. The experimental work is typically accompanied by micromechanical simulations and by the calculations of the phase diagrams based on the knowledge of the thermodynamic functions. The materials classes under study reach from the metallic materials (TRIP/TWIP steels showing the transformation-induced and/or the twinning-induced plasticity, titanium alloys, shape memory alloys), over the ceramics (spinels, aluminum oxides) and superhard nanocomposites (BN, (Ti,Al)N, Ti(B,C,N)) up to the materials for optoelectronics (GaN).

Show website

Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, Charles University - Prague, Czech Republic

Charles University Prague stablished in 1348 is an internationally recognized research university. It has 17 faculties. Physics is pursued at the Faculty of Mathematics and Physics. The School of Physics has more than 400 faculty members at academic and research positions and approximately 500 Ph.D. students. Recently new groups solving ERC grants were established in the fields of spin-driven physics and chemistry, molecular crystals and astrophysics. To support the theoretical research, new high-performance computing cluster is under construction.

We participate in several international and national research infrastructures – CERN-CZ, Auger- CZ, CTA-CZ, Fermilab-CZ, CzechNanoLab-CZ, BNL-CZ. FAIR-CZ and Surface Physics Laboratory (SPL-MSB, OP VVV), Materials Growth and Measurement Laboratory (MGML), Opto- spintronics laboratory, Center of nano- and biophotonics. All these facilities are available for secondments of the P4F funded postdocs.

Show website

Institute of Mathematics of the Czech Academy of Sciences - Prague, Czech Republic

The Institute of Mathematics of the Czech Academy of Sciences is a leading research institution in mathematics in the Czech Republic producing excellent research at the highest European and world standards.

The principal mission of the Institute is to support fundamental research in mathematics and its applications and to provide the necessary infrastructure for research. The Institute contributes to raising the level of knowledge and education and to utilising the results of scientific research in practice. It acquires, processes, and disseminates scientific information and issues scientific and professional publications such as monographs, journals, proceedings, and preprints. In cooperation with Czech universities, the Institute carries out doctoral study programmes and provides training for young scientists. The Institute promotes international cooperation, including the organisation of joint research projects with foreign partners and participation in exchange programmes and international research networks. The Institute has been successful in both national and international grant competitions, including European Research Council (ERC) advanced grants.

Show website

IFW Dresden - Dresden, Germany

The Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research Dresden – IFW Dresden – is a research institute in which scientists and engineers work together. They explore the physics and chemistry of materials that might be suitable for new functionalities and devices. Many disciplines come together at IFW: experimental physics, theoretical solid-state physics, chemistry, materials research and electrical engineering.

Show website

Emerging tools

Emerging tools topic encompasses research involving the development and usage of cutting-edge experimental techniques and theoretical approaches across a wide range of disciplines. It extends over the whole cycle of materials research consisting of  Design & Simulation – Preparation – Characterization – Application stages.

In addition to dedicated laboratories, large research infrastructures are available for this type of research, e.g. HiLASE or ELI Beamlines for unique laser experiments and CzechNanoLab or MGML enabling unique analyses, and characterization experiments as well as novel material syntheses. In all of them also novel technologies are available to enhance product functionalities beyond the state-of-the-art, linked also to industrial needs.

Materials for society

Materials for society topic includes research spanning a vast array of advanced materials targeted to deal with urgent environmental and economic challenges, such as ever-increasing energy consumption, the need for a faster communication, precision medical and industrial diagnostics, and biocompatibility. The main fields involved include Spintronics, Molecular electronics, Clean energy, Optoelectronics, Biomedicine, Functional materials for sensors and actuators.

The mix of theoretical work, design and simulation, novel synthesis techniques, broad-scale experimental characterization, and application-focused tests allow for fundamental research to be quickly transformed into tailored applications.

Matter under extreme conditions

Matter under extreme conditions topic involves research on extreme states of matter in different time and space scales. It is focused on sub elementary and elementary particles, but also on objects millions of light years away in astrophysics and cosmology. The topics covered include e.g. the fundamental building blocks of nature, the fundamental forces, and the evolution and structure of the universe on a large scale. This fundamental research plays a substantial role in the emergence of new technologies. It also includes the “far from equilibrium” and novel matter states created in terrestrial conditions at accelerators, using plasmatic technologies or ultra-intense lasers. FZU’s and ELI Beamlines´s excellent advanced laser infrastructures and top plasmatic technologies provide a solid in-house platform for the preparation and study of ultra-excited matter.

Colorado State University - Fort Collins, Colorado, United States

Engineering Research Center for Extreme Ultraviolet (EUV) Science and Technology

The Extreme Ultraviolet Engineering Research Center (EUV ERC), founded by National Science Foundation (NSF) in 2003 and now operated at several US universities, including the Colorado State University in Fort Collins, conducts research and trains engineers and scientists in the area of lasers and photonics, focusing in particular on the generation and application of EUV radiation.

