LABAT HISTORY

In the late 1980's members of the battery community comprising scientists from universities and research centers, technologists and manufacturers of lead-acid batteries and related equipment from various countries worldwide, united by their common interest to improve the lead-acid battery, started to meet periodically and exchange ideas and information in the field of battery science and technology. The initiative for organizing regular international conferences on lead-acid batteries belongs to Prof. Detchko Pavlov, Head of the Lead-Acid Battery Department (LABD) of the Institute of Electrochemistry and Energy Systems - IEES (former CLEPS), an Institute of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (BAS).

The first Lead-Acid Battery Conference, LABAT'89, was held in Varna, Bulgaria in June 1989. It was very successful, attended by 250 scientists, leading battery technologists and manufacturers from 34 countries worldwide. Five more LABAT issues followed the success of LABAT'89.

LABAT conferences held so far

1. LABAT’89 held in Varna, Bulgaria, in 1989
2. LABAT’93 held in Varna, Bulgaria, in 1993
3. LABAT’96 held in Varna, Bulgaria, in 1996
4. LABAT’99 held in Sofia,  Bulgaria, in 1999
5. LABAT’02 held in Varna, Bulgaria, in 2002
6. LABAT’05 held in Varna, Bulgaria, in 2005
7. LABAT’08 held in Varna, Bulgaria, in 2008

The basic topics discussed at the LABAT conferences include the latest achievements in:

lead-acid battery theory, technology, design and operation
new applications of lead-acid batteries
novelties in battery materials, machines and equipment for battery manufacture and testing, etc.
environmental aspects of battery production, usage and recycling
batteries for electric vehicles as a more environment-friendly alternative.

The titles and the authors of the presented lectures are listed as follows:

LABAT – 1989
LABAT – 1993
LABAT – 1996
LABAT – 1999
LABAT – 2002
LABAT – 2005
LABAT – 2008

The most interesting papers presented at the LABAT conferences held so far have been published in devoted issues of the international Journal of Power Sources, volumes 30 and 31 (1990); 46 (1993); 64 (1997); 85 (2000), 113 (2003), 158 (2006) and 191 (2009). The content of the last issue devoted to LABAT'08 could be seen here.

Gaston Planté Medal

The Bulgarian Academy of Sciences on each LABAT conference awards the Gaston Planté Medal, to a scientist, selected by an International Planté Medal Committee, for significant contribution to the development of lead-acid battery science and technology.

Acknowledgements

The Organizing Committee of LABAT Conferences is thankful for the financial help of the following organizations and enterprises that have become sponsors of LABAT: