Zlín Research Reaches for Space: TBU Centre of Polymer Systems Showcases Its Work at Czech Space Week 2026
9. November 2026What role can advanced polymer materials play in space technologies? This was one of the questions explored by representatives of the Centre of Polymer Systems (CPS) at TBU in Zlín, who attended the international Space2Business event on 3 and 4 November as part of Czech Space Week 2026. Held at the prestigious Černín Palace in Prague, the event provided an opportunity to meet and exchange ideas with experts, companies and research institutions active in the space industry.
TBU was represented by Professor Ivo Kuřitka, Dr Pavel Urbánek and other researchers from the CPS. Their participation reflects the Centre’s strategic interest in researching materials and technologies with potential applications in the space sector.
“The space industry is a particularly exciting field, bringing together cutting-edge technologies, materials research and innovation. For us, it is important to share our expertise and research findings and to connect with partners who can put them into practice. Taking part in Czech Space Week gives us an opportunity to showcase our capabilities and explore new avenues for collaboration. It is an exceptionally well-organised event, bringing together key figures from the Czech space industry in one place,” says Professor Ivo Kuřitka of the TBU CPS, who leads its Nanomaterials and Advanced Technologies research group.
Polymer Materials Have a Role to Play in Space
“The space industry is a particularly exciting field, bringing together cutting-edge technologies, materials research and innovation. For us, it is important to share our expertise and research findings and to connect with partners who can put them into practice. Taking part in Czech Space Week gives us an opportunity to showcase our capabilities and explore new avenues for collaboration. It is an exceptionally well-organised event, bringing together key figures from the Czech space industry in one place,” says Professor Ivo Kuřitka of the TBU CPS, who leads its Nanomaterials and Advanced Technologies research group.
Materials used in space technologies must meet exceptionally demanding requirements. Depending on their intended application, they may need to withstand vacuum conditions, extreme temperature fluctuations, ultraviolet and ionising radiation, and exposure to atomic oxygen. This is where advanced polymer systems, composite materials and nanotechnologies offer considerable potential. Before new materials can be used in space, they must undergo rigorous testing. With this in mind, the TBU Centre of Polymer Systems is developing its research infrastructure to enable materials to be tested on Earth under selected conditions that simulate the space environment. Particular attention is being paid to the low Earth orbit environment, where thousands of satellites are now launched every year.
Expanding research activities in areas such as aerospace, the defence industry and space technologies also helps foster an innovative ecosystem, bringing together the various organisations involved in research and manufacturing across these sectors.
“We see considerable opportunities in aligning our research expertise with the specific needs of companies and other organisations operating in the space sector. It is important not only to demonstrate what we can do, but also to understand the technological challenges our partners face and identify where we can make a practical contribution through the development of advanced materials, the characterisation of their properties and the development of methods for testing their resistance to demanding conditions. Face-to-face meetings and expert discussions are essential to building these partnerships. It is hardly surprising that our Centre is investing considerable effort in innovative research in this field, given that the Zlín Region is home to many companies with a strong position in the aerospace and space industries. This sector is also one of the strategic industry domains identified in the Zlín Region’s Regional Innovation Strategy,” adds Dr Pavel Urbánek of the TBU CPS.
From Research to Practical Collaboration
Space2Business is the largest industrial event focused on the space sector in Central and Eastern Europe. It brings together Czech and international companies, start-ups, investors, research organisations, universities and representatives of public administration every year. The programme includes expert discussions, workshops and targeted B2B meetings.
For the TBU Centre of Polymer Systems, participation in the event is part of its ongoing efforts to build partnerships with organisations in the space, defence and aerospace industries. Last year, representatives of the Centre held a number of meetings with industrial partners, which led to the joint preparation of research projects. They also established contacts with research institutions, including Istanbul Technical University.
The aim of these activities is to strengthen Tomas Bata University’s position in the Czech and international research community and to explore new ways of applying the results of materials research carried out in Zlín in technologically advanced industrial sectors.
