The University of Hradec Králové was awarded almost CZK 15 million in support of an applied research, experimental development and innovation programme. The number of researchers interested was overwhelming

“This is great news because such support will enable the Proof of Concept project to go on. It was launched successfully and aims to promote an increase in the application potential of R&D results that have been facilitated here at the UHK since 2015,” explains Leona Stašová, Vice-Rector for Creative Activities, how important this achievement is.

In the past, Proof of Concept projects worked on at the University of Hradec Králové were always carried out under the GAMA 1 project run by the same agency. “Let’s remind ourselves of two projects run by Dr. Filip Studnička, Faculty of Science, UHK. He researched and developed Supportive Solutions for Diagnosing Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Equipment for Arthrosis Progression Self-Diagnosis and the Development of the Femoroacetabular Impingement Syndrome (FAI) in At Risk Groups,” Vice-Rector Stašová highlights past successful projects. Professor Ondřej Krejcar, Faculty of Informatics and Management, worked on image processing using the gradual brightness gradient method and the design and realisation of Smart Furniture solutions for the elderly and persons with respiratory restrictions in areas where dispersion conditions are not good. Many interesting applications spawned by the University of Hradec Králové have found their place in society, especially for commercial purposes. An example may be the development of smart furniture under the SMART FURNITURE Project by Dr. Richard Cimler, Faculty of Science.

The Creative Activities and Knowledge Transfer Department of the University of Hradec Králové, therefore, launched the first call for in-house projects on November 1, 2019. The aim is to promote an increase in the application potential of research and development – Proof of Concept under the Programme of Applied Research, Experimental Development and Innovation GAMA 2.

“The objective of the call is to assess and validate the anticipated application potential of research and development carried out at the University of Hradec Králové through sub-projects that will be undertaken following this call. The recommended duration of each supported sub-project is between 6–24 months. The maximum annual aid amount per sub-project is CZK 700,000. By contrast, the minimum annual aid amount per sub-project is CZK 100,000. Amazingly, although we received 21 applications, we will be supporting only 5 projects,” adds Leona Stašová, Vice-Rector.

“Proof of Concept projects are a great opportunity how to transform scientific results into practical applications,” notes Kamil Kuča, UHK Rector, and adds: “Why, apart from financial support and an individual commercialisation plan, researchers will also benefit from consultations with experts on technology transfer and they can naturally count on the Creative Activities and Knowledge Transfer Department of the University of Hradec Králové for support.”

 

The following projects will be supported:

• Using advanced signal processing methods to continually determine the condition of bridge structures

Researcher: doc. RNDr. Jan Šlégr, Ph.D.

The tragic fall of the Morandi Bridge on Italy’s A10 motorway over the River Polceveraho in Genoa and the collapse of the Troja Footbridge linking Stromovka Park and the Prague Zoo have shown that bridges need to be monitored and assessed on a continual basis. The submitted project focuses on developing a device that will be attached to the bridgework and which will monitor, on an on-going basis, the condition of the bridge. It should also detect any deviation from the norm and, should this be the case, it will then automatically alert the authority in charge of the bridge. The research will also focus on determining and reporting traffic flow.

• Parkinson’s disease progression monitoring system

Researcher: RNDr. Filip Studnička, Ph.D.

The research aims at unravelling a unique solution for identifying the progress of Parkinson’s disease through sensors embedded in furniture. The research project also aims to widen the possibilities associated with the Smart Furniture created under a GAMA 1 project supported by the Technology Agency of the Czech Republic and run at our University. The current project will see sensors modified so as to detect tremors associated with Parkinson's disease and they will facilitate monitoring how the disease is progressing.

• Decision support system for the diagnosis of emphysema

Researcher: doc. RNDr. Kamila Štekerová, Ph.D.

Kamila Štekerová, Dr. Karel Mls and post graduate students of the Department of Information Technologies, Faculty of Informatics and Management, UHK, together with Dr. Ondřej Živný from the University Hospital in Hradec Králové will be working on the project referred to as the Decision Support System for the Diagnosis of Emphysema. The aim of the project is to create an application that will help chest doctors and pneumologists shorten and reduce the cost of the process of diagnosing emphysema. A new x-ray evaluation algorithm and a knowledge base for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and emphysema will stand at the heart of the application.

• Particle sensors based on the principle of digital image processing

Researcher: prof. Ing. Ondřej Krejcar, Ph.D.

The aim of the project is to verify Proof of Concept variants of particle sensors using advanced digital camera image analysis. We expect to cover a whole range of dust particle sizes with the use of a single sensor. We would also like to create detailed histograms on solid particles. This sort of detection will be much sought after in the near future given the on-going implementation of standards following from ISO 21501, addressing the dust issue in general. Achievements will primarily generate several functional samples, a prototype and a patent filed in regards to the new sensors. We generally expect a potentially wide range of use, for example in households, hospitals, dust-free areas, office space, shopping malls, and the like. The sensors may also be used in heavy industries as information regarding particle content could be uploaded to existing air analysis systems.

• VDS – the vibration diagnostic system

Researcher: Ing. Michal Dobrovolný

The project is concerned with the service life of rotating machines using vibration analysis within the framework of Industry 4.0. The core parts of the project include life prediction and identification of the problematic parts of rotating machines (pumps, turbines, compressors, ventilators, generators, and the like). The project will result in software using neural networks thanks to which it will be possible to prevent the destruction of the machine or defects causing extensive damage. 

Funded under the Programme of Applied Research, Experimental Development and Innovation GAMA 2, sub-project 1 - Proof-of-Concept, Project TP01010032, Creative Activities and Knowledge Transfer Department of the University of Hradec Králové.