Show website

Palacký University Olomouc - Olomouc, Czech Republic

Faculty of Science

The Faculty of Science, Palacký University Olomouc, is a science-oriented faculty divided into 5 scientific areas (Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Ecology, Earth Sciences). Our academics, researchers and students collaborate in optical quantum, mathematical analysis, nanomaterials, digital cartography, growth regulators, botany and in many other applied scientific researches across science.

Show website

Centrale Lille - Lille, France

Institute of Electronics, Microelectronics and Nanotechnology (IEMN)

CLI is a French institution of higher education and research with a long and rich history. The main assets of Centrale Lille are: to prepare high qualified engineers ready for international experience. CLI provides 4 engineering degrees; is involved in cooperation with universities in 16 national master’s programs and 3 international master’s programs taught in English to international students. CLI is also involved in 3 doctoral Schools: “Engineering and Systems Sciences”, “Sciences of Matter, Radiation and Environment”, and “Mathematics and Digital Sciences”. The secondments will be carried at the Institute of Electronics, Microelectronics and Nanotechnology (IEMN) a public laboratory within CNRS, Univ. of Lille, UPHF, JUNIA and CLI. The laboratory gathers 480- 500 people including as permanent staff: 45 full time CNRS researchers, 114 professors and assistant professors and 68 engineers and technicians. IEMN is a strong training centre in nanoscience with 140 PhDs students, 60 undergraduate students and 30 post-docs.

 

The IEMN institute gathers five scientific departments: Materials and nanostructures; Micro and nano-systems, Microfluidic and Bio-systems; Micro nano and optoelectronics; Circuits and communication systems; and Acoustics. IEMN gathered five large experimental platforms: The ‘Micro and Nano Fabrication Centre’ with 1600m2 of clean room (ISO6) including nanotechnology equipment and 250m2 dedicated for back-end process; 24 engineer positions. The ‘Microwave Characterization Centre’ and – The ‘Scanning Probe Microscopy (SPM) platform’ are gathered in new controlled (temperature, hygrometry, ultra-low vibration) environmental spaces (ISO8) over 1100m2; The ‘Telecom’ and – The ‘Electro Magnetic Compatibility’ platform dedicated to microwave and mm-wave systems characterization. The Micro-fluidic and Bio-systems platforms with 50m2 dedicated to microfluidic metrology and 80 m2 to bio-systems including L1 level classroom.

Show website

ENSICAEN - Caen, France

CRISMAT

CRISMAT is a laboratory specialized in materials science. The main competences that structure the activities of the laboratory are: 

(i): the synthesis of materials (oxides, chalcogenides, intermetallics, hybrids, etc.) prepared in various forms (powders, ceramics, single crystals, thin films)

(ii): their chemical and structural characterisation at different scales (X-ray, neutron and electron diffraction, advanced crystallography, electron microscopy, etc.)

(iii) : the study of a wide range of physical properties (electrical, magnetic, thermal, mechanical, etc….)

(iv) (iv): the study and optimisation of the possible functionalities of these materials in various fields (energy, memory, microelectronics, structural materials, etc.).

To carry out these studies, the laboratory has a large number of instruments for the synthesis (image furnace, flash sintering, pulsed laser ablation, additive manufacturing, etc.) and characterisation of advanced materials, such as a set of high-end equipment (very high-resolution microscopes, single-crystal X-ray diffractometer, environmental scanning microscope, in situ X-ray diffractometer, etc.). CRISMAT also has a helium liquefier and various instruments dedicated to physical measurements at low temperatures (PPMS, SQUID).

Show website

University of Connecticut - Storrs, Connecticut, United States

Uconn Tech Park

UConn benefits from perhaps the strongest recent investment in materials research in the country. Our Institute of Materials Science moved into the brand new 18000 m^2 Science1 facility in 2023, the Innovation Partnership Building finished in 2018 features 12 new electron and ion microscopes as well as extensive additive manufacturing capabilities, and our Center for Clean Energy Engineering has a proud history in fuel cell and other sustainability technologies. 

