News: Faculty of Science

Over 500 visitors from more than 50 countries came together to meet, share and experience cultural activities, sample diverse cuisines, explore colourful cultural stands and celebrate the vibrant multicultural spirit of Palacký University Olomouc.

The beats of taiko drums blended with the aroma of Vietnamese cuisine, accompanied by children’s laughter and the rustling of Haná folk costumes. The International Haná Festival, jointly organized by the Archdiocesan Charity Olomouc and the Welcome Office at Palacký University Olomouc, became above all a lesson in closeness, in how to meet, listen and learn from one another.

Pavel Flekač, coordinator of the Welcome Office, added, “We wanted the international and domestic students at the university to feel welcome and not far from home, and I believe that this year, with the International Haná festival, we achieved that.”

On stage, European folklore alternated with rhythms and dances from distant lands, while the most engaging moments unfolded beyond the spotlight. At the calligraphy table, visitors patiently practiced their first strokes of Chinese characters; nearby, delicate origami figures took shape. Elsewhere, participants pieced together a map of the USA, guessed Italian regions and tried on traditional Asian garments. Between food stalls, language and children’s workshops thrived, while a photography exhibition quietly told stories of the charity’s projects abroad. Visitors could also mark their home countries on a world map, take pictures in a photo booth or leave a message on community boards.

“It’s great here. It’s a different country, different people, very calm. I’m really enjoying it. The beer is good; it tastes completely different from what I’m used to,” said a student from South Africa.

As the lights dimmed in the evening, one simple certainty remained. Olomouc has the strength to be a city of open exchange. The partnership between the academic and charitable worlds created a platform that connects art, education and civic engagement. Diversity here was a core value throughout the event. And the encounters, both small and large, became a dialogue that will resonate through the city’s streets for a long time to come.

“It is the moments when professional musicians from Czechia play African drums and students from Africa join them, dancing to the rhythms. This is why we do it, because these moments cannot be found anywhere else,” said Alena Vyskočilová, head of the Welcome Office.

Palacký University Olomouc has been uneasily following the tragic and worsening situation in the Middle East. We have been deeply shaken by the suffering of the hostages who were captured two years ago by Hamas terrorists, the suffering of the civilian population, by the loss of life, and the large-scale humanitarian crisis in the area.

The mission of the university, in addition to education and scientific and academic research activities, is also to create a space for dialogue, respect, and mutual understanding. This is why we urge all the actors in the conflict, the international community, and the political representatives of the Czech Republic to do their utmost to stop the violence and to find a just and peaceful resolution.

Palacký University has long cooperated with a number of Israeli universities and academic institutions. This cooperation is founded on sharing scientific knowledge, respect for human rights, and respecting the values of academic freedom. We want to clearly state that the political steps taken by the Israeli government do not reflect the positions of our academic partners who cooperate with us on strengthening knowledge, education, and international dialogue. That cooperation is ongoing, and will continue.

Palacký University is and remains a space where differing opinions can meet freely, where paths to understanding are sought, and where future generations of people are educated for whom human rights, peace, and justice are crucial values – ones which are necessary to respect and protect.

We call on members of the academic community, even in these tense times, to comport themselves with mutual respect and understanding, to avoid any kinds of expressions of xenophobia, anti-Semitism or Islamophobia, and to contribute to factually based and cultivated discussion.

At the same time, we want to express our solidarity with all the civilians affected by this inhumane conflict. Any and all humanitarian initiatives which seek to alleviate their suffering deserve the maximum support of the entire civilised world.

Palacký University Olomouc Management

From Mexico through Olomouc to the World Bank and the UN GLODEP programme, graduate José Jerónimo Olvera León shares his story of working at prestigious international institutions. He openly describes the role education, perseverance, and luck played in finding his first job opportunity, what his current position entails, and how these experiences have influenced him both professionally and personally.

How did you get your first job at the World Bank?

I joined the World Bank almost immediately after completing the GLODEP programme. At that time, the Bank launched a specialized internship program focused on Latin America and the Caribbean. I was fortunate to meet all the requirements—they were looking for someone from Mexico, under 28 years-old with a Master’s degree, fluent English, and relevant experience. This gave me an advantage over other candidates. I was lucky that the programme opened right when I graduated; later, I wouldn’t have qualified due to the age limit.

