125 Years of FME: Exhibition in the Heart of Brno Showcases Technology That Changes the World

The Faculty of Mechanical Engineering at Brno University of Technology is celebrating 125 years since its founding. To mark this anniversary, the faculty has prepared an open-air panel exhibition presenting cutting-edge research, development, and examples of technical innovations created at the faculty. The exhibition “125 Years of Innovation for the Future” opens the world of technology to the general public right in the center of Brno. It will be on display at Moravské náměstí from September 29 to October 27, 2025.

The history of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering at Brno University of Technology dates back to 1900. Generations of talented students and leading scientists have shaped—and continue to shape—the future not only of mechanical engineering but of the entire industrial world. Today, after 125 years of innovation, collaboration, and success, we proudly look back on our past and confidently face the challenges of the future. More information about the anniversary and the schedule of celebratory events can be found here. 

Research That Thinks About a Sustainable Future

Although the individual panels cover a wide range of topics—from semiconductor physics to waste sorting—they share a common goal: to showcase meaningful technology that responds to today’s challenges. Many of the projects also reflect the theme of sustainability, which runs through the development of new materials, solutions for cleaner water, energy-efficient chips, and manufacturing processes that minimize waste. “Through this exhibition, we want to remind the public not only of the faculty’s rich history but also of its mission, which has remained relevant for 125 years: to connect science, education, and innovation, and to deliver technical solutions for the world around us,” says Kateřina Růžičková, the exhibition’s author.

Exhibition Panel Topics

MATHEMATICS THAT ILLUMINATES THE SUN

Using special filters and instruments developed by experts at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, researchers capture images of total solar eclipses. Their mathematical processing reveals the structure and dynamics of the Sun’s corona. The calculations help us understand the behavior of solar plasma and the effects of solar activity on Earth—such as auroras or disruptions in power grids.

CAVIPLASMA FOR CLEANER WATER

The CaviPlasma device, developed in collaboration between the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Masaryk University, and the Institute of Botany of the Czech Academy of Sciences, combines cavitation and low-temperature plasma to effectively remove micropollutants (residues of pharmaceuticals, hormones, pesticides) and pathogenic microorganisms from water. The technology can treat large volumes without chemicals and may be used for wastewater treatment or in producing plasma-activated water for agriculture, aquaculture, or decontamination.

BEHIND EVERY CHIP IS PHYSICS

Before a chip becomes part of a mobile phone or car, many experts contribute to its development and production. At the beginning are physicists—such as those at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering—who study semiconductor behavior, select suitable materials, and develop new manufacturing and testing methods. Thanks to their work, modern chips are more powerful, reliable, and energy-efficient.

WASTE IS SCIENCE

Each person in the Czech Republic produces over half a ton of municipal waste every year. Some is reused, but much still ends up in landfills. As landfilling is set to end soon, the classic “where to put it” question is becoming increasingly urgent. Process engineers from the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering are helping with solutions. Their newest tool, designed to improve the efficiency of waste collection companies, is aptly named Popelka (“Cinderella”).

THOSE WHO LUBRICATE, SEE CLEARLY

Dry eye syndrome affects a growing number of people. Artificial tears can help. Researchers at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering study biotribology—the friction, lubrication, and wear of natural tissues such as cartilage, fascia, and the eye, as well as joint implants, including those produced by 3D printing. For the company Contipro, for example, they tested a derivative of hyaluronic acid used in eye drops that provides a natural, effective, and gentle tear film.

INNOVATION IN THE AIR

Modern aviation emphasizes lightness, efficiency, and advanced technology. One example is the TL-5000 Sparker aircraft, designed according to the latest European regulations. Experts from the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering played a major role in its development, helping to shape a new generation of aircraft—with longer range, better equipment, and lower operating costs—and they’re not afraid to reach for space technologies either!

WHEN FORMULAS RUN ON ELECTRICITY

A team of students from Brno University of Technology, based at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, designs and builds its own racing formula car each year. Recently, they’ve focused on electric drive, aerodynamics, and efficient energy use. The project is not only a showcase of engineering skills but also training for the future of electromobility—fast, smart, and sustainable transport. For instance, Dragon e5 accelerates from zero to one hundred in just three seconds!

A ROBOT WITH A DIGITAL TWIN

Developing new production lines can be faster, more precise, and cheaper. Experts from the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering are creating a digital twin of a robotic cell—a virtual model that allows designs to be tested in advance, processes optimized, and operations monitored remotely. This reduces costs, defects, and preparation time. The digital twin is becoming a key tool in modern automation and robotics.

BIG DISCOVERIES IN THE NANOWORLD

Researchers from the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering recently discovered that a potato starch grain, thanks to its unique structure, acts as a microlens capable of simultaneously focusing, polarizing, and spinning a light beam into a vortex. From a physics standpoint, starch thus performs spin-orbital conversion of light—a phenomenon previously achievable only with advanced nanotechnologies. The discovered mechanism expands possibilities for controlling light and could be used in next-generation sensors, data transmission, and quantum computers.