Research

Single molecule circuits, where individual molecules are placed between two nano-electrodes, are ideal systems to create molecular-scale functional materials with the desired electronic properties. The potential implications are significant for nanoelectronics and could also help with climate change through more efficient nanoscale devices.

Karel Závěta was an important figure in condensed matter physics. 67 years ago, on the first of February 1956, he joined the then Institute of Technical Physics of the Czechoslovak Academy of Sciences, today called the Institute of Physics of the Czech Academy of Sciences. He began his scientific career in the Department of Magnetism led by J. Brož. He became involved in the study of ferrites and continued in this area in cooperation with S. Krupička. The topic of his doctoral thesis was the use of electric conductivity to measure the magnetocaloric effect. For several years he held the post of the Science Secretary of the institute.

Our Universe is expanding faster and faster. What is the force behind it? Is it the fifth fundamental force predicted by some alternative theories of gravity? Scientists have chosen the Sun as their laboratory to find out.

Professor Veronika E. Hubeny, a leading expert on string theory and quantum gravity, says that rushing is not good for science, and might make us miss tremendous opportunities.  We interviewed the theoretical physicist from the University of California on the occasion of GRAVITY@PRAGUE 2022.

A multidisciplinary team of physicists and chemists from the Institute of Physics of the Czech Academy of Sciences managed to create a graphene aerogel resistant to flames at a temperature of 1500 °C. A mere millimetre of the material is sufficient to shield such high temperatures. The new porous graphene aerogel temporarily resists various types of high-temperature flames, including an extremely reactive hydrogen flame

The subject of the present project is to develop completely new optical security features that can be used on modern banknotes and plastic documents with transparent areas.