University of Chemical Technology Prague, Czech Republic, EU
Position: Full Professor and Head of the Department of Inorganic Technology, University of Chemical Technology Prague, Czech Republic
Specialization: Electrochemistry and Electrochemical Engineering focused on the areas of hydrogen technology (fuel cells and water electrolysis) and water processing, including mathematical modelling.
At the NANOCON´24 conference Karel Bouzek will open the Session B – Industrial and Environmental Applications of Nanomaterials by the lecture “Engineering aspects of the PEM fuel cell electrode construction.”
Personal Background and Education:
Prof. Karel Bouzek obtained his MSc. degree in technical chemistry and chemical technology from the University of Chemistry and Technology (UCT) Prague, Czech Republic (1991) and his Ph.D. in Electrochemical Synthesis of Iron Oxides from the same university (1997). As part of his Ph.D. research, he spent 5 months at NTNU Trondheim (Norway) in the lab of Prof. Jomar Thonstad. After receiving his Ph.D. he became a lecturer at the Department of Inorganic Technology of UCT Prague. He was awarded an Alexander von Humboldt Fellowship for the years 1998-99 which he spent at Karl Winnacker Institute of DECHEMA e.V., Germany, working with Prof. Klaus Juettner on problems relating to the utilization of conducting polymers in PEM-type fuel cell technology.
In the year 2001 he was habilitated (Associate Professor) in the field of Inorganic Technology and he was appointed Professor of Inorganic Technology in 2005, at the Department of Inorganic Technology UCT Prague where he has been Head of department since 2002. Currently, he is also the vice dean of the Faculty of Inorganic Technology, University of Chemical Technology Prague.
Research interests:
Research interests of Karel Bouzek are particularly in the area of electrochemistry and electrochemical engineering. Besides the electrochemical synthesis of Ferrate (VI), Karel Bouzek’s research has focused mainly on water pollution abatement, namely the removal of heavy metals and the electrochemical reduction of nitrates. Later on, his attention also turned to the complex problems of fuel cells, starting with the utilization of conducting polymers in this type of technology, the development of novel polymer electrolyte materials. More recently, the problematics of water electrolysis and high temperature solid oxides cells widened his field of interest in the hydrogen technologies. The attention is primarily focused on the cell’s components development and characterisation, including process engineering aspects. This involves also gas-diffusion electrodes based on the innovative materials and their implementation into the fuel cells and water electrolysis technology, as well as construction of corresponding cells. In the last years, his interests have also included the utilization of microstructured reactors in electrochemical synthesis. An inevitable part of his activities involves mathematical modelling, specifically on hydrogen related technologies, like fuel cells and water electrolysis.
Summary of publication activity:
Author and co-author of 170 publications in international peer-reviewed journals. Around 5.650 citations and H-index: 43 (WoS, January 2024).
Membership in editorial boards: Journal of Applied Electrochemistry (Springer), Electrochemical Science Advances (Willey).
Other results of research activities:
He is also co-author of 10 patents, 23 Utility models, and 6 Pilot plants.