Module 1 integrates the existing experimental base on topics with which each partner is involved in NI ESHER. It is designed to support developments at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 1-3.  Module 1 brings together ten thematic laboratories, each administratively managed by an institute or university partner in NSI ESHER. The ten thematic laboratories are grouped into two integrated thematic laboratories at the partner level:

• Integrated thematic laboratory "Research and testing of batteries for energy storage systems
• • Integrated thematic laboratory “Hydrogen energy with renewable energy”

Module 2 aims to establish an experimental foundation for developing demonstration projects with industry (NTG developments over 4). This module will establish an experimental platform that is not included in other national infrastructure projects.

• Technological platform “Technological development of a new generation of batteries”. This platform will address the country's lack of an experimental base for scaling up laboratory prototypes, which requires new technological solutions and equipment.

The laboratory brings together existing equipment and long-standing expertise in a wide range of activities related both to the development of new materials and to innovative electrochemical and physical methodologies for their characterization. At the core of its activities are the "Electrode materials for batteries and supercapacitors" and "Battery testing" laboratories, which have the potential to conduct fundamental and applied scientific research on high-efficiency energy storage systems. The laboratory possesses expertise at both national and international levels and has well-established connections with the Bulgarian industry.

The laboratory carries out coordinated activities in the preparation, characterization, and testing of a wide range of objects with specific applications using the integrated material base and expertise of partner laboratories located in several scientific institutions. By establishing a national research space with modernized and upgraded equipment, the integrated thematic laboratory supports the implementation of complex fundamental and applied research, as well as the deployment of innovative technologies for renewable energy storage and its efficient use in households and industry.

The platform fills the infrastructural gap for scaling up cutting-edge laboratory developments (with technology readiness above level 4) in a number of national and European projects, providing opportunities to move to demonstration and deployment phase. It is organised in two laboratories that allow scaling-up of battery innovations.

Head: Assoc. Prof. Borislav Abrashev

The laboratory provides opportunities for technological research and testing of new developments, as well as for battery scaling, such as metal-air. The equipment allows for the fabrication of gas diffusion and metal electrodes with a larger surface area, as well as the assembly of pilot battery samples that have reached technology readiness level 4-5.

Head: Assoc. Prof. Vania Ilcheva

The laboratory specializes in the synthesis and analysis of new materials for batteries, supercapacitors and fuel cells. The available equipment, acquired or upgraded within the ESHER framework, enables the production of materials by solid-phase synthesis at temperatures up to 1600 °C, as well as hydrothermal synthesis at temperatures up to 300 °C and pressures of 150 atm, significantly expanding the possibilities for creating materials with precisely controlled properties.

Advanced analytical methods are used to study these materials, including:

• X-ray diffraction (XRD) - for determining the phase composition and crystal structure of synthesized materials.
• Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) - for analysing morphology, particle size, and crystal structure.
• BET analysis – for determining the specific surface area, total volume, and average pore diameter, as well as their size distribution.

The available equipment is intended both for the characterization of starting materials, components and finished products, and for “post-mortem” analysis after the end of the service life of the products. The specific equipment in the laboratory, combined with the possibility of using the equipment base of the laboratories from Module 1, provides a full range of apparatus and methods for servicing the technological platform and developing innovative developments with technological readiness levels 4-6.

The physicochemical characterization carried out in the laboratory is of essential importance for a detailed study of the structural features and properties of materials, allowing for the optimization of their characteristics and assessment of their application in energy systems.

Head: Res. Assoc Emilia Mladenova

The main activity of the laboratory is the testing and qualification of batteries and fuel cells. Available equipment allows testing of single electrodes, whole cells, batteries and fuel cell stacks. Using impedance spectroscopy, the laboratory performs diagnostics on batteries, hydrogen and hybrid energy storage systems, including those for transportation applications. The laboratory is equipped with the necessary instruments and expertise to conduct accelerated stress tests to investigate degradation processes in energy storage and conversion systems, including high-temperature solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs).

