26.11.2025
The search for and research into new materials for battery production will become easier, faster, and more cost-effective thanks to a device developed by a scientific team at VSB – Technical University of Ostrava (VSB-TUO). The device, called EMU, was developed with the involvement of three generations of researchers from two expert departments. Unlike other measuring devices, EMU is small, compact, versatile, and can be adapted to the specific needs of individual research projects.
Batteries and capacitors play a key role in today’s world, and scientists at VSB-TUO have developed a small revolutionary device that could change the future use of strategic materials in these technologies. The device represents a significant advance in research into the properties of batteries and supercapacitors. The Electrochemical Measuring Unit (EMU) was developed by a scientific team from the Faculty of Materials Science and Technology in cooperation with the Centre of Nanotechnology under the Centre of Energy and Environmental Technologies (CEET) at VSB-TUO. The development of the measuring unit took one and a half years.
“The measuring unit is designed for detailed analysis of the properties of batteries and supercapacitors and for testing materials used in their production. Thanks to its advanced functions, it allows researchers to study electrochemical processes in energy devices while simultaneously monitoring key parameters such as pressure and temperature during operation,” explained Vlastimil Matějka, head of the research team from the Faculty of Materials Science and Technology at VSB-TUO.
Unique Features and Benefits
EMU is characterized by a range of innovative features that make it unique on the market. Its compact design facilitates handling and saves laboratory space. The modular construction allows customization to meet the specific requirements of individual users. Replaceable cartridges reduce measurement errors, save time, and lower operating costs. The unit supports the use of up to three electrodes (two measuring electrodes and one reference electrode) for precise analyses. Depending on research needs, EMU can be equipped with additional functions, including a pressure sensor to monitor sample volume changes, a temperature sensor to track thermal variations, and a heating element for controlled temperature changes during experiments.
Wide Range of Applications
EMU can be used not only in the development of new materials for batteries and supercapacitors, but also in other research areas. It is made from chemically and mechanically resistant materials, ensuring long service life and resistance to aggressive substances. The device will significantly simplify, speed up, and reduce the cost of measuring electrochemical parameters of materials at research institutions such as universities, academies of sciences, research centers, and companies in the energy sector.
Team Collaboration
The development of EMU was carried out by a multidisciplinary team of experts from the Faculty of Materials Science and Technology and the CEET Centre of Nanotechnology, led by Vlastimil Matějka and Grażyna Simha Martynková, building on activities of the REFRESH project. The design and construction of EMU were primarily undertaken by Oto Mušálek. During the two-year development process, young researchers, including doctoral students Lukáš Plesník and Ondřej Mušálek, also joined the project. To improve communication between the unit and its control software, Vratislav Mareš was also involved in the development.
Patent Protection and Future Prospects
The breakthrough EMU solution is currently undergoing the patent application process, confirming its unique nature and exceptional scientific and technological contribution. There are two possible paths for its application: the laboratory may manufacture and offer the device commercially, or it may provide measurement and testing services for companies using EMU directly at the university. To enhance the commercial potential of the device, the researchers are considering establishing a university spin-off company.
The development of EMU is a model example of interdisciplinary cooperation between the Faculty of Materials Science and Technology and the CEET Centre of Nanotechnology. This synergy of expertise in materials engineering, electrochemistry, and nanotechnology enabled the creation of a device that opens new possibilities for research into energy materials.
“EMU strengthens the position of the Faculty of Materials Science and Technology and the Centre of Nanotechnology as leading research institutions in materials research in the Czech Republic and opens new pathways for future discoveries by the research team in the field of chemical energy storage. The interdisciplinary approach applied in the development of EMU creates a solid foundation for further breakthrough innovations in this strategically important area,” added Kamila Janovská, Dean of the Faculty of Materials Science and Technology at VSB-TUO.
