The 4th Plasma Nanotechnologies and Bioapplications (PNB) Workshop took place from October 20-23, 2025, in Češkovice near Blansko, bringing together 37 researchers from seven institutions across four European countries. Since its founding in 2019, the workshop has grown into a valued tradition that fosters collaboration within the PNB research group and its international partners. This year’s program featured inspiring presentations, joint project discussions, and networking in the scenic surroundings of the Moravian Karst.
From October 20 to 23, 2025, the Plasma Nanotechnologies and Bioapplications (PNB) research group workshop, took place in Češkovice near Blansko. Since its inception in 2019, the PNB workshop has become a valuted tradition that fosters collaboration among researchers and doctoral students from the PNB research group, part of the Department of Plasma Physics and Technology, as well as the CEPLANT Center at the Faculty of Science at Masaryk University in Brno.
The representation at the 4th Plasma Nanotechnologies and Bioapplications Workshop once again confirms its growing recognition as an established event within the international scientific community. This year, the workshop welcomed 37 participants from seven research institutions across four European countries. We were pleased to host many of our long-term research and project partners. Throughout the workshop, participants shared their latest research, discussed new ideas, and explored opportunities for collaboration.
A large group of researchers from Faculty of Mathematics, Physics and Informatics, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia, led by Prof. Zdenko Machala and Assoc. Prof. Mário Janda joined the event. Their long-standing partnership with CEPLANT focuses on development of atmospheric plasma sources and their applications in industry. This year's discussions centered on the use of plasma in water activation, air decontamination, agriculture, and biomedical applications.
Based on long-term cooperation with the research center INNOVENT e.V, Technology Development, Jena, Germany, we also hosted M.Sc. Jun Xu from the Department of Surface Technology. We were also pleased to welcome a team from HAWK, University of Applied Sciences and Arts, Göttingen, Germany: Dr. Bernd Schieche, M.Sc. Martin Bellman and M.Sc. Alex Gabriel. They are collaborating with our scientists led by Dr. Jakub Kelar with a shared focus on advancing plasma technologies. Scientists from the Institute of Aircraft Design, University of Stuttgart, Germany – M.Sc. Johannes Baur and M.Sc. Johannes Bauer – participated as well, collaborating with Dr. Dana Skácelová's team on plasma treatment of reinforcing fibers to improve the properties of composite materials.
The workshop welcomed also long-term collaborators from the Faculty of Industrial Technologies in Púchov, Alexander Dubček University of Trenčín, Slovakia – Assoc. Prof. Róbert Janík and Ing. Silvia Ďurišová – whose work with CEPLANT on DCSBD plasma sources is contributing to innovations in the treatment of raw and elastomeric composites, with promising applications in the rubber industry and in the development of advanced functional materials.
Dr. Neja Bizjak Štrus from the Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Slovenia, attended as well, continuing her collaboration with Dr. Zlata Kelar Tučeková on plasma modification of biological materials, namely wood.
All visitors gave inspiring presentations on joint projects and recent scientific findings from their institutions.The workshop took place in the scenic surroundings of the Moravian Karst, with many social activities. A group trip to the Punkva Caves and Macocha Abyss provided a relaxed and friendly atmosphere for deeper scientific discussions and the formation of new professional and personal connections. We are all looking forward to the 5th PNB workshop, planned for 2027.
Our Ph.D. student Jan Skácel represented his research at the 32nd SPINE workshop organized by ESA in Madrid. The event gathered experts to discuss spacecraft – plasma interactions, including satellite charging and electric propulsion – key topics for Jan’s research in very low Earth orbit. His active involvement also paved the way for a collaborative ESA project proposal.
Dr. Matej Fekete has conducted a research stay at Linköping University linked with his MSCAfellow@MUNI project, which focuses on oxynitride thin films. In collaboration with Prof. Grzegorz Greczynski and the Fundamental Science of Thin Films group, his research addressed hybrid deposition methods and plasma diagnostics using industrial-scale equipment.