Head: Res. Assoc. Simeon Stankov 

The laboratory conducts fundamental and applied research in the field of electrochemical energy storage and conversion systems. The team has extensive experience in the development and characterization of various battery technologies, metal-air systems and supercapacitors. Electrode preparation is carried out using different technologies tailored to the specific materials under test. Test cell assembly is performed in a dry glove box with controlled humidity and oxygen levels. The electrochemical properties of the materials are investigated using methods such as cyclic voltammetry, galvanostatic cycling (charge-discharge), combined galvanostatic and potentiostatic techniques and galvanostatic periodic titration to determine diffusion coefficients. The laboratory is also equipped to evaluate the quality characteristics of commercial cells.

Head: Assoc. Prof. Galin Borisov

The laboratory conducts fundamental and applied research in the field of hydrogen energy systems with solid polymer electrolytes. It focuses on the fabrication of complex electrodes and the assembly of membrane electrode assemblies with cation (PEM) and anion-conducting (AEM) electrolyte membranes. State-of-the-art electrochemical methods are used for characterization, including polarization curve measurements, long-term testing to determine optimal and peak operating conditions, as well as accelerated stress tests to assess degradation processes and estimate the operational lifetime of single cells and stacks of electrolyzers and fuel cells.

Head: Assoc. Prof. Hristo Penchev

The laboratory conducts fundamental and applied research in the synthesis of polybenzimidazoles and their nanocomposites for the development of solid polymer electrolyte membranes (proton- and anion-conducting). These membranes are key components in membrane-electrode assemblies for medium- and high-temperature fuel cells, aqueous electrolysers and supercapacitors. Another important research direction is the development of a new generation of nanofibrous and carbonized polybenzimidazole materials with potential applications in energy systems.

Head: Assoc. Prof. Eli Grigorova

The laboratory is equipped with state-of-the-art instruments and highly qualified specialists for the synthesis, testing, and comprehensive characterization of electrode materials. Its activities focus on developing innovative synthetic methods that ensure precise control over the composition, structure, and morphology of materials, as well as on determining their chemical, physical, and electrochemical properties. Characterization is performed using a combination of physicochemical methods, including X-ray diffraction analysis, spectroscopy, microscopy, thermal, and electrochemical techniques. This enables a detailed study of the mechanisms of reversible intercalation/ deintercalation. By analyzing the relationship between the macroscopic properties of materials and the local structure of their components, the laboratory contributes to the development of more efficient materials and the optimization of the properties of already known compounds.

Head: Assoc. Prof. Maxim Ganchev

The laboratory focuses on developing new materials and technologies for harnessing and converting energy from renewable sources. The existing infrastructure, acquired or modernized through the NI ESHER program, enables the development of thin-film materials for photovoltaic devices and the study of their properties. The laboratory is equipped with vacuum evaporation system for thin-film deposition, spin-coating system for solution-based thin-film deposition in an inert atmosphere box, optical microscope with micrometric resolution for surface morphology and defect analysis, potentiostat/galvanostat for electrical measurements and electrochemical deposition of thin films, Scanning Kelvin microscope.

Head: Prof. Martin Bozhinov

The laboratory specializes in hydrogen production through pulsed electrolysis and photoelectrolysis, as well as the characterization of photosensitivity and photoelectrochemical properties of materials. It is equipped with state-of-the-art instrumentation, modernized under the NI ESHER program. Electrochemical characterization of electrocatalysts for pulse- water electrolysis is performed under both stationary and dynamic conditions (current-potential curves, current-time measurements, impedance spectra). The laboratory also conducts photosensitivity measurements over a wide range of light energy (photo-voltammetry, photo-current energy spectroscopy), studies of photo-absorbers and photocatalysts for water splitting (photo-current spectroscopy with light intensity modulation, photo-impedance spectroscopy) under both stationary and dynamic conditions.

Head: Prof. Yolina Hubenova

The main focus of the laboratory is the study of novel exoelectrogenic (micro)organisms and the mechanisms of extracellular electron transfer in microbial fuel cells under various conditions. The research also includes the development and characterization of new electrode materials, as well as the design and testing of microbial electrolysis cells with different configurations.

Head: Prof. Dragomir Yankov

The laboratory studies processes in homogeneous and heterogeneous catalytic systems with practical applications in the chemical industry, energy sector, and environmental protection. Its activities are based on scientific methodology, expertise, and extensive experience in chemical technology and industrial biotechnology. Key research and applied areas include fuel cells, biofuel production, waste recycling, development of new materials and technologies and energy efficiency and green technologies