Michal Valášek

Dr. Michal Valášek is a Project Leader in the Synthetic Chemistry department at the Institute of Nanotechnology, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), where he leads research in tailor-made molecules for electronics. He is also the Deputy General Safety Officer and Waste Water Officer, reflecting his broader institutional responsibilities.

His educational background includes a Master's and PhD in Chemistry from Charles University in Prague, with doctoral research on molecular electronics components. He was a visiting researcher at the University of Colorado at Boulder and served as a teaching assistant at Charles University from 2003 to 2009. Before joining KIT in 2010, he was a postdoctoral fellow at the Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences.

Valášek's research focuses on the synthesis of functional molecules for nanoscale electronic applications. Key areas include azobenzene-based molecular switches, extended viologens as electron-dopable molecular wires, and carborane chemistry. His work integrates synthetic organic and inorganic chemistry with electrochemical and theoretical characterization.

The analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong trend in molecular electronics, particularly in designing redox-active and photoresponsive molecular systems. His work bridges synthetic chemistry with nanotechnology, aiming to develop functional components for future molecular-scale electronic devices. Themes include charge transport, molecular switching, surface adsorption, and catalysis using boron-rich clusters.

He has not been mentioned to have received any scientific awards or prizes in the provided text.

While no formal students are listed, his collaborative nature is evident from co-authorships with groups such as Prof. Josef Michl and Prof. Marcel Mayor. His research has been supported through institutional affiliations, though specific grants are not mentioned. His dual role in research and safety indicates leadership beyond the lab.

Valášek is part of the 'Tailor-Made Molecules for Electronics' research unit under Prof. Marcel Mayor at KIT's Institute of Nanotechnology, contributing to a multidisciplinary team focused on advancing molecular-scale electronic components.