On 29 July 2026, the Czech Optical Cluster held another online Optical Coffee Chat, this time focused on Defence and Optics. The guest of the meeting was the HiLASE Centre, whose representatives presented their current research activities and opportunities for collaboration with industry.
Jan Brajer introduced the Centre’s main research areas and emphasized the importance of balancing the development of new applications with the successful completion of ongoing projects. He also highlighted laser technologies for defence applications, with a particular focus on laser-based manufacturing technologies that can be utilized in the defence sector, and presented both current and upcoming research projects.
His presentation was followed by Tomáš Thoř, who introduced systems for the detection, localization, identification, and tracking of objects in both the visible and infrared spectrum. Radek Pobořil then presented his research on the interaction of laser radiation with materials.
The discussion also addressed the future development of defence technologies, where a shift towards higher Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) and closer cooperation between research organizations and industrial companies is expected.
The Czech Optical Cluster will continue to actively support the field of photonics for defence applications by creating opportunities to share current trends, foster new partnerships, and strengthen collaboration between research institutions and industry.
The topic of this Optical Coffee Chat will also be further explored during the conference “Optical and Defence Technologies in the New Security Reality: Cooperation between Industry, Research and the Armed Forces for a Safer Czech Republic and Europe”, which will take place on 23–24 September 2026 in Brno, at the University of Defence Club. The conference will provide another platform for expert discussion and for strengthening cooperation between research organizations, industry, and representatives of the defence sector.
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