Scientists from the Institute of Electrochemistry and Energy Systems (IEES) celebrated the 100th anniversary of the birth of the founder and patron of the Institute, Acad. Evgeni Budevski. The memorial session was attended by several generations of close colleagues and collaborators, friends and followers of the eminent scientist-electrochemist. The most outstanding scientific achievements of the long-standing Director of IEES and memories of his inspiring personality were recalled.
The participants in the celebration were addressed by the brother of Acad. Budevski – Prof. Dr. Omurtag Budevski and his nephew Flotilla Admiral Prof. Dr. Boyan Mednikarov, Rector of “Nikola Vaptsarov” Naval Academy. Also participating were scientists from SU “St. Kliment Ohridski”, UCTM, scientific units of BAS as well as business representatives.
The host and moderator of the event on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the birth of Acad. Evgeni Budevski was Corr. Mem. Evelina Slavcheva who is the Director of IEES – BAS and among the many alumni and his loyal followers working in Bulgaria and around the world. Her intriguing story and presentation about the life and work of the founder of the Bulgarian Electrochemical School, the Bulgarian Hydrogen Society and the National Coordination Council on Nanotechnologies was intertwined with the speeches of Prof. Dr. Eva Sokolova, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Borislav Velikov, Prof. Georgi Staykov, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vili Obretenov, Prof. Dr. Ana Proykova, Arch. Ljubinka Stoilova, Prof. DSc Tzveti Tzvetkov, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ivan Radev, Prof. Dr. Plamen Atanassov and others.
The memories of all participants in the memorial session were related to the enduring significance of the rich scientific heritage of Acad. Evgeni Budevski who left fundamental knowledge and applied achievements in world science in the areas of electrochemical kinetics, electrocrystallization of metals, electrochemical current sources, electrodeposition and structure of thin films, hydrogen and nano-technologies.
The memorial session dedicated to Acad. Evgeni Budevski is the first of a series of events with which IEES-BAS will celebrate the centenary of its patron. The event was held within the framework of Sofia Electrochemical Days SED-22, which will last until 14 May 2022.
Acad. Evgeni Budevski started his scientific activity in the field of electrochemistry in 1949 at the Department of Physical Chemistry of Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”. Since 1959. he headed the section “Electrocrystallization” at the Institute of Physical Chemistry of BAS. In 1967, he became one of the founders of the Central Laboratory of Electrochemical Power Sources (CLEPS), which grew into the Institute of Electrochemistry and Energy Systems. With innovative flair, he led the Laboratory for a quarter of a century and played a key role in its development and establishment as a leading scientific organization with significant contributions to the development of applied electrochemistry and electrochemical power sources. Equipped with primary zinc-air batteries developed at CLEPS, an electric forklift covered its first 220 km six months before the General Motors prototype, and with the introduction into real production of the established lithium cell technology, Bulgaria became fourth in the world in this field.
