Mark Orazem reflects on now, as opposed to then

When we started on our COVID-19 interview series, no one knew how long the pandemic would last or the long-term impact it would have on our community. As we approach the end of a year of living in the shadow of COVID-19, we thought it useful to follow up with some of our interviewees. We learned that research, collaboration, teaching, and learning are continuing to evolve—along with the challenges of distance learning, meeting, and life.

When we spoke with Mark Orazem last spring about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, he was on a sabbatical that did not turn out as planned. Now he is back teaching at the University of Florida where he is Distinguished Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering. (more…)

The ECS Board of Directors chartered a new ECS section on October 16, 2020. With the addition of the ECS Pacific Northwest Section, the Society now hosts over 24 region-specific sections providing opportunities for regional scientists and engineers to connect with researchers and participate in various events. Jie Xiao, ECS Fellow and Battery Division Secretary, took the lead in chartering the section and now serves as its chair.

The ECS Pacific Northwest Section seeks to connect all interested parties from academia, industry, and government, and bridge a scientific gap while providing networking opportunities that could lead to new developments—and help members advance their careers. The section serves all of the universities and national labs in Washington State, Idaho, and Oregon. Xiao believes the section will bolster the growth of the electrochemistry and solid state science fields in the Pacific Northwest. (more…)

ECS congratulates Faraday Technology, an ECS Patron Level Institutional Member. The U.S. Department of Energy (D.O.E.) recently highlighted Faraday for developing an energy-efficient method for removing water from cellulosic nanomaterials (CNs). CNs have a unique combination of characteristics including high mechanical properties, sustainability, and large-scale production potential. Their material applications include as additives, self-sustaining structures, and template structures. By making CNs more economical to transport, the new FARADAYIC® ElectroDewatering process and associated FARADYIC® ElectroExtrusion apparatus make them more accessible for a broad spectrum of industrial applications. (more…)

An ECS Institutional Membership admits organizations to an elite group of scientists, academics, and professionals. Join and open the door to a vast array of information, people, and breaking research in electrochemistry and solid state science and technology.

Learn how customizable benefits packages save your organization up to 25 percent on the ECS Institutional Membership Program.

RENEW – JOIN today!
Contact Anna Olsen for more information.

(more…)

Greg Jackson on changing perceptions and new opportunities

In our series, The ECS Community Adapts and Advances, Greg Jackson reflects on changing perceptions of science and difficulties meeting goals in the shadow of COVID-19. Greg is professor of mechanical engineering at the Colorado School of Mines (CSM). His research group focuses on solar energy storage in solid-oxide electrochemical systems. Greg received his PhD from Cornell University. After working at Precision Combustion, Inc., he spent 15 years in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Maryland where he was Associate Director of the Energy Research Center. At ECS, Greg chaired the High-Temperature Energy, Materials & Processes Division, and served on the Board. He recently stepped back from administrative positions to teach more and spend time with his kids. (more…)

Alice Suroviec on juggling home, work—and a transformed tomorrow

For our series, The ECS Community Adapts and Advances, Alice Suroviec describes pandemic-related challenges—and benefits—of being a mother, professor, scientist, researcher, administrator, homeschooler, and crisis manager. Alice is Professor of Bioanalytical Chemistry and Dean of the College of Medical and Natural Sciences at Berry College, Georgia, U.S. Her research focuses on enzymatically modified electrodes for use as biosensors and the use of self-assembled monolayers on gold nanoparticles. Alice is associate editor of the Journal of The Electrochemical Society and guest editor of Interface. Formerly chair of the Division of Physical and Analytical Electrochemistry, Alice now chairs the ECS Ad Hoc Committee on Diversity and Inclusivity, and serves on the ECS Individual Membership Committee and the Interdisciplinary Science and Technology Subcommittee. (more…)

Jeff Henderson describes coping today and fears for tomorrow

In our series, The ECS Community Adapts and Advances, Jeffrey “Jeff” Henderson opened up about what he and his colleagues are worrying about—and some tips to getting through this unprecedented period. Jeff is a PhD candidate in Physical/Analytical Chemistry under the supervision of Professors Jamie Noël and David Shoesmith at the University of Western Ontario (Western), Canada. His research focuses on the role of alloying elements on the corrosion behavior of Ni-based alloys. Jeff, who works from home with his pet rabbit for company, is very active with the ECS University of Western Ontario Student Chapter. (more…)

Yue Kuo shares words of comfort and encouragement

In our series, The ECS Community Adapts and Advances, Yue Kuo talks about the role of ECS members in solving humanity’s grand challenges, including the pandemic. Yue holds the Dow Professorship in the Artie McFerrin Department of Chemical Engineering with a joint appointment in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Department of Materials Science and Engineering at Texas A&M University (TAMU). After receiving his BS from National Taiwan University in 1974, Yue earned his PhD at Columbia University, U.S., in 1979. For the next two decades, he worked at the IBM Thomas J. Watson Research Center at Yorktown Heights and Data General Semiconductor Division in Silicon Valley. Throughout his career, Yue has tirelessly donated extraordinary service in many different Society volunteer roles.

Yue Kuo co-chairs two PRiME 2020 session: H03 – TFT Applications in Displays, ICs, and Beyond on Wednesday, October 7, from 1400 – 1810h; and H03 – TFT Device Characteristics and Reliability 1 on Monday, October 5, from 800-1150h. (more…)

Janine Mauzeroll on balancing life under COVID-19

In our series, The ECS Community Adapts and Advances, Janine Mauzeroll reflects on balancing professorship and motherhood while home schooling and dealing with loss. Janine is Associate Professor of Chemistry at McGill University, Canada. She received her PhD at the University of Texas at Austin, US, and did her postdoc at the Université de Paris, France. Her research group studies electron transfer reactions using electrochemical and biochemical methods and scanning electrochemical microscopy to study transport events in and out of human cancer cells. Janine serves as technical editor for the organic and bioelectrochemistry (OBE) technical interest area of the Journal of The Electrochemical Society. (more…)