Research projects

Name of projects	Project ID	Researcher	Solution time
Novel carbosilane dendrimers for biomedical applications - interactions with biomolecules and biomembranes	GA15-05903S	RNDr. Jan Malý, Ph.D.	2015-2017
Participation of Czech representatives in IUVSTA committees More...	LG14036	Prof. RNDr. Stanislav Novák, CSc.	2014-2016
The key body in IUVSTA is the Executive Council which comprises a Councillor from each of the national society members, together with seven elected officers. Under the Executive Council are series of special Committees, which meet at each Executive Council Meeting (ECM), (normally held twice a year in conjunction with a scientific conference of IUVSTA or one of its member societies), and a set of eight Scientific Divisions, each comprising an electoral college of members nominated by the national society members, and a smaller Divisional Committee elected from this college. The purpose of the project is to participate at IUVSTA activities providing a worldwide platform for the promotion, proliferation, and education of vacuum science, techniques, and applications.
Nano and microstructures on solid substrates induced by laser beam treatment More...	GA13-06609S	Doc. Ing. Zdeňka Kolská, Ph.D.	2013-2017
This Project will be focused on study of polymers applicable in soft tissue engineering, optoelectronics and electronics applications. Periodic sub-micron or nanostructures will be prepared on the dopped/non-dopped polymer surfaces (PS, PET, PMMA, PE) by excimer or semiconductor laser irradiation. The treatment parameters resulting in a formation of coherent ripples structure will be determined and their inuence to surface properties will be studied. Periodical gratings on polymers (PMMA and PS) will be formed and studied as potential photonic elements for coupling of light. Patterned or grafted (e.g. with metal particles or amino-acids) polymer surfaces will be applied for cultivation and proliferation of cells and biosensor construction. Gold nano-structures will be deposited on polymers modified by laser with the aim to study their properties for potential usage in electronics (conductive "nanowires"). Laser will be also used for the modification of glass substrates with consecutive grafting of nanoparticles and study of metal nanostructure annealing on polymer and glass.
Plasma-chemical modification of phyllosilicates for functional nanostructures More...	GA13-06989S	Prof. RNDr. Pavla Čapková, DrSC.	2013-2015
Plazma-chemical modification of phyllosilicates in fluid bed reactor will be used to prepare: 1) nanocomposites organic dye/phyllosilicate with controlled optical and electrical properties and 2) plasma modified phyllosilicates as precursors for chemical nanocomposite preparation. Controlled deposition of organic dyes on phyllosilicate powder substrates is a challenging task with a wide application potential. Anyway the plasma technology offers signifiant benefit: the precise control of reaction parameters in plasma reactor. Presence of the layer charge and interlayer cations in phyllosilicates will bring additional parameters and specific effects in plasma reactor offering new possibilities in dye/phyllosilicate nanocomposites design, like tunning the siliciate layer charge and consequently the spectral properties of the dye thin films deposited on the phyllosilicate matrix.
Documentary data sources for research of social perception and adaptation strategies to selected historic natural hazards in the Czech Republic More...	GP13-02080P	Mgr. Pavel Raška, Ph.D.	2013-2015
Local-based adaptation strategies are significant tool for mitigation of natural hazards impacts, whilst being dependent on specifics of natural environment and on social perception of natural hazards. In last centuries, the intensive landscape changes were not always reflected by changes in the mentioned adaptation strategies. The project focuses on evaluation of significance of documentary data in research of selected historical natural hazards with respect to the formation of local-based adaptation strategies in the period of 1650-1950 in Czechia. We will prepare a database of sources about natural hazards in the study area of lower Elbe River in Czechia. The database will be critically analysed in respect of their authenticity, credibility, representativeness and meaning, and will be compared with examples from Central Europe. The attention will be devoted to (a) social perception of natural hazard impacts, (b) the social construction of reports, (c) community tools for natural hazard mitigation and (d) ways, in which local-based adaptation strategies are formed and represented.
Study of electrowetting: Open statistical ensemble computer simulations of aqueous electrolytes in confined geometry and electric field More...	GP13-35793P	RNDr. Filip Moučka, Ph.D.	2013-2015
The proposed project aims at improving an understanding of phenomena observed at liquid-solid interfaces in the presence of an external electric field at molecular level. For this purpose, a novel efficient method for computer simulations in the open statistical ensemble, that allows studying aqueous solutions of electrolytes at these conditions, will be developed. The developed method will be used for systematic studying these phenomena using both pairwise additive molecular models and polarizable models.