Show website

Czech Academy of Sciences - Prague, Czech Republic

Show website

Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne - Lausanne, Switzerland

Photovoltaics and Thin-Film Electronics Laboratory

The Photovoltaics and Thin-Film Electronics Laboratory (PVLAB) at the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) in Neuchâtel, Switzerland, was founded in 1984 and has pioneered several new thin-film silicon (Si) processes, such as the introduction of ultra-high-frequency plasma deposition of microcrystalline Si as an efficient photovoltaic material. The laboratory’s current activities cover a broad spectrum, from fundamental research to industrial technology transfer. The EPFL-PVLAB has extensive experience and completely new processing facilities for the manufacture of high-quality Si-based solar cells. EPFL’s PVLAB has outstanding expertise in Si alloy thin films and contact solar cell passivation. EPFL has demonstrated laboratory solar cells with conversion efficiencies of over 24% for silicon heterojunction and over 22.5% for high-temperature contact passivation. In addition, EPFL-PVLAB has extended its activity to the development and integration of perovskite-based solar cells on Si-based cells, succeeding in exceeding the 30% efficiency limit and breaking the world record (summer 2022) for this tandem technology. The EPFL-PVLAB also conducts research into PVtoGrid systems and manufacture and reliability of solar modules. It thus covers the entire photovoltaic value chain, including several test and characterization methods for cells and modules.

Show website

Beneš a Lát - Poříčany, Czech Republic

Traditional Czech industrial company offering a complex portfolio of technology and services from design through optimization and process simulation of casting tools followed by prototyping up to serial deliveries of parts including machining, final surface treatment and assemblies of complex units. During the last 8 years, it incorporated additive manufacturing of metal materials into its portfolio. 

Show website

NenoVision - Brno, Czech Republic

NenoVision is a successful Brno-based start-up engaged in the development and production of the LiteScope atomic force microscope (AFM), which is designed for easy integration into a scanning electron microscope. This unique solution enables the use of new techniques in correlation microscopy and finds wide application in the fields of materials science, nanotechnology, semiconductors and life sciences.

Show website

Fondazione Bruno Kessler - Trento, Italy

The Fondazione Bruno Kessler is a non-profit research Institute and foundation. The FBK works in the scientific and technological framework on the radiation and particle sensors, micro electro mechanical systems and advancec material for the nuclear physics application. 

Show website

APRI-GIST - Gwangju, South Korea

Founded by Korean Government in 2001, APRI has been undertaking world-class research activities in the area of optical science and photonics technology, supported by 4 Petawatt ultra-intense laser system, as well as the state-of-the-art research facilities. APRI’s researchers are currently carrying out R&D projects based on the basic laser science, national strategic research and photonics technology required for industry, and aiming through research excellence to continue their leading role that moves APRI to the next level in laser and photonics technology. APRI has R&D laboratories in the fields of spectroscopy, nonlinear optics, fiber optics, optical materials and components, laser processing, biophotonics, and THz optics.

Show website

Friedrich Schiller University Jena - Jena, Germany

The Department of General and Applied Mineralogy

The Department of General and Applied Mineralogy in Jena specializes in thermodynamic and structural studies of minerals and materials of interest, coupled to field work on selected sites. The materials of interest include matrices that store pollutants and toxic elements (e.g., Sb or As) but also technologically important and critical elements (e.g., In or Sc). In some cases, these two categories overlap. The field studies are performed to guide and to verify the results of the laboratory studies. Emphasis is placed on the calorimetric determination of the thermodynamic properties of minerals and materials.

Show website

Austrian Institute of Technology - Vienna, Austria

AIT is the largest non-university research institution in Austria. AIT has about 1200 employees with research activities arranged in seven areas of Energy Center, Center for Digital Safety and Security, Center for Health and Bioresources, Center for Low Emission Transport, Center for Vision Automation and Control, Center for Technology Experience, Center for Innovation Systems and Policy.

Show website

Nuvia, a.s. - Třebíč, Czech Republic

The Detectors Technology Division is one of the seven divisions of the company NUVIA a.s. (Czech Republic), specializing in the unique manufacture and assembling of scintillation detectors, namely the production of inorganic sodium iodide doped with thallium crystals – NaI (Tl) and organic plastic scintillators based on polystyrene. The Detectors Technology Division supplies scintillation detectors to major manufacturers of radiation monitoring technology and industrial measurement systems mainly in Europe and Eastern markets. Part of the production is also used for the production of the Division of Radiometric Systems within the company NUVIA a.s. After the relocation of production to new premises in 2010, the division’s activities expanded in the field of research and development both within the framework of projects supported from national and international funds, as well as in the framework of contractual cooperation with research entities.

Show website

Crytur - Turnov, Czech Republic

Crytur is the world leading provider of integrated opto-electronic solutions. We provide highly specialized custom-based products for high-tech and scientific applications. Production portfolio covers, precise detectors for electron microscopy, laser rods, components and modules, ionizing radiation detectors, high-resolution imaging systems, light convertors for LEDs or durable protection for temperature sensors.

Show website

CARDAM - Dolní Břežany, Czech Republic

CARDAM is a research and development facility focused on new product development, additive manufacturing and advanced mathematical computing and simulation.
We provide the entire process from product design through virtual verification to manufacturing with respect to cost and production technology.
We focus on using applied research and state-of-the-art technology to develop new, innovative products and enhance the technological level of our clients.

