**About the Editors**

## **Radek Stoˇcek**

Radek Stocek obtained his diploma degree as engineer in 2005 from the Czech Technical ˇ University in Prague and received his Ph.D. in engineering science in 2012 from the Technical University Chemnitz (Germany), working with M. Gehde and parallel with G. Heinrich at IPF Dresden (G). Then, he started an industrial career at Polymer Research Lab (PRL), Zlin, Czech Republic, and parallel an independent academic career at the Tomas Bata University (TBU) in Zlin. He finished his Habilitation in 2019. Currently, he is holding the two positions as General manager at PRL and Head of the Rubber Department at TBU. His research and scientific interests are focused on characterization of rubber material properties with respect to fatigue and fracture mechanics and on the development of new and advanced testing methodologies, hardware and equipment. One main goal is to optimize industrial rubber products in terms of performance and durability as well as to hasten development cycles and minimizing extensive real rubber product tests before production. His work has been recognized by awards from The Tire Society (USA). R. Stocek is author of 59 publications (according to Scopus) and holds four Utility Models.

#### **Gert Heinrich**

Gert Heinrich graduated at the University in Jena (G) in quantum physics in 1973. At the University of Technology (TH) Leuna-Merseburg, he finished his doctorate in 1978 in polymer network physics and his Habilitation in 1986 about theory of polymer networks and topological constraints. In 1990, he received a position at the tire manufacturer Continental in Hanover (G) as senior research scientist and head of Materials Research. Heinrich continued his academic activities as lecturer at the Universities of Hanover (G) and Halle/Wittenberg (G). In 2002, he was appointed as a full professor for "Polymer Materials and Rubber Technology"at the University of Technology Dresden and as director of the Institute of Polymer Materials at the Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden e. V. (IPF). Since 2017, he is a Senior Professor. His work has been recognized by several grants and awards, e.g., the George Stafford Whitby Award for distinguished teaching and research from the Rubber Division of the ACS, the Colwyn Medal in UK for outstanding services to the rubber industry; the Carl Dietrich Harries Medal from the German Rubber Society, and the Lifetime Achievement Award from Tire Technology International Magazine.

#### **Reinhold Kipscholl**

Reinhold Kipscholl graduated as Dipl.-Ing. in engineering of data processing and electronics. He has been active for more than 20 years in leading industrial positions, especially in the field of testing and characterization of materials with respect of their physical behavior. For 20 years he has been General Manager of Coesfeld GmbH & Co. KG (Dortmund), a German Company developing and producing material testing equipment for plastics and elastomers. Since 2012, R. Kipscholl is founder and General Manager of PRL Polymer Research Lab., a Czech Company researching and developing new testing methods for characterization of fracture and wear behavior of rubbers. He has been awarded with the 2018 Fernley H. Bunbury Award (Rubber Division, American Chemical Society).
