This year, three female scientists from the NPI received the Josef Hlávka Award

22. 11. 2024

The Nuclear Physics Institute of the Czech Academy of Sciences is celebrating an exceptional success. This year, three of its scientists won the prestigious Josef Hlávka Award, which is awarded annually by the Josef, Marie and Zdeňka Hlávka Foundation. The laureates, at the suggestion of the institute's management, were Veronika Brychová, Zuzana Golec Mírová (both DRD) and Eva Štěpanovská (DNIM). The awards were presented during a ceremony in the representative premises of the Lužany Chateau on Saturday, November 16, 2024.

Veronika Brychová specializes in the research of organic residues in archaeological ceramics through radiocarbon dating and other analytical methods. Using modern equipment at the Czech Radiocarbon Laboratory at the Nuclear Physics Institute in Řež, she manages to uncover valuable information about the lives of our ancestors, especially about their diet and use of natural resources. Her interdisciplinary work connects archaeology, chemistry and environmental sciences, contributing to a deeper understanding of the cultural history and development of human society.

Zuzana Golec Mírová focuses on innovative methods for dating archaeological sites and the development of new techniques that allow overcoming the limitations of traditional radiocarbon dating, while also addressing the complex problem of the Hallstatt Plateau. This research brings new possibilities for dating, which are important for the correct determination of time intervals in archaeological finds. Her interdisciplinary approach, which includes, among others, analytical chemistry and ethnographic methods, significantly contributes to a better understanding of ancient societies and their everyday life.

Eva Štěpanovská works in the Tandetron Laboratory, where she specializes in research and modification of materials using ion beams. The technologies she uses enable precise changes in the material structure, which allows for use in the areas of electronics, sensors and energy storage. Her current research focuses on the development of more sustainable lithium batteries, which are essential for the effective use of renewable energy sources.

In the photo from the handover ceremony, V. Brychová is on the left, Eva Štěpanovská is on the far right, and Zuzana Golec Mírová is on her left. (Photo: Richard Cai)

This year, three female scientists from the NPI received the Josef Hlávka Award

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