Show website

prg.ai - Prague, Czech Republic

prg.ai is a non-profit initiative founded in 2019 by the Czech Technical University, Charles University, the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic and the City of Prague with the goal to transform Prague into a significant hub for artificial intelligence. Through building an inclusive innovation platform, the organisation supports talent and business, strengthens the relations between research and application, promotes the local ecosystem abroad, and enlightens the public on the benefits and risks of AI. It provides direct access to its founders and a continuously expanding base of partners and members comprising of world-class companies but it also serves as a gateway to the growing Czech AI ecosystem of hundreds of entities both from academia and industry. Should you be interested in a secondment with a focus on AI with one of prg.ai’s partners- https://prg.ai/en/companies/, please contact Lenka Kučerová at lenka@prg.ai

Show website

Kovolis Hedvikov - Třemošnice, Czech Republic

KOVOLIS HEDVIKOV focuses on the production of the high-quality pressure die castings of aluminium alloys, precise machining and additional operations, especially for the automotive industry. An innovative production of lightweight parts, making Kovolis Hedvikov an important contributor to CO2 emissions reduction, and green mobility. KOVOLIS HEDVIKOV provides access to projects related to e.g. data mining and big data analysis for machine learning and predictive maintenance, using of AI in advanced machine vision for process control and quality check

Show website

Silversky3D - Nicosia, Cyprus

Silversky3D VR Technologies LTD is a private SME that offers services to professionals and scientists who can benefit from advanced visualization and interaction with virtual environments. It designs accurate and realistic models of either existing environments or to-be-built spaces using a combination of architectural plans, graphics, and digital photography.
The company focuses on the development of innovative applications in VR, AR, and the web, based on research from Cognitive/Clinical Psychology and Neuroscience, e.g., tools for improving cognitive processes, applications for supporting education and training, clinical and psychological interventions
etc.

Show website

Zentiva - Prague, Czech Republic

Solid state development Preformulation&Biopharm Formulation

Zentiva´s mission is to provide high-quality affordable medicines to people who depend on them every day. The company is developing, manufacturing and marketing a wide range of generic and OTC products. It is present on more then 30 markets in Europe and beyond. The headqarters is located in Prague, Czech Republic.

Show website

SHM - Šumperk, Czech Republic

SHM remains a global leader in the preparation of super hard and nanocomposite coatings. SHM is of experts presented at conferences in Czech Republic and abroad and published articles in renowned international scientific journals

Show website

Rigaku- Prague, Czech Republic

Rigaku is a manufacturer of X-ray analytical and imaging instruments, thermal analysis and non-destructive testing instruments. 

Show website

DETECTOR SRL - Torino, Italy

DE.TEC.TOR. Devices and Technologies Torino S.r.l. is a hi-tech company offering engineered particle physics solutions for clinical applications in advanced radiotherapy and for non-destructive quality test in industrial applications.

Show website

SourceLAB - Palaiseau, France

Company providing a quicker access to essential tools for research in laser plasma science at ultra-high intensities, as well as compact solutions for energetic radiation and particles sources. 

Show website

Scitech Precision - Didcot, England, United Kingdom

Scitech Precision Ltd. is a spin-out from the Science and Technology Facilities Council which combines expertise in micro-assembly and micro-engineering with extensive insight into the physics behind high power laser science.

Show website

Institute of Sociology of the Czech Academy of Sciences - Prague, Czech Republic

Institute of Sociology is engaged in the pursuit of research into contemporary society and in the provision of post-graduate education in the field of sociology. It conducts ongoing and one-time empirical surveys, comparative research studies, public opinion surveys, and case studies, applying modern qualitative and quantitative research methods, and it also cultivates the development of sociological theory and methodology. Research at the Institute also makes use of information, concepts and methods drawn from related scholarly fields, such as economics, law, political science, demography, social geography, and gender studies.

Show website

PM Consulting - Prague, Czech Republic

PM Consulting is a training and consulting company in areas of project management, agile and teamwork.

Show website

Springer Nature - London, England, United Kingdom

Nature Nanotechnology

Springer Nature advances discovery by publishing trusted research, supporting the development of new ideas and championing open science. We are committed to playing our part in accelerating solutions to address the world’s urgent challenges.

Show website

CERN - Meyrin, Switzerland

International organization CERN operates and hosts unique accelerators and particle physics experiments, including the world largest hadron collider LHC. We participate in experiment ATLAS, a general purpose experiment designed to fully exploit the discovery potential of LHC.

