A total of 55 diploma theses and one bachelor’s thesis were submitted to this year’s competition. The competition always involves a supervisor–student team, as the quality of the thesis is largely determined by its supervision. The evaluation committee, composed of research staff from CRYTUR, spol. s r.o., assessed the academic level of the theses, their innovativeness, and their applicability in practice. Emphasis was placed on the experimental part, careful processing of results, and a systematic approach to problem-solving. Most of the submitted theses were presented at conferences and published in scientific journals, which attests to their high quality in terms of both content and form.
Both winning teams from CTU in Prague received a prize of CZK 50,000 each (CZK 40,000 for the student and CZK 10,000 for the supervisor). Third place was awarded to a graduate of the Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, Charles University. The jury granted two Honorable Mentions: one to the Faculty of Materials Science and Technology, VSB – Technical University of Ostrava, and the other to the Faculty of Science, Masaryk University.
“The decision-making process was extremely difficult for the evaluators, as the level of all submitted theses was truly very high. Nevertheless, the winning works stood out, particularly due to their innovative approach and the authors’ dedication, reflected in a large amount of high-quality experimental research described in the theses,” confirms Ing. Mgr. Petr Bjorgen, Ph.D., R&D specialist at CRYTUR, spol. s r.o. “Personally, I consider it crucial that the decisive factor for the winning theses was the quality of the presentation of the processed results, thanks to which they rightfully received the highest awards. In my opinion, the theses were absolutely outstanding and truly impressed me with their level of elaboration, the amount of work invested, and their depth. You are proof that the younger generation has enormous potential, and I am excited about what you will be able to achieve in the future. At the same time, I would also like to express my appreciation and thanks to the supervisors. Their professional guidance, patience, and support have confirmed that careful supervision combined with talent forms a perfect combination for achieving top-level results.” All awarded diploma theses come from ten Czech and Slovak universities. The highest number of submissions-thirteen theses-came from Charles University in Prague. This year, a total of CZK 135,000 was distributed in prizes among graduates and their supervisors. All awardees continue their scientific careers in doctoral studies. The outcomes of the diploma theses have been published in scientific journals.
Overview of Awarded Theses
1st Place
Ing. Miroslav Coubal
Holmium Microchip Lasers
Faculty of Nuclear Sciences and Physical Engineering, Czech Technical University in Prague
Supervisor: Ing. Jan Šulc, Ph.D., Department of Laser Physics and Photonics
The thesis focuses on oxide crystalline materials Ho:YAG and Ho:YAP, examining their spectroscopic properties and the characteristics of microchip lasers based on these crystals. These holmium microchip lasers generate radiation at a wavelength of approximately 2100 nm. Microchip lasers are small laser active media with dielectric mirrors directly deposited on their end faces. They are simple, compact, and have practical applications, for example as optical microchip laser heads. Holmium systems emitting radiation around 2.1 μm are used especially in medicine, lidar systems, and free-space data transmission.
1st Place
Ing. Monika Kotyková
Complex Characterization of Ce-doped (Gd,Y)AlO₃ Perovskite Single Crystals
Faculty of Nuclear Sciences and Physical Engineering, Czech Technical University in Prague
Supervisor: doc. Ing. Petr Průša, Ph.D., Institute of Physics of the Czech Academy of Sciences
The thesis deals with the characteristics of (Gd,Y)AlO₃ perovskite crystals prepared using the Czochralski method, which results in crystals with fewer defects and improved scintillation properties. A scintillator is a luminescent material that converts the energy of ionizing radiation particles into visible light. Such materials are used in nuclear physics, industry, medical imaging techniques, and related fields.
3rd Place
Mgr. Jaroslav Herman
Study of Thin-Film Catalysts for the Hydrogen Evolution Reaction in a Proton-Exchange Membrane Water Electrolyzer
Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, Charles University
Supervisor: RNDr. Peter Kúš, Ph.D., Ph.D., Department of Surface and Plasma Physics
The aim of the experimental work was the preparation and characterization of catalytic layers with low platinum content for applications in hydrogen energy. A water electrolyzer is a device that enables the conversion of surplus electrical energy into chemical energy through the electrochemical decomposition of water into hydrogen and oxygen. The research resulted in the preparation of a unique segmented carbon-stabilized catalyst with high efficiency. The author worked with a wide range of technologies and analytical methods, in particular conducting complex experiments using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. He was able to analyze and interpret large datasets and identify complex degradation mechanisms of catalysts. The design of the catalytic layer at the electrolyzer cathode led to a reduction in the content of precious metals in these chemical processes.
