News: Faculty of Science

Stories full of discoveries, inspiration, and a commitment to helping others. That's precisely what the new issue of the university magazine Žurnál UP offers. The main topic is an exceptional discovery at the Kroměříž Castle, led by Associate Professor Jana Zapletalová from the Department of Art History at the Faculty of Arts.

You have surely noticed the media buzz caused by the discovery of walls adorned with amethysts. We return to this topic, but we also look further into it. How can something like this happen? And what does it mean for science? "Sometimes you get a lesson. You must first admit to yourself that things were different, find the courage to say it publicly, and move on. That's what I like about science," says the art historian, amongst other things.

The magazine's portrait features lawyer and scientist Alla Fedorova, who decided to learn Czech "out of gratitude and respect" for her new country. Her personal and professional career is an example of determination, openness, and the power of mutual support. Read about the fate of a woman whose life was utterly changed by the war in Ukraine and who found a home and friends at the Faculty of Law.

As always, you can find the magazine at the faculties, at UPoint, at the Fort Science, or in the stand at the Armoury (Zbrojnice). Its electronic version is available HERE.

In an interview with Professor Jiří Dostál from the Faculty of Education, we discuss technology, our ability to work with it, and the limitations that our overly technological world imposes on us. "Digital technology alone is not all we need in life. We must also develop children's skills." The interview's title hints at the direction our conversation will take.

The Alumni section features Jiří Daněk, a social pedagogue, while the Experience section features Tereza Marková, who explains why she is involved in university policy.

But there is much more to the 40 pages of Žurnál UP. You will find the achievements of academics and students, active volunteers, the anniversary of the UP Science and Technology Park, a tip for a children's book about the university town, a historical reflection by Professor Jiří Fiala, and much more.

The current Žurnál UP is an invitation to discover not only hidden treasures, but also the values that make up the university community. It offers inspiration, a sense of pride, and a reminder that behind every scientific, sporting, or artistic achievement, there is a person with their own story.

The human body is the most sophisticated atomic engineer. This idea underpins a breakthrough technology developed by an international research team led by scientists from the Czech Advanced Technology and Research Institute (CATRIN) at Palacký University Olomouc and the Centre for Energy and Environmental Technologies (CEET) at VSB – Technical University of Ostrava. By drawing inspiration from the way enzymes function in the human body, the researchers have created a novel material that could fundamentally change the industrial production of hydrogen peroxide and other important chemicals. The new approach simplifies the production process, eliminates the need for toxic organic solvents and expensive precious metals, and requires only sunlight, oxygen and water to operate. The results were published by the prestigious journal Nature Communications, which ranked the study among the 50 most significant scientific discoveries of the year.

Hydrogen peroxide is one of the most important industrial chemicals. It is widely used not only in the chemical industry but also in pharmaceuticals, medicine, the textile industry and water-treatment technologies. The global hydrogen peroxide market is estimated to exceed USD 5 billion annually. Conventional production involves a multistep process that relies on toxic organic solvents and costly palladium-based catalysts. In addition, both the starting chemicals and the resulting waste products can have negative impacts on human health and the environment.

“We very precisely replicated the chemical environment of metals within the enzyme’s structure and anchored copper atoms onto the surface of extremely small carbon nanoparticles with photocatalytic properties. When exposed to light, highly efficient electron transfer occurs between the carbon nanoparticles, the copper atoms and oxygen molecules. This process closely resembles an enzymatic reaction and enables high hydrogen peroxide production,” explained the first author of the study, Lukáš Zdražil, who is affiliated with both CATRIN and CEET.

“Our aim was to develop a material that enables the efficient, environmentally friendly and affordable production of hydrogen peroxide. When designing this photocatalyst, we were inspired by the structure and behaviour of enzymes in the human body. The result is a technology that does not require toxic organic solvents or expensive precious metals and instead uses a low-cost material based on carbon, nitrogen and copper. It operates in water using only sunlight and oxygen from the air,” said Radek Zbořil, leader of research teams at CATRIN and CEET.

In developing the new photocatalyst, the Czech scientists mimicked the function of cytochrome c oxidase—an enzyme that enables human cells to obtain energy by transferring electrons to oxygen. This process relies on copper atoms embedded in the enzyme’s structure, and it was precisely this mechanism that the researchers sought to reproduce.

“We very precisely replicated the chemical environment of metals within the enzyme’s structure and anchored copper atoms onto the surface of extremely small carbon nanoparticles with photocatalytic properties. When exposed to light, highly efficient electron transfer occurs between the carbon nanoparticles, the copper atoms and oxygen molecules. This process closely resembles an enzymatic reaction and enables high hydrogen peroxide production,” explained the first author of the study, Lukáš Zdražil, who is affiliated with both CATRIN and CEET.