Show website

University of Twente - Enschede, The Netherlands

Chair of Laser Processing

The Chair of Laser Processing is embedded in the department of Mechanics of Solids, Surfaces & Systems (MS3) of the Faculty of Engineering Technology of the University of Twente in the Netherlands. The Chair of Laser Processing studied the fundamental physical phenomena occurring during laser-material interaction, in order to optimize laser-material processing for laser-based manufacturing. Focus areas include material processing using ultra short pulsed laser sources for micro- and nano-machining, and laser cladding & additive manufacturing (3D printing) using high power laser sources. Based on the knowledge gained, we develop means and methods for monitoring/sensing and control of laser-material processing. The research outcomes provide key enabling technologies for numerous new applications and innovative laser-based manufacturing.

Show website

University College Cork - Cork, Ireland

In UCC we are interested in understanding and controlling the organic solid state, encompassing new synthons for crystal engineering, co-crystallization, polymorphism and nucleation.

Show website

Faculty of Nuclear Sciences and Physical Engineering CTU in Prague - Prague, Czech Republic

The faculty, originally established as part of the Czechoslovak nuclear programme in 1955, gradually expanded its scope to cover a wide range of mathematical, physical and chemical disciplines. It provides higher education of a traditionally high standard with a deep mathematical and physical foundation and an individual approach to each student. Students actively participate in scientific teams and are able to navigate interdisciplinary issues very quickly. In addition to teaching, the faculty is engaged in top-level research and cooperates with more than 250 institutions in the Czech Republic and abroad.

Show website

Henryk Niewodniczanski Institut of Nuclear Physics PAN - Kraków, Poland

Department of Cosmic Ray Research and Neutrino Studies

The subject of the Department’s research are cosmic rays in the energy range above 1018 eV. Their origin is unknown and is one of the most important mysteries of modern astrophysics. The Pierre Auger Project, in which the employees of our Department participate, is dedicated to explaining this riddle.

Show website

J. Heyrovsky Institute of Physical Chemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences - Prague, Czech Republic

Department of Computational Chemistry

The Heyrovský Institute of Physical Chemistry promotes the scientific legacy of the Nobel laureate, Professor Jaroslav Heyrovský, in fields related to physical chemistry. Over two hundred scientists, from promising young researchers to world-renowned experts, are engaged in groundbreaking fundamental and applied research, as well as education. Theoretically and experimentally acquired insights into physical and chemical processes are important for energy production and storage, industrial catalytic processes, healthcare and protection of the environment.

Show website

Department of Electrochemical Materials

Show website

Institute of Thermomechanics of the Czech Academy of Sciences - Prague, Czech Republic

The Institute of Thermomechanics is a scientific research institution of the Czech Academy of Sciences in the field of applied physics. The Institute’s core activity is interdisciplinary fundamental research in the following areas: fluid dynamics, thermodynamics, mechanical systems dynamics, rigid body mechanics, fluid/rigid body interactions, environmental aerodynamics, biomechanics, mechatronics, electrophysics, electrical machinery, propulsion and electronics, and material diagnostics. Both historically and nowadays, the research activity is closely linked to the technical-oriented universities in the Czech Republic as well as the Czech energy and engineering industries.

Show website

Tokyo Institute of Technology - Tokyo, Japan

Department of Physics

Department of Physics consists of more than 30 laboratories and approximately 70 faculties.
We are seeking out laws and principles in various phenomena in nature and systematizing our knowledge and understandings. The objects of research range from particle and nuclear physics on extreme small scales, condensed matter physics with fruitful structures and properties, and cosmology and astrophysics on largest scales. Our department covers almost all of the fields and conducts state-of-the-art research.”

Show website

Nuclear Physics Institute of the Czech Academy of Sciences - Husinec - Řež, Czech Republic

The Institute operates a large experimental base of accelerator, dosimetry and neutron laboratories, which provides Czech and foreign researchers with a number of unique experimental methods based mainly on the use of accelerated ion beams and neutron beams (CANAM, Center of Accelerators and Nuclear Analytical Methods, canam.ujf.cas.cz). These methods are widely used in basic and applied research as well as in the study of industrial applications.
The Institute operates a large experimental base of accelerator, dosimetry and neutron laboratories, which provides Czech and foreign researchers with a number of unique experimental methods based mainly on the use of accelerated ion beams and neutron beams (CANAM, Center of Accelerators and Nuclear Analytical Methods, canam.ujf.cas.cz). These methods are widely used in basic and applied research as well as in the study of industrial applications.
For the purposes of the P4F project, the TANDETRON accelerator laboratories and the neutron laboratory at the LVR-15 reactor will be used in particular. Ion beams from TANDETRON will be used in nuclear analytical methods, methods to characterise the surface properties of materials and to modify the surfaces of advanced materials. Neutron diffraction methods using thermal neutron beams provide valuable information on the structure, microstructure and texture of materials, including their evolution, for example, in situ during thermomechanical stresses.

