AMPER 2025 in pictures: three days full of electrical engineering and BUT golden again

The prestigious international trade fair AMPER, which showcases the latest trends in electrical engineering, electronics, and energy, has completed its 31st edition, and Brno University of Technology (BUT) has once again made a strong impression. The university presented a total of seven exhibits. One of them, the FRASCAN II spectrometer from CEITEC BUT, impressed the expert jury so much that it was awarded the Golden AMPER.

The exposition was dominated by the original logo of the university. | Author: Václav Koníček

The expert jury of the Golden AMPER competition evaluated the registered exhibits on the first day of the fair and decided on the most beneficial exhibit of the event. The FRASCAN II project won in its category, ranking among the five awarded exhibits out of a total of 22 competitors. This unique electron spin resonance spectrometer finds applications not only in fundamental research but also in materials engineering, the pharmaceutical industry, and quantum informatics. "We faced very strong competition, not only from BUT and other universities but also from the industry. We are therefore proud that the result of our many years of effort caught the jury's attention and earned its recognition. We take this as motivation to continue developing top-notch devices," said project leader Petr Neugebauer from CEITEC BUT.

Petr Neugebauer (second from right) with colleagues from the research team. In the foreground, the winning Frascan II spectrometer they developed. | Author: Václav Koníček

This was the second consecutive year that BUT won the Golden AMPER. At last year's fair, the expert jury awarded Smartbox, a smart metering and load management system for power grids, developed in collaboration between the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Communication (FEEC BUT) and the distribution company EG.D.

Another exhibit from FEEC BUT that attracted many visitors was an autonomous swarm of robots and drones for remote reconnaissance. This is the result of collaboration with the University of Defence. The AI-controlled system is being developed primarily for the Czech Army, which could use it in case of a chemical plant accident, a dirty bomb incident, or a military attack. This exhibit will also be displayed at the upcoming international defense and security technology fair IDET.

A large part of the exposition was occupied by an autonomous swarm of robots and drones for remote sensing, from the left, its co-creators from FEEC BUT Jiří Janoušek and Luděk Žalud. | Author: Václav Koníček

The Faculty of Information Technology (FIT BUT) was represented at the fair by the research group Evolvable Hardware, which presented innovative software utilizing artificial intelligence for automated circuit design. These circuits implement AI algorithms directly on chips. The software can save up to several tens of percent of energy at the cost of almost imperceptible errors in output.

FIT BUT was represented by the research group Evolvable Hardware with innovative software based on the use of artificial intelligence for automated circuit design. | Author: Václav Koníček

The Faculty of Mechanical Engineering (FME BUT) was represented by the student team TU Brno Racing, which showcased its latest electric racing car, the Dragon e4. The formula car incorporates many interesting conceptual and design solutions, both mechanical and electronic. The students design and manufacture all low-voltage units, the battery management system, cabling, and even the frequency converter that powers the vehicle.

The latest competition electric monopost Dragon e4 of the TU Brno Racing student team. | Author: Václav Koníček

TU Brno Racing also offered a circuit driving simulator. | Author: Václav Koníček

Start-ups Lightigo and Cactux showcased several technology transfer results originating from CEITEC BUT. The in-situ soldering BOX from CactuX is designed to simulate the soldering process, enabling the examination of the internal structure of electronic components.

CactuX's in-situ soldering BOX is used to simulate the soldering process. | Author: Václav Koníček

Lightigo presented two products. The miniFly spectrometer is used for elemental analysis of samples, such as rapid sorting of metal waste or online detection of toxic elements in the quality control of recycled plastics. Another device, called SyncRay, is used for digital synchronization and pulse generation with nanosecond precision.

The miniFly spectrometer has applications for elemental analysis of samples, for example for rapid sorting of metal waste. | Author: Václav Koníček

SyncRay is used for digital synchronization and pulse generation with nanosecond precision. | Author: Václav Koníček

AMPER 2025 took place at the Trade Fairs Brno from March 18 to 20. The largest international trade fair for electrical engineering, electronics, and energy in the Czech Republic and Slovakia featured exhibitions from 440 exhibitors from 25 countries and was visited by 26,000 attendees.