How did studying in the GLODEP programme help you at the World Bank?

The programme mainly helped me develop the ability to discuss economic issues in a broader context, both in my native language and in English. It gave me the necessary technical vocabulary and the opportunity to exchange ideas with people engaged in development and economic topics. This allowed me to better understand the global context, which is crucial for working in such an international institution.

What is your current position, and what does it involve?

I currently work as a Junior Professional Associate, which is a position within the World Bank’s consultancy programme. I operate in the public sector department, which aims to improve the quality of public administration in various countries.

What projects have you worked on?

So far, I have worked on three different projects related to public administration reforms: modernization of tax administration in Guatemala, technical assistance for reforming the income redistribution system in Colombia, and institutional assessment and benchmarking in Kazakhstan.

Did your expectations differ from reality?

I feel that I am not as helpful as I had hoped. Reality has shown that it’s necessary to learn a lot first. The organization is full of experts with deep knowledge, so the first step is to listen and learn as much as possible in order to become truly useful.

Has this experience affected you personally?

It definitely has motivated me. Although I am not yet working on projects related to Mexico, I often think about how I could apply the knowledge I’ve gained back home. This helps me to see things in a broader context and consider the impact on my loved ones.

What was your career path between the World Bank and your current position?

I first joined the World Bank in 2022 in their Mexico office. However, due to political circumstances, there weren’t enough projects, and after a year I had to leave. Then I joined the UN in the USA, initially without financial compensation. I realized that without my GLODEP experience, I probably would never have been accepted at the World Bank, and if I hadn’t worked there, I likely wouldn’t have gotten into the UN. Thanks to my work at the UN, I improved my resume and eventually secured my current position in the Junior Professional Associate programme.

How do you assess the roles of luck and perseverance in getting this job?

It was a very challenging journey, in which luck played a big role. When applying for my current job, the World Bank opened about 70 different positions. I applied for 40 of them, but was invited to the selection process for only one. The competition is enormous, and often even a small detail makes the difference. Perseverance is important, but luck cannot be underestimated.

Study programme GLODEP offers students the opportunity to study at three European universities that offer programmes in Development Studies and Development Economy. Besides Palacký University, it is the French Clermont Auvergne University and the University of Gottingen, which replaced the former Italian University of Pavia. The programme goal is to prepare students for work in the sphere of development policies, which contribute to solving current problems on international, national, and local scales.

Eva Navrátilová has been granted a major award for her work. The director of the Academia Film Olomouc international science documentary film festival received the Research, Development and Innovation Council Chair’s Award for the Promotion and Popularisation of Scientific Research. It was presented by Marek Ženíšek, Czech Minister for Science, Research and Innovation, and members of the parliamentary committees for education and science, the chair of the Czech Science Foundation, vice-chairs of the Council of Higher Education Institutions, and other prominent representatives of ministries and the academic sphere attended the ceremony at the Straka Academy in Prague.

The Research, Development and Innovation Council (R&D&I Council) Chair’s Award is bestowed for the popularisation or promotion of research, experimental development, and innovation. The award has been announced annually by the Research, Development and Innovation Council since 2016 and is intended not just for scientists, but also journalists, teachers, entrepreneurs, and other personalities who publish on topics related to science and technology and contribute to their popularisation.

 

Mgr. Eva Navrátilová is an expert in scientific communication and research popularisation with more than fifteen years of experience. She works at Palacký University as the director of the Academia Film Olomouc (AFO) international science documentary film festival, which celebrated its 60th anniversary this year. She is also the expert guarantor of the Prague Science Film Fest and co-author of the video portal Watch & Know (watchandknow.cz), which focuses on popular science films and interviews with leading scientists. Previously, she was involved in popularisation projects at the VIDA! science centre in Brno and created marketing campaigns for scientific documentaries. Navrátilová’s work has long focused on making science understandable and accessible to a wide audience, including the youngest generation. She is accomplished communicator who can explain topics across scientific disciplines in an engaging and comprehensible way and create programmes that not only educate but also inspire and strengthen public confidence in scientific knowledge and critical thinking. You can read a detailed profile on her in the past year’s issue of UP Žurnál. Photo: Jakub Čermák

“The popularisation of science is not only a supplement to research, but an increasingly important part of it. Without the ability to communicate scientific knowledge to the public in a highly comprehensible way, science loses its social dimension and, as a result, even people’s interest in science. In this regard, Eva Navrátilová’s work is an example of how science can be conveyed to people with respect for scientific work and at the same time with humanity and comprehensibility,” said Ženíšek.