Show website

DESY - Hamburg, Germany

DESY (Deutsches Elektronensynchrotron) is one of the world’s leading accelerator centres. Researchers use the large-scale facilities at DESY to explore the microcosm in all its variety – from the interactions of tiny elementary particles and the behaviour of new types of nanomaterials to biomolecular processes that are essential to life. The accelerators and detectors that DESY develops and builds are unique research tools. The facilities generate the world’s most intense X-ray light, accelerate particles to record energies and open completely new windows onto the universe. 

Show website

University of Chemistry and Technology Prague - Prague, Czech Republic

Department of Metals and Corrosion Engineering

The research focus of The Department of Metals and Corrosion Engineering is on investigating and advancing various aspects of materials science, including the development of light alloys, high-strength steels, steels for power plants, intermetallics, high entropy alloys, metallic biomaterials, coatings of metals, and materials used in cultural objects, as well as exploring additive manufacturing, powder metallurgy, heat treatment, casting, metal recycling from ores and metal-containing wastes, as well as mechanical properties, microstructural analysis, corrosion and degradation of metals, hydrogen embrittlement, and restoring of cultural objects.

Show website

Department of Chemical Engineering

Show website

Department of Organic Chemistry

Show website

University of Oxford - Oxford, England, United Kingdom

Department of Physics

The Astrophysics sub-department at Oxford is one of the largest astrophysics groups in the country, with a strong and diverse research portfolio. In particular, we are internationally recognised for our observational and theoretical work on cosmology, galaxy evolution, compact objects, astrophysical fluids and exoplanets. We furthermore develop world leading radio, sub-mm, optical and IR instrumentation, providing new phase space that is ripe for scientific exploitation. We have invested in major international projects, which will deliver unprecedented datasets in the coming decade. Theoretical cosmology, housed in the Beecroft Institute of Particle Astrophysics and Cosmology, focuses on dark energy, dark matter and general relativity as well as high resolution simulations of structure formation. On the observational front, Oxford is at the forefront of survey science with prominent leadership in the next generation of surveys: the Vera Rubin Observatory (dark sector), Euclid (weak lensing), Simons Observatory (CMB).

Show website

CEITEC BUT – Central European Institute of Technology - Brno, Czech Republic

The Central European Institute of Technology (CEITEC) was established in 2011 as a consortium of six significant universities and research institutions in Brno, Czech Republic. CEITEC Brno University of Technology (CEITEC BUT) is a key part of the CEITEC consortium with unique equipment and conditions for basic and applied research in Advanced Nanotechnologies and Microtechnologies, Advanced Materials and Technical Cybernetics, Instrumentation, and System Integration.

Show website

VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland - Oulu, Finland

VTT is one of Europe’s leading research institutions. The institute advances the utilisation and commercialisation of research and technology in commerce and society. State-of-the-art equipment comprising various scaled-up production lines for the micro- and nanofabrication, surface functionalization, and assembly of the devices, in particular, built around roll-to-roll technologies.

Show website

Institute of Inorganic Chemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences - Husinec - Řež, Czech Republic

The scientific activity of the Institute is focused on various aspects of inorganic chemistry. Our knowledge of synthetic methods, photochemistry, solid state analysis, analytical and quantum chemistry, catalysis and other areas of chemistry enables us to actively work on a number of multidisciplinary projects. We discover new molecules, nanomaterials, or materials with specific properties such as luminescence, optical, sorption, catalytic and others.

Show website

Max-Born-Institute for Nonlinear Optics and Short Pulse Spectroscopy - Berlin, Germany

The Max Born Institute for Nonlinear Optics and Short Pulse Spectroscopy (MBI) is a nonprofit research institution. MBI conducts basic research in the field of nonlinear optics and ultrafast dynamics in the interaction of matter with laser light and pursues applications that emerge from this research. It develops and utilizes ultrashort and ultrafast lasers and laser-based short-pulse light sources in a wide spectral range in conjunction with nonlinear spectroscopy methods. The combined use of lasers with x-ray pulses from free electron lasers and synchrotrons complements this scientific program.

Show website

University of Edinburgh - Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom

School of Chemistry

The School of Chemistry at the University of Edinburgh is one of the oldest Chemistry departments in the world, dating back to 1713 and one of the top Chemistry departments in the UK. It covers a wide range of research topics including medicinal and biological chemistry, materials and sustainable chemistry and chemical physics. It offers top-rate analytical facilities such as mass spectrometry, NMR and a wide range of optical spectroscopy techniques

Show website

School of Engineering

Show website

University of Crete - Heraklion, Greece

Institute of Theoretical and Computational Physics

The Institute of Theoretical and Computational Physics (ITCP) is one of the 16 research institutes currently functioning under the auspices of the Greek Ministry of Education. The Institute is housed in the facilities of the Department of Physics of the University of Crete. Its principal goals are both theoretical and applied research in Theoretical and Computational Physics.

