The study programme has evolved continuously since 1991. It was first established as Engineering Optics, later developed into Physical Engineering, and in 2009 acquired its current form as Physical Engineering and Nanotechnology. From the very beginning, the programme was designed as a practically oriented field combining solid foundations in physics with an engineering mindset. “Our students are not just theorists. They understand physical principles, but at the same time have hands-on experience with real instruments and are able to think like engineers. Every student works with an electron microscope during their studies—there is simply no other way,” says Tomáš Šikola, Head of the Institute of Physical Engineering.

This approach has long been shaping professionals who find employment in one of today’s most technologically demanding fields. Electron microscopy is essential for the development of new materials, the semiconductor industry, medicine, and fundamental research—and Brno ranks among its global centres. Our graduates work in leading companies such as Thermo Fisher Scientific, TESCAN, and Delong Instruments, as well as at research institutions, universities, and technology start-ups in the Czech Republic and abroad.

The strong connection between education, research, and industry is further demonstrated by successful spin-off companies originating directly from the institute. One of the most prominent examples is NenoVision, founded by graduates of Physical Engineering. Its founder and Česká Hlava Award laureate Jan Neuman captured this experience succinctly: “Everything I do in my life originates here – from physical engineering.”

Our goal is to create an environment in which students acquire, already during their studies, the competencies needed for top-level research and highly specialised industry. Thanks to this philosophy, physical engineers from BUT have become a natural part of the Brno microscopy ecosystem—and actively contribute to its further development.

In the interview for FME BUT, Ondřej describes his work at ESTEC in Noordwijk, the Netherlands, where he develops performance models of optical systems for upcoming space missions. He also shares insights into everyday life at ESA, the international working environment, and explains why studying optics and physics-based engineering disciplines provides a solid foundation for a career in space technologies.

V rozhovoru pro FSI VUT Ondřej popisuje, jak v ESTECu v nizozemském Noordwijku pracuje na tzv. performance modelech optických systémů, jak vypadá každodenní práce v mezinárodním prostředí ESA a proč považuje studium optiky a fyzikálně-technických oborů za silný základ pro uplatnění v kosmických technologiích.

František completed both his bachelor’s and follow-up master’s degree in Physical Engineering and Nanotechnology at our institute. During his studies, he actively participated in research in the CEITEC Nano laboratories. His master’s thesis focused on the advanced characterization of line defects in the wide-bandgap semiconductor GaN and was carried out within an international HORIZON Europe project. The work resulted in an extensive database of more than ten thousand thoroughly analysed defects, which attracted the interest of academic teams as well as industry partners in the field of semiconductors and electron microscopy.

He continued his research path by being accepted into the doctoral programme at the prestigious Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA) in Vienna, where he now works on projects in quantum technologies. His journey from a student laboratory to an international research institute is a wonderful example of what can emerge from a combination of motivation, excellent supervision, and strong support both at our institute and at CEITEC BUT.

We warmly congratulate František and wish him many more scientific successes. We are proud that his research career started here with us — and that he continues to push the boundaries of the field while promoting the good name of our institute.

František vystudoval bakalářský i navazující magisterský program Fyzikální inženýrství a nanotechnologie a už během studií se aktivně zapojil do výzkumu v laboratořích CEITEC Nano. Jeho diplomová práce se věnovala pokročilé charakterizaci čárových poruch v širokopásmovém polovodiči GaN a vznikla v rámci mezinárodního projektu HORIZON Europe. Výsledkem byla rozsáhlá databáze více než deseti tisíc detailně analyzovaných defektů, která zaujala akademické týmy i průmyslové partnery z oblasti polovodičů a elektronové mikroskopie.

Na svou výzkumnou práci následně navázal přijetím do doktorského studia na prestižním Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA) ve Vídni, kde pokračuje na projektech v oblasti kvantových technologií. Jeho cesta je krásnou ukázkou toho, co může vzniknout ze spojení motivovaného studenta, kvalitního vedení a zázemí jak na našem ústavu, tak v laboratořích CEITEC VUT.

