Ferzom Ceramic - a collaboration between Faculty of Material Science and Technology and University of the Arts London

In mid-September, representatives from the Department of Thermal Engineering and the Department of Chemistry and Physico-Chemical Processes met with colleagues from the prestigious University of the Arts London (UAL), Central Saint Martin. The FMT delegation was led by Hana Ovčačíková, Marek Velička and Vlastimil Matějka. Jozef Vlček from MATERIÁLOVÝ A METALURGICKÝ VÝZKUM s.r.o. (MMV) attended the meeting from the industry. UAL was represented by Mael Henaff, head of the MA Material Futures postgraduate program and also assistant professor of the MA Regenerative Design program.

The main topic of the meeting was future cooperation between the two institutions. Specifically, it was about the elaboration of a memorandum of cooperation that would enable the involvement of students and teachers in international projects and research activities in the field of material design. The meeting took place in a relaxed atmosphere right on the grounds of the University of the Arts London and included a tour of the studios and laboratories. Both sides expressed great interest in establishing a long-term cooperation, which will not only enrich teaching with lectures by foreign experts, but also with professional workshops, seminars, international projects and joint publications. At the same time, it opens up new perspectives for UAL and FMT students.

The meeting was followed by an exhibition in the Observatory Gallery at the University of the Arts London, where the dining sets were presented. This design by Jeffrey Stephen Miller and Hana Ovcacikova was made from waste materials. The dining set was made possible through the support of a student mini grant awarded to Jeffrey Stephen Miller - An LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton and Central Saint Martins platform for regenerative luxury. Market researcher for sustainable dining and tableware and designer creating circular ceramic made from waste materials for the luxury tableware industry. This project won the 2023 Maison/0 Green Trail Award.

This business trip also included active participation in the prestigious Material Matters 2024 exhibition held at the Bargehouse, OXO Tower, London. The Material Matters 2024 exhibition focuses on the latest trends in architecture, industrial design, interiors, furniture and of course materials. It includes a range of globally recognised brands and young emerging talent. The common theme is a sense of material intelligence and a desire to make the world a better place.

Several areas were presented at this year's event. One of them was working with waste materials, which are an essential part of DNA Material Matter. One of the highlights was the presentation of the Ferzom Ceramics group, which consists of designer Jeffrey Stephen Miller from UAL, Hana Ovčačíková, Marek Velička and Vlastimil Matějka from FMT and Jozef Vlček from MMV.

Ferzom Ceramics is a ceramic materials design and research group comprising chemical and thermal engineers and ceramic designers from the Department of Thermal Engineering, the Department of Chemistry and Physico-Chemical Processes at FMT and researchers involved in the MATUR and CirkArena projects. They are targeting high-volume waste material streams within Europe and producing 100% waste-based glazes that are adapted for the ceramic tile industry.

The glazes for these tiles are made entirely with waste materials including glass from Schott, one of the leading specialty glass companies in the world, slag from the production of steel, waste from the processing of kaolin at Thun, the Czech Republic's largest porcelain tableware manufacturer, expended refractory brick used in furnaces and kilns, discarded cement and brick from demolition and construction sites, waste sanitary ware and recycled glassware.

The unique processing and properties of these glazes and their ecological benefits aroused great interest from visitors and the professional public. Thanks to the successful presentation, Ferzom Ceramics received an invitation to a similar exhibition to be held in New York in November 2024.

The Ferzom Ceramic project is an excellent example of how aesthetics, functionality and ecology can be combined. The success of this project opens up new opportunities for further cooperation with international partners and contributes to the reputation of our faculty.

This working trip was made possible thanks to the MATUR and CirkArena projects.