An important innovation is the optimized interface between gas, fluid and copper particles, allowing the very efficient supply of CO2 and removal of the product, CO.
Image: University of Twente

In an effort to convert carbon dioxide into carbon dioxide, researchers have developed an electrode in the form of a hollow porous coper fiber that completes this transformation at an extremely efficient level.

The researchers, including ECS member Marc T.M. Koper, believe that this development could give the industrial industry an edge, where it would be extremely beneficial for chemical processes that require gas conversion.

(MORE: Read additional research by Koper.)

The process is not confined to the conversion of carbon dioxide to carbon monoxide, however. Because the manufacturing method is suited for other fibers, it could also be applied to the conversion of oxygen in a fuel cell or hydrogen conversion in the electrochemical production of ammonia.

While the principal idea behind the process is straightforward, the efficiency and selectivity of the reaction is the surprising factor.

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There is no doubt that women have made an immense impact on the sciences. From Marie Curie to Esther Takeuchi, women have made outstanding contributions to innovation, research, and technology.

In honor of International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month, we’re celebrating by (briefly) highlighting a few women who have changed STEM.

Marie Curie

A list of pioneering women in STEM would be incomplete if it did not include the extraordinary Marie Curie. Her inspiring story and discovery or radium helped pave the way to inspire many future women in STEM. Curie was the first woman ever to win a Nobel Prize, the first person and only woman to win twice, and the only person to win in multiple sciences.

Irene Joliot-Curie

Continuing the work of her mother Marie Curie, Irene Joliot-Curie was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1935 for the synthesis of new radioactive elements. Her work included the study of natural and artificial radioactivity, transmutation of elements, and nuclear physics. Joliot-Curie’s work lead to research by German physicist that eventually resulted in the discovery of nuclear fission.

Lili Deligianni

Lili Deligianni’s innovative work in chemical engineering has led to cutting-edge developments in chip technology and thin film solar cells. She has been with ECS for many years, currently serving as the Society’s secretary. Her current research interests in the development of materials for low power on-chip converters and thin film solar cells are game changing technologies that could have applications in solar panel sand electric cars.

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35 years of service

In this episode of the ECS Podcast, we’re celebrating Executive Director Roque J. Calvo’s 35th anniversary with the Society. Through hard-work and a clear vision, Calvo has helped transform the Society into what it is today.

In honor of Roque celebrating his 35th year with ECS, we thought we would interview him for a change.

Listen to the podcast and download this episode and others for free through the iTunes Store, SoundCloud, or our RSS Feed. You can also find us on Stitcher.

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ECS will be offering five short courses at the 229^th ECS Meeting this year in San Diego.

What are short courses? Taught by academic and industry experts in intimate learning settings, short courses offer students and professionals alike the opportunity to greatly expand their knowledge and technical expertise. 

Short Course #1: Basic Corrosion for Electrochemists

Luis F. Garfias-Mesias, Instructor

This course covers the basics of corrosion science and corrosion engineering. It is targeted toward people with a physical sciences or engineering background who have not been trained as corrosionists, but who want to understand the basic concepts of corrosion, learn to select the appropriate materials an know which will be the typical techniques and methodologies to test and qualify materials (resistant to corrosion).

The course will begin with a general, basic foundation of electrochemistry and corrosion. It will cover the typical engineering materials (metals, non-metals, composites, etc.) and their interaction with their environment (temperature, pressure, gasses, liquids, etc.) and the common methodologies to prevent and control their degradation (material selection, adding inhibitors, applying a protective coating, using cathodic or anodic protection, etc.). Basic knowledge of corrosion monitoring and inspection as well as field and laboratory testing will be covered.

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Don’t miss out on one of the most popular and rewarding events of the 229th ECS Meeting—the Student Mixer!

Sponsored by Bio-Logic, the Student Mixer will be held in Sapphire Ballroom D of the Hilton in San Diego from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on May 30, 2016.

Attended by distinguished ECS members and staff, the Student Mixer offers the perfect opportunity to network and socialize with industry experts, fellow students, and like-minded thinkers.

Student Mixer at 228th ECS Meeting

The Student Mixer is a ticketed event. Add a ticket to your meeting registration or contact customerservice@electrochem.org for more information. Tickets are discounted for student members. Registration info

ECS Student Member Price: $5.00
Student Non-Member Price: $15.00

Not a student member? Join today to receive additional discounts on your registration as well as this exciting event!

Tickets are limited and likely to sell out, so purchase yours today!

Recent Progress in Renewable Energy Generation, Distribution, and Storage

PRiME 2016 | Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016 | Honolulu, Hawaii

Our meetings team was just in Hawaii prepping for PRiME!
See more here.

