In the Czech Republic, women have long held a remarkably prominent position in nanotechnology, representing every area from fundamental research through entrepreneurship to creative applications. Behind these exceptional women lies an enormous body of work in the development and commercialisation of nanomaterials, thanks to which we now encounter nanotechnology in a great many products – from revolutionary dry facial masks through bedding for allergy sufferers to fashion clothing with intelligent properties.

Entrepreneurs transforming nanotechnology into breakthrough products

Marcela Munzarová – Nano Medical

Marcela Munzarová is the Chief Executive Officer of Nano Medical and a graduate of the Technical University of Liberec. She holds dozens of patents and utility models and is the author of the AntiMicrobe Web R material. Her most significant innovation is a patented invention for transforming chitosan into nanofibres, which led to the development of the medical ChitoFib nanofibre dressings that protect wounds against contamination and support and accelerate healing. Under her leadership the company develops advanced nanomaterials with a direct impact on the treatment and prevention of disease. Munzarová successfully connects scientific research with commercial practice and represents a model example of technology transfer from academia into real medical products that improve patients’ quality of life.

Lucie Konečná – nanoSPACE

Lucie Konečná has worked in nanotechnology for 7 years and is a co-author of the Czech Nano (Česko je nano) project. The thirty-two-year-old co-owner of nanoSPACE originally served as Chief Operating Officer and steered the company through the pandemic crisis, during which sales of respirators soared to as much as 150 million Czech crowns. She is currently on maternity leave and works at nanoSPACE as Creative Director responsible for online marketing, videos and campaigns. Under her leadership the company invested its earnings into its own development and is now bringing to market waterless cosmetics in tablet or powder form, delivering water savings of up to 95 per cent. Konečná is also Creative Director at LK Media Group and partly makes a living from a travel blog. She specialises in explaining nanotechnology to the public in a simple way and regards her work as crucial for communicating the field to ordinary consumers.

Lenka Mynářová – Technologies for sustainability

Lenka Mynářová is a former co-founder and board member of NAFIGATE Corporation, which has ceased its activities. She has worked in the world of marketing for twenty years and specialises in the marketing of science and research. She has devoted 14 years to the fields of the circular economy and sustainability and is actively involved in legislative processes under the Green Deal. She serves as Chair of the Board of INCIEN. During her time at Nafigate Corporation she contributed to the pioneering biotechnology Hydal, the first in the world to use used frying oil to produce a biopolymer. She now focuses primarily on technologies for sustainability, where she combines her business expertise with an environmental approach and continues to champion sustainable innovation in the field of green technologies.

Kateřina Vodseďálková – Nanopharma

Kateřina Vodseďálková completed a doctorate focused on coaxial electrospinning at the Department of Nonwovens of the Technical University of Liberec. As Chief Executive Officer of Nanopharma she is directly responsible for the company’s overall strategic management, including the development of key partnerships, the management of domestic and international projects and the coordination of business activities. Under her leadership Nanopharma has established itself as a significant player in the application of nanofibres in medicine, pharmacy and especially cosmetics. Vodseďálková led the development of the revolutionary cosmetics brand nanoBeauty, whose smart facial nanofibre masks achieve almost 100% efficiency in delivering active substances into the skin in just 8 minutes. These masks use Czech patented technology and were born from research into nanofibre medical material for treating severe burns, which is why they are suitable even for sensitive skin.

Johana Kulhánková – Nanopharma

Johana Kulhánková completed her engineering studies in Biomaterials at the University of Chemistry and Technology in Prague (2014-2019) and, during her doctoral studies, specialised in the molecular design of organosilane nanofibre materials for regenerative medicine. At Nanopharma she holds the position of Head of Product Development, where she coordinates research projects and ensures the running of the laboratories. At the same time she serves as a department member at the Nanochemistry Section of the Technical University of Liberec. She is an active researcher with numerous publications in prestigious journals such as the Journal of Materials Science and Materials Today Chemistry. She is also a co-author of a patent concerning the preparation of hybrid organosilane fibres, demonstrating her ability to translate scientific findings into practical applications.

Eva Torčíková – NanoTrade

Eva Torčíková was born in Ostrava and studied mathematics and civil defence education at the Faculty of Education of Palacký University in Olomouc. Since 2010 she has been devoted to brand building in the field of nanotechnology and has gradually taken over the commercial and marketing management of NanoTrade, specifically the nanosilver^® brand. She specialises in functional clothing with antibacterial properties using silver nanoparticles that wick away sweat and care for the skin. The Czech Nanosilver brand was created under her leadership by combining nanotechnology and silver, and she runs the company as a family business together with her husband and son. Torčíková successfully transferred her marketing experience from other fields into nanotechnology and built a significant Czech functional textile brand with international reach.

