Applications of compressed fluids
Our research exploits the specific characteristics of selected
substances and water that they develop when subjected to elevated
pressures and temperatures. This enables a reduction by an order of
magnitude in the quantity of organic solvents required for the
extraction of natural substances and medicines from natural sources
and foodstuffs, or the complete replacement of these solvents with
water.
Concerning water, the application of exceedingly
high pressures and temperatures (p>250 bar, t>350°C) renders
water a single medium with the capacity to cause a complete chemical
decomposition of hazardous organic compounds without the generation
of residual products. Alternatively, water in this state is capable
of dissolving glass and silica. This is employed in the etching of
glass microchips, the modification of the internal surface of fused
silica capillaries, and the preparation of a novel type of
chromatographic column that cannot be prepared by any other method.
Collaborations
Mendel University in Brno, Department of Crop Science, Breeding
and Plant Medicine (Helena Pluháčková)
Silva Tarouca Research Institute for Landscape and Ornamental
Gardening, Průhonice, Czech Republic (Marián Šinko)
St. Anne's University Hospital Brno (Filip Růžička)
Projects
GA23-04703S “Alternative route to capillary monolithic silica
columns from discrete particles treated with supercritical water”
(2023-2025)
R200312401 “Monitoring of biologically
active compounds of selected plant species of the
Asteraceae family –
Matricaria chamomilla and new
genotypes of the genus Echinacea”
(2024)