Show website

University of Oslo - Oslo, Norway

Institute of Theoretical Astrophysics

A leading European university and the oldest and largest university in Norway. The Institute
of Theoretical Astrophysics will be providing training related to cosmological simulations
within the framework of gravity theories beyond General Relativity.

Show website

Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice - Košice, Slovakia

Institute of Chemistry (ICHEM) of Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice, Faculty of Sciences is an internationally well-established institute. It comprises several specialized laboratories like Laboratory for advanced syntheses of inorganic and organic substances, Specialized microwave organic synthesis laboratory,  Laboratories of electrochemical methods (voltammetry, polarography), Laboratory of chromatography and combined chromatographic techniques, Laboratory of separation methods, Laboratory of analytical spectral methods, Laboratory of NMR, Laboratory of structure analysis of biomacromolecules,  Laboratories of spectral methods (IR, UV-VIS), Laboratory of adsorption and thermal analysis, Laboratory of single crystal X-ray structure analysis, Laboratory of potentiometric titrations, Laboratory of elemental analysis. All laboratories are well equipped with the necessary ventilation (fume hoods) and small laboratory equipment. The possibility of syntheses under solvothermal conditions is also ensured. The laboratories have access to relevant databases such as WoK, Scopus and special licensed products such as CSD (Cambridge Structure Database), Diamond, Origin, etc. 

Show website

Wenzhou Medical University - Wenzhou, Zhejiang province, China

Laboratory for Nano-Optical Biosensors

The main research of Laboratory for Nano-Optical Biosensors in recent years focus on the development of biochemical sensors based on plasmonic materials, biological and nanocomposite materials, and the development of wearable devices and imaging systems for medical diagnosis such as cancer screening, ophthalmic and neurological diagnosis.

Show website

University of Florence - Florence, Italy

Department of Chemistry “Ugo Schiff”

The University of Florence is an important and influential centre for research and higher training in Italy, with 1,800 lecturers and internal research staff. Its Department of Chemistry “Ugo Schiff” (DICUS) has been classified as no 1 in the national selection „Department of Excellence“ funded by the Italian Ministry of Research (MUR) with 17 million euro in the times 2023-2027 and 2018-2022.

Show website

National Central University - Taoyuan, Taiwan

Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering

The Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering of National Central University is one of the leading institutions in engineering education and is renowned for its world-class researches. The department offers a comprehensive curriculum, uniquely merging the core chemical engineering courses with the essences of materials science/engineering and being further strengthened with the in-depth learning on the state-of-the-art research and the emerging industrial trends.

Show website

RIKEN Centre for Advanced Photonics - Wako, Saitama, Japan

Center for Advanced Photonics

RIKEN is Japan’s largest and most comprehensive research organization for basic and applied science. For nearly a century since its foundation in 1917, RIKEN has fostered pioneering, innovative research in fields spanning the entire range of the natural sciences, from developmental biology and neuroscience to quantum physics and computer science. Today, RIKEN encompasses a network of world-class research centers across Japan, offering state-of-the-art facilities that rank among the best in the world. This high-quality, high-performance research environment, combined with a uniquely bottom-up approach to scientific innovation, has enabled RIKEN to foster an environment in which researchers are able to thrive. RIKEN is also an international institute, with more than 600 non-Japanese research personnel from around the world. The RIKEN Center for Advanced Photonics focuses not simply on making discoveries that will be recognized by the research community, but rather on contributing to society by developing practical applications in the fields of photonics such as light wave manipulation with metamaterials, environmental monitoring using fluorescent proteins, creation of nanomaterials and nanostructures by ultrafast lasers.

Show website

University of Florida - Gainesville, Florida, United States

Department of Physics

The University of Florida has an enrollment of over 57,000. US News and World Report ranks it 5th among public universities in the United States, and 28th among all US universities. The Department of Physics has over 50 faculty, with an aggressive hiring program of 5 faculty searches during the 2023-24 academic year. It has approximately 130 graduate students and 140 undergraduate majors. Research grant funding is around $10 million per year, including support from NSF, DOE, USAF, NHMFL, NIH and private foundations. Strengths of the department include management (with FSU and Los Alamos) of the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, a leadership role in LISA, and major presences at LIGO and at the CMS detector of the LHC. It also has very active groups in condensed matter physics, astrophysics and biophysics.

Show website

University of Nottingham - Nottingham, England, United Kingdom

School of Physics & Astronomy

The School of Physics and Astronomy has a broadly-based and dynamic research environment with 125 postgraduate students and 72 post-doctoral fellows attracted from around the world. The School’s research spans Astronomy, Cold Atoms & Quantum Optics, Condensed Matter Theory, Experimental Condensed Matter & Nanoscience, Magnetic Resonance Imaging & Spectroscopy, Particle Cosmology.

