The Czech Republic – one of Europe’s leading scientific and innovation powerhouses
The Czech Republic, hereafter referred to as Czechia, has a long history of scientific excellence thanks to cutting-edge research in fields that range from sustainable agriculture to artificial intelligence. It’s no surprise then that the country ranks 24th in the Global Innovation Index 2021(opens in new window). Since 1993 when Czechia was formed, science and industry have received more than a billion euro in investment through funding programmes such as the Seventh Framework Programme and Horizon 2020. This successful showing is expected to continue during Horizon Europe – the EU’s key funding programme for research and innovation until 2027. When it comes to active participation and a strong presence, the numbers don’t lie: over EUR 500 million in total net EU contribution to Horizon 2020 projects involving Czechia. On the occasion of the Czech Presidency of the Council of the European Union (July-December 2022), a specially commissioned CORDIS Spotlight Pack(opens in new window) highlights 16 research projects completed under Horizon 2020.
A celebration of Czech research and innovation
The FGFSTAB project produced fibroblast growth factor products with sufficiently high operational stability so they can be used in regenerative medicine. The OBESOGENS project improved understanding of how phthalates – chemicals that make plastic soft and flexible – impact human health. The SWEETOOLS project created glycopeptide libraries that could lead to new drugs able to act on key proteins and enzymes, potentially laying the foundation for immunity-boosting therapies. To help bring electronics manufacturers into the circular economy, the BatteryCheck project(opens in new window) developed cloud-based software that analyses battery life and reuse and recycling options. By combining the high energy density of lithium-ion batteries with the rapid charge and discharge rate of supercapacitors, the LEFAPO project(opens in new window) developed a new device for hybrid vehicles. Hoping to create supercapacitors that can store comparable energy to batteries while also offering superior rapid charging capabilities, the UP2DCHEM project developed a new scalable graphene derivative. The ARGOS project(opens in new window) built an innovative propeller design enabling the use of efficient diesel engines in aviation. This will make small aircraft more cost-efficient and eco-friendly. To become a reliable partner and supplier of key aviation market players and to gain a competitive edge on the United States, the EDEC project(opens in new window) developed an electric control unit for more efficient diesel jet engines. The MUTR project designed a gearbox test rig for a next‑gen compound helicopter that combines high speed and vertical take-off and landing and features wings and propellers for propulsion support instead of a conventional tail rotor. To make road and rail tunnels safer, the TUNNEL VISION project devised an innovative system using ground-penetrating radar that reliably determines failures in tunnel infrastructure. The EMoGrIS project(opens in new window) developed a mathematical model to predict future changes to the Greenland ice sheet ecosystem that is highly vulnerable to climate change. The JHSIGNAL project(opens in new window) shed more light on the action of insect hormones to improve insect control. The AVATAR project introduced a body‑scanning smartphone app and created a library of 3D garments to reduce the fashion industry’s wasteful textile and apparel production processes. The CraftEdu project(opens in new window) designed an e-learning platform for construction professionals and vocational schools in Czechia and Slovakia to help ensure availability of the right skills when it comes to energy efficiency and renewable energy sources. To address gender inequality issues in research and innovation at national and EU levels, the GENDERACTION project(opens in new window) delivered a series of policy support activities and policy recommendations. The ETE SPEAKER project(opens in new window) used big data to develop robust speaker recognition systems to better identify individual speakers and overcome issues when multiple people are speaking. The Spotlight Pack is available in English and in Czech. For more information, please see: Spotlight Pack(opens in new window)