Jiří Kroužek, Ph.D.

Education and Professional Experience:
-    2010: Ing. (M.Sc.) – Environmental Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Environmental Technology, UCT Prague
-    2015: Ph.D. – Environmental Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Environmental Technology, UCT Prague
-    2011–present: Department of Environmental Chemistry, UCT Prague – initially as a researcher, currently as an Assistant Professor
-    2015–2024: Project Manager (part-time, 0.5 FTE), Dekonta, a.s. – Remediation and Environmental Projects Division
-    10/2014–01/2015: Research Internship (ERASMUS), Karlsruhe, Germany – Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Institute for Pulsed Power and Microwave Technology (IHM)

Research Focus:
He has long been dedicated to applied research into the development of innovative environmental technologies in areas such as waste recycling, hazardous waste treatment, wastewater and waste gas purification, contaminated site remediation, and safety engineering. In an environmental context, his research focuses primarily on applying advanced methods that significantly intensify decontamination and recycling processes. These encompass microwave, photochemical, electrochemical, plasma, catalytic, and membrane technologies, Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOPs), as well as conventional physicochemical separation processes featuring novel designs. Furthermore, his work covers other areas of applied environmental chemistry, including contamination assessment, environmental sampling and analysis, and the environmental fate and transport of pollutants.

Motto 
"The full potential of innovation is unlocked only through the synergy between a deep understanding of fundamental principles and whole-system engineering."

Implementing innovative techniques in environmental engineering is not a panacea in itself. However, I am convinced that modern technologies hold the key to addressing certain environmental challenges. Their practical potential is often realized only under narrowly defined conditions, the identification of which demands rigorous systemic research and an integrated approach. I consider overcoming these demands an integral part of tackling contemporary issues. To effectively leverage the benefits of a novel advanced technique within system engineering, it is essential to align its advantages and underlying principles with an in-depth understanding of the target problem and all associated externalities.

Ongoing Research Projects:

• VK02030263: Robotic Device for On-Site Decontamination of Hazardous Pressure Cylinders (2026-2028), Lead Investigator for the Co-beneficiary (UCT Prague)

Recent Publications (Last 5 Years):

• Kroužek, J., Rippelová, V., McGachy, L., Škarohlíd, R., Hendrych, J., Mašín, P. (2025). Microwave-enhanced catalytic oxidation of VOCs: from lab-scale optimization to pilot-scale industrial application. Results in Engineering, 28 (December 2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.rineng.2025.108096.
• Rippelová, V., McGachy, L., Janků, J., Kroužek, J. (2024). Estimating Tetrachloroethene Sorption Coefficients Based on Soil Properties in Organic-Poor Soils. Applied Sciences-Basel, 2024(14), 11761. DOI: 10.3390/app142411761.
• Těšínská, P., Škarohlíd, R., Kroužek, J., McGachy, L. (2024). Environmental fate of organic UV filters: Global occurrence, transformation, and mitigation via advanced oxidation processes. Environmental Pollution, 363(1), 125134. DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.125134.
• McGachy, L., Kroužek, J., Škarohlíd, R. (2024). Perzistentní organické látky PFAS: výzvy, dopady a legislativní opatření. Chemické listy, 118(12), 639–644. DOI: 10.54779/chl20240639.

Applied Research Results (Last 5 Years):

• Patent CZ 308 959 – Kroužek J., Mašín P., Rippelová V., Škarohlíd R., Hendrych J., Durďák V.: Method of removing acutely toxic substances from air, especially in emergency situations, and a device for this, (2021)
• Utility Model CZ 37333 - Mašín P., Hlásenský I., Kroužek J., Tišler Z., Peroutková K.: A device for photocatalytic wastewater treatment
• Verified Technology – Kroužek J., Mašín P., Tišler Z.; TTechnology of catalytic decontamination of industrial air streams, (2024)
• Verified Technology – Mašín P., Kroužek J., Durďák V., Tišler Z.; Technology of catalytic dehalogenation of hazardous waste, (2024)
• Verified Technology – Kroužek J, Hlásenský I., Dymák M.; VB01000054-V1Plasmicat technology for hazardous air decontamination, (2023)

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