Brno welcomes Japan’s electron microscopy community

The annual meeting of the Japanese SEM Physics Group officially started today at the Institute of Scientific Instruments of the Czech Academy of Sciences (ISI CAS). The meeting, taking place in Brno for the first time, was opened by Prof. Josef Lazar, Director of ISI CAS, followed by a welcome from H. E. Mr Kansuke Nagaoka, Ambassador of Japan to the Czech Republic.

“Electron microscopy has a long tradition of cooperation between Czech and Japanese partners, and it is a great honour for us to host a delegation from the Japanese electron microscopy community here in Brno. This longstanding cooperation continues to develop, thanks in particular to Dr Šárka Mikmeková, Head of the Microscopy for Materials Science research group. Her several years of professional experience in Japan and her strong connections with the Japanese scientific community have helped to further strengthen these links.” — Prof. Josef Lazar, Director of ISI CAS.

The meeting is organised by the Microscopy for Materials Science research group at ISI CAS, led by Dr Šárka Mikmeková. From 2012 to 2018, Dr Mikmeková worked for JFE Steel Corporation in Japan, at its sites in Chiba, Fukuyama and finally Kawasaki. Her experience and long-standing connections with the Japanese microscopy community have played an important role in bringing this meeting to Brno.

Over the coming days, Czech and Japanese researchers will exchange expertise and discuss the latest developments in electron microscopy. The programme also includes visits to Brno-based companies and laboratories, including Tescan, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Delong Instruments, AdvaScope and NenoVision.

The programme also features Dr Ilona Müllerová, Vice-President of the Czech Academy of Sciences, a prominent figure in Brno’s electron microscopy community and a pioneer in low-energy electron microscopy. Her presentation, From Tradition to Innovation: SEM at ISI Brno, reflects the long journey of electron microscopy in Brno and its continuing development.

Long-standing scientific ties between Japan and Brno are at the heart of this meeting. We are delighted to welcome our Japanese colleagues and to continue building bridges between the Czech and Japanese electron microscopy communities.

Brno | 6.–9. September 2026

More about the meeting: brnosemphysics.org

Photo of the meeting participants