Czech Lasers Aim for the Future: Science, Space, and Technology from Czechia to Shine at EXPO 2025 in Osaka
Czechia is preparing to showcase the very best of its scientific and technological capabilities. As part of the EXPO 2025 World Exhibition in Osaka, Japan, the Czech Pavilion will host the prestigious international conference “Photonics, Lasers, Space: Designing the Future Society – Vision 2040.” The event is organised by the Extreme Light Infrastructure ERIC (ELI ERIC) in collaboration with the Czech Optical Cluster and other Czech and Japanese partners. The conference will take place from September 9–11, 2025, bringing together top scientists, technology leaders, innovative companies, and public sector representatives from Europe and Asia.
EXPO 2025: A Global Stage for the Future
EXPO in Osaka represents one of the world’s most significant platforms for presenting advancements in technology, science, and innovation. The Czech participation carries both symbolic and practical weight—offering a unique opportunity to showcase Czech research, space projects, and industrial potential in a global context. It strengthens the country’s position as an innovation-driven nation capable of providing solutions for a digital and sustainable future. Additionally, it will serve as a venue to highlight and deepen Czech-Japanese cooperation.
Lasers, Photonics, and Space: Pillars of the 21st Century
Laser and photonics technologies are now shaping critical industries—from energy, medicine, and quantum technologies to space exploration and metrology. Czechia excels in this field not only thanks to its research infrastructure but also through successful participation in international space missions and the development of advanced components and systems.
Topics represented at the conference include:
- Energy: Laser-driven nuclear fusion, photonics for sustainable resources
- Healthcare and Biotechnology: Non-invasive therapies, advanced diagnostics
- Quantum Technologies and Metrology: Optical clocks, precision measurement
- Space Research and Technology: Solar system and deep space exploration, X-ray spectroscopy, optics, and other space technologies
- Industrial Applications: Laser machining, inspection systems, advanced materials, semiconductor metrology
"World Expositions have always been a stage for the most significant innovations and technological milestones of their time. We are therefore pleased to showcase in Osaka how Czech science, photonics, and space technologies – combined with talent and creativity – open up new possibilities for industry, research, and everyday life. We believe this presentation will strengthen Czechia’s international prestige and create opportunities for new collaborations," says Ondřej Soška, Czech Commissioner General for EXPO 2025.
Czech Partners: Research Excellence and High-Tech Industry
The conference “Photonics, Lasers, Space: Designing the Future Society – Vision 2040” was initiated by ELI ERIC, which has long been fostering international collaboration with leading Japanese research institutions in laser and photonics technologies. The event is co-organized in partnership with the Czech Optical Cluster.
The content and organization involve top Czech research institutions and technology companies specializing in laser, photonics, and space applications. The Czech Optical Cluster is a key industry platform uniting top businesses, research institutions, and universities. It plays a crucial role in systematically connecting research, industry, and education. Its mission is to foster long-term development of the Czech optical industry, enhance international competitiveness of its members, and ensure visibility of Czech photonics within European innovation frameworks.
The Czech research organizations participating in the conference include ELI ERIC (Extreme Light Infrastructure), the HiLASE Centre at the Institute of Physics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, CEITEC VUT – Central European Institute of Technology, and the Astronomical Institute of the Czech Academy of Sciences. From the technology sector, the conference will feature SQS Vláknová optika a.s., specializing in the development and production of fiber optic and optoelectronic systems; IQS nano, focused on developing and manufacturing 3D printing systems for ultra-precise applications in optics and photonics, microfabrication, and bioengineering; the start-up CactuX s.r.o., oriented toward non-destructive testing and X-ray inspection; Rigaku Innovative Technologies Europe, a manufacturer of X-ray detectors, optics, and sources for the semiconductor industry and materials research; and Lightigo, specializing in contactless elemental analysis using LIBS technology.
The conference is also the result of close international cooperation with Japan. Co-organizers include the Institute of Laser Engineering (ILE) at Osaka University and the Kansai Photon Science Institute (KPSI) at the National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology (QST). The program will feature experts from JAXA, the University of Tokyo, Nagoya University, Kyoto University, and the SPring-8 research center. Strong involvement from industry representatives and innovative companies is also expected.
Czech Science and Technology with Global Reach
The three-day event will feature keynote lectures, thematic sessions, and panel discussions involving leading Czech and Japanese experts. The program will also include educational activities for students, networking opportunities, and business meetings, including the signing of cooperation memoranda.
“EXPO is a great opportunity not only for the international presentation of Czech science and technology but above all for building new strategic partnerships and expanding international collaboration. We believe that combining Czech innovation, creativity, and research expertise with Japanese technological tradition, precision, and long-term vision has immense potential to deliver outcomes that will have a real impact not only in Europe and Asia but globally,” says Roman Hvězda, Director of the ELI Beamlines Centre.