Františkovi srdečně gratulujeme a přejeme mnoho dalších úspěchů. Jsme rádi, že jeho vědecký růst začínal právě u nás — a že i dnes svou prací posouvá hranice oboru a dobré jméno našeho ústavu.

Jan Klíma, a graduate of the Physical Engineering an Nanotechnology study programme and now a PhD student at CEITEC BUT, was honoured for his excellent results in the field of magnetism and hybrid ferromagnet–superconductor systems. During his studies at our institute, he actively participated in research on spin waves and demonstrated outstanding talent for both experimental work and theoretical understanding of complex physical phenomena. His results led to a first-author publication in the prestigious journal Applied Physics Letters and several contributions to other international journals. More information can be found in the faculty webiste.

Ondřej Wojewoda, who graduated from our institute in 2020 and later completed his doctoral studies at CEITEC BUT, received the award in the category of doctoral study programmes. His work pushed Brillouin light scattering to the world’s forefront, as he experimentally detected spin waves as short as 40 nm—surpassing the previous limit of around 260 nm. This breakthrough result was supported by precise analytical modelling and presented at leading international conferences. He is now continuing his research as a postdoctoral fellow at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), USA, where he focuses on magneto-optical phenomena.

The success of both graduates is a great honour for our institute and a confirmation of the high quality of education at our institute, which prepares students to excel in the international scientific community. We sincerely congratulate Jan and Ondřej and wish them many further scientific achievements!

Jan Klíma, absolvent programu Fyzikální inženýrství a nanotechologie a nyní doktorand na CEITEC VUT, byl oceněn za výjimečné výsledky ve výzkumu fyziky magnetismu a hybridních systémů feromagnet–supravodič. Už během studia na našem ústavu se aktivně zapojoval do výzkumu spinových vln a prokázal mimořádný talent pro experimentální práci i teoretické porozumění složitým fyzikálním jevům. Výsledky jeho výzkumu vedly k prvoautorské publikaci v prestižním časopise Applied Physics Letters a k dalším příspěvkům v mezinárodních periodikách. Více informací  naleznete v článku na webu fakulty.

Ondřej Wojewoda, který na našem ústavu absolvoval v roce 2020 a později dokončil doktorské studium na CEITEC VUT, získal ocenění v kategorii doktorských studijních programů. Jeho práce posunula Brillouinův rozptyl světla na světovou úroveň, když experimentálně detekoval spinové vlny o délce 40 nm a tím překonal dosavadní limit zhruba 260 nm. Tento průlomový výsledek podložil precizním analytickým modelováním a prezentoval jej na významných mezinárodních konferencích. Na své dosavadní úspěchy nyní navazuje jako postdoktorand na Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) v USA, kde se dále věnuje výzkumu magnetooptických jevů.

Ocenění obou absolventů je pro náš ústav velkou poctou i potvrzením kvalitní přípravy studentů fyzikálního inženýrství, kteří se dokážou uplatnit v mezinárodní vědecké komunitě. Srdečně gratulujeme Janovi i Ondřejovi a přejeme jim mnoho dalších vědeckých úspěchů!

These activities take place within the framework of the European project CHIPS of Europe – a large-scale initiative connecting universities, research institutions, and industrial partners across Europe, from Germany, France, and Denmark to Austria, Norway, Bulgaria, and the Czech Republic. The project aims to modernize technical education, develop professional competencies, introduce new forms of micro-credentials, and strengthen cooperation between academia, industry, and schools at all levels.
An important part of the project is also bringing science closer to children and teachers to inspire greater interest in studying technical and natural sciences.

Since the beginning of the project, the team at the Institute of Physical Engineering has regularly organized popularization events attended by more than 500 high-school students from across the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Among the most prominent activities were physics shows focused on semiconductors, hands-on workshops in physics and electron microscopy, and thematic excursions to the CEITEC VUT laboratories.
Special attention has also been devoted to supporting diversity in science – the togetHER in tech event welcomed dozens of female students interested in technology and natural sciences, while a teacher workshop introduced new approaches to presenting semiconductor topics in an engaging way.

Thanks to the CHIPS of Europe project, the institute continues to systematically strengthen cooperation with high schools, inspire teachers, and cultivate interest in physics, electronics, and technical disciplines among a new generation of students.