Aristeidis Bakandritsos from the CEET Centre for Nanotechnology received an award for his exceptional research results and a symbolic cheque for one million crowns today during a ceremonial meeting of the Scientific Board at VSB—Technical University of Ostrava. The university awarded the esteemed researcher for his success in the international MERGE project, which focuses on converting biomass into green fuels. This initiative brings together partners from prestigious institutions in the Netherlands, Italy, and Greece. The European Union has provided €1.5 million in funding.
The three-year Horizon Europe project seeks to create eco-friendly, easily recyclable, cost-effective, and efficient single atom catalysts to transform waste biomass into sustainable chemicals and biofuels. Led by VSB-TUO, the project unites researchers from Politecnico di Milano in Italy, Rijksuniversiteit Groningen in the Netherlands, and specialists from Q-PLAN International Advisors PC in Greece. Chemist Bakandritsos, who joined VSB-TUO through the REFRESH project, coordinates the MERGE project.
“I am incredibly honored and delighted to receive this award. This recognition is profoundly meaningful, as it acknowledges the hard work and dedication invested in research and securing funds for our university. This award belongs to many colleagues with whom we are consistently working together towards common goals and results, like in the case of this project. It is also a great encouragement to keep up the hard work, not only for me but for all scientists at VSB-TUO. It can motivate them to keep striving for excellence. I am grateful to the management of VSB-TUO for their unwavering support and to my colleagues and partners who share this journey with me. I look forward to the breakthroughs we will achieve in the coming years. Together we can move towards a greener future,” commented Bakandritsos on winning the award.
Radek Zboril, the Materials-Envi Lab Director, was pleased to hear about Aristeidis Bakandritsos’ award, as it is this living lab where the chemist from Greece is based.
“Dr. Bakandritsos is undoubtedly one of the best materials researchers in Europe. This is the second European project he has brought to VSB-TUO in a short time. This time, however, he is leading a broad European team. Thanks to this prestigious project, not only can new sustainable technologies with applications in chemistry or green energy be developed, but at the same time we gain access to some unique techniques using, for example, synchrotron X-ray accelerators,” said Zboril.
During the ceremony, the newly appointed associate professors, along with graduates of the doctoral and Master of Business Administration programs, received their diplomas, and outstanding researchers were recognized for their achievements.
