Czech Optical Cluster

Czech Optical Cluster highlights an exciting event in Prague 🌟 ! From 8 to 10 April 2025, two leading European conferences come together in Prague: apc|m Europe Conference and Smart Systems Integration Conference (SSI). This event 🔹 Connects manufacturers, suppliers, and the scientific community in the semiconductor, photovoltaic, LED, flat panel display, MEMS, and related industries 🔹 Covers current challenges and future needs in Advanced Process Control and Manufacturing Effectiveness Why attend? ✅ 300+ international experts ✅ One ticket, two conferences ✅ Exclusive networking, exhibition & sponsorship opportunities ✅ Latest innovations & solutions – in #APC, #manufacturingefficiency, #SmartSystems & #integration 📌 More details, conference programmes & registration: 👉 https://lnkd.in/gvADXn-E 📅 apc|m & SSI Conference 2025 🗓 8 – 10 April 2025 | Prague, Czech Republic 🎟 Special offer for Czech Optical Cluster community: Get a 10% discount on day tickets! Use the promo code "fv5vrqhi" (during registration: https://lnkd.in/d6e7xZYD). #apcmconference #SiliconSaxony #CzechOpticalCluster #AdvancedProcessControl #SmartManufacturing

🔬 Join us at Microscopy 2025 in Liberec – Last Chance to Register! 🔬 Czech Optical Cluster is proud to be a partner of Microscopy 2025, the annual conference of the Czechoslovak Microscopy Society (Československá mikroskopická společnost), taking place from May 19th to 21st, 2025, in Liberec, Czech Republic. This event brings together experts in life sciences, materials science, instrumentation, and industry innovations, offering a unique platform for networking and knowledge exchange. Whether you're a researcher, engineer, or industry professional, this is the place to be! 📍 Venue: Clarion Grandhotel Zlatý Lev, Liberec 📅 Date: May 19–21, 2025 ⏳ Last chance to register – don’t miss out! 🔗 More details: https://lnkd.in/es2dfJ7a We look forward to meeting you there! Will you join us? 👇 #Microscopy2025 #CzechOpticalCluster #CzechoslovakMicroscopySociety #Science #Networking #LastChance

💡 Lasers – the super tools of the 21st century! From precision manufacturing and semiconductor production to biomedical breakthroughs and aerospace innovations, laser technologies are transforming industries worldwide. And now, Europe is stepping up its game! 🚀 🔬 LASER-PRO: Shaping the future of European technology The LASER-PRO project, part of the Horizon Europe "Excellence Hubs" initiative, has officially launched! This ambitious effort unites 1️⃣ 8️⃣ partners from the Czech Republic, Lithuania, and Ukraine to revolutionize high-tech industries through cutting-edge laser technologies. 💡 Kick-off meeting: A strong start for innovation Earlier this week, the project partners gathered at HiLASE Centre (Dolní Břežany, Czech Republic) to align on key goals and strategies. Researchers, industry leaders, and policymakers discussed how LASER-PRO will bridge regional innovation gaps and create a world-class laser technology ecosystem connecting science and industry. From sustainable manufacturing and semiconductor tech to biomedical applications and 3D printing, LASER-PRO is paving the way for Europe’s industrial transformation. As a proud member of the LASER-PRO consortium, Czech Optical Cluster is committed to strengthening the bridge between science and industry, ensuring that laser innovations translate into real-world applications. 🔗 Who’s driving the change? The LASER-PRO consortium unites leading institutions, research centers, and industry players: 🇨🇿 Czech Republic: HiLASE Centre, STAR - Research & Innovation Cluster, Czech Optical Cluster, CARDAM s.r.o., AMIRES, ELI ERIC, Junior Achievement o.p.s. (JA Czech), Středočeské inovační centrum, SIC 🇱🇹 Lithuania: Center for Physical Sciences and Technology (FTMC), Lietuvos inovacijų centras / Lithuanian Innovation Centre (LIC), Innovation Agency Lithuania | Global, Lithuanian Laser Association, Akoneer, Lietuvos Junior Achievement 🇺🇦 Ukraine: Lviv Polytechnic National University, Scientific Park of Lviv Polytechnic, NoviNano Ltd Lab, Junior Achievement Ukraine 💡 Why does it matter? ✅ Boosting Europe’s industrial competitiveness ✅ Accelerating laser technology adoption ✅ Supporting Ukrainian partners in joining the EU innovation ecosystem This isn’t just another EU project. It’s a game-changer for the future of photonics and laser excellence in Europe! 🌍✨ #LaserTech #Innovation #Photonics #Industry4_0 #LASERPRO #HorizonEurope #CzechOpticalCluster Photo by Marie Thunova

