FunGlass Researchers Honored with the CO₂-Free Prize

The French company Framatome, a global leader in nuclear energy, together with the French Embassy in Slovakia, launched the CO₂-Free Prize to support and recognize outstanding Slovak scientific research in fields that contribute to nuclear innovation and environmental protection.

This prestigious competition awarded one prize in each of the following categories:

Applications for nuclear energy technologies
Scientific contributions to environmental protection

We are proud to share that Dr. Diana Lago was awarded the prize in the category Applications of nuclear energy technologies for her work titled: “CO₂-free nuclear future through advanced strategies for cesium immobilization in glass waste”. Her research addresses innovative approaches to safely managing nuclear waste, contributing to a more sustainable and low-carbon future.

In the second category, the prize was awarded to Dr. Akansha Mehta for her project: “Sustainable utilization of Bauxite residue waste and unrecyclable pharmaceutical glasses for the fabrication of membranes for wastewater treatment applications”. Her work focuses on circular economy solutions to transform industrial waste into functional materials for environmental remediation.

Both awarded researchers are from the Glass Processing Department.

The prize ceremony took place on April 8th at the Institut Français de Slovaquie, located in the historic heart of Bratislava.

We would like to extend our gratitude to Framatome and the French Embassy in Slovakia for their support and recognition of young scientific talent. This collaboration has also strengthened the scientific partnership between both countries and fostered new opportunities for international research exchange.

From left: Members of the jury representing the company FRAMATOME: Violaine Chalon Roux and Gilles Perrin, Akansha Mehta, Diana Lago and the French Ambassador to Slovakia, H.E. Mr. Nicolas Suran