In a ceremony held at the close of December 2023, Latvian scientists were honored with the Energetics Awards for the twenty-fifth consecutive time. This annual celebration, organized by JSC "Latvenergo" and the Latvian Academy of Sciences (LAS), pays tribute to outstanding contributions and accomplishments in the field of energetics.
The awards, a joint initiative by Latvenergo and LAS, serve the dual purpose of recognizing exceptional achievements in the industry and fostering the growth of science. The event provides a platform for scientists to reflect on their accomplishments over the past year, showcasing advancements that contribute to the sustainable and climate-neutral development of the energy sector.
The main annual prize, named after Professor Alfrēds Vītols, “For outstanding contribution to energetics 2023”, was awarded to the leading researcher of the ISSP UL’s Laboratory of Materials for Energy Harvesting and Storage, Dr. Chem. Gunārs Bajārs honoring his work in research of materials for electrochemical energy storage in batteries and accumulators.
Dr. Bajārs, who has led former ISSP UL’s Solid State Ionics Laboratory, has actively collaborated with the Latvian industry, particularly in lithium-ion battery materials. His visionary leadership led to the foundation of research on sodium-ion battery materials in 2019 at the newly established Laboratory of Materials for Energy Harvesting and Storage. Under Dr. Bajārs’ mentorship, a flourishing research school dedicated to battery materials has taken root in Latvia. The scientist’s contribution includes project management, scientific and pedagogical work, for which recognition, certificates and certificates of authorship have been received.
The annual Energetics Award for Young Scientists in 2023 were presented to five Latvian researchers. Two Young Scientists’ Awards receivers were from ISSP UL: Dr. Phys. Gints Kučinskis and Dr. Phys. Mārtiņš Zubkins. Dr. Kučinskis, the head of the Laboratory of Materials for Energy Harvesting and Storage, was recognized for his doctoral thesis on "Research of cathode materials for sodium-ion batteries." Meanwhile, Dr. Zubkins, a leading researcher at the Thin Films Laboratory, received accolades for his doctoral thesis on "New coatings based on metal hydride and oxide for energy, electronics, and health care technologies."
The awards not only highlight the exceptional scientific endeavors of the researchers but also underscore Latvia’s commitment to innovation and progress in the energy sector. As we applaud the laureates, we anticipate their work will continue to inspire and drive advancements in energy research and technology, contributing to a sustainable and resilient future for Latvia and beyond.
Video in Latvian of Dr. Phys. Gints Kučinskis receiving the Young Scientist Award in Energetics
Video in Latvian of Dr. Phys. Mārtiņš Zubkins receiving the Young Scientist Award in Energetics
