The Liberec Region signed a memorandum of support for the construction of a new laboratory building of the TOPTEC Centre
The memorandum of cooperation in connection with the construction of a new building "TOPTEC", as
the official title of the document is, was signed on February 23, 2024 in Turnov by Martin Půta,
Governor of the Liberec Region, Tomáš Hocke, Mayor of the City of Turnov, Eva Zažímalová, President
of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, and Radomír Pánek, Director of the Institute of
Plasma Physics of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic.
The TOPTEC Centre of the Institute of Plasma Physics of the CAS has been a part of the history
of stone and glass processing in Turnov for 13 years. The Liberec Region, the City of Turnov and
the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic are very interested in maintaining its research
activities and remaining in the region. For its further activities, TOPTEC now needs to build a new
facility. The laboratories of the TOPTEC Centre are now located in the buildings of the former
DIOPTRA company, but the buildings will be demolished and some will be converted into apartment
buildings. IPP therefore had to look for new premises for TOPTEC activities and the construction of
a new laboratory building of its own proved to be the best solution. There will be new clean
laboratory premises that will enable to significantly increase the quality of the research and
development carried out and find the way to other ambitious projects.
“The Liberec Region has long supported not only traditional sectors such as glass and
engineering, but also fields focusing on nanotechnology and innovation. Our main goal is that the
TOPTEC Centre in Turnov will remain. The signing of the memorandum is another important step
forward,” said the Governor of the Liberec Region, Martin Půta.
“
The research team at the TOPTEC Centre is able to currently construct unique optical systems and
provide designs, calculations or expertise in the field of special optics, as well as fine
mechanics. The team has adequate instrumentation and software, along with high-performance
computing technology to perform challenging simulations. The new modern building with clean
laboratory facilities will enable us to significantly expand our involvement in technologically
very demanding projects and deliveries, for example for the European Space Agency – ESA, as well as
to provide cutting-edge research support to our partners from the industrial sphere,“ added
Radomír Pánek, Director of the Institute of Plasma Physics of the CAS.
“The TOPTEC Centre is a top regional workplace that also promotes its innovations abroad. The
fact that it was and remains in Turnov has its significance. The tradition of grinding precious
stones in Turnov dates back to the 16
th century, later generations of opticians grew up there and the first glasses factory
was established in Austria-Hungary. Then there was the legendary Development Optical Workshop of
the CAS, followed by TOPTEC. Continuing in the new premises will help to further advance scientific
excellence. I believe that at the same time it will revive interest in optics itself and highlight
the town of Turnov on the map of European locations in this field,“ added Eva Zažímalová,
President of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic.
The Liberec Region signed a memorandum of support for the
construction of a new laboratory building of the TOPTEC Centre
The Liberec Region signed a memorandum of support for the
construction of a new laboratory building of the TOPTEC Centre
The Liberec Region signed a memorandum of support for the
construction of a new laboratory building of the TOPTEC Centre
The Liberec Region signed a memorandum of support for the
construction of a new laboratory building of the TOPTEC Centre
Photo: The Liberec Region.