Producing hydrogen peroxide using sunlight and water has been a long-standing goal of research teams worldwide, as it eliminates the use of toxic organic solvents and avoids the formation of hazardous by-products. Until now, however, research in this area has largely remained at an academic level, mainly due to the use of noble metals and often complex photocatalyst designs. Laboratory studies have also resulted in relatively low hydrogen peroxide yields, which could not compete with existing industrial processes.

“The new photocatalyst achieves hydrogen peroxide production rates up to two orders of magnitude higher than all previously reported systems, bringing us much closer to industrial requirements. In addition, the material is completely non-toxic, easily recyclable and reusable,” added Zdražil.

The Czech teams are now focusing on potential applications of this technology in decentralised production units. Such systems could enable efficient, local production of hydrogen peroxide, for example for use in agriculture, pharmaceutical manufacturing or environmental applications. The combination of solar energy and materials inspired by enzymatic systems may also lead to further promising advances.

“I believe that mimicking the structures and functions of iron- and copper-based enzymes could pave the way for other innovative technologies in the chemical industry and pharmaceuticals, such as the production of epoxides, alcohols or phenols,” concluded Zbořil.

The Aurora Universities Network has expanded beyond Europe with the admission of Simon Fraser University (SFU) in Vancouver, Canada, as a new Global Partner. The partnership was formally established at the end of last year, marking an important milestone in the development of Aurora as a globally connected alliance of universities committed to societal impact through academic excellence. For Aurora members including UP, SFU’s inclusion in Aurora brings new opportunities for international research cooperation, or engagement with leading North American research environments.

SFU’s membership strengthens Canadian–European collaboration in higher education and research. In times of global uncertainty, this partnership reflects a shared commitment to academic cooperation, democratic values, and societal engagement. Together, Aurora and SFU will advance work on sustainability, equity-driven inclusion, and educational innovation, connecting regional strengths with global impact.

“Strengthening our relationship with SFU is a major milestone in expanding our global partner network,” said Veronika Sexl, Aurora President and Rector of Universität Innsbruck. “We share not only values and visions but also many thematic intersections and opportunities for growth. United by our mission to build bridges and positively shape societal change, we are reinforcing transatlantic cooperation during challenging times.”

A Strong Partner for European Universities

Founded in 1965, Simon Fraser University is one of Canada’s leading public research universities. It is internationally recognised for its interdisciplinary approach, strong community engagement, and focus on applied research addressing real-world challenges.

SFU offers a broad spectrum of study programmes across fields including social sciences, natural sciences, environmental studies, education, business, and applied technologies, and hosts numerous research centres dedicated to cross-cutting societal issues. Within the Faculty of Science, the university places strong emphasis on Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, covering areas such as molecular genetics, cell biology, bioinformatics, and structural biology, which closely correspond to research strengths at Palacký University.

From left to right: Veronika Sexl, Aurora President and Rector of Universität Innsbruck; Dugan O’Neil, SFU Vice-President Research and Innovation; and Ramon Puras, Aurora Secretary General

Shared Priorities and Future Collaboration

“Within the framework of the European Universities Initiative and Palacký University Olomouc’s engagement in the Aurora Alliance, cooperation with Simon Fraser University represents a strategic extension of our global partnerships. SFU’s expertise in sustainable development, climate action, urban studies, digital transformation, innovation ecosystems, and life sciences closely aligns with UP’s strengths across the natural sciences, medicine, humanities, and social sciences. Together, these shared priorities open new pathways for transatlantic research collaboration, joint doctoral training, and innovative education addressing global societal challenges,” says UP Rector Michael Kohajda.

Looking ahead, SFU is preparing to open a new School of Medicine, with the first cohort of students expected to begin their studies in 2026. The programme will focus on community-based and equity-oriented medical education, further strengthening opportunities for cooperation in health sciences and medical research.

Aurora Universities Network was established in 2016, bringing together research-intensive universities that share a strong commitment to societal engagement and academic excellence. Alongside its nine members, the network also cooperates with associate partners, particularly from Central and Eastern Europe. Palacký University Olomouc has been a member of Aurora since 2019. Although Aurora is primarily European in focus, the inclusion of global partners reflects the conviction that many contemporary challenges — such as sustainability, health, social inequality, and digital transformation — are inherently global and require cooperation beyond continental borders. Global partners therefore enrich the network with new perspectives, research capacities, and opportunities for transatlantic collaboration, further strengthening the international impact of Aurora and its member universities.

