Dr. Iryna Ivanko part of the team awarded the Werner von Siemens Prize

The Werner von Siemens Prize for the best result in basic research goes to a team that includes our colleague. Dr. Iryna Ivanko from the Department of Electrochemical Materials has been recognized as a member of the research team that received the Werner von Siemens Prize for the most significant result in basic research for 2024.

Dr. Ivanko collaborated in a team led by Ing. Elena Tomšík, Ph.D., from the Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences on a breakthrough work titled "The influence of hydrogen bonding on the open circuit potential value of poly-(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) as a beneficial method for energy storage in supercapacitors".

Innovative approach to energy storage

The awarded research focuses on the highly relevant and socially significant topic of energy storage. The research team proposed an innovative solution using supercapacitors based on conductive polymers.

The previous weakness of these materials was their low electrochemical stability, which limited their practical use. The team selected the conductive polymer PEDOT (poly-(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)) as a base and developed a method to significantly improve its properties – particularly to increase stability and reduce the rate of self-discharge.

The innovation involves adding formic acid to the initial monomer solution from which PEDOT is subsequently obtained by electrochemical deposition. Formic acid creates hydrogen bridges in the substance that strengthen the resulting crystalline structure. PEDOT enhanced in this way exhibits significantly better properties as a basis for supercapacitor production, and test results confirm the potential for future use of these energy storage devices in both stationary and mobile applications.

Prestigious award

Czech Siemens awarded the Werner von Siemens Prizes for 2024 on March 19, 2025 to the best students, young scientists, and educators in various categories. Expert juries evaluated a total of 598 applications, with 20 awardees sharing prizes totaling one million Czech crowns. It is also encouraging to see the growing representation of women in the competition – they submitted a record 37% of applications and represent 25% of those awarded. Throughout the history of the competition, 17.4 million Czech crowns have been distributed among 490 laureates.