Martin Setvín: After the Neuron Award came an ERC grant
He wants to find out why some materials generate photovoltage and how the energy obtained can be used. The possible applications range from electronics to fuels. Assoc. Prof. Setvín is a surface physicist who refined scanning probe microscopy, for which he received the Neuron Award 2022 for promising scientists in physics.
What has changed since last October, when he received the prestigious scientific award at the National Museum? What does he expect from the future?
"Besides the headlong development of artificial intelligence, I find it interesting to follow developments in space research and the plans to settle other planets," says Martin Setvín.
You received the Neuron Award last October. How has your field moved on since then?
Generally I would say that a year is a short time in science for a marked shift. My field (microscopy, materials research) is decades old, so groundbreaking discoveries do not happen every day. Progress is more visible over a horizon of three to five years. Over the past year some possible directions have appeared that look promising, but at this moment it is hard to predict whether they will lead to a fundamental shift.
What interesting things have happened to you personally since October?
I can say everything is going superbly. We finally managed to complete the first papers I started three years ago after returning to the Czech Republic. It looks as though we are heading for their successful publication. Besides that I won an ERC CZ grant, which will allow me to expand the group by several new members and also to buy further equipment. The new members will arrive between October and January and I am looking forward to starting work on interesting new topics.
How can your field help society as a whole in 2023?
I would say we will in some way contribute to solving long-term problems, such as the transition from fossil fuels to renewable sources. Here again a single year is a short time. I would not expect groundbreaking discoveries; things will rather move forward slowly.
What do you expect from science further into the future?
Today it is clear that fundamental changes will come with the development of artificial intelligence. I hope this knowledge can be used for the benefit of humanity and to solve current problems. At the same time I hope we can avoid the catastrophic scenarios that may arise if this technology is misused. Besides the headlong development of artificial intelligence, I find it interesting to follow developments in space research and the plans to settle other planets.
And who should be the next Neuron Award laureate?
In physics I see a number of talented young people who would deserve the award and whom it would help. For now I will keep the names to myself, because it is too early to nominate them.
