Janez PIRŠ

Dr. Pirš’s professional career at the Jožef Stefan Institute has been dedicated to the research of Liquid Crystals (LC), starting with the BSc thesis on the physics of LCs. In his PhD thesis, he was the first to demonstrate the anisotropic motion of the nematic LC molecules (new NMR method). He published one of the fundamental papers on the NMR relaxation of nematic LC (postdoctoral study in the USA). He set up a high-tech laboratory at JSI, which has paved the way for the applied research of LC, including the development of the technology for the LC displays (Iskra) and the world-first computer-controlled portable oscilloscope with the LCD screen and its upgrade to OTDR instrument (Iskra). In particular, the latter now represents an essential piece of equipment for optical communications servicing. Finally, one has to mention the break-thru in the field of the LCD light shutters (4 US/EU patents) – resulting in founding the high-tech company Balder for production of the automatic welding protection helmets and the company Redlab, which, together with Jozef Stefan Institute, provided the R&D basis for Balder’s production.

The automatic protective welding helmet is based on the use of a LCD light shutter. The transmitted light is automatically adjusted to ensure the comfort and safety of the welder. In the event of the presence of dust or fumes, it allows the use of a system that brings the “clean air” into the helmet.

1945 Born in Ljubljana

1969 BS degree, University of Ljubljana

1969 Employed at IJS

1975 PhD degree, University of Ljubljana

1975–1978 Postdoc, Liquid Crystal Institute at Kent State University, Kent OH, USA

1989 Scientific adviser, Jožef Stefan Institute

1997 Founding of IJS spin-off company Balder Ltd

2004 Founding of R&D company Redlab

2012 Balder sold to Kimberly Clark (K-C), USA

2012–2015 znanstveni svetnik Balder/ K-C | Scientific advisor at Balder/K-C

Izbrana dela | Important Works

Automatic protective welding helmet, which is based on the use of the LCD light shutter.

Izbrane nagrade | Selected Awards

1981, 1984, 1986, 1990, 1993, 2001 Zois Distinction for Innovations

2016 Častna listina Instituta Jožef Stefan za prenos znanstvenih in tehnoloških dosežkov ustvarjenih na Institutu v družbeno in gospodarsko zaledje doma in v tujini