This issue includes an interview with Dr. Radomír Pánek, head of Tokamak Department of the Institute of Plasma Physics of the ASCR. Dr. Pánek's team observed the distinctive H-mode operation for the first time (on November 29, 2012) since the Tokamak was reinstalled in the IPP in 2008. The H-mode (high confinement mode) refers to a sudden improvement of plasma confinement in the magnetic field of tokamaks (by about a factor of two) which is foreseen as the standard mode of operation for the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER). The H-mode pedestal forms near the plasma transport barrier, located behind the improved plasma confinement. Greater insight into the physics of this narrow plasma region is required to enhance control of the power flux, plasma heating and the Edge Localized Mode (ELM) instabilities in fusion reactors. and Luděk Svoboda.
The Center for Innovations in Nanomaterials and Nanotechnologies (Nanocentre), which began its work at the J. Heyrovský Institute of Physical Chemistry of the ASCR in 2010, has successfully established a direct link between the fundamental research and industry as it transfers research results into the technological praxis. The Center is equipped with a progressive instrumentation and computational technique for high-tech synthesis. structural characterization and clarification of functioning of nanomaterials, as well as for their development and judging their technological applicability. and Luděk Svoboda.