Honorable Mention
Ing. Jakub Toběrný
Design and Fabrication of Metastructures for Terahertz Applications
Faculty of Materials Science and Technology, VSB – Technical University of Ostrava
Supervisor: doc. Dr. Mgr. Kamil Postava, Department of Materials Engineering and Recycling
The diploma thesis addresses a highly promising area of developing specialized components for applications in the terahertz (THz) spectral region. The author demonstrated proficiency in structural design using modern numerical methods, lithographic fabrication, and subsequent verification of component functionality. The main original results include (i) the design and fabrication of a new type of polarization beam splitter, (ii) the design of a metalens for focusing terahertz radiation from a THz spintronic emitter, and (iii) the design of a chiral metastructure with extreme optical activity, fabricated by IQS Nano and experimentally verified. The thesis is written in English.
Jakub Toběrný completed both his bachelor’s and master’s degree programmes in Nanotechnology at VSB – Technical University of Ostrava, with a specialization in optics. In his bachelor’s thesis, he optimized the fabrication of holographic security elements using laser lithography, and in his master’s thesis he applied the practical experience gained to the design and fabrication of metasurfaces for terahertz applications. During his studies, he undertook a research internship at the Albert Fert Laboratory, where he worked on integrating a metasurface with a spintronic emitter. He presented the results of his work at international conferences.
He is currently continuing his studies in a doctoral programme carried out within a cotutelle project between the Czech Republic and France, where he combines ellipsometry and spintronics. His research focuses on enhancing the performance of terahertz spintronic sources through the modelling of spin phenomena and the application of metasurfaces. These sources have significant applications in modern optical, non-contact methods for materials characterization, particularly in the field of semiconductors.
Mgr. Pavel Špaček
Application of Photon Upconversion Nanoparticles in Single-Molecule Immunoassays
Faculty of Science, Masaryk University
Supervisor: doc. Mgr. Zdeněk Farka, Ph.D., Department of Biochemistry
The contribution of the awarded thesis lies in the development, optimization, and comparison of three types of single-molecule immunoassays using labels based on photon upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs). These nanocrystals exhibit upconversion luminescence—the ability to convert near-infrared radiation into light of shorter wavelength (anti-Stokes emission), which significantly reduces optical background noise. Their luminescent properties also enable digital (single-molecule) signal readout using modified epifluorescence microscopy (upconversion microscopy), further improving assay sensitivity. Among other methods, the author employed transmission electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, and nanoparticle trajectory analysis. These methods have the potential to enhance the sensitivity of techniques used in clinical practice for biomarker detection, thereby contributing to the early diagnosis of cancer.
CRYTUR Award
The CRYTUR Award for the Best Diploma Thesis in Materials Science has been presented by the competition sponsor, CRYTUR, spol. s r.o., since 2014. The competition is open to students from all Czech and Slovak universities. The theses evaluated in the current edition had to be submitted for defense between 1 October 2024 and 30 September 2025. Over the course of the competition, a total of CZK 1,356,000 has been awarded in prizes.
CRYTUR, spol. s r.o.
CRYTUR, based in Turnov, is one of the leading technology companies engaged in the production of specialized opto-electronic devices for applications such as electron microscopy, medical lasers, scientific instruments, and high-performance light sources. The company has long specialized in the development and production of synthetic crystals, which often form the core of these solutions and are also key components of detection systems used in physics, for example at CERN. CRYTUR has a long history of collaboration with Czech and international academic institutions on joint projects, for which it has received numerous awards. The company holds a number of international patents. Its R&D projects have been repeatedly recognized by the CzechInvest agency, and the company has received awards in the “Diamonds of Czech Industry” competition. CRYTUR consistently ranks among the leaders of the Czech technology industry. The company was named PwC Company of the Year 2023, and its Director, Jindřich Houžvička, received the titles EY Entrepreneur of the Year of the Liberec Region 2023 and Technology Entrepreneur of the Year of the Czech Republic 2023.
careermarket.cz Portal
Operating on the Czech market since 2005, careermarket.cz serves as an advisory portal for students, graduates, and companies active in research and development in the natural sciences in the Czech Republic. It has co-organized the CRYTUR Award since the very beginning of its existence.