Navrátilová was nominated by Jan Stejskal, Dean of the Palacký University Faculty of Arts. “Eva Navrátilová has long been committed to popularising science and research with extraordinary dedication. With her proven talent, experience, and personal enthusiasm, she contributes significantly to the positive image of Czech science in the European context. Although she is not a scientist in the strict sense of the word, her work often has a fundamental impact on how science is perceived in society,” said Dean Stejskal.

“The Council Chair’s Award for the Promotion and Popularisation of Scientific Research is dedicated to individuals who make a significant contribution to bringing scientific knowledge closer to the public. Navrátilová has been dedicated to communicating science and research with enthusiasm and undeniable talent, and her activities go far beyond the scope of ordinary popularisation,” Minister Ženíšek emphasised.

Eva Navrátilová thanked her colleagues and her home faculty. “I greatly appreciate this award. I see it not only as recognition of my work, but above all, that of all the teams I have had the opportunity to work with over the years. I am also very grateful that my home Faculty of Arts nominated me for this award. It was thanks to its support and its inspiring teachers that I came to love the popularisation of science. It is also thanks to them that I am able to stand before you here today,” said the laureate during the ceremony.

UP Rector Michael Kohajda also congratulated the director of the Academia Film Olomouc (AFO) festival on her award. “Eva took over the management of AFO in 2022, when the festival had been held online-only for two years in row due to the Covid-19 pandemic. She managed to bring the festival – and science with it – back to the streets of the city with great fanfare. Thanks to her, AFO boasts huge attendance, positive feedback from performers at home as well as abroad, and offers an attractive platform for student involvement in the running of the festival. I see her award as praise for Palacký University for hosting this unique science film festival for six decades, making Olomouc an integral part of the global science popularisation scene,” Kohajda said.

In previous years, the R&D&I Council Chair’s Award for the Popularisation of Scientific Research has been awarded to personalities such as science journalist Pavla Hubálková, biochemist Jan Konvalinka, editor Ivan Boháček, neuropathologist and writer František Koukolík, geologist and climatologist Václav Cílek, botanist Václav Větvička, biologist Jaroslav Petr, and astrophysicist Jiří Grygar.

Dear Students and Colleagues

Today marks the start of a new academic year. I would like to take this opportunity to welcome you back to Palacký University after the summer holidays. I sincerely believe that during your time off you have found the time to rest up and recharge yourselves with the energy and desire to get back to work and studies. We will face many responsibilities and challenges in the months ahead, but there will also be time for pleasant meetings and fun experiences.

New university management has come in with the new academic year. I would like to thank all the employees at the Rector’s Office, central divisions, and faculties who have contributed to such a smooth transition, and a complete transformation of university leadership. We have worked hard in the first months, not only on the budget which awaits confirmation by the UP Academic Senate; we have also set important goals which will be projected into the planned update of the UP Strategic Goals to the year 2030. But there are other tasks before us in the coming weeks and months, and I believe that together we will manage them.

The start of a new academic year also represents an opportunity to welcome our new first-year students. I would like to wish that they will always find Palacký University a friendly and stimulating environment with inspirational teachers and colleagues, and also a place for personal growth. And that the time of their university studies will be a successful stage in their lives, one they will always remember fondly.

And so, I would like to wish all students and employees all the best for this new academic year, that you overcome all obstacles with a smile and with gusto, and that you continue to desire to learn from new experiences. I look forward to all my meetings with you.

Michael Kohajda, Rector, Palacký University

Victory in this year’s national final of the prestigious international Falling Walls Lab competition, which took place on September 15 at the National Technical Library in Prague, was seized by physical chemist Veronika Šedajová from CATRIN at Palacký University. In addition to first place, she also took home the Audience Award.

