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Cooperation will continue after a six-month internship in Canada

Cooperation will continue after a six-month internship in Canada
Michal Vaštyl from the Institute of Environmental Technology (IET), one of the components of the Centre for Energy and Environmental Technologies (CEET) at VSB – Technical University of Ostrava (VSB-TUO), has completed a six-month internship at the University of Calgary, Canada. He said that the goals of his stay were fulfilled beyond expectations. Part of the research he was involved in is expected to be patented this year.

The young scientist specialises in the microwave treatment of various types of waste materials, such as biomass, tyres, and polymers, to produce carbon materials with a large specific surface area and a large volume of micropores for further applications at his home institution, the IET's Laboratory of Preparation of Nanostructured Materials. Following on from this, it also works with waste polymers, which it decomposes by microwave treatment, thus producing clean secondary raw materials for reuse. It is therefore a type of recycling. Extending the knowledge in microwave processing of waste materials was one of the reasons for the internship.

There were a lot of goals before my departure, we had to partially adjust the research on the spot. But I can say that we have made significant progress in terms of the degradation of certain types of polymers. However, I cannot tell you many details because the information is subject to confidentiality due to the intention to patent the result,” Vaštyl revealed one of the achievements.

There were several reasons why the young scientist decided to go to the north of the American continent. “The main goal was to collaborate with different scientists, to gain new contacts, broaden professional knowledge, and the research itself. But I also wanted to improve my English language skills and, last but not least, I wanted to gain insight into a different system, both scientific and educational. I have to say that it is very different compared to the Czech Republic,” he added.

At the Canadian university, he also trod the path of mutual cooperation, as it was one of the first contacts between the two institutions. “The University of Calgary could be a future research partner. In order to develop the collaboration, work on the patent and further research, I will be returning there this June, this time only for a month. I have to say that the collaboration with my colleagues there is amazing, their expertise is really very high and I am very happy that I was given the opportunity to do this internship,” concluded the researcher, who chose the University of Calgary also because of the high level of expertise of his supervisor Josephine M. Hill, the excellent position of the institution in international rankings, as well as the geographical location of the university.

During his stay in Canada, he was able to fulfil his long-time dream of exploring the untouched nature there. Whether it was Banff National Park, Jasper National Park, Yoho National Park or the Rocky Mountains and their lakes. 

Created: 18. 3. 2022
Category:  News
Department: 9350 - Institute of Environmental Technology
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