The Physics departments and the CEPLANT Centre participated in the CzecHopes conference, aimed at high‑school students seeking inspiration and information about their options after graduation. For the participants, we prepared several scientific workshops, demonstrations of CEPLANT’s research focus, and we also presented the study of physics at the Faculty of Science, Masaryk University through an information booth.
As part of the program, three specialized workshops were offered, giving students the opportunity to look directly into the world of modern science.
Electron Microscopy for Beginners introduced participants to the power of the electron microscope – a fundamental imaging tool in contemporary research and technological innovation across disciplines. Students learned the basics of working with this instrument and discovered why microscopy is a key driver behind many scientific breakthroughs.
In the workshop Plasma Physics for Practical Applications, students explored the world of plasma technologies, which surround us far more often than we usually realize. Plasma subtly shapes modern industry and everyday life – from surface treatments to environmental applications.
The third workshop, Physical Principles of Chip Fabrication, took students into the university’s own chip lab, operated by the Department of Condensed Matter Physics in cooperation with onsemi in Rožnov pod Radhoštěm. In cleanroom facilities, participants tried out selected technological procedures used in the fabrication of semiconductor components on silicon wafers. They learned how chip preparation and analysis work and gained insight into the processes underpinning the technologies upon which today’s digital world is built.
In addition to the workshops, we also presented two thematic booths at the conference.
The first booth introduced students to studying physics at the Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, including the various specializations offered by its departments – from material nanotechnologies and theoretical astrophysics to biophysics.
The second booth belonged to CEPLANT, a large research infrastructure focused on the development of plasma technologies and their practical applications. CEPLANT provides access to its equipment in an open‑access mode and actively involves students in scientific and research projects. Visitors could therefore learn not only about the technological facilities of the center, but also about opportunities to take part in research already during their studies.
Encounters like this always make us genuinely happy – it is a pleasure to present our work to an audience that is truly interested and to show physics in an engaging and accessible way. We believe that STEM fields are definitely worth studying and can offer not only an exciting career path but also work that has a real impact on the world around us.
Dr. Zdeněk Bonaventura is currently undertaking a month‑long research stay at the Laboratoire de Physique des Plasmas (École Polytechnique, Palaiseau), supported by the host institution. His visit continues a long‑standing collaboration with the group of Prof. Anne Bourdon (CNRS), focused on modelling runaway electron production in the vicinity of highly overvolted negative electrodes.
A new TAČR Proof‑of‑Concept project has kicked-off at CEITEC and Masaryk University, aimed at integrating advanced ceramic materials with low‑temperature plasma technologies. The joint team from CEITEC’s Advanced Ceramic Materials group and CEPLANT, Department of Plasma Physics and Technology began work on 3D‑printed ceramic components for plasma reactors, discussing prototype upscaling, and manufacturing reliability. The first meeting set a clear technical and commercialization roadmap, underscoring how close cooperation between materials engineering and plasma research can accelerate innovation with real application potential.
