The Center for Research in Biological Chemistry and Molecular Materials (CiQUS) at the University of Santiago de Compostela (USC) has secured a new Proof of Concept (PoC) grant from the European Research Council (ERC), marking the fifth such achievement in its history. On this occasion, CiQUS Oportunius researcher María Giménez López—the first researcher in Galicia to receive a second ERC Proof of Concept grant—will lead the ZEST project ( Advanced Zn||Br₂-MnO₂ Batteries Enabled by Nanostructured Cathodes and Supramolecular Electrolytes ). The project aims to develop a rechargeable hybrid battery based on zinc, bromine, and manganese dioxide (Zn||Br₂–MnO₂), offering a safe, scalable, and cost-effective solution for stationary energy storage.
María Giménez López’s research group specializes in designing advanced materials and electrolytes for energy applications. Within this framework, the ZEST project—supported by the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (Fraunhofer ISE) in Germany as an industrial partner—addresses key limitations of current zinc-based batteries. By leveraging previously patented electrode materials and electrolytes, the project seeks to create more stable, efficient, and scalable energy storage systems. The goal is to validate the technology at the prototype level, laying the groundwork for future industrial applications.
ERC Proof of Concept grants are designed to transform fundamental research outcomes from ERC-funded projects into market-ready innovations, bridging the gap between science and industry. In this case, ZEST not only aims to demonstrate the technical feasibility of its approach but also to outline a clear roadmap for commercialization, including market analysis, intellectual property strategy, and collaboration with key industry stakeholders. This initiative, backed by industrial partners like Fraunhofer ISE, underscores CiQUS’s commitment to technology transfer and its role in advancing a sustainable energy model.
CiQUS holds the CIGUS accreditation from the Galician Government, recognizing the quality and impact of its research, and receives financial support from the European Union through the Galicia FEDER Program 2021-2027. With this new milestone, CiQUS reaffirms its leadership in securing European funding for high-impact projects, further solidifying its track record in developing innovative solutions to global challenges in energy and sustainability.