The objective of project is establishment of a new excellent Centre for Electron Beam Precision Manufacturing (EBEAM Centre) with international research team led by an experienced researcher prof. M.H. Rümmeli - ERA chair, to help exploit the research potential of the use of electron-beams to fabricate and structure new materials at the atomistic level and to enhance performance in research, innovation and education in nanotechnology as well as energy and environmental technologies and visibility of VSB-TUO at international level. The project is also aimed on implementation of structural changes in research environment and science management at VSB-TUO initiated by ERA Chair, to develop a research environment that meets the highest international standard, and on support of young researchers who will strengthen their creative and innovative potential via their engagement in the project and make use of the international dimension of the project for gaining independence and career development. The EBEAM project will have regional and national impacts in terms of research, education, and technology according to Research and Innovation Smart Specialization strategy.

The use of hydrogen and other alternative energy sources as a clean and sustainable source have been gaining momentum worldwide due to their potential of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and supporting the transition to a low-carbon economy. To map, analyze and understand the safety risks of the widespread deployment of hydrogen and other alternative energy technologies, a new multidisciplinary research group has been established at the Faculty of Safety Engineering (FSE), VSB-Technical University of Ostrava (VSB-TUO) to reflect the requirements and needs of industry, public authorities, and other stakeholders, to help them establish a safe environment, promote public acceptance of these technologies, and build a critical mass of knowledge for their further development. SafeEnergy project will use scientific potential in the field of hydrogen and alternative energy sources safety, and support FSE in international networking, projects, and other initiatives on an international level. This will be achieved through the leadership of the ERA Chair holder – experienced researcher and manager Prof. Salzano from the University of Bologna, creation of a “pocket of excellence” – Centre for Research on the Safety of Alternative Energy Sources and through building capacity in the field of research management and administration at the Faculty of Safety Engineering, VSB-Technical University of Ostrava. Scientific collaboration will be established and developed through networking activities and joint research with industrial partners and international partners from Europe and worldwide to increase excellence in energy safety with a focus on hydrogen cities and valleys. The project will especially support young scientists - postdocs and PhD students. To step up and stimulate scientific excellence and innovation capacity in hydrogen and alternative energy infrastructure safety, the project proposes a comprehensive set of activities.

Aluminium solid-state rechargeable batteries are promising candidate for post-lithium ion batteries. The electrolyte system of rechargeable aluminium batteries is an urgent research problem that is preventing its widespread implementation. The prime aim of the research proposal is electrochemical interfacial engineering of metal organic frame work (MOFs) based electrolyte towards aluminium solid-state battery applications. Study of MOFs are key topic in materials science sector over the past decade for facilitating next generation nano-electronic devices. Tuning the porosity of MOF can provide controllable functionality - an ideal platform for investigating the underlying mechanism of solid-state electrolytes (SSEs) and their ion conduction and the structure property relationships. This research proposal will address the challenges in the conventional liquid electrolytes and existing SSEs. The potential impact of the project proposal are traditional liquid electrolytes and conventional inorganic SSEs can be replaced by flexible, cost-effective and high porous MOF based SSEs for high performance and environment friendly aluminium batteries. The specific research objective of the project are, O1. Facile synthesis of cost-effective and high-performance nanostructured MOFs O2. Encapsulating an infinitesimal ionic liquid (IL) into MOFs to construct an IL@MOF solid electrolyte O3. Understanding the inherent electrochemical interface and studying the underlying structure-property relationship of IL@MOF based SSEs O4. Demonstrating a cost effective and environment friendly aluminium solid state battery with high specific power density using synthesized solid electrolyte Research results will be published in reputed high impact open access international journals and conferences. This project is in line with the EU strategy for ‘the energy storage devices for the transition to a low carbon economy based on renewable energy source’

Human-robot collaboration (HRC) is an important and established subject of study and research in the field of robotics (as part of Industry 4.0) which currently pervades many aspects of human endeavour. Advances in HRC have diversified the application of robots from the traditional production line to intelligent manufacturing, homecare, and healthcare. In such applications, human-robot collisions are bound to occur, with adverse consequences. To overcome the challenge of collision and improve safety in HRC in a shared workspace, several techniques (which employ vision, acoustics or haptics technology) have been developed. The techniques include external positioning of cameras in the workspace, use of robot skin embedded with sensors, and image-based feedback control. These three methods typically apply vision-based technology. This proposal aims to employ a novel and validated convergent stereo camera model (that does not require image rectification) in robots with a view to improving safety in HRC. The model is characterized by less computational complexity and short execution time relative to existing reconstruction models in stereovision literature. Subsequently, the project will introduce an improvement for robot skin to also have visual information from high-resolution cameras by extending the geometric analysis and mathematical modeling of non-rectification stereo imaging to multicamera imaging in the light of safety improvement in HRC using robot skin. This will complement the tactile sensation capabilities of robot skin with enhanced visual features that incorporate elements of the validated stereo camera model. Finally, a double-view image-based visual servoing control strategy will be developed for the improvement of safety in HRC using the validated model. While contributing to robotics literature and presenting new approaches to collision avoidance in HRC, this project will ultimately deepen the researcher’s understanding of robotic vision and control.