“I am very happy that I succeeded. It is a reward for all our efforts put in the development this technology. I appreciate the victory all the more because all the finalists were outstanding and their research incredibly interesting,” said Veronika, who succeeded in the competition with a presentation entitled Breaking the Wall of Energy Storage in Medical Devices.

In November, she will head to the global finals in Berlin, which are regularly organized on the eve of the anniversary of the Berlin Wall fall.

Other finalists from CATRIN were Andrea Nedělníková and Tomáš Malina. Palacký University had a total of five representatives among the 14 finalists.

The Falling Walls Lab competition originated in Germany, and the Czech Republic is participating for the tenth time. Contestants always have three minutes to explain their research, which they can present on only two slides.

Scientists from the Czech Institute of Research and Advanced Technologies (CATRIN) at Palacký University have decided to use the human antimicrobial peptide LL-37 produced in genetically modified barley grains to treat and prevent mastitis of dairy cows. They are testing this possibility together with a commercial partner in the SIGMA project – Proof-of-Concept program of the Technology Agency of the Czech Republic. The aim is to offer new possibilities in veterinary care and reduce the consumption of antibiotics in dairy cows.

Mastitis, or inflammation of the mammary gland, is one of the most common reasons for the use of antibiotics in dairy cattle. Dairy cows in the EU are treated with antibiotics approximately twice a year on average, and there is growing pressure from regulators as well as consumers to reduce the use of such drugs.

“There is a lack of affordable and effective products on the market that can prevent mastitis and are not based on antibiotics. That is why this project was initiated, building on our previous results in the production of the human peptide LL-37 in plants. We have managed to modify it so that the resulting protein containing LL-37 can be easily separated from undesirable components commonly found in barley grains and obtained in a relatively pure form. This is a unique approach that uses modern methods of molecular farming,” said Edita Holásková from CATRIN, the principal investigator of the project. According to her, interested parties from the field have already expressed interest in the product under development.

There are approximately 23 million dairy cows in the EU, and the use of antibiotics brings not only health risks but also considerable financial costs. The economic losses associated with a single case of clinical mastitis range from EUR 230 to EUR 460.

LL-37 is the only known human antimicrobial peptide from the cathelicidin family. In the human body, it is found, for example, in the skin, where it helps protect against infections in the event of injury, as well as in the mucous membranes, blood, and immune cells. It has a broad spectrum of activity against bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites, and unlike conventional antibiotics, microorganisms develop resistance to it much more slowly. Researchers at CATRIN are able to produce it in genetically modified barley.

The REMI-VET project (Use of Recombinant LL-37 to Reduce Microbial Load in Veterinary Breeding) was launched this year and will run until the end of 2026. Support from TA CR amounts to approximately CZK 1.5 million.

Olomouc is the first Czech representative to join EUniverCities, a network of European university cities that is currently comprised of 14 university towns from 12 European countries. Starting next year, Olomouc will join cities such as Innsbruck (Austria), Ghent (Belgium), Parma (Italy), Magdeburg (Germany), and Lublin (Poland).

This was confirmed by representatives of the City of Olomouc and Palacký University Olomouc at the annual meeting of participating cities’ representatives, which took place last week in Lausanne, Switzerland.

“EUniverCities is a network of medium-sized cities that are very similar to Olomouc. We believe that this membership will be mutually beneficial. We also perceive this involvement as a platform for closer cooperation between Palacký University and the City of Olomouc,” said UP Vice-Rector Matěj Dostálek, who attended the meeting together with UP Rector Michael Kohajda. The main goal of the network is to exchange experiences and cooperate in education, research, and urban development.

 
Olomouc is a university town. It will be the first Czech representative to become part of EUniverCities, a network of European university towns.

Olomouc university representatives also had the opportunity to visit the University of Lausanne, whose history dates back to the first half of the 16th century. “Apart from the official programme, the tour of the host university’s campus itself was very inspiring for us. In addition, Lausanne presented its involvement in the UNESCO Learning Cities project, which could be another exemplary path for Olomouc and its university,” added UP Rector Kohajda.