Photonics, Quantum Tech & Sustainability – The Future is Now🚀🌱! Czech Optical Cluster, Petr Přikryl, as a proud member of the PhotonQBoost project consortium, has just returned from an inspiring two-day in-person meeting in Porto, Portugal (Feb 26–27). Czech Optical Cluster joined leading European experts in photonics and quantum technologies to explore how these cutting-edge fields can drive sustainability, resilience, and competitiveness in European industries. The meeting was hosted at EurA PT in Porto, bringing together partners from across Europe and beyond for two days of workshops, brainstorming sessions, and strategic discussions. Highlights included: ✨ an ideation workshop on quantum & sustainability 🛤  planning for the next project phases 🤝 plenty of networking opportunities We are proud to be part of this powerhouse consortium: EurA AG (Germany, Portugal, Poland) Photonics Austria, JOANNEUM RESEARCH (Austria) Photonics Finland (Finland) Optonique (Canada) Photonics Bretagne - Photonics Innovation Hub (France) Visoriai Information Technology Park (VITP), Toolas - Laser Micromachining Cluster (Lithuania) Łukasiewicz – ITECH Instytut Innowacji i Technologii, PPTF - Polish Technological Platform on Photonics (Poland) Sploro (Spain) What’s next? Stay tuned for exciting innovations, funding opportunities, and ways SMEs can leverage photonics & quantum tech for a more sustainable future 🌍. Ready to be part of the future? Let’s connect! #QuantumTech #DeepTech #FutureIsNow #PhotonQBoost #CzechOpticalCluster Photo: EurA AG

Connect with us at Polish-Czech Photonics 2025! 📅 March 26–27, 2025 📍 Wrocław University of Science and Technology Congress Centre, building D-20 (https://lnkd.in/dRuTkzEH) Following the success of our Ostrava workshop, we’re teaming up again with PPTF - Polish Technological Platform on Photonics for an exciting event in Wrocław! 🔹 Program highlights: March 26 | 13:00 – Welcome coffee & opening session 15:00 – Company presentations 17:15 – Panel discussion: How clusters support international cooperation 19:00 – Networking dinner March 27 | 9:30 - Welcome coffee 9:30 – Lab tour: Faculty of Fundamental Problems of Technology & Faculty of Electronics, Photonics and Microsystems 👋 12:15 – Closing remarks & lunch 📝 Register by March 17, 2025: https://lnkd.in/g8mg4xRK Join us to explore the latest in photonics, connect with key players, and build new partnerships! 🇨🇿🤝🇵🇱 PPTF - Polish Technological Platform on Photonics, microEPC - Microelectronics, Electronics and Photonics Cluster, Wrocław University of Science and Technology, Czech Optical Cluster #Photonics #CzechOpticalCluster #PolishPhotonics #Networking #Innovation

🔬 How can we bring technical education closer to young people and popularize optics? The Czech industry needs top specialists – in optics, engineering, electronics, and other technical fields. But how do we ensure that young people choose these careers? 📉 Over the past 5 years in Czechia, the number of students enrolling in technical programs has dropped by nearly 10%. 💡 What can we do about it? Popularization and stronger links between schools and industry! If we want students to discover the beauty of technical fields, we must show them in real-world applications. Engaging education, hands-on demonstrations, company visits, and direct involvement of experts in school curricula are key to success. How does Czech Optical Cluster contribute? ✅ We organize the Day with Optics at Faculty of Mechanical Engineering Brno University of Technology – an interactive event for high school students. ✅ We collaborate with Pevnost poznání in Olomouc, which provides schools with Photonics Explorer Kits. ✅ We have joined forces with Autoklastr to create opportunities for internships, technical training, and dual education. This collaboration includes our participation in EduBox Tour 2025🚀 together with Národní pedagogický institut České republiky Moravskoslezská Technologická Akademie 💡 What is EduBox? EduBoxes are practical educational kits that bridge theory and practice. They include experiments, models, and technologies that allow students to experience the principles of optics, mechanics, electronics, and other STEM fields firsthand. EduBoxes help: 🔹 Schools gain modern teaching tools that align with labor market needs 🔹 Companies connect with schools and showcase career opportunities in high-tech industries 🔹 Students explore technology and career paths through hands-on learning 📅 EduBox Tour 2025 has just begun! The first stop was in Olomouc, where we engaged in discussions with school directors, innovators, and industry representatives. Next, we continue our journey to Bruntál, Uherský Brod, and beyond. A great example of optics popularization is also the Days of Electron Microscopy, an annual festival held in #brnoregion. The next edition will take place at the end of March. Details: https://dembrno.cz/ 🔍 What approaches to popularizing technical education work in your country? How do you connect schools with companies? Share your best practices and success stories with us! #TechnicalEducation #STEM #Optics #Industry4_0 #EduBoxTour2025 #CzechOpticalCluster Photo: EduBox Tour 2025 in Olomouc, by Národní pedagogický institut České republiky