Lada Vyvialová – Fashion designer working with nanotechnology

Lada Tomečková Vyvialová studied textile design and clothing at the Academy of Fine Arts and Design in Bratislava and has been devoted to fashion design for over 20 years. She is the recipient of prestigious awards including the ELLE, Fashion Point and Patrizia Gucci Awards. The turning point in her life came in 2014, when she discovered the magic of nanomaterials originally intended for medicine. She operates on a slow fashion philosophy with an emphasis on quality and local production from Czech patented nanomaterials. Her products combine minimalist design with exceptional functionality – they are antibacterial, eliminate odours, have a UV filter and contain silver nanoparticles. The company LADA is a member of the Czech Nanotechnology Industries Association, and Vyvialová is a pioneer in combining haute couture with advanced nanotechnology.

The academic light of scientific research

Professor Pavla Čapková – UJEP

Professor RNDr. Pavla Čapková, DrSc works at the Jan Evangelista Purkyně University in Ústí nad Labem and is a recognised authority in the field of nanomaterials. As deputy head of CENAB she ranks among the leading Czech scientists in the field of nanotechnology, with numerous publications and citations. She works at the Centre of Nanomaterials and Biotechnology at UJEP, where she pursues fundamental research into the properties of nanomaterials and their practical applications. Her long-standing scientific work has significantly contributed to a deeper understanding of nanomaterials and their potential use in various industrial sectors. Čapková actively collaborates on international research projects and takes part in educating a new generation of nanotechnologists, thereby strengthening the position of the Czech Republic within the global nanotechnology community.

Professor Daniela Plachá – VŠB-TUO

At the beginning of July, Daniela Plachá received her professorial decree from the Minister of Education and now serves as deputy director for science and research of the Nanotechnology Centre at VŠB – Technical University of Ostrava. As head of the Nanotechnology Centre she specialises in carbon materials for environmental and biomedical applications, nanocomposites and nanostructured sorbents. With almost 3,000 citations and dozens of publications, she ranks among the leading Czech nanotechnology scientists with international recognition. Her research focuses on using nanocarbon materials for environmental remediation and biomedical applications. Plachá successfully builds a bridge between fundamental research and the practical applications of nanomaterials, with a positive impact on the environment and human health.

Jana Růžičková – nanoSPACE Technology

Jana Růžičková studied at the Technical University of Liberec and is a co-founder of the R&D company nanoSPACE Technology. She has more than 19 years of experience in developing nanofibre materials and manufacturing them using all known commercially available technologies. She is the author and co-author of more than 20 patents and utility models in the field of nanofibres, their applications and the equipment for producing them. nanoSPACE Technology developed and patented its own manufacturing technology, “Hybrid Spinning NT”, which combines electrostatic, centrifugal and pressure spinning and makes it possible to produce layered and composite membranes from up to 8 different polymers. Růžičková is responsible for research activity, materials engineering, product formulation design, laboratory development and the preparation of patent applications. Her work contributes to the development of nanofibre applications in biomedicine, pharmacy, cosmetics and industry.

Markéta Hujerová – Nanoflexion

Markéta Hujerová is the founder of the spin-off company Nanoflexion and was named in the prestigious Forbes 30 Under 30 list. She gained valuable research experience at Harvard University and the Pasteur Institute, which gave her an international perspective. Her main research focus is the development of nanofibre materials for covering gastrointestinal anastomoses and preventing serious post-operative complications. She works on nanofibre patches for covering the intestines after surgery. Her awards include the Audience Award at the World Final of Falling Walls Lab 2018 in Berlin and first prize for the best pharmaceutical research from Sanofi in 2023. She works at the Department of Nonwovens and Nanofibre Materials at TUL and represents an inspiring example of the successful transfer of scientific findings into the commercial sphere.

Lucie Ligasová – Nanoprogress / Nanotech Dynamics

Lucie Ligasová holds a degree in Textile Materials Engineering from TUL and is a member of the Research, Development and Innovation Council of the Liberec Region. Her lifelong mission was born after meeting Professor David Lukáš at a lecture on nanofibres, where she was fascinated by a Wimshurst generator spewing out fibres invisible to the eye. In her dissertation she specialised in preparing coaxial nanofibre structures – “fibres within a fibre” – which enable the encapsulation of medicines, liposomes, growth factors or magnetic particles. She works as a project management specialist for the cluster organisation Nanoprogress and as head of research at Nanotech Dynamics. She has many years of experience developing spinning equipment and nanofibre structures for biomedicine, cosmetics and industrial sectors. She is also a managing director of Corione Solutions.

