Reports

A long-standing open problem of linear systems theory – decoupling by static state feedback – has been resolved by Professor Vladimír Kučera from the Czech Institute of Informatics, Robotics, and Cybernetics. The earliest known investigation of system decoupling dates back to 1934, a state space formulation of the problem appeared in 1964, and a solution for square and invertible systems followed in 1967. The general case of right invertible systems, however, has withstood all past efforts to obtain a solution.

On 24 May, the Neuron Prize for Young Scientists was presented at Archa Theater in Prague. Associate Professor Daniel Sýkora from the Department of Computer Graphics and Interaction of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering of the Czech Technical University was among the winners, thanks to algorithms helping illustrators at work. For the first time in history, the award was awarded in the field of computer science.

At the Faculty of Information Technology of CTU, a laboratory focused on film production was officially opened on 18 May. The modern workplace was created thanks to cooperation with the international IT company, Showmax.

Jakub Vašek, student of the Faculty of Civil Engineering of the Czech Technical University, placed third in the Xella international competition. It was held for twenty-first time and the subject this year was design of the new building of the Moravian Gallery in Brno.

On 20 May, the lock chamber at Hněvkovice near Týn nad Vltavou was opened for the public. It is the last lock chamber on the waterway from the Orlík reservoir to České Budějovice. It will allow boats with a width of up to 6 meters, lengths up to 45 m and displacement of 300 tons to be able to leave the Orlík reservoir for České Budějovice.

The third annual Jan Lewinski Memorial - Student Iron Firefighter of the Faculty of Biomedical Engineering was held on 17 May. About 25 students and 11 students from secondary schools and colleges competed for the title of Iron Firefighter. In the men's category, Jakub Zahradník won the race in less than five minutes and in women´s category it was Denisa Vápeníková, both of them from VŠB-TU Ostrava. Students from FBMI have won three medals.

The XGLU student startup, engaged in the development of a battery-free meter, won the first place in the Czech-Slovak finals of the Microsoft Imagine Cup competition in Bratislava. Marek Novák, Tomáš Pikous and Barbora Suchanová secured their participation in the global finals in Seattle, where they will compete it latter July with top ten university teams from around the world.

On 10 May, the Technical Administration of Roadways of the Capital of Prague (TSK) published conclusions of the diagnostics of the sub-bases and foundation of third pillar of the Libeňský Bridge. This was done by the Klokner Institute of the Czech Technical University in Prague between December 2016 and May 2017. The aim of the study was to verify the actual state of the concrete and sub-base of the pillar and to compare the results with the available archive materials and backgrounds from the already made diagnostic surveys on the main bridge across the river and on the flood bridge of Libeň .

The rector of CTU, prof. Petr Konvalinka, doc. Miloš Polášek, Managing Director of Porsche Engineering Services and Dipl. Ing. Dirk Lappe, Chairman of the Board of Porsche Engineering Services, signed a framework cooperation agreement In the newly opened premises of the CTU - CIIRC building on 3 May. Its main objective is to participate in joint research projects, support of university laboratories and provide professional lectures for students.

The opening ceremony of the new CTU - CIIRC building was held on 2 May. This important event was attended by CTU rector Petr Konvalinka, the director of the Institute, Vladimír Mařík, the President of the Czech Republic, Miloš Zeman, the Prime Minister, Bohuslav Sobotka, HOCHTIEF CZ Board member Tomas Koranda, VCES General Director Zdeněk Pokorný, and also robots used by CTU for scientific and research purposes.