Institute of Electrochemistry and Energy Systems (IEES) was established 50 years ago as a center for fundamental and applied research in the field of electrochemistry and electrochemical power sources. Its mission is to assist the Bulgarian battery industry, which at that time was closely specialized in lead batteries. As already mentioned, only 4 years after its founding, the Institute demonstrated the unique capabilities of the zinc-air system and during the period 1982-1984 developed and implemented primary lithium batteries (fourth in the world). Today IEES works in two major thematic areas - batteries and fuel cells, successfully implementing the fundamental achievements of electrochemistry for the development of innovative electrochemical systems and the development of new scientific directions, providing scientific expertise at national and international level, preparing highly qualified specialists and scientists. IEES has been a member of the Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking (FCH JU) and the European Energy Research Alliance (EERA) since 2014. The IEES research strategy is oriented towards permanent integration into the European Research Area, and today its mission is to help for overcoming the fragmentation of the Bulgarian Research Area. IEES coordinates National Distributed Infrastructure "Energy Storage and Hydrogen Energy" and is a basic organization of the Bulgarian Association of Fuel Cells, Hydrogen and Energy Storage. IEES’s scientific policy follows the idea of combining tradition with innovation, a clear proof of which is the zinc-air topic. The thematic and expert capacity of the Institute is oriented towards innovative and topical European and national priorities:
The experts from the Institute of Catalysis at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences are invited to the IEES team participants to develop bifunctional catalyst (Co3O4 or NiCo2O3) using “soft“ method for in situ reduction of Ni salt to ensure good incorporation and homogenization of nickel.
Besides the excellent equipment and infrastructure (NSI ESHER, https://niseve.iees.bas.bg) and high expertise, the INOVI Consortium has good experience in joint projects work.
The co-operation of IEES with DLR started in 2008 with the organization of an educational seminar for young scientists in Sofia on materials for energy sector and electrochemical methods for their characterization under the ALENES project, followed by a series of European collaborative projects: IDEAL-Cell, ENDURANCE, ZAS. Within the frame of the Project IMOOD (Е02-3/12.12.2014) with NSF, a very successful consortium was formed between IEEC, IC and INRNE with the presence of the expert in neutron methods Prof. Kiril Krezhov.
The Institute of Electronics (IЕ) of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences conducts fundamental and applied research in the field of Nanosciences, new materials and technologies. The research focuses on the development of new priority directions of modern electronics: nanoelectronics, nano- and micro- photonics, bio-photonics, sensors, new materials, optical and microwave technologies. IE-BAS has specialists in modeling and statistical processing of experimental data. IE-BAS has a well-equipped chemical laboratory for the synthesis of magnetic materials, spin-spray pyrolysis equipment, high temperature tubing furnaces up to 1500°C permitting the use of different gases in the heat treatment process, ultrasonic homogenizer VCX750 Ultrasonic Processor, microwave apparatus - scalar analyzer of Hewlett Packard 8756 A. The IE project team members are from the "Gyromagnetic Electronics" Laboratory (JME). A number of "soft" chemistry (coagulation and microemulsion) techniques have been developed to produce nano-particulate oxides, thick and thin layers and composites. Experience has also been gained in the field of characterization of materials - bulk, powders, composites, thick layers and thin-film structures, using modern research methods, including neutron scattering methods. For the most part, the materials produced were for the needs of microwave technology, especially for their use as microwave absorbers.
The foreign participants involved in the project, Institute of Technical Thermodynamics at the National German Aerospace Center, are one of the leading battery institutions. Prof. Norbert Wagner is a Head of the Department of Electrochemical Energy Technology. He set up a specialized modern equipped laboratory for lithium-air batteries development. Competencies cover both, preparation and electrochemical testing of batteries. Prof. Wagner was a Work Package leader at ZAS project, and he has an extremely high ranking in the field of renewable energy storage technologies and the exchange of knowledge and technological skills.