Show website

Faculty of Mechanical Engineering CTU in Prague - Prague, Czech Republic

Research Center for Manufacturing Technology (RCMT)

The Department of Production Machines and Equipment and the Research Center for Manufacturing Technology (RCMT) is an institute of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering of the Czech Technical University in Prague (CTU in Prague).
RCMT is a leading research and educational institution, which uses its state-of-the-art equipment and provides services to the industry of manufacturing technology. RCMT acts as a main research base in the field of production technology in the Czech Republic and intensively develops also international cooperation.
RCMT focuses on machine tool development, advanced production, flexible automation, applications of industrial robotics, digitization and Industry 4.0, digital twins of machines and processes, advanced machining technologies, laser and additive technologies and minimizing the environmental impacts of machine tool operation. We offer comprehensive cooperation to manufacturers and users of production equipment and production technologies.

Show website

Arizona State University - Tempe, Arizona, United States

Cosmology Initiative

The Cosmology Initiative at ASU bridges the School of Earth and Space Exploration (SESE) and the Physics Department, two academic units in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, and represents a major new national program. Research activities include experimental, observational and theoretical cosmology.

Show website

National Institute for Nuclear Physics - Rome, Italy

The National Institute for Nuclear Physics (INFN) is the Italian research agency dedicated to the study of the fundamental constituents of matter and the laws that govern them, under the supervision of the Ministry of Education, Universities and Research (MIUR). It conducts theoretical and experimental research in the fields of subnuclear, nuclear and astroparticle physics. Fundamental research in these areas requires the use of cutting-edge technology and instruments, developed by the INFN at its own laboratories and in collaboration with industries.

Show website

Queen´s University of Belfast - Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom

Centre for Light Matter Interactions

Queen’s University Belfast is one of the leading universities in the UK and Ireland, which has recently been included amongst the top 200 world University by the 2023 QS World University Rankings. The university is a member of the Russell Group of UK research intensive universities, combining excellence in research and education with a student-centred ethos.

Show website

Universidad Complutense de Madrid - Madrid, Spain

Department of Immunology, Ophthalmology and Otorhinolaryngology

The Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM) is one of the richest in history and the largest one in Spain. Created in 1499, it has evolved to a modern, generalist, research-based university. Javier Cubero is a Full Professor in the Department of Immunology, Ophthalmology and Otorhinolaryngology at the Complutense University of Madrid, with expertise in the pathological mechanisms that trigger acute and chronic liver disease (https://www.ucm.es/microbiologia-1/liver-injury-and-inflammation). Dr. Cubero has published over 100 papers and has an h-index of 33. His research group is part of the UCM Research group ̈Lymphocyte Immunobiology ̈ (Ref. 920631). In addition Dr. Cubero is the scientific coordinator and Grant Awarding Coordinator of the COST Action CA 17112 (https://proeurodilinet.eu/members), and participant of the COST Action CA18-122 and member of the Instituto para la Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañon (IiSGM), He has obtained multiple national and international grants including the coordination of the  HORIZON-HLTH-2022-STAYHLTH-02/101095679, the MINECO RETOS SAF2016-78711, SAF2017-87919-R, PID2020-117827RB-IOO, PID2020- 117941RB-IOO, ERAB EA1814, AMMF 2018/117 and SFB/TRR 57 among others. In addition, the group has an extensive training capacity and has supervised more than 15 doctoral theses with International Mention.

Show website

Uniklinik RWTH Aachen - Aachen, Germany

Clinic for Gastroenterology, Metabolic Diseases and Internal Intensive Care Medicine.

Clinic for Gastroenterology, Metabolic Diseases and Internal Intensive Care Medicine. Uniklinik RWTH Aachen is one of Germany’s most modern hospitals due to the way it integrates diagnostics and therapy, research and teaching under the same roof. RWTH Aachen University is one of the top Public universities in Aachen, Germany. It is ranked #165 in QS Global World Rankings 2022.

Show website

IT4Innovations - Ostrava, Czech Republic

IT4Innovations National Supercomputing Center

IT4Innovations is a leading research, development, and innovation centre of VSB – Technical University of Ostrava active in the fields of High-Performance Computing (HPC), Data Analysis (HPDA), Artificial Intelligence (AI), Quantum Computing (QC) and their application to other scientific areas, industry, and society. IT4Innovations, together with CESNET and CERIT-SC, constitutes a unique e-infrastructure of the Czech Republic called e-INFRA CZ and operates the most powerful supercomputing systems in the Czech Republic, provided to Czech and European research teams from academia and industry. In addition, the centre is active in most activities of EuroHPC JU and is a member of international organisations and infrastructures such as PRACE, EUDAT CDI, ETP4HPC, BDVA, EOSC, and LUMI.

Show website