Properties of mesoporous silica and ability to interactions with nucleic acids More...	7AMB13PL011	Prof. RNDr. Pavla Čapková, DrSC.	2013-2014
The aim of this project is: 1. to study the interactions between mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSN) of different particle shape and size, pore size and volume, functionalized for nucleic acid binding and single/double stranded nucleic acids with different number of nucleotides (different length and conformation) 2. to study the physicochemical properties of mentioned MSN alone and complexed with nucleic acids 3. to determine the relationship between properties of MSN (size, shape, porosity, functionalisation) and their ability to bind various nucleic acids
Development of culture of problem solving in mathematics in Czech schools More...	GAP407/12/1939	Doc. PaeDr. Petr Eisenmann, CSc.	2012-2014
The research will focus on getting deeper understanding of the relationships between formal characteristics of problems and the procedures pupils use for their solution. The goal is to get a deep insight into the phenomena of teaching and learning mathematics.Team will focus on:1. Development of the theory of problem solving and problem posing:- use of important basic problem solving strategies (generalization and concretization, analogy, repassage, omission of a condition, etc.)- conception of the investigative approach to the solution of problems and to penetration to mathematical situation (e.g. the trial-error strategy, trial verification rectification strategy, systematic experimenting etc.)- use of the method of generated problems2. Construction of clusters of problems whose solution requires the use of the above described strategies and procedures and which develop pupils ability to solve some types of mathematical problems.3. Testing of the clusters of problems in school practice.4. Evaluation and rectification of the theory on the basis of the acquired results.
Nonadditive interactions in aqueous solutions of electrolytes: role of polarizibility and cross anteractions More...	LH12019	Prof. RNDr. Ivo Nezbeda, Dr.Sc.	2012-2014
The ultimate goal of the project is to develop accurate transferable force fields for simple (mono-, di-, and tri-valent) ions consistent with the polarizable GCP model of water for the description of both bulk and interfacial aqueous systems over a wide range of compositions and thermodynamic states.
Evolutionary psychology aspoects of couple hiearchy disparity More...	GPP407/12/P616	RNDr. Eva Jozífková, Ph.D.	2012-2014
The aim of the project is to evaluate if the preference for couple hierarchic disparity may have evolutional background e.g. to compare reproduction success, strength of pair bond, and offspring sexual preference for higher or lower ranking partner in pairs dominant man- submissive woman, dominant woman-submissive man, and both equal via questionnaire dispersed on web pages. Next, we want to evaluate if the women preferring submissive men and the men preferring dominant women display markers typical for gender or if they behave in accordance with their partner preference in courtship behavior via behavioral experiment. Because both the sexual arousal is characterized by hormonal changes we will compare levels of salivary testosterone, progesterone, and cortisol after behavioral interaction between respondents of distinct preference in behavioral experiment to document mechanism of functioning. The findings will be published in international scientific journals.
Institutional co-operation in regions as a tool for overcoming the territorial inequalities in access to elementary education More...	GPP404/12/P374	RNDr. Silvie Kučerová, Ph.D.	2012-2014
The proposed project develops in Czechia still missing subject from geography of education, which is better known in western countries, namely in connection with socio-cultural inequalities. It focuses on analysis of territorial inequalities in access to elementary education in Czechia in post-totalitarian era (with stress on rural peripheries), which are results of general development of geographical organization of society as well as unique conditions in particular regions. On the example of 2 microregions the cooperative and competitive relationships between crucial institutions connected with provision of elementary education and the factors influencing these relationships are identified. The project is based on the presumption that the effective institutional co-operation could be an important tool for activation of endogenous development potential and could influence division, distribution and controlling of power in the society. The project links to research activities of the applicants (on geography of education, spatial polarization, rural development, cultural geography).
Solubility of nonpolar fluids in water: a molecular-based study More...	GPP208/12/P710	RNDr. Jan Jirsák, Ph.D.	2012-2014
The proposed project aims at providing a molecular understanding of dissolution of nonpolar gases and liquids in water as a rigorous basis for the description of phase equilibria via equations of state (EoS's). Mixtures of hard and pseudo-hard bodies are utilized as a reference system for the equation of state within the perturbation theory of fluids. Monte Carlo simulation is used to obtain EoS's of the reference mixtures. Subsequent calculations are focused mainly on determination of solubilities (Henry's constants) and their temperature dependence, which is not well reproduced by traditional chemical-engineering tools.
