{"id":7529,"date":"2025-10-30T15:08:17","date_gmt":"2025-10-30T15:08:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/janczochralski.com\/?p=7529"},"modified":"2025-11-10T15:24:30","modified_gmt":"2025-11-10T15:24:30","slug":"jan-czochralski-back-on-the-tracks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/janczochralski.com\/en\/jan-czochralski-back-on-the-tracks\/","title":{"rendered":"Jan Czochralski Back on the Tracks \u2013 PKP Intercity & \u201cNauka. To Lubi\u0119\u201d Unveil New Locomotive! \ud83c\udd95 \ud83d\udee4\ufe0f"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

After last year\u2019s success, PKP Intercity<\/strong> once again merges science with rail transport. A new EU200 \u201cGriffin\u201d locomotive, featuring a special livery dedicated to Jan Czochralski <\/strong>\u2013 the renowned Polish chemist and metallurgist who developed the crystal growth method still used in integrated circuit production \u2013 has hit the tracks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is the second edition of the joint project by the national carrier and Tomasz Ro\u017cek\u2019s \u201cNauka. To Lubi\u0119\u201d Foundation<\/strong>, aimed at popularising Polish science in an unconventional, mobile way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Od prawej: dr Tomasz Ro\u017cek (Fundacja “Nauka. To Lubi\u0119” , Adam Wawrzyniak (cz\u0142onek zarz\u0105du PKP Intercity) oraz cz\u0142onkowie rodziny profesora Czochralskiego (Agata, Zosia i Ja\u015b)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A Scientist Who Changed the World \u2013 and Polish Railways<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Born in 1885 in Kcynia, Jan Czochralski was fascinated by chemistry and metals from a young age. His research on metal alloys and the method for growing silicon single crystals laid the foundations for modern electronics \u2013 and consequently computers, smartphones, and advanced control systems, including those in rail transport.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Few know that one of his earlier inventions \u2013 the bearing alloy \u201cMetal B\u201d<\/strong> \u2013 was used in the rail industry, including for wagon bearings. One could say Czochralski\u2019s story has been rolling on the tracks for over a century.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

New Locomotive, New Face of Science<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In 2025, PKP Intercity unveiled another locomotive honoring Czochralski. The electric EU200 \u201cGriffin\u201d<\/strong>, manufactured by Newag, is adorned with the scientist\u2019s portrait and graphics depicting the silicon crystal structure \u2013 a symbol of his greatest discovery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As Tomasz Ro\u017cek<\/strong>, the campaign\u2019s creator and science popularizer, emphasizes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cIt\u2019s remarkable that trains \u2013 symbols of progress and technology \u2013 can now tell the story of a Polish scientist whose discovery changed the world. Thanks to our partnership with PKP Intercity, science is literally on the move.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

The new livery is more than a striking visual. It\u2019s an educational journey across Poland<\/strong> \u2013 short spots about Czochralski\u2019s inventions, life, and technological impact are broadcast on monitors in trains pulled by this locomotive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

140 Years of Jan Czochralski \u2013 A Tribute to Polish Genius<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

2025 marks a special anniversary \u2013 the 140th birthday<\/strong> of Jan Czochralski. That\u2019s why PKP Intercity\u2019s initiative carries symbolic weight. The project includes several educational activities:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  • A social media campaign under #szlakiemCzochralskiego<\/strong>,<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Video presentations and quizzes on the \u201cNauka. To Lubi\u0119\u201d<\/strong> platform,<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Educational spots about Czochralski\u2019s inventions shown on PKP Intercity train monitors,<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • And the upcoming premiere of a documentary about the scientist\u2019s life and discoveries, scheduled for the \u015al\u0105ski Festiwal Nauki<\/strong> in Katowice, December 6\u20138, 2025.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    Science on the Rails \u2013 A Journey with a Message<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    The locomotive has already begun routes to cities like Warsaw, Pozna\u0144, Wroc\u0142aw, Opole, and Szczecin. Thousands of passengers will \u201cmeet\u201d Jan Czochralski during their daily commute \u2013 and be reminded that much of the modern technology we use has Polish roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    As Adam Wawrzyniak<\/strong>, a PKP Intercity board member, notes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    \u201cOur goal is not just comfortable transport, but also inspiration. Rail has always been a symbol of modernity \u2013 now we want it to represent knowledge and pride in Polish scientists.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

    Second Edition, Same Mission \u2013 Popularizing Polish Science<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    The first locomotive featuring Czochralski appeared in 2024 and was met with enthusiastic feedback from passengers and media. This year\u2019s edition builds on that idea, blending education with modern design and nationwide reach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    It\u2019s a project proving that science can be not only inspiring but also visually stunning and accessible to anyone boarding a train.<\/p>\n\n\n\n