Ing. Tomáš Mocek, Ph.D.

This year marks a decade since the European Commission and the Czech Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports approved two unique laser research projects ELI Beamlines and HiLASE, which were both successfully implemented as part of the Institute of Physics of the Czech Academy of Sciences. In celebration of the anniversary, an official meeting attended by the representatives of leading Czech and foreign institutions took place at ELI Beamlines in Dolní Břežany. In a video-call, it was also joined on-line by Gérard Mourou, the winner of the Nobel Prize for Physics and the initiator of the centre at the European level.
Innovative methods of material surface treatment and a completely new and unique solution in the field of industrial tool preparation, using laser technologies, are available thanks to Hi-Beams, s.r.o., a newly established spin-off of HiLASE Centre and SHM company, an expert on industrial PVD coatings.
It is with profound sorrow that I inform you of the passing of our highly respected and beloved colleague, Antonio Lucianetti, after a short and insidious illness. He left this world calmly on November 19, 2020, in Bergamo at the age of 55.
ELI Beamlines is the largest research project in modern Czech history, operating a unique laser system since last summer. This 17 metres-long laser system boasts with the highest average power in the world, enabling to create - for a split second - the warmest spot in the universe.
HiLASE turns into technologically advanced Centre of Excellence, aimed at serving a broad scientific and industrial laser user community It will drive new laser-based applications in industry, such as advanced material treatments and energy production.