Czech scientists' projects at Transfera Technology Day 2023

Innovative needles for electroacupuncture, chemical fireflies and a valve for rockets. This year's Transfera Technology Day 2023 has its three winning technologies, the ones the jury judged to connect Czech science with business best and to have the greatest commercial potential. Neuron Foundation patron Jaroslav Řasa took part as a juror in selecting the innovative science and technology projects.

The winner of the fourth TTDay 2023, organised by the Technology Agency of the Czech Republic and long supported by the Neuron Foundation, is a project of the Science and Technology Park of Palacký University in Olomouc aimed at developing innovative needles for electroacupuncture. Second place goes to scientists from Masaryk University and their research into luminescent enzymes, which allow living organisms to produce light. Third place went to a fully innovative electromagnetic valve from the University of West Bohemia in Pilsen, whose flight prototype will be tested on a launch vehicle in 2024.

"I am very glad this event is taking place and that the Neuron Foundation supports connecting science with investors and business. Getting basic research to practical and commercial use is a complex task that requires the very best people, but at the same time it makes the greatest sense.

— — Jaroslav Řasa, patron of the Neuron Foundation —

The winning TTDay 2023 projects

The fourth Transfera Technology Day offered a contest between three dozen projects from 13 Czech scientific, research and academic institutions. An expert jury then selected the 3 best research projects from 12 finalists. Which are they?

1st place: AC-tive ENF: innovative needles for electroacupuncture, Science and Technology Park of Palacký University

The Ac-tive method came about by combining medical acupuncture with knowledge of physical medicine and can be used in rehabilitation and other health care facilities. Its essence is the activation of acupuncture pathways by means of needles applied to acupuncture points. Electrical impulses are then fed into them, making it possible to stimulate points in paralysed parts of the body. Applying the innovative needles is more effective, immediately visible and less painful. It is used with patients after a stroke, for back pain and in treating the consequences of cerebral palsy.

2nd place: A luciferase reporter system with an extremely stable bioluminescent signal, Technology Transfer Office, Masaryk University

Research into luminescent enzymes, which allow living organisms to produce light (fireflies, for instance, are luminescent organisms). The enzymes are used in many scientific, research and clinical applications and, for example, in diagnosing tumour diseases. The experts from Brno have created an artificial enzyme that shines far longer and more stably than the natural one. The discovery may bring a revolution in lighting — it is a nature-inspired technology for a sustainable future that could one day reduce dependence on fossil fuels.

3rd place: A fully electromagnetic valve, University of West Bohemia in Pilsen

The fully electromagnetic valve, a novelty from the University of West Bohemia in Pilsen, stands out for being very simple and innovative. Compared with ordinary valves it has an extremely fast response and low consumption and can withstand the extreme conditions to which rocket engines, for instance, are exposed. The scientists from Pilsen are collaborating on this more than 10-year project with the University of Southern California and hope that its high point will be the forthcoming test of a flight prototype of the valve on a launch vehicle being built by the CTU Space Research student team at the Czech Technical University.

Did you know that the Neuron Foundation awards a Neuron Award for connecting science and business? For biomedical transfer it has so far honoured, for example, the academic spin-off of the University of Pardubice Lipidica, a.s and the startup Pinflow energy storage, which is an excellent illustration of basic research, engineering principle and business coming together.