Scientists from the UP Faculty of Science Department of Analytical Chemistry have launched a new project called MicroArch, which aims to create a unique “Meccano set” for working with microfluidics. This promising technology can precisely control the flow of very small amounts of fluids and is therefore used in the development of new drugs, in disease diagnosis, in environmental testing, in cutting-edge chemical and biological research, and more.

The project is supported by the Technology Agency of the Czech Republic (TA CR) through the SIGMA programme. Its commercial development and market launch are supervised by the Palacký University Science and Technology Park.

Microfluidics is a discipline that studies and utilises the movement of very small amounts of liquids in miniature channels, often as thin as a human hair. Essentially, it is a laboratory on a chip, where the chemical and physical processes under investigation take place on a small plate. Drops of liquid flow through it and chemical or biological reactions take place there. This makes it possible to perform rapid tests, develop new drugs and test their effects on cells, analyse very small samples, and simulate processes that would take much more time and space in a conventional laboratory.

“Whenever scientists want to test a new idea of theirs, they have to go through the complicated process of developing necessary electronics and software, because nothing suitable is currently available.” Oleksandr Prystopiuk

Microfluidics-based technology is playing an increasingly important role in laboratories and industry. However, one major problem is preventing the faster implementation of this method in practice: there is a lack of universal development kits on the market that would allow scientists and companies to assemble more complex devices and test new applications on them. “Whenever scientists want to test a new idea of theirs, they have to go through the complicated process of developing necessary electronics and software, because nothing suitable is currently available. And this has created a significant bottleneck for them. We therefore decided to develop our own solution to fill this gap,” said Oleksandr Prystopiuk, the project’s principal investigator from the Department of Analytical Chemistry, whose research and development efforts were supported by a grant from the UP Endowment Fund in 2024.

A construction set to speed up research

The result of the project will be a three-level construction set that will allow users to assemble their own miniature laboratory. It will be based on microfluidic devices, i.e. small chips in which tiny amounts of fluid flow. These will be connected to modules linking the chips to electronics and controls. The entire system will be managed by a platform that can simultaneously control several modules and connect them to a computer. “This will allow users to build their own ‘miniature laboratory’ and quickly develop new ideas and experiments,” says Prystopiuk.

The MicroArch project will last 18 months and will be divided into three phases. First, market research and customer needs assessment (Proof-of-Market) will take place. These will be followed by the development of a prototype and demonstration application (Proof-of-Concept). In the final phase, the functionality of the entire technology will be tested in a real environment (Proof-of-Delivery). “The goal is to offer universities and companies a practical set that will facilitate research and development of new technologies in medicine, pharmaceuticals, industrial quality control, and so on,” said Petr Bednář from the Department of Analytical Chemistry.

The analytical chemistry team led by Prystopiuk is working on the technical solution together with Jakub Havlín, project manager at the UP Science and Technology Park.

The call for PoC projects under the TA CR Sigma programme is still open. The programme provides support for the verification and development of innovative solutions (know-how, technology). The Knowledge and Technology Transfer Department at the UP Science and Technology Park will provide support, market and patent research, feedback, and evaluation to interested researchers. The aim of the programme is to identify technologies with commercial potential and prepare them for market use. This call is open to both researchers and doctoral students with innovative ideas. If you are interested, please contact the UP Science and Technology Park.

To foster understanding of Taiwanese society, culture, and politics among students and the academic community – that is the main goal of the Global Taiwan Chair project, whose launch was formalized at the end of July by the signing of cooperation agreement between Taiwan’s Representative to the Czech Republic, Liang-Ruey Ke, and the Rector of Palacký University, Michael Kohajda.

On 29 July, Rector Michael Kohajda and Representative Liang-Ruey Ke signed a cooperation agreement. The primary objective of this agreement was to initiate the implementation of the Global Taiwan Chair project. Palacký University in Olomouc will soon welcome Taiwanese scholars, while the project will also support research trips by scholars based in Czechia to Taiwan.

“ The initiative also includes courses and workshops focused on Taiwan. Their aim is to deepen understanding of Taiwanese society, culture, and politics among students and the academic community,” said the project’s principal investigator, Kristina Kironska from the Department of Asian Studies at the Faculty of Arts, Palacký University. She also recalled the existing Taiwan Corner at the university, which currently provides access to books and digital resources from Taiwan’s National Central Library and organizes activities that introduce Taiwanese culture and society.

