The HiLASE and BIOCEV research centres joined forces and, on 26th March 2025, welcomed journalists as part of the press day of the LasApp project – Laser Technologies for Smart Manufacturing, Space and Bio-Tech Applications. The event took place at the STAR science and technology cluster and offered a direct insight into research that aims to push the boundaries of laser applications in various sectors – from biomedicine to aerospace.
The meeting started at the BIOCEV centre in Vestec, where the LasApp project was first introduced by doc. Ing. Pavel Peterka, Ph.D. from the Institute of Photonics and Electronics of the CAS, who is the main coordinator of the project. This was followed by a presentation by Prof. Zdena Palková, PhD, CSc. from the Faculty of Science, Charles University (BIOCEV), who presented the involvement of microbiologists in the research of biofilms and their interaction with newly structured surfaces. There was also a presentation by doc. RNDr. Libor Mrňa, Ph.D. from the Institute of Scientific Instruments of the CAS, who joined online.
After a guided tour of the BIOCEV laboratories with Prof. Palkova, the participants moved to the HiLASE Centre in Dolní Břežany, where the second session of presentations continued.
The first speaker was Ing. Jana De Merlier from STAR Research and Innovation Cluster, who presented the role of the cluster in supporting research and innovation infrastructure in the region. She was followed by Ing. Miroslava Flimelová, Ph.D., who presented the activities of the HiLASE Centre in the field of laser micromachining and the development of functionalized surfaces for biotechnology and industry. Further project partners followed – Ing. Jan Kočí from the Technical University of Liberec (Institute for Nanomaterials, Advanced Technologies and Innovations) and doc. RNDr. Karel Žídek, Ph.D. from the Institute of Plasma Physics of the CAS – TOPTEC Centre.
Guests then toured the HiLASE laser laboratories and learned about the possibilities of laser micromachining, surface treatment for antibacterial properties. The visit gave journalists a behind-the-scenes look at research that combines biology and laser technology to develop new materials or treatments.
LasApp | HiLASE and BIOCEV – together against bacteria
„One of the goals of our LasApp project is to transfer the negative of a laser-structured mould into a plastic part in a conventional injection moulding process,“ says Petr Hauschwitz, Team Leader of LMM – Laser micromachining). „This will make the whole process cheaper, faster and more accessible to industry.“
This research is being conducted in collaboration with microbiologists from BIOCEV and is proof of the strong potential of the interconnection of scientific disciplines – laser physics directly touches medical practice.
Thank you
The HiLASE Centre would like to thank all participating journalists, photographers and partners for the morning spent together, their professional interest and dissemination of information about Czech research. We hope that the event succeeded in showing how research and technology from the Czech Republic can influence the future on a global scale.
About the LasApp project
LasApp: Czech research with global impact
The LasApp project, coordinated by the Institute of Photonics and Electronics of the CAS, links top laser centres, including HiLASE and develops four key research directions:
- Advanced fibre laser technologies and applications,
- Applications of lasers in space,
- Laser applications in biotechnology,
- Lasers for smart manufacturing.
The common goal is not only excellent research, but above all its international outreach, applicable output and the development of scientific infrastructure. The results of the project have the potential to be a game changer in the fields of space technology, materials engineering and healthcare.
📍 LasApp
Project no.: CZ.02.01.01/00/22_008/0004573
Supported by Operational Programme Jan Amos Komenský (OP JAK)
Duration: 1. 11. 2023 – 30. 6. 2028
More HERE.
