Institute of Electrical Engineering, Slovak Academy of Sciences

Their core work

IEE SAS is a Slovak national research institute specializing in superconducting materials and their applications in energy grids, electric motors, and particle accelerator magnets. They develop and characterize advanced superconducting tapes and coils for high-field magnets, fault current limiters for HVDC power grids, and superconducting motors for transport. More recently, they have expanded into micro/nanofabrication technologies including atomic layer deposition and 3D printing for MEMS and sensor devices.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

In the early H2020 period (2014-2017), IEE focused on building institutional capacity through the CEMEA Centre of Excellence for advanced materials and nanotechnologies, while beginning applied superconductivity work in energy and transport (FASTGRID, ASuMED). From 2020 onward, they shifted decisively toward high-field magnet science for accelerators (SuperEMFL, I.FAST) and opened an entirely new line in micro/nanofabrication with ATOPLOT's atomic layer deposition work. The trajectory shows a move from broad capacity-building toward specialized, application-driven superconductor and thin-film research.

IEE is deepening its superconducting magnet expertise for big-science facilities while branching into precision thin-film manufacturing — making them relevant for both accelerator infrastructure and advanced sensor fabrication partnerships.

How they like to work

IEE has never coordinated an H2020 project, always participating as a partner or third party, which is typical for a specialized national academy institute contributing deep technical expertise to large consortia. With 284 unique partners across 32 countries, they are well-networked across Europe's research infrastructure community. Their role pattern — specialist contributor in large international projects — means they bring focused know-how without the overhead of project management, making them a reliable technical partner.

IEE has collaborated with 284 unique partners across 32 countries, reflecting deep integration into European research infrastructure networks, particularly in the accelerator and fusion science communities where large multi-partner consortia are the norm.

What sets them apart

IEE occupies a distinctive niche as one of Central Europe's dedicated superconductivity labs with hands-on capability in both bulk superconductor characterization and thin-film deposition. For consortium builders, they offer scarce expertise in HTS (high-temperature superconductor) materials at a competitive cost point from a Widening country. Their dual capability in superconducting materials and emerging microfabrication makes them unusually versatile for projects spanning energy infrastructure, accelerator technology, and advanced manufacturing.

Highlights from their portfolio

• FASTGRID
  Their largest single grant (EUR 399,948) developing superconducting fault current limiters for HVDC grids — directly relevant to Europe's energy transition infrastructure.
• ATOPLOT
  Represents a strategic pivot into atomic-layer 3D printing for MEMS and sensors (EUR 351,250), opening a new research direction beyond traditional superconductivity.
• SuperEMFL
  Positions IEE within the European Magnet Field Laboratory network, working on very high field superconducting magnets with HTS inserts for big-science applications.