“The Global Taiwan Chair project aims to further develop this cooperation, especially by broadening the academic focus on Taiwan. It should also motivate more students to engage with Taiwan-related topics,” added the social scientist, who specializes in Taiwan’s political system, human rights, and international relations, with particular attention to Taiwan’s growing role in the Indo-Pacific region. Under her leadership, the Global Taiwan Chair, which began in August and will run until June 2026, seeks to foster critical academic engagement with contemporary Taiwan, deepen institutional cooperation, and create sustainable frameworks for research and exchange initiatives.

Ing. Mgr. Kristina Kironska, Ph.D., Department of Asian Studies, Faculty of Arts, Palacký University. She is a board member of the European Association of Taiwan Studies (EATS) and served as the local organizer of the 2025 EATS annual conference, held this year at Palacký University Olomouc. Beyond her academic position, she also leads the EU–Taiwan Tracker project at the Central European Institute of Asian Studies (CEIAS), an affiliated think tank focused on Asia. Her most recent publication, Contemporary Taiwan: More than a Flashpoint (Routledge, 2025), reflects her commitment to advancing understanding of Taiwan’s international standing.

Hundreds of semi-precious stones of immeasurable value are hidden in the Archbishop's Castle in Kroměříž. The unique discovery was made by Jana Zapletalová – a researcher from Palacký University Olomouc (UP) while examining the stucco decorations in the castle. Amethysts adorn the so-called grottoes, or artificial caves.

The Archbishop's Castle in Kroměříž was built and decorated at the end of the 17th century on the orders of Karl of Liechtenstein-Castelcorn, Bishop of Olomouc. Thanks to its significance and artistic qualities, the castle is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. However, no one knew that it concealed a treasure in the form of hundreds of amethysts and other minerals, which decorated both grottoes – artificial caves built at the end of the 17th century in the basement of the castle.

During her scientific work on the rich stucco decoration of the castle's ground-floor halls (sala terrena, pl. salae terrenae), art historian Jana Zapletalová noticed that the cave glistened unusually in some places. “It was early January, and my colleagues had been collecting stucco samples for laboratory analysis for several hours. Only two people could work on the scaffolding, so I started to examine the adjacent darkened grottoes in detail with a flashlight. When I climbed behind the statue of Apollo, which dominates one of the two caves, I noticed sparkling reflections. At that moment, I realized that amethysts were almost everywhere under the layers of deposits,” said Associate Professor Jana Zapletalová, head of the Department of Art History at the Faculty of Arts, UP, describing the moment of discovery.

Artificial caves designed to imitate nature were very popular among the European aristocracy during the Baroque period. Thanks to water features and low temperatures, they served as a place for summer refreshment and entertainment, and their imaginative artistic decoration usually concealed some allegorical message. According to Jana Zapletalová, the decoration with precious stones in both Kroměříž grottoes is unique in the world. Amethysts, along with other minerals and shells, are not only part of the walls and vaults, but are also set into the floor of the Mining Grotto. The unique decoration was commissioned on the orders of Karel of Liechtenstein-Castelcorn, Bishop of Olomouc, who was the builder of the Kroměříž castle and gardens. However, he himself never enjoyed the grottoes in their full splendour, as he died shortly after their completion in 1695.

Amethysts were the most decorative part of Apollo's grotto, immediately surrounding the statue of the sun god, who allegorically personified Bishop Karl himself. “In various prints, the Bishop was associated with a shining stone or sun, bringing spiritual and economic renewal to Moravia with the rays of his faith and knowledge. The reference to light symbolism came from the Bishop's family name, Liechtenstein, meaning ‘light’ or ‘shining stone’, which was also featured in the family coat of arms. That is why there is a dazzling glow of amethysts around the statue of the sun god, who threw an arrow, i.e., a ray of light and faith, into the dark part of the grotto with a dragon, full of fauns, wild animals, and oak trees,” added Zapletalová.

The amethysts discovered in the Kroměříž Castle are of domestic origin. According to geologist Radek Hanus, who specializes in the research of precious stones in the Czech Republic and who performed a mineralogical analysis, they come from Květnice hill near Tišnov. Historical sources also reveal that they were transported to the site in beer barrels.

