This issue features an article on the life and work of the first post-1989 President of the Czechoslovak Academy of Sciences (CAS), Professor Otto Wichterle. The Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic has been observing this year the 100th anniversary of his birth. A recollection meeting to organize this jubilee took place on October 24, 2013 at the Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry. The Institute of Chemical Technology the same day exhibited a bust of Professor Wichterle by sculptor Milan Vácha at a festive ceremony. A chemist and inventor Otto Wichterle achieved world renown not only for his invention the first practicable soft contact lens. He supervised the former Academy of Sciences from 1990 until Czechoslovakia was dissolved in 1992. In 2007, Professor Wichterte was posthumously named to the National Inventors Hall of Fame. and Luděk Svoboda a Gabriela Adámková.
The Academy Assembly held its XLII"d Meeting December 13, 2012 in the Municipal House in Vinohrady. It is the supreme self-governing body of the Academy of Sciences responsible for the foremost priority decisions related to the ASCR. By a secret ballot. the Academy Council (executive body of the ASCR) and Council for Sciences (the ASCRS policy body) were elected by the Academy Assembly for the period 2013-2017. and Luděk Svoboda.
This year's Science and Technology Week, organized for the public by the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, took place November 1-15 in Prague, Brno, České Budějovice, Olomouc, Ostrava and other places. Science and Technology Week is one of the largest science communication efforts in the Czech Republic, presenting the latest scientific achievements and results of current research to an increasing number of Czech citizens. Scientists from research workplaces of the ASCR presented a cross section of lectures, presentations, panel discussions, seminars, excursions, exhibitions and discussion evenings. This gave attendees insights into their research projects, scientific apparatuses and an outline on the latest trends in the areas of science in the Czech Republic and the world. The festival has a main theme each year. This year theme was the Science Energy. and Luděk Svoboda.