Aurora at UP website

An international team of scientists, including experts from CATRIN at Palacký University, has developed a new type of plasmonic photocatalyst capable of converting biomass into key raw materials for bioplastic production with high efficiency and selectivity using solar energy. The research results, which represent a significant step towards more sustainable chemical manufacturing, have been published in the prestigious journal Nature Catalysis.

Biomass—organic material of plant or animal origin—is among the most promising renewable resources for the production of high value-added chemicals and materials. The research focused on the molecule 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), which is derived from sugars contained in plant biomass and is regarded as one of the key intermediates in modern biorefineries. Through controlled oxidation, HMF can be converted into 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA), a compound that serves as a fundamental building block for biopolymers, such as PEF plastic, an environmentally friendly alternative to the widely used PET.

However, current industrial methods for producing this compound are technologically demanding. They often require strongly alkaline conditions, elevated temperatures, or increased pressure. Despite this, they suffer from low selectivity, leading to the formation of unwanted by-products and higher energy consumption. As a result, contemporary research is seeking new approaches that would allow this chemical transformation to be driven by light energy under milder and more environmentally friendly conditions.

The newly developed catalyst is based on a combination of nanostructured titanium nitride and extremely small nanoparticles of a ruthenium–platinum alloy. Titanium nitride acts as a material that very efficiently absorbs light, particularly its infrared component, converting it into energy-rich electrons and local heat. These effects subsequently promote the activation of molecular oxygen on the surface of the catalytically active nanoparticles, where the chemical reaction itself takes place.

“The key aspect is that the individual components of the catalyst work together in perfect synergy. This allows us to control the oxidation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural with great precision and achieve an almost complete conversion to the target product without the use of strong chemical additives or extreme reaction conditions. Compared with existing technologies, the process is significantly more selective, more energy-efficient, and produces substantially less waste,” said one of the corresponding authors of the study, Štěpán Kment from Palacký University.

The authors emphasise that this approach enables oxygen activation in a fundamentally different way than conventional catalytic systems. As a result, the reaction can be carried out in an aqueous environment without the addition of alkaline agents, while avoiding non-selective reactions that would otherwise lead to material losses. The outcome is a highly efficient and precisely controlled process suitable for future applications.

According to the researchers, this plasmonic catalytic platform represents a previously unexplored concept in the field of biomass conversion. “It opens up new opportunities for future biorefineries that could use solar energy and renewable feedstocks to produce plastics, solvents, and other chemical products with a significantly lower carbon footprint than current industrial technologies,” concluded Kment.

The research involved scientists from CATRIN at Palacký University, the Centre for Energy and Environmental Technologies, and the national supercomputing centre IT4Innovations at VSB–TUO, in collaboration with partners from China, Italy, and the United States.

Experts connected with the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry of Palacký University have once again made it into Forbes magazine’s list of the fifty best doctors in the Czech Republic, professionals who studied there, work there, or are otherwise affiliated with the Faculty.

One of them is František Kopřiva from the Department of Pediatrics of the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry of Palacký University and University Hospital Olomouc. He is one of the founders of pediatric pulmonology in the Czech Republic and recently received the Medal for Merit in Science and Healthcare from the President of the Czech Republic, Petr Pavel.

“Our work is not the work of an individual, but of the whole team. That’s also how I view these awards, although they are presented under my name, they belong to our entire staff. And far more important than the awards and honours themselves are the results of caring for the health of our pediatric patients,” he said.

Also selected among the fifty best Czech doctors was Karel Pacák, a specialist in endocrine tumours, especially adrenal tumours, who has been working closely with the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry of Palacký University since returning from the United States.

As in previous years, the selection also included psychiatrist and psychotherapist Ján Praško Pavlov from the Department of Psychiatry of the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry of Palacký University and University Hospital Olomouc, as well as Olomouc graduates, plastic surgeon Bohdan Pomahač and ophthalmologist Pavel Stodůlka.

Another selected graduate of the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry of Palacký University is neurologist Daniel Václavík, who is head of the Neurology Department at AGEL Hospital in Ostrava-Vítkovice. Another doctor included in the selection who works in Ostrava is Ondřej Šimetka, head of the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Ostrava and University Hospital Ostrava, who completed his doctoral studies at the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry of Palacký University.

You can find the complete list of the fifty best doctors in the Czech Republic, selected by Forbes magazine on the basis of consultations and expert review, here.