Education

• Ph.D. in Technology of macromolecular substances, Institute of Chemical Technology, Prague, Czech Republic, 2007, Influence of liquid rubbers on properties of rubber compounds
• M.Sc. in Technology of polymer manufacture and processing, Institute of Chemical Technology, Prague, 2003, Influence of liquid polybutadienes on properties of rubber compounds and their vulcanizates

 Career

• University of Chemistry and Technology, Prague, Associate Professor, since 2022
• University of Chemistry and Technology, Prague (formerly Institute of Chemical Technology, Prague), Assistant Professor, 2008 - 2022
• Institute of Chemical Technology, Prague, Researcher, 2007

Teaching

• Elastomers and Rubber Compounding Materials (M.Sc., Czech)
• Physics of Polymers (B.Sc., Czech)
• Introduction to Study of Materials (1/3, foreign students, English)
• Advanced Methods of Polymer Analysis (1/2, M.Sc., Czech)
• Laboratory trainings and projects (M.Sc.)
• Supervisor of bachelor, diploma and Ph.D. theses
• Supervisor of exchange students` projects

Grant projects in recent years

• NAKI III, DH23P03OVV038, Metody konsolidace křehkých pórovitých voskových pečetí (PI: B. Bartl, National Archive), team member, 2023-2027.
• TA ČR, NCK pro průmyslový 3D tisk, team member, 2023-2024.
• GA CR 18-08389S, Study of plasticization of polymeric membranes and thermodynamics of multicomponent sorption for the development of effective membrane separations (PI: O. Vopička), team member, 2018-2020.

Collaboration with industry

• Škoda Auto a.s.
• Saar Gummi Czech, s.r.o.
• PARAMO, a.s.
• Gumokov a.s.

and other companies

Committees and advisory boards

• Czech Society of Industrial Chemistry, Member of Board
• Czech Society of Industrial Chemistry - Rubber Division Zlín, Scientific Secretary

Research Interests

• Devulcanization of waste tyre rubber

Devulcanization of waste tyre rubber by non-traditional methods (e.g. microwave, bacteria). Analysis of devulcanization efficiency and selectivity (Horikx approach). Application of devulcanized rubber in new rubber formulations. Testing of the processing behavior and mechanical properties of the cured rubber.

Hrdlička Z., et al. Adv. Compos. Hybrid. Mater.  8, 105 (2025). DOI: 10.1007/s42114-024-01179-9

• Recycling of rubber: Application of fine rubber powders from waste tyres

Application of fine rubber powders originated from waste tyres in the production of fresh rubber compounds. Influence of milling process, powder pre-treatment, particle morphology and concentration on the processing behavior of the rubber compound and mechanical properties of the cured rubber.

Hrdlička Z., et al. Plast. Rubber Compos. 51 (10), 497-506 (2022). DOI: 10.1080/14658011.2021.2008713

• Polymeric materials for effective membrane separations

Development of polymeric materials for effective membrane separations (cooperation with Laboratory of Membrane Separation Processes, Assoc. Prof. Ondřej Vopička).

·         Durďáková T.‑M., et al. J. Polym. Sci. 62, 1781-1788 (2024). DOI: 10.1002/pol.20230776

Hovorka Š., et al. Polymer 290, 126502 (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2023.126502

         Other interests at UCT Prague

• member of Academic senate of FCT
• lector of Chemical club for secondary school students