University of Ljubljana is the oldest and largest higher education and scientific research institution in Slovenia founded in 1919. The University of Ljubljana and the National Institute of Chemistry are focused on creating sustainable energy materials and enhancing electrochemical materials for better energy storage and battery performance.
Ljubljana University
Battery research leader
Research at the Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology at the University of Ljubljana focuses on the synthesis, characterization and development of advanced materials for sustainable, low-carbon energy solutions.
In addition, the Laboratory for Advanced Battery Systems at the National Institute of Chemistry (NIC) is working on advancing electrochemical energy storage by developing novel electrochemical materials to provide insights into electrochemical materials and the properties of battery cells.
Meet our experts
Our EBBC experts in Ljubljana
Already since my very young age I was very interested in chemistry and participated in International Chemistry Olympics as a high school student. Hence, the decision to study chemistry at University was very simple. After finishing my degree at the University of Ljubljana, I moved to the National Institute of Chemistry, where I got involved in the battery research.
Focus of my PhD were Mg rechargeable batteries, where we opened a new path of development through application of organic cathode materials in these systems. During my PhD is spent extensive time at Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden and Argonne National Laboratory in US.
After my PhD I started working on other multivalent systems and expanded my field of work to Al and Ca metal anode batteries. Besides searching for new better battery materials, I am also developing new characterization tools such as operando ATR-IR. I have long-term experience with working on industry funded project through developing Mg-organic batteries for Honda R&D.
Currently, I am working on different national and European research project focused on development of multivalent batteries, organic materials and new characterization tools.
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I am a chemical engineer with a strong focus on material science, characterization, and engineering with expertise in material science for more than 25 years.
After obtaining a Ph.D. in Materials sciences in 2002 from the University of Ljubljana on the topic of implementation of water-based binders and optimizing electrochemical wiring, I continued to work in the field of materials science and electrochemical systems for energy storage, with main activities in the field of modern battery systems.
Between 2009 and 2010 I worked in Universite Picardie Jules Verne, Amiens, where we started the development of Li-S batteries. As a result of the starting activities in France, we continued to develop the Li-S batteries through two EU projects, where I acted as a coordinator. My current research interests are focused on different types of multivalent batteries and the implementation of smart functionalities in battery cells. Additionally, I am leading the establishment of a large infrastructure center in Slovenia with pilot prototyping equipment for battery cells, hydrogen economy, and power to X infrastructure.
Besides being a leader of the battery group at NIC and head of the new infrastructure center, I am a full professor at the University of Ljubljana in materials science. I am a deputy director of the ALISTORE-ERI network and a member of the core group within the Battery 2030+ initiative and with Batteries Europe, where I am one of the co-leaders of the task force preparing a strategy on the education level. I am involved in the MESC master program (https://mesc-plus.eu/ ) and the doctoral school DESTINY (https://www.destiny-phd.eu/ ). Both educational progrmas are related to science and technology in the field of materials for energy storage and conversion. I am a member of the Slovenian Academy of Engineering.
