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Teaser, summary, work performed and final results

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - J. Heyrovsky Chair (ERA Chair at J. Heyrovsky institute Institute of Physical chemistry AS CR – The institutional approach towards ERA)

Teaser

The general goal of the J. Heyrovsky Chair project is to expand a research potential of the J. Heyrovský Institute of Physical Chemistry through hiring of an outstanding, internationally recognized researcher, with advanced experience in research management, and by setting a...

Summary

The general goal of the J. Heyrovsky Chair project is to expand a research potential of the J. Heyrovský Institute of Physical Chemistry through hiring of an outstanding, internationally recognized researcher, with advanced experience in research management, and by setting a strong research group. The research in the newly established department will directly address grand challenges of catalysis and materials research that still remains a largely unexplored. Simultaneously, the new, innovative branch of catalysis will unlock a full potential of interdisciplinary research in the Heyrovský Institute, and maximize its capacities while strengthening close collaboration between individual departments of the Institute. By this steps, the project will increase overall scientific excellence, in particular by breakthrough research in the field of nanocatalysis. Excellent research will allow elevate the international visibility and increase the attractiveness of the J. Heyrovský Institute of Physical Chemistry for excellent researchers from abroad. The project will take an opportunity to learn from the ERA-Chair holder´s wide experience from the top international research organizations and induce structural changes to improve current practice at science management and administrative assistance provided the researchers, significant improvement is expected in improvement of capabilities to successfully compete in nationally, but more importantly, in internationally competitive research funding. A particular emphasise will be put in terms of long-term sustainability of development and compliance with priorities of the European Research Area.

Work performed

The project succeeded in the most important task which is recruitment of the ERA-Chair holder, internationally recognized researcher with a wide experience in science management, in a timely manner. This position was advertised on the websites of several prestigious science magazines, and a total of ten scientists from all over the world applied for the position in the two-round recruitment process. The selection panel agreed upon Dr Stefan Vajda as the most suitable candidate, as did the members of the international counselling body, f the J. Heyrovský Chair project, the Project Advisory Board, which consists of well-known scientists from all over Europe. Dr Vajda started working at the J. Heyrovský Institute on 1 January 2019.

The newly established Department of Nanocatalysis focuses on studying the catalytic properties of metal parts smaller than one nanometre, which are known as clusters. These particles, about a thousand times thinner than a human hair, can exhibit unique catalytic properties, including significant acceleration of chemical reactions. Research at the new department will be predominantly focused on identifying and understanding the function of new catalysts in a variety of processes, including industrial and environmental applications. The removal of carbon monoxide from car exhaust or the conversion of carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide to chemical products, including fuels, are particularly promising example.

Selection and recruitment process for open positions for the scientific team led by Dr Vajda started shortly after his appointment to the ERA-Chair holder position and is expected to include seven scientists. Five positions have been defined in the text of the project proposal, the recruitment processes to fulfil all open positions is under way, and two other members of the nanocatalysis research group provided the J. Heyrovský Institute as an in-kind contribution to the project.

Laboratory spaces for the new Department underwent an extensive reconstruction to provide high-standard conditions for the breakthrough research on the modern and unique instrumentation. The laboratories are close to be fully equipped and already has started to produce science. Number of scientific papers were published in widely recognized peer-reviewed journals. In the meantime, Dr Vajda and his research team are active in organizing and attending scientific conferences, seminars and scientific lectures, sharing the experience in research subnanometer clusters holding great promise as an entirely new class of active catalytic materials simultaneously and, simultaneously, promoting the project at national and international level.

Final results

The research in the newly established Department of Nanocatalysis focuses on the fundamental studies of model catalysts designed with atomic precision down to the subnanometer scale, and interrogated under realistic reaction conditions of pressure and temperature, with the goal to establish relations between the size and composition of the nanocatalyst and its catalytic activity and selectivity, and to understand the effect of the support material on catalyst performance, in heterogeneous catalytic reactions of various complexity – from model reactions to processes of industrial relevance.

Website & more info

More info: http://www.heyrovsky-chair.eu/.