In this episode, we are joined by an NCN Council member, Prof. Krzysztof Fic, who is a researcher working at the Poznań University of Technology. An expert in energy storage and conversion, he tells us about his research and explains why we really need to invest in fundamental science.
Prof. Krzysztof Fic during the 2024 NCN Award ceremony
Prof. Krzysztof Fic holds the degree of habilitated doctor in chemical sciences and works as a professor at the Poznań University of Technology, where his research interests centre on the electrochemical systems for energy conversion and storage. Prof. Fic is the winner of two ERC grants. At the NCN Council, he chairs the Committee for Physical Sciences and Engineering and serves on the Committee for International Cooperation. He agreed to sit down with Awnna Korzekwa-Józefowicz to talk about the impact of basic research on innovation, energy storage and energy sovereignty. He also explains how the NCN is preparing to create a new strategy that will let it tap some of the funds at the disposal of the Minister of National Defence.
Basic research as the root of innovation
Prof. Fic starts out by saying that “basic research has always been and always will be the root of innovation”, thus strongly emphasising the key importance of fundamental science for technological progress.
“The main problem is how to connect basic, fundamental research to applied research. But we need to say it loud and clear: there can be no good, fast innovation without what science has done at the fundamental level. Without basic research, applied research is just a technique of trial and error. It takes a lot of time and risks losing money if we don’t go deeper to understand the very essence of the phenomenon at hand.”
Prof. Fic stresses that even though the National Science Centre is a relatively young agency, the effects of its research can already be appreciated:
“Considering how long it takes to get research results, the findings of the first basic research projects funded by the NCN should be implemented at around this time, and, indeed, we know that this is happening. We are following publications, but we have also observed an increasing number of patent applications and patents arising from basic research projects funded by the NCN. We have long rescinded the policy that said projects funded by the NCN should involve non-applied research, even though that policy, I think, was rather misinterpreted, because that was not exactly what it meant to do. Today, the NCN has no problem with foundational research that may find an application in a near or more distant future.”
Social awareness
The conversation also touches on social awareness and science outreach. “In the current geopolitical situation, when we all feel threatened, by Russia for example, we know why we need to spend on national defence. People accept that because they understand the threat. However, there is only scarce information on research findings, or how scientists work, and what their work can do in the future… I try to speak at different events and explain what I do, what my job looks like, how energy is stored, why no two batteries are equal, what we can or cannot do, and how to charge a battery correctly. Reaching out to an average person in a language they understand and find persuasive builds trust in scientists.
Energy storage and energy sovereignty
A key theme in this episode is energy. Prof. Fic points out that society is used to energy being available and talks about its storage and the challenges it presents. “We are very used to easily available energy. But we need to say one thing: if we want to be a society that continues to grow, we also need to achieve energy security. Today, we already have a lot of technologies that allow us to get energy from renewable resources, such as photovoltaics, which can convert solar energy to electricity, but the problem is it only works during the day. I can’t even imagine a scenario in which Warsaw falls into darkness, because everyone in the city decides to rely on photovoltaics. We need a way to store energy.”
The professor emphasises that Polish energy storage solutions have considerable potential: “We don’t have energy independence right now, but we need to start working to make sure that the energy storage technologies we are developing can address the needs of Polish society. Polish solutions, especially storage cells or batteries, are widely used all over the world. For many reasons, I can’t say exactly which, but I need to emphasise we have substantial knowledge in this area. In the current geopolitical situation, these storage methods may prove crucial for critical infrastructure, e.g. to ensure energy supplies for hospitals, emergency power systems, all sorts of server rooms, which may be critical for our safety. We need things that are even more reliable and can work even longer, or use materials that have a much lower environmental impact.”
In the final section of the podcast, the winner of ERC’s Starting and Proof of Concept grants shares his tips on how to get ready to apply for ERC grants.
You can find us on Spotify (automatic podcast transcript), Apple Podcast, and YouTube.
Need more tips before applying for an ERC grant? Listen to our recent conversations with professors Róża Szweda, Artur Obłuski and Piotr Sankowski.