Laboratory of Intelligent Materials and Structures (LIMS)

Main aims and activities

At the Laboratory of Intelligent Materials and Structures (LIMS), we investigate how a material's microscopic structure determines its electrical, mechanical and optical properties. We seek physical principles that can inform the design of new functional structures and improve the characterization of their behavior.

We conduct fundamental research into dielectric, piezoelectric and ferroelectric materials. We combine analytical modelling and numerical simulations with the development of experimental methods. Our particular interests include domain structures, coupling between electrical and mechanical phenomena, and interfacial properties. We emphasize physical understanding, model validation and original interdisciplinary research questions.

Research areas

Computational materials science. Thermodynamic and phase-field modelling of ferroelectrics, domain-wall motion and interactions with defects. Relationships between microstructure, material ageing and nonlinear dielectric response.
Solid–electrolyte interfaces. Modelling of the electrical double layer, ion distributions and coupling between polarization, surface charge and electrochemical processes. Development of nonlinear dielectric and optical methods for interface characterization.
Computational optics and imaging. Digital holography and tomographic reconstruction of domain structures in transparent crystals. Light-propagation modelling and reconstruction algorithms that account for refraction. Numerical interpretation of ultrafast acoustic experiments in thin films.
Piezoelectric systems and acoustic metamaterials. Transducers coupled to electronic circuits, control of their mechanical response and tuning of acoustic impedance for noise and vibration suppression.
Ferroelectric–semiconductor structures. Modelling of devices incorporating ferroelectric layers and domains, investigation of negative capacitance and its potential use in transistors and analogue computing.
Electromechanical phenomena in biological environments. Piezoelectric and flexoelectric mechanisms and interactions between functional surfaces and electrolytes. Long-term motivations include understanding biological processes and designing materials for biomedical applications.

Methods, development tools and experimental facilities

Our work builds on models derived from equilibrium and nonequilibrium thermodynamics, electrostatics, mechanics and transport processes. We use finite element and finite difference methods and phase-field simulations. We compare computational results with analytical predictions and experimental data.

Development tools and experimental methods
Tool or method	Use
COMSOL Multiphysics	Numerical solution of coupled physical problems and implementation of phase-field models.
Wolfram Language and custom computational tools	Symbolic model derivation, numerical computation and data processing.
WolframFreeFemLink and FreeFem++	Conversion of differential-equation systems into weak formulations and preparation of finite element calculations.
WolframComputationalOptics	Ray tracing, wavefront calculations, and direct and iterative tomographic reconstruction in refractive media.
WolframFDM and WolframChemicalEngineering	Discretization and numerical solution of nonlinear equations, and formulation of chemical-reaction kinetics models.

Experimental work draws on TUL facilities for electrical, impedance and piezoelectric measurements and the preparation of custom measurement fixtures. We develop optical methods in collaboration with the Laboratory of Optical Measurement Methods and the TOPTEC Centre of the Institute of Plasma Physics of the Czech Academy of Sciences. Raman spectroscopy and other specialized characterization within the current project are provided through collaboration with the Institute of Physics of the Czech Academy of Sciences. An integrated apparatus combining dielectric measurements with surface plasmon resonance is under development.

Expertise and opportunities for scientific collaboration

Development and physical interpretation of analytical and numerical models of functional materials.
Analysis of nonlinear dielectric data and mechanisms governing material response.
Modelling of piezoelectric transducers and their coupling to electronic circuits.
Development of computational methods for optical imaging, tomography and interface characterization.
Joint fundamental research projects, scientific consultation and supervision of student research.

We collaborate primarily with academic and research institutions. Our work addresses long-term scientific questions linking materials physics, optics, electronics, electrochemistry and biophysics.

Team and contact

Head of laboratory: Prof. Pavel Mokrý, Ph.D.

Laboratory team and research expertise
Team member	Research expertise
Pavel Mokrý	Computational physics, ferroelectrics, thermodynamic modelling, and dielectric and optical characterisation.
Jan Václavík	Optical and optomechanical systems, thin films, electronics for piezoelectric devices, and signal processing.
Vojtěch Lindauer	Interfacial electrochemical phenomena, electrical double-layer modelling and dielectric characterisation.
Vít Kosina	Phase-field modelling of ferroelectric and semiconductor structures.

E-mail: pavel.mokry@tul.cz

Current research project

Czech Science Foundation project 26-22841S — Advanced Characterization of Solid-Liquid Interfaces: Integrating Nonlinear Dielectric and Optical Sensing Techniques

Duration: 1 January 2026 – 31 December 2028.
Lead institution: Institute of Physics of the Czech Academy of Sciences; principal investigator Jan Pokorný.
Participating institution: Technical University of Liberec; investigator responsible for TUL Pavel Mokrý.
Funding body: Czech Science Foundation (GAČR).

The project investigates interfaces between solids and liquid electrolytes, particularly those involving piezoelectric oxides and polar dielectrics. It aims to improve models of the electrical double layer and determine properties of its compact Stern layer that are difficult to obtain through conventional measurements.

The research brings together three approaches:

Interface modelling: ion distributions accounting for finite ion size, electrical boundary conditions and electrochemical dynamics.
Nonlinear dielectric characterisation: analysis of responses to changes in voltage amplitude, DC bias and electrolyte thickness to determine interfacial-layer properties.
Optical characterisation: development of measurements using surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and Raman spectroscopy as complementary sources of information about the interface.

LIMS contributes particularly to modelling, the design of dielectric methods and development of the SPR arrangement. The project is expected to deliver new knowledge and characterisation methods that can support subsequent research into electrochemical devices, sensors and functional surfaces.

Official project information on the TUL faculty website

Research collaborations

Laboratory of Optical Measurement Methods, Faculty of Mechatronics, TUL: digital holography, optical imaging and characterization of acoustic and material systems; collaboration with Pavel Psota's team.
TOPTEC, Institute of Plasma Physics of the Czech Academy of Sciences: computational optics, optical measurement methods and optoelectronic systems.
Institute of Physics of the Czech Academy of Sciences: dielectric physics, material preparation and characterization, and the joint project on solid–liquid interfaces.
NTNU, Trondheim, Norway: collaboration with Julia Glaum's FACET group on piezoelectric materials, interactions with liquid environments and research motivated by biomedical questions; student research visits.
Faculty of Health Studies, TUL: development of interdisciplinary collaboration on materials and biological environments.