Departments
Deformation and dynamic processes modeling (MDP)
The department develops and applies methods of simulation of technical systems upon fast dynamic phenomena and extreme load. It focuses especially on transient stress in mechanical systems, problems related to nonlinear material response and contact mechanics.
Modelling and measurement of interactions in technical systems (MIS)
The department is focused on computer modelling and partially also on experimental measurement of steady, unsteady and transient processes in technical systems. Apart from investigating tasks of one field, e.g. fluid flow or electric field, the main aim is investigation of complex tasks with interactions of two or more physical fields (coupled tasks), e.g. modelling of interactions of fluid flow with electric and thermal fields, modelling of interactions of one- or multi-phase fluids flow with elastic bodies or other physical fields.
Human body modelling (MLT)
The department is focused on development of algorithms and related software for modelling of materials with complex inner structure and mass redistribution. It looks primarily into biological materials, especially heart muscle and aorta, and others. To enable successful modelling, special methods of homogenization, micro-continuum theory and cellular automata have been developed. The department also focuses on the development of numerical model of the human body that includes deformable inner organs and active muscle response.
Thermomechanics of Technological Processes (TTP)
The department deals with measurement of temperature fields by contact and non-contact methods, determination of heat transfer coefficients, measurement of thermal and optical properties of materials and measurement of residual stresses. The activities of the department are focused primarily on laser technologies for processing and analysis of materials and other technologies dealing with intensive heat sources.
Polymer Composites Technology (TPK)
The department is focused on research and development of technology for new materials – fibre reinforced polymer composites and polymer concrete on basis thermoset polymer matrix, thermoplastic polymer matrix and geopolymer matrix. These materials are designed for application in designing of production machines, machine tools and forming machines. The department also develops pultrusion technology for special shapes. Department activities are focused especially on thermal analysis of polymer composites by Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (Q800), Thermogravimetry Analysis (Q500), Thermomechanical Analysis (Q400) and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (Q200 – TA Instruments).
Materials and technologies (MAT)
The department deals with research and application in a number of microscopic, spectral and diffraction diagnostic techniques of material structure monitoring as well as with structural changes during production, processing and operational exploitation of parts and designs made from these materials produced in order to predict their service life and optimize the production technology. The department is also engaged in nanoindentation a tribological measurements.
Interdisciplinary activities (MA)
Interdisciplinary activities refers to a training and educating centre that provides interdisciplinary education for scientists, researchers and academic staff as well as for students. Within the last 10 years, the department has organized hundreds of seminars and dozens of conferences on the national level that were attended by many outstanding Czech and Slovak scientists, researchers, politicians and artists. In addition, the department produces books and multimedia CD-ROM discs with interdisciplinary content and engages in popularization of science careers in secondary schools.
New Technology and Materials Centre - CENTEM
Research under the CENTEM project classifies into five basic programmes. The topics of two of these programmes are a novelty in West Bohemia. They will be brought to Plzeň by experts from the Institute of Chemical Technology Prague (VŠCHT) and from the Institute of Thermomechanics (UTEM) of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic. The other three programmes are designed to accelerate and extend the research topics that are currently being addressed in the stable operations of the NTC. NTC is the coordinator of the CENTEM project; both research teams will cooperate closely and share their technical equipment.