Jiřina Shrbená Váňová – NANOCON

Jiřina Shrbená Váňová works as a senior consultant at Inova Pro, s.r.o., and is a member of the steering committee of the Czech Society for New Materials and Technologies. Since 2009 she has been chair of the programme committee of the international nanotechnology conference NANOCON, which she organises in Brno. Under her leadership NANOCON has become one of the most significant European nanotechnology conferences, bringing hundreds of leading nanotechnology experts from around the world to the Czech Republic every year. Váňová plays a fundamental role in building international scientific partnerships and transferring knowledge between academia and industry. Her work significantly strengthens the position of the Czech Republic on the international nanotechnology scene and supports the development of the entire field through networking activities and scientific exchange.

Applications in everyday life – Czech world firsts

Thanks to the work of these exceptional women, we now encounter nanotechnology virtually everywhere around us. Their hands-on work and research bring concrete innovations:

Suché nanovlákenné pleťové masky – světová špička –

Marcela Munzarová of Nano Medical and the team of Kateřina Vodseďálková with Johana Kulhánková of Nanopharma have developed revolutionary dry nanofibre masks, an area in which the Czech Republic is among the world leaders.

Marcela Munzarová developed the world’s first industrial production of chitosan-based nanofibre structures for cosmetic applications. Her CHITOSAN COSMETIC MASK under the NANO MED.CLEAN brand uses a patented technology for producing nanofibres from natural chitosan, which supports deep skin regeneration, has anti-inflammatory effects and soothes irritated skin. Bioactive chitosan has antioxidant and anti-ageing effects, while the mask contains no alcohol, synthetic additives, silicones or parabens.

The nanoBeauty masks, led by Kateřina Vodseďálková, achieve almost 100% efficiency in delivering active substances and vitamins into the skin in just 8 minutes of application. They use a Czech patented technology of solution electrospinning, in which the active substances are bound at 100% concentration to the nanofibre in an entirely pure state. The diffusion transfer is triggered “smartly” only after wetting with water and contact with the skin, so the masks require no preservatives or stabilisers. Tests have shown that up to 92% of the active substances from the nanofibre mask penetrate directly into the skin, including its deeper layers.

Nanovlákenné kosmetické náplasti s aktivními látkami – Lucie Konečná stála u zrodu značky nanoSPACE Cosmetics, pod kterou se vyvíjí komplexní řada nanovlákenných náplastí [n] s aktivními látkami na lokální ošetření různých kožních problémů. Tato řada zahrnuje náplasti [n]Acne pro pleť se sklonem k akné s komplexem bylinných extraktů, vitaminem B3 a kyselinou salicylovou, náplasti [n]Pigment na pigmentové skvrny, [n]Repair pro péči o pokožku a nehty se sklonem k plísním, náplasti na opary [n]Lips a také na bodnutí hmyzem [n]Sting. Všechny náplasti využívají výhod nanovláken pro efektivní pronikání aktivních látek do pokožky a dosahují až 90% efektivity využití aktivních složek. V oblasti nanovlákenných náplastí patří Česká republika mezi světové lídry.

Speciální nanonáplasti s chitosanem na hojení ran – Marcela Munzarová z Nano Medical vyvinula revoluční CHITOFIB PATCH s nanovlákennou strukturou na bázi chitosanu speciálně určené pro podporu hojení ran. Tyto náplasti využívají patentovanou technologii, kdy se chitosan v nanovlákenné formě při kontaktu s tělními tekutinami mění v gel, který vytváří optimální vlhké prostředí pro hojení. Náplast funguje jako ochranná bariéra proti mikrobiálnímu znečištění z vnějšího prostředí a současně podporuje přirozenou regeneraci tkáně. Chitosan má přirozené antibakteriální a protizánětlivé vlastnosti, které urychlují hojivý proces. Náplasti jsou vyrobeny z biokompatibilních materiálů a jsou vhodné i pro citlivou pokožku, přičemž jejich nepřilnavá povrchová úprava minimalizuje traumatizaci rány při výměně.

Bezvodá kosmetika – Lucie Konečná ve spolupráci s týmem nanoSPACE uvedla na trh průkopnickou bezvodou kosmetiku v tabletách, která šetří až 95% vody a neobsahuje konzervační látky. V tomto případě se nejedná o nanotechnologie v tradičním slova smyslu, ale o inovativní českou biotechnologii. Využívá cirkulární přístup s polymerem P3HB získávaným z odpadu pomocí české biotechnologie HYDAL.