"Great things happen when people unite their talents and ideas. Collaboration is essential for achieving true breakthroughs in microscopy," says Petr Přikryl, Manager of Czech Optical Cluster. As a member of the Community Working Group, he plays a key role in connecting Czech Optical Cluster with Brnoregion Microscopy Platform, strengthening cooperation across academia 🎓, research 🧪, and industry🏭. Did you know that over 3️⃣ 0️⃣% of the world’s electron microscopes 🔬 are made in the Czech Republic? Brno is at the heart of this industry, bringing together cutting-edge research, innovative companies, and top talent. #Microscopy #ElectronMicroscopy #CzechOpticalCluster #Optics #Collaboration #brnoregion

2️⃣ 0️⃣ 2️⃣ 5️⃣ : The International Year of Quantum Science and Technology! 🌍 This week, Paris became the global center for the launch of the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology, proclaimed by the United Nations for 2025. This initiative is not only a celebration of 100 years of quantum mechanics but also aims to raise awareness of the impact of quantum technologies on science, industry, and everyday life. Representing the Czech Republic at this prestigious event at the UNESCO headquarters was Petr Kavalir, the Czech Government Envoy for Quantum Technologies. Quantum technologies are revolutionizing multiple sectors: 💻 Computing and cryptography 🔍 Sensors and material sciences 🧬 Pharmaceuticals and medicine ⚡ Energy and artificial intelligence Quantum optics plays a crucial role in this revolution – and quantum optical technologies are one of the pillars of Czech Optical Cluster. From quantum communication to photonic sensors and applications in security and industry, Czech companies and research teams are actively contributing to this technological transformation. One of the leading Czech research institutions in quantum technologies is the Institute of Scientific Instruments of the CAS, which focuses on quantum imaging, quantum metrology, and cutting-edge photonic technologies. #Quantum2025 #QuantumTechnologies #CzechOpticalCluster #Innovation #QuantumOptics #CzechScience

1️⃣ 0️⃣ 0️⃣ Years Since the Birth of Prof. Armin Delong: A Pioneer of Electron Microscopy 🌟 🔬! Armin Delong was born on January 29, 1925, near Ostrava in what was then Czechoslovakia. He passed away in 2017 in Brno. He contributed to the development of the world’s first desktop electron microscope – a compact, affordable, and easy-to-use device that revolutionized numerous scientific fields, including medicine, biology, and material sciences. For his achievements, he received numerous prestigious awards, including the gold medal at EXPO 1958 in Brussels 🥇.    Armin Delong was more than just an inventor. For decades, he headed the Institute of Scientific Instruments of the CAS in Brno, constantly researching and improving microscopes. After 1989, he even helped shape the country's scientific development as Deputy Prime Minister of the Federal Government.   His groundbreaking work laid the foundation for Brno and the Czech Republic 🇨🇿 to become one of the global hubs of electron microscopy.   At Czech Optical Cluster, we proudly celebrate his remarkable legacy, which continues to drive innovation and shape technologies that transform our world even today 🌎.   Photo: Armin Delong (first from right) and his team (source: Institute of Scientific Instruments of the CAS) Brnoregion Microscopy Československá mikroskopická společnost     #ArminDelong #100Years #ElectronMicroscopy #CzechOpticalCluster

🌟 New Chair of the Czechoslovak Microscopy Society! 🌟 We’re please to share that Dr. Kamila Hrubanová from Institute of Scientific Instruments of the CAS, has become the new Chair of Československá mikroskopická společnost as of January 1, 2025. She follows Dr. Vladislav Krzyzanek, now Chair of the European Microscopy Society. Dr. Hrubanová, leading scientist in the Microscopy for Biomedicine group at ISI CAS, is a proud recipient of the prestigious Otto Wichterle Award (2023) 🏆. Her leadership and organizational skills were evident, for example, during the 16th International Microscopy Congress 2022 in Brno, which hosted nearly 700 participants from science, industry and the public sector. Beyond her research, Dr. Hrubanová is passionate about science communication and public engagement. Czech Optical Cluster is a proud partner of Československá mikroskopická společnost actively collaborating on advancing optical and microscopy technologies, fostering innovation, and connecting academic and industrial communities. Together, we also co-organize events that promote cutting-edge research and strengthen ties between science and practice. 🎉 We congratulate Dr. Kamila Hrubanová on her appointment and look forward to working together on future initiatives that push the boundaries of microscopy! Photo by Institute of Scientific Instruments of the CAS #CzechMicroscopy #ScienceLeadership #ČSMS #WomenInScience #CzechOpticalCluster #brnoregionmicroscopy