The ECS Electrochemical Energy Summit (E2S) brings together policy makers and researchers as a way of educating attendees about the critical issues of energy needs and the pivotal research in electrochemical energy that will impact our planet’s sustainability.

The 6th International ECS Electrochemical Energy Summit will focus around Recent Progress in Renewable Energy Generation, Distribution, and Storage.

(MORE: Watch presentations from the 5th International E2S.)

The program will include keynote presentations and remarks from DOE, NEDO, KIER, and the Hawaii State Energy Office followed by a poster session showcasing research, advancements, and technologies within the clean energy sector. There will be networking opportunities and associated receptions.

Chair

Boryann Liaw, Hawaii Natural Energy Institute

Organizers

Adam Weber, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Hiroyuki Uchida, University of Yamanashi
Won-Sub Yoon, Sungkyungkwan University
Mark Glick, Hawaii State Energy Administrator

Interested in participating in the E2S Poster Session?

The poster session Z03 is designed to provide a platform of networking with other scientists, technologists, stakeholders and policy makers through information exchange and live discussion. The session welcomes contributions from private or governmental organizations, research groups, and industrial manufacturing and service providers that are engaging in the renewable energy technology and business development, implementation or promotion and interesting in sharing their work, ideas, and results with the participants of the PRiME 2016 meeting.

Submit your E2S poster abstract by April 15, 2016 at
https://ecs.confex.com/ecs/230/cfp.cgi

Image: AlexanderAIUS

Graphene is at it again, outperforming all known materials (including superconductors) in a recent study testing the transmission of high frequency electrical signals.

The researchers found that when the electrical signals pass through graphene, none of the energy is lost – opening the door to a new realm of electrical transmission.

This from the University of Plymouth:

And since graphene lacks band-gap, which allows electrical signals to be switched on and off using silicon in digital electronics, academics say it seems most applicable for applications ranging from next generation high-speed transistors and amplifiers for mobile phones and satellite communications to ultra-sensitive biological sensors.

Read the full article.

“An accurate understanding of the electromagnetic properties of graphene over a broad range of frequencies (from direct current to over 10 GHz) has been an important quest for several groups around the world,” said Shakil Awan, leader of the study. “Initial measurements gave conflicting results with theory because graphene’s intrinsic properties are often masked by much larger interfering signals from the supporting substrate, metallic contacts and measurement probes. Our results for the first time not only confirm the theoretical properties of graphene but also open up many new applications of the material in high-speed electronics and bio-sensing.”

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With a robust career in academia, Daniel Scherson has touched many aspects of science and worked with many notable pillars of electrochemistry. From his work on nonlinear, non-equilibrium thermodynamics with Joel Keizer to his work with Heniz Gerischer and Dieter Kolb at the Fritz Haber Institute — Scherson’s career has been shaped by some of the leaders in the field.

He joined Case Western Reserve University in 1983, where his research focuses on bettering device such a fuel cells, batteries, and electrosynthetic reactors. Scherson has been featured by many for the development of the “cyborg cockroach” that produces energy.

Listen to the podcast and download this episode and others for free through the iTunes Store, SoundCloud, or our RSS Feed. You can also find us on Stitcher.

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Image: ReubenGBrewer

An interdisciplinary team, including 32 year ECS member Stuart Licht and ECS student member Matthew Lefler, has developed a way to make electric vehicles that are not only carbon neutral, but carbon negative – capable of reducing the amount of atmospheric carbon dioxide as they operate by transforming the greenhouse gas.

By replacing the graphite electrodes that are currently being used in the development of lithium-ion batteries for electric cars with carbon materials recovered from the atmosphere, the researchers have been able to develop a recipe for converting collected carbon dioxide into batteries.

This from Vanderbilt University:

The team adapted a solar-powered process that converts carbon dioxide into carbon so that it produces carbon nanotubes and demonstrated that the nanotubes can be incorporated into both lithium-ion batteries like those used in electric vehicles and electronic devices and low-cost sodium-ion batteries under development for large-scale applications, such as the electric grid.

Read the full article.

The research is not the first time scientists have shown progress in collecting and converting harmful greenhouse gases from the environment.

Typically, carbon dioxide conversion revolves around transforming the gas into low-value fuels such as methanol. These conversions often do not justify the costs.

(MORE: Read “Carbon Nanotubes Produced from Ambient Carbon Dioxide for Environmentally Sustainable Lithium-Ion and Sodium-Ion Battery Anodes.“)

However, the new process produces better batteries that are not only expected to be efficient, but also cost effective.

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