On 7 September 2022, the milestone 10th Nano Day took place at the Centre for Science and Technology (CPTO) at the Jan Evangelista Purkyně University in Ústí nad Labem, where, as is now the tradition, the latest developments in nanotechnology were on show. „Visitors could see how to filter microplastics out of water, the range of things made from nanofibres, or how clothing that destroys odours works. The greatest highlight was the painting „Port“ by the artist Marek Krumpár, painted on a nanofibre canvas.“ says Jiří Kůs, Chairman of the Czech Nanotechnology Industries Association

The nanofibre canvas is extremely fragile and calls for a special painting technique

„Marek Krumpár took on the demanding task of painting a picture onto a nanofibre membrane. Given the fragility of the nanofibres this is no simple matter, yet it gave rise to a work of art that has no equal anywhere in the world,“ explains Jan Buk, an expert on inorganic nanofibres from the company nanoSPACE Technology.

A blank canvas was also on hand, on which visitors could try for themselves just how difficult it is to draw on a canvas made of nanofibre material. The resulting nano painting was presented to the university at the close of Nano Day.

What can be made from a nanofibre membrane?

There was also great interest in specific nanofibre products. One of the inconspicuous but very interesting technologies was the tap-water nanofilter from H20 nanotec, which uses nanofibre-membrane technology for filtration.

 „The tap-water filter is simply fitted beneath the mixer tap, so you filter only the water you drink and there is no need to invest in special filtration for the whole house or flat. What is more, it works entirely without electricity.“ explains Jiří Polman of H2O nanotec. 

The nanofilter is able to filter out pesticides and other chemical compounds used in agriculture, industrial organic contaminants from the soil (benzopyrenes, polychlorinated hydrocarbons) and viruses, neutralises bacteria, and even removes hormones and drugs.

It looks like an ordinary pillow, but it is no ordinary pillow

Visitors learned from Contipro how nanofibre facial masks work and could even touch a „nano“ pillow. „This pillow may look like an ordinary pillow, and when you touch it you really would not say there was anything special about it. Yet it contains a nanofibre membrane that prevents dust mites from accumulating in the filling,“ says Lukáš Konečný from nanoSPACE. Anti-mite duvets, pillows and bedding with a nanofibre membrane are among the very popular product range for allergy sufferers.

„Products with a nanofibre membrane are recommended by allergists for people allergic to dust mites and for severe asthmatics. We have feedback that a dust-mite allergy sufferer feels relief from allergic reactions as early as after the first night,“ explains Josef Handrejch, an expert on textiles with a nanofibre membrane. 

Visitors were also drawn to nano filters for winemakers from the Czech company Filtrex and UV lamps for cleaning swimming-pool water from Lifetech, which is better known in Czechia for its ozone generators, used for example to destroy viruses, bacteria and even odours.

Czechs take an interest in nanotechnology

„The Nano Days concept has proven its worth not only as a means of making contact with experts and exchanging experience and views, but above all in bringing the world of nanotechnology closer to the general public, who can thus see, touch and assess the benefits of the products in everyday life,“ is how Michael Carvan of Lifetech sums up the event, adding that he was pleasantly surprised by how well-informed the general public is about nanotechnology. 

The event was organised by the Czech Nanotechnology Industries Association as part of the Czechia is Nano project, in cooperation with the Innovation Centre of the Ústí Region and the Jan Evangelista Purkyně University in Ústí nad Labem.

The event was held under the auspices of the Association of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises and Crafts of the Czech Republic, the Technology Agency of the Czech Republic and the Ministry of Industry and Trade.