Relations between topological spaces and their topological groups of G-valued continuous functions for a given topological group G More...	GPP201/12/P724	Mgr. Jan Spěvák, Ph.D.	2012-2014
Let G be a topological group. Given a topological space X, we denote by Cp(X, G) the group of all continuous functions from X to G endowed with the topology of pointwise convergence. Spaces X and Y are called G-equivalent provided that the topological groups Cp(X, G) and Cp(Y , G) are topologically isomorphic. By R we denote the group of reals and by T the quotient group R/Z, where Z stays for the discrete group of integers. In our project we intend to solve some problems from the Cp(-,G)-theory. In particular we are interested in the following open questions: a) For which G is the covering dimension preserved by G-equivalence? b) Does T-equivalence imply R-equivalence? c) Which topological properties are preserved by G-equivalence, when G is the the group of p-adic integers or the Pontryagin dual of the discrete group of rational numbers? d) Is there any non-commutative topological group G such that the topological group Cp(X,G) uniquely determines the topological space X?
Formation of spatial identities in areas with intensively changed landscape: the case of North-Western Bohemia More...	GAP404/12/1112	Doc. RNDr. Milan Jeřábek, CSc.	2012-2014
The proposed project develops researches on regional identity (concepts of the new regional and cultural geography) and historical geography (land use changes, landscape as heritage etc.). It focuses on analysis of the process of formation of regional identity and identity of regions in the areas in Czechia where the landscape has been intensively changed. It deals with identification of the inner development potential of the principal research area (NW Bohemia defined by 3 regions: Ústecký, Karlovarský, Liberecký) from socio-economic and socio-cultural points of view. In the first part of the project, the inner image (its perception by its ihabitants) as well as the outer image (within Czechia) of the whole research area will be analyzed. Second part, the analysis of model regions (with different geographical location, intensity of landscape changes and lifestyles of inhabitants), will focus on the issue of regional identity formation in the context of landscape changes. Results and conclusions will be published in scientific journals and in a comprehensive monograph.
Oper university, open science More...	EE2.3.0044	RNDr. Alena Chvátalová, Ph.D.	2012-2014
The aim of the project is to contribute to the popularization of research and development through the implementation of popularizing UJEP program focused on quality, professional presentation of the results of R & D and to help address future staffing R & D through the implementation of innovative educational program of UJEP dedicated to systematic work with students in the area of introduction to research and development.
Polymer solutions in an external field: molecular understanding of electrospinning More...	GAP208/12/0105	Prof. RNDr. Ivo Nezbeda, Dr.Sc.	2012-2015
The project studies polymer solutions subject to an external electric field with respect to the technology of electrospinning from the free surface. Using molecular modeling and molecular simulations complemented by experiment, an attempt is made to reveal relations between various molecular and/or thermodynamic properties affecting the process of electrospinning. Particularly, given a specific polymer and solvent, the relations between the conformational behavior of the polymer, concentration and composition of the solvent and strength of the electric field with the surface tension and diffusivity. These results will then provide the input information into semiempirical and theoretical macroscopic methods. The conclusions and recommendations are verified by comparison with experimental data obtained also within this project.
Chance for young researchers at the University of J.E. Purkyně More...	EE2.3.30.0062	Prof. RNDr. Pavla Čapková, DrSc.	2012-2015
The project is based on create two postdoctoral positions, one at the Faculty of Science (FoS) and the other at the Faculty of Philosophy (FF). PostDoc become part of the existing research teams at these faculties, under the guidance of experienced mentors, will give independent scientific work and directly or indirectly to participate in the improvement of human resources in research on UJEP. A substantial part of their professional growth will be internships and exchanges of top international and domestic scientific research institutions, including organizations focused on the implementation of R & D results into practice.
Molecular-level vapor-liquid equilibrium study of multicomponent mixtures for application in chemical industry More...	GPP208/11/P392	Ing. Magda Švorová, Ph.D.	2011-2014
The main goal of the presented project is to develop and implement a molecular-level Monte Carlo method for determination of vapor-liquid equilibria of multicomponent mixtures, with the main interest in dew-point calculations, and demonstrate their applicability for different problems in chemical industry. In the first part of the project, the algorithm will be developed and tested first for multicomponent mixtures described by the simple pair potencials (Lennard-Jones model) and then extended to real substances, which are commonly used in chemical industry. The developed method will be finally modified by considering determination of different chemical-engineering problems and its efficiency will be assessed.
Dendrimers in biomedical applications More...	OC10053	RNDr. Marek Malý, Ph.D.	2010-2012
Dendrimers are recently of the high interest of the biomedical scientific comunity for theirunique properties. Structural features of these monodisperse macromolecules (lot of surface groups which could be properly modified, existence of internal cavities) make them suitable for many biomedical applications, especially for drug delivery. They can bind drugs to the surface or within their cavities. The main objective of our project is to study dendrimers and dendrimer-nucleic acid complexes by means of the computer multiscale modeling. Apart of it an experimental studies will be also performed with the aim to exploit the dendrimers in development of biosensors for biomedical diagnostics.
