A state-of-the-art scientific research center worth more than 200 million CZK is being prepared at the Děčín branch of CTU in Prague. The project, named the Polytechnic Research Infrastructure of CTU in Děčín, will establish and equip three closely interconnected centers for biomaterials, artificial intelligence (AI), and complex scientific computations. The success of the project, jointly submitted by the Faculty of Nuclear Sciences and Physical Engineering and the Faculty of Transportation Sciences at CTU, was supported by the activities of the Innovation Center of the Ústí Region.
Project Polytechnic research infrastructure of the Czech Technical University in Děčín was prepared for the call for so-called large research and development projects within the framework of the Just Transition Operational Programme (OPST), which aims to significantly contribute to the decarbonization of the region and the transformation of its economy into sectors with high added value.
"ICUK's efforts of several years have paid off on several levels and I am glad that our determination has paid off. On the one hand, we prepared the call for R&D projects together with the Ústí nad Labem Region, and on the other hand, we consulted with the management of CTU on the project itself and ensured its compliance with the call and strategic direction of the region and the ministries of industry and the environment concerned." explains the role of ICUK, the director of the Innovation Center of the Ústí nad Labem Region, Martin Mata.
"This is an extremely important project that will significantly increase the research infrastructure of the region and the workplaces of both faculties in Děčín and help attract top scientists,", comments Ondřej Smíšek, head of the Děčín department of the Czech Technical University in Prague - Faculty of Transport Engineering, on the project.
The project Polytechnic Research Infrastructure of the Czech Technical University in Děčín will be implemented by building three closely interconnected and cooperating centers. These will then enable the development of a wide range of scientific and research projects in Děčín corresponding to current scientific and industrial trends.
The first of them is a regional HPC computing center will provide (computational and human) infrastructure for highly demanding calculations and data processing, thus preferentially enabling entities from the Ústí nad Labem Region to develop their research and development activities using modern scientific computing tools. This center will be a natural partner, for example, to the Ústí nad Labem Region Data Center.
""Thanks to the Department of Software Engineering in Děčín, CTU in Prague – FJFI has unique know-how in terms of processing large amounts of data, developing AI and machine learning (ML) models and has the potential to become an incubator for AI application projects, including possible startups," explains Václav Čuba, Dean of the Faculty of Philosophy, Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, Czech Technical University.
Second workplace Artificial Intelligence Technology Applications Center AITECH aims to build an infrastructure for the development and implementation of advanced artificial intelligence technologies for various areas of human activity, from autonomous vehicles and traffic management, through the optimization of scientific measurements and calculations, to new solutions in the financial, healthcare and nuclear sectors.
The third one BIOMAT Biomaterials Development and Testing Center will focus on developing infrastructure for the production, development, testing and certification of new medical devices based on body-absorbable metals and titanium alloys. The unique combination of advanced manufacturing facilities, a biolaboratory and a quality control laboratory will cover almost all interdisciplinary activities necessary to introduce new medical devices to the market in one place.
"The synergy of these three scientific centers represents a great opportunity for the Ústí nad Labem Region to participate in excellent science and research and to build a high-value-added education economy sector in our country. The project will also bring cooperation with important foreign partners to the region," adds ICUK director Martin Mata in conclusion.
In the future, CTU expects to significantly expand its activities in this region. For further challenges, CTU has prepared follow-up projects worth over CZK 1 billion, which also entail the need to expand the CTU premises in Děčín. One option here could be the construction of a new technology center in the brownfield area of the so-called Eastern Station.
The article was created thanks to the support of the Smart Accelerator project for the Ústí nad Labem Region III, registration number CZ.02.01.02/00/22_009/0004316.
