USTAV ANORGANICKEJ CHEMIE SLOVENSKA AKADEMIA VIED (Institute of Inorganic Chemistry, Slovak Academy of Sciences)

Their core work

The Institute of Inorganic Chemistry at the Slovak Academy of Sciences specializes in advanced inorganic materials — from ultra-high temperature ceramic composites for aerospace to solid-state electrolytes for next-generation sodium batteries. Their work spans fundamental materials science through to applied development, with particular strength in ceramics and electrochemistry. They are one of Slovakia's core public research institutions bridging materials chemistry with industrial applications in energy storage and high-performance components.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

Their early H2020 involvement (2015-2016) centered on institutional capacity building — joining the CEMEA Centre of Excellence to strengthen Slovakia's research infrastructure in advanced materials and nanotechnologies. By 2018-2020 they had matured enough to coordinate their own project (CeramCom) in high-temperature ceramics. Most recently (2021-2024), they pivoted toward energy storage, joining the SIMBA consortium on sodium-ion batteries — signaling a strategic move from structural materials toward electrochemical applications.

Moving from general materials science toward applied electrochemistry and battery technology, making them a growing partner for energy storage consortia.

How they like to work

They have played every role — third party, coordinator, and participant — across just three projects, suggesting adaptability rather than a fixed position. With 25 unique partners across 9 countries, they maintain a surprisingly broad network for their project volume. This breadth indicates they are well-connected within European materials science circles and comfortable working in both large consortia and focused research teams.

Despite only three projects, they have built connections with 25 distinct partners across 9 countries — a wide European footprint driven largely by the multi-partner SIMBA and CEMEA consortia.

What sets them apart

As a Slovak Academy of Sciences institute, they bring deep inorganic chemistry expertise from a Widening country — making them both scientifically credible and strategically valuable for consortia needing geographic balance. Their transition from ceramics to battery electrolytes shows they can apply core materials competence across application domains. For consortium builders, they offer a rare combination: serious materials science capability at competitive Central European cost levels.

Highlights from their portfolio

• CeramCom
  Their only coordinated project — a Marie Skłodowska-Curie fellowship developing ceramic matrix composites for aerospace, demonstrating independent research leadership.
• SIMBA
  A multi-partner RIA on sodium-ion batteries for stationary storage, marking their strategic pivot into the high-demand energy storage sector.