Funkční nano oblečení – Lada Vyvialová vytváří módní oděvy s nanočásticemi stříbra integrovanými přímo do vláken, které poskytují antibakteriální ochranu, termoregulaci a UV filtr. Eva Torčíková z NanoTrade se specializuje na funkční sportovní oblečení nanosilver^® s dlouhodobými antibakteriálními vlastnostmi, které eliminuje zápachy a odvádí vlhkost.

Protiroztočové systémy pro alergiky – Lucie Konečná a tým nanoSPACE vyvinuli první funkční povlečení pro alergiky na světě s nanovlákennou membránou, která mechanicky brání průniku roztočů a alergenů. Systém zahrnuje protiroztočové lůžkoviny, polštáře a povlaky certifikované podle STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX^®.

Nanomateriály pro životní prostředí – Daniela Plachá z VŠB-TUO vyvíjí nanouhlíkové materiály pro environmentální aplikace a čištění, zatímco Lenka Mynářová pracuje na udržitelných technologiích využívajících nanotechnologie pro cirkulární ekonomiku.

Challenges and obstacles on the road to success

The road to success for these exceptional figures was not always easy. Nanotechnology is still a relatively young field that requires an interdisciplinary approach and the ability to work at the interface of physics, chemistry, biology and engineering. Many of these pioneers had to overcome the stereotypes associated with technical fields and earn their respect in a traditionally male environment.

Funding research and development presents another significant challenge. Czech nanotechnology companies often compete for limited resources and must seek innovative ways to finance their projects. It is precisely women in management who often demonstrate outstanding skills in securing investment and building partnerships, which is crucial for success in this highly competitive environment.

International recognition and partnerships

The Czech women who represent nanotechnology not only operate successfully on the domestic market but also gain international recognition. Many of them collaborate with leading universities and research institutions worldwide, take part in prestigious international projects and contribute to the development of the global nanotechnology community.

Their work is regularly published in the most cited scientific journals and presented at significant international conferences. Some of the Czech nanotechnology companies led by women are successfully expanding abroad and becoming significant players on the European and global markets.

The future of Czech nanotechnology in women’s hands

The Czech women representing nanotechnology prove that gender is not an obstacle to success in highly technical fields. Their diverse approaches – from scientific research through entrepreneurship to creative applications – enrich the entire field and bring fresh perspectives.

The stories of these figures show that the future of nanotechnology is not only about what we can create in the laboratory, but also about how well we can bring these innovations into the real world and thereby improve people’s lives. And in this, the Czech nanotechnology pioneers are true masters.

Their achievements inspire new generations of female students and researchers to take the path of science and innovation. In doing so they create a positive spiral that strengthens the position of women in technical fields and contributes to the diversity of the Czech nanotechnology sector. This diversity is crucial for future innovation, because different perspectives and approaches lead to more creative and more effective solutions.

Thanks to these pioneers, the future of Czech nanotechnology looks very promising. Their work not only pushes the boundaries of science but also builds a bridge between academic research and the practical applications that improve the quality of life for us all. Thanks to them, the Czech Republic has established itself as a significant global player in the field of nanotechnology, particularly in the areas of dry cosmetic nanofibre masks and patches, where we are among the absolute world leaders.

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Sources for the photographs in the text:

Lenka Mynářová – https://www.datamar.cz/o-nas

Pavla Čapková – https://genderaveda.cz/cena-milady-paulove-2015-nominovane/

Lada Vyvialová – https://ladavyvialova.cz

Marcela Munzarová – https://cc.cz/ceska-nano-lady-ve-svete-muzu-marcela-munzarova-vyviji-rousky-z-nanomaterialu-budoucnosti-a-chysta-unikatni-naplasti/

Johana Kulhánková, Kateřina Vodseďálková –  https://nanopharma.cz/nas_tym/

Lucie Ligasová – https://1012plus.cz/cs/magazin-detail/hlavne-at-napady-nelezi-v-supliku-lucie-ligasova-posouva-cesky-nanovyzkum-vpred

Markéta Hujerová – https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10213062292668426&id=1726436568&set=a.1047472963515

Daniela Plachá – https://www.vsb.cz/magazin/cs/detail-novinky?reportId=40776

Jiřina Shrbená Váňová – https://www.nanocon.eu/cz/o-konferenci-historie-foto-sborniky/?gallery=2021

Eva Torčíková – https://www.nanosilver.cz/Tema/Nanotechnologie-v-mediich/Ceska-znacka-se-svetovym-designem

Lucie Konečná, Jana Růžičková – archiv nanoSPACE s.r.o.