Kinetic electron emission from metals induced by impact of slow ions More...	ME10086	Ing. Martin Kormunda, Ph.D.	2010-2012
The goal of the project is the explanation of the microscopic mechanism of slow-ion-induced kinetic electron emission from solid surfaces - a problem that has not been satistactirily solved yet. To that end we will perform new experiments at UJEP in Ústí nad Labem and use our latest theoretical results at ÚFE AV ČR. At UJEP we will obtain high quality experimental data of the total electron yields and electron energy distributions from metals (W, Ru) and semiconductors (Si) bombarded by slow Cs+ ions. We will compare these data with the complementary experiments at IAP TU Vienna and we will inerpret them within the theoretical models developed within our collaboration with the Austrian colleagues.
Energetic processes in solar atmosphere: realtions of simulations to observations More...	GAP209/10/1680	RNDr. Michal Varady, CSc.	2010-2012
The solar atmosphere represents a fascinating active environment in the vicinity of the Earth. Due to the proximity of the Sun and the values of the energy, released during the large scale events in the solar atmosphere, they can have a serious impact not only in the vicinity of the Earth, but they can even influence the life conditions on the Earth. Also this is the reason why there is constantly growing interest in the essentials of the energetic processes in the solar atmosphere which is reflected by a large number of costly space missions devoted to the observations of the Sun. In this project we intend to study flare related phenomena using both extensive numerical simulations and multispectral observations. The main idea behind the project is to boost up the links between the theoretical simulations and observations and vice versa. To complete the task we plan to use a wide variety of computer codes: radiative hydrodynamic code, MHD codes, NLTE radiative transfer code, test particle code, particle in cell code, which were developed by the members of the grant team in the last several years and observational data basically throughout the electromagnetic spectrum. We plan to upgrade the codes by inclusion of some completely new ideas and methods with the emphasis on their compliance to observations.
Study of the interaction of chemically active plasmas with solid surfaces at medium and higher pressures More...	GAP205/10/0979	Prof. RNDr. Stanislav Novák, CSc.	2010-2013
In the project the complete process of the plasma-solid interaction in chemically active plasmas will be studied by the combination of three approaches - experimental, theoretical and computational. This process consists of following parts: physical and chemical processes in the bulk of plasma, sheath formation and the transport of charged particles through the sheath, physical processes on the surfaces of immersed substrates, transport of charged particles from the plasma through the growing dielectric films, morphological analysis of arising layers and plasma-modified surfaces. The study of the plasma-solid intraction will be performed both at low and higher pressures of plasma. The main task of the project will be the understanding of physical and chemical processes taking place during the plasma-solid interaction and the application of derived results in the analysis of probe diagnostics of plasma as wel as in plasma-assisted technologies.
The structure and properties of modified polymers for tissue engineering More...	GAP108/10/1106	Doc. Ing. Zdeňka Kolská, Ph.D.	2010-2014
Interaction of cells with a polymer substrate is a complex process. Thus, the aim of this project is (i) activation of synthetic polymers by irradiation with plasma (UV-laser, ion beam), (ii) grafting of thiol-conjugated gold nanoparticles of various sizes and concentrations on these polymers, (iii) creation of gold nanoparticle-modified surfaces on soft and hard substrates applicable in blood vessel, skin and bone reconstruction, (iv) functionalization of thiols on gold nanoparticles with O- and N-containing groups, cell adhesion-mediating extracellular matrix proteins and oligopeptidic ligands for cell adhesion receptors, (v) characterization of all developed layers from the point of view of physicochemical properties important for cell-material interaction (e.g., surface roughness and morphology, wettability, electrical properties, chemical structure and composition, hardness etc.), and (vi) an evaluation of the adhesion, growth, differentiation, viability and potential immune activation of vascular, dermal and osteogenic cells in cultures on these materials.
Czech borderland after Schengen: self-sufficient, oscillatory or transit region? More...	IAA311230901	Doc. RNDr. Milan Jeřábek, Ph.D.	2009-2012
The Czech borderland had changed significantly during the 1990's. Its peripheral nature slightly decreased, some parts of the region have become territories of greater interest. Among the milestones of the recent development are the accession of the Czech Republic into the EU and the more recent accession into Schengen. The project shall conduct a research of these unique events and their objective effects and subjective perception thereof. The aim of the project on the analytical level is to evaluate the changes to the regional differentiation in the Czech borderlands in the context of the whole Central Europe with the use of data base, which shall include the realization of a variety of empirical researches in the CR as well as abroad. The aim of the project on the synthetic level is to contribute to the enrichment and development of the theory of geographical organization in general terms and the issues relating to borderlands in specific terms.