Most of the amethysts were lost from the castle in the past, especially the amethyst wall behind the statue of Apollo. “Whether this was the reason why the rest of the stones were covered with a layer of mortar, and thus hidden from the public and experts alike, is still unclear, as is the time when the concealment took place. In the 1950s, the walls were also covered with layers of paint by students from the Secondary School of Applied Arts in Uherské Hradiště,” added Associate Professor Zapletalová.

“The main goal of the Archbishopric of Olomouc is now to ensure the restoration of the monument so that these exceptional spaces, currently in a state of disrepair, can be preserved for the future. Since the discovery, we have worked with a number of specialists to carry out mineralogical analysis, archival and art-historical research, radiographic examination of the stucco decorations, assessment of the grottoes' structural stability, preliminary restoration surveys, climate monitoring, dehumidification of the premises, and high-resolution 3D scanning, which was provided by G4D,” said Alena Tobolková, head of the Archbishopric's Heritage Conservation Department, who manages and coordinates all the work and research.

“Further research and restoration work will now take place, which will last for a number of years. It will be necessary to involve foreign experts and obtain funding for such a demanding process,” added Alena Tobolková. However, even during the study and restoration work, the grottoes will remain partially accessible to visitors thanks to protective floor coverings and grotto viewpoints, which will allow the public to enjoy at least partial tours under safety measures.

An international team of researchers from the Czech Republic, Germany and China has used nanotechnology and atomic engineering to develop a groundbreaking material that can transform a wide range of organic compounds into desired products under ambient conditions, powered solely by solar energy and using water as a proton source. The material’s development marks a significant step towards finding alternatives for the environmentally and economically demanding hydrogenation reactions widely used in organic chemistry and pharmaceutical and agrochemical production. The study, which includes contributions from scientists at the Czech Advanced Technology and Research Institute (CATRIN) at Palacký University, was published in the prestigious journal Advanced Materials.

Hydrogenation reactions are integral to hundreds of chemical manufacturing processes across agrochemistry, pharmaceuticals, industrial chemistry and many other sectors, with a combined market worth tens of billions of dollars. However, many photocatalysts currently in use are unable to achieve the yields required for industrial-scale applications and suffer from limited selectivity, meaning they struggle to steer chemical reactions towards the desired products. Moreover, they often require the assistance of additional agents, such as water activation using magnesium, and their applicability is restricted to a narrow range of organic reactions. Finding new solutions that, unlike existing ones, can operate under low temperatures and pressures and without the use of gaseous hydrogen, represents a major scientific and industrial challenge. One promising approach involves using water as a proton source in combination with suitable photocatalysts that enable efficient transformation powered by solar energy.

“In developing a new type of photocatalyst, we combined expertise in nanotechnology and atomic engineering,” said corresponding author Radek Zbořil. “Together with our international collaborators, we designed and synthesized a material consisting of palladium nanoparticles anchored within a two-dimensional carbon nitride matrix. Isolated palladium atoms in various oxidation states were incorporated in the vicinity of these nanoparticles. Thanks to the synergistic effect of the components, the new material managed to convert a broad range of organic compounds into desired products with exceptional yields and selectivities, paving the way for industrial applications.”

During the research, the team observed that the reaction yields increased dramatically when isolated palladium atoms in varying oxidation states were located near the nanoparticles. “We therefore intentionally designed a composite system in which isolated palladium atoms attracted photogenerated holes to oxidize water, while nanoparticles facilitated the transfer of hydrogen to unsaturated bonds in organic molecules. This is a unique concept that could revolutionize catalytic processes in organic chemistry,” explained Giorgio Zoppellaro, who played a key role in elucidating the material’s mechanism of action.

The research teams from CATRIN and VSB-TUO, in collaboration with colleagues from Germany’s Leibniz Institute for Catalysis, have been investigating hydrogenation reactions for years. They have already published several pioneering studies focused on new technologies for synthesizing amine compounds (e.g. Chandrashekhar et al. Nat. Catal. 2022; Cheruvathoor Poulose et al. Nat. Nanotechnol. 2023).