Czechoslovakia/Czech Republic as a leader in polymer technologies in Central Europe: from contact lenses to 3D printing
The result's identifiers
Result code in IS VaVaI
<a href="https://www.isvavai.cz/riv?ss=detail&h=RIV%2F68407700%3A21230%2F24%3A00379146" target="_blank" >RIV/68407700:21230/24:00379146 - isvavai.cz</a>
Result on the web
<a href="https://doi.org/10.14311/AP.2024.64.0194" target="_blank" >https://doi.org/10.14311/AP.2024.64.0194</a>
DOI - Digital Object Identifier
<a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.14311/AP.2024.64.0194" target="_blank" >10.14311/AP.2024.64.0194</a>
Alternative languages
Result language
angličtina
Original language name
Czechoslovakia/Czech Republic as a leader in polymer technologies in Central Europe: from contact lenses to 3D printing
Original language description
The Czech Republic prides itself on a long-standing tradition in the scientific field of polymer studies and technologies. Seen in this light, the following article seeks to single out this particular tradition and to highlight some of the facts concerning practical applications that have been significantly enhanced by Czech experts such as Otto Wichterle in the latter half of the 20th century. Otto Wichterle, a prominent Czech chemist, revolutionised the field of ophthalmology with his invention of soft contact lenses. Despite the restrictive regime of Communist Czechoslovakia, Wichterle’s innovative work in organic chemistry, plastics, and biomaterials led to the development of hydrophilic soft contact lenses. His home-based experimental setup, which included a children construction set, a bicycle light battery, a phonograph motor, and homemade glass tubing and moulds, resulted in the creation of a transparent and absorbent gel suitable for eye implants. Wichterle’s pioneering work has had a profound global impact, with his invention now used by over 100 million people worldwide. His research has also paved the way for the development of “smart” biomaterials used in various medical devices.
Czech name
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Czech description
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Classification
Type
J<sub>imp</sub> - Article in a specialist periodical, which is included in the Web of Science database
CEP classification
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OECD FORD branch
60301 - Philosophy, History and Philosophy of science and technology
Result continuities
Project
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Continuities
S - Specificky vyzkum na vysokych skolach
Others
Publication year
2024
Confidentiality
S - Úplné a pravdivé údaje o projektu nepodléhají ochraně podle zvláštních právních předpisů
Data specific for result type
Name of the periodical
Acta Polytechnica
ISSN
1210-2709
e-ISSN
1805-2363
Volume of the periodical
64
Issue of the periodical within the volume
3
Country of publishing house
CZ - CZECH REPUBLIC
Number of pages
11
Pages from-to
194-204
UT code for WoS article
001278602700001
EID of the result in the Scopus database
2-s2.0-85200725654