The Electrochemical Society acknowledges the grief, anger, and pain stirred by recent events, but also joins the call to action for positive change necessitated by the persistent racial injustice and inequalities plaguing society, as tragically exemplified by the killing of George Floyd.

In this time of division and unrest, The Electrochemical Society reaffirms its commitment to being an inclusive organization that promotes and values diversity. We recognize and respect the rights of all, and are committed to building and maintaining a culture that encourages, supports, and celebrates the unique backgrounds and experiences of our members, volunteers, employees, and constituents. (more…)

In our series, The ECS Community Adapts and Advances, Netzahualcóyotl (Netz) Arroyo-Currás talks about his lab’s challenge as part of the pandemic response of Johns Hopkins Medicine, which is at the forefront of COVID-19 research. Soon after classes went online and labs were shuttered, his team shifted gears to quickly design a COVID-19 diagnostic device to help meet the urgent need to re-open work and study environments. Netz also reports that despite drawbacks, he finds that online teaching and learning has created good opportunities for developing, sharpening, and showcasing knowledge and skills.

Netz Arroyo Addresses Urgent Needs

“We were in full lockdown when the Provost’s Office called for internal applications to develop COVID-19 diagnostic tools. We had a week to develop an idea, form a team, put a proposal together, and submit it. Then came revisions and presentations. Within two weeks…my lab, in collaboration with two other labs, was awarded the funding to pursue the development of a diagnostic device that is electrochemical in nature. We’re in very early stages but…made a commitment to finish it in three months, in light of the pressing need.”

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ECS congratulates the 2020 Outstanding Student Chapter winner, the ECS Yamagata University Student Chapter, for their dedication and commitment to the advancement of electrochemical and solid state science and engineering education.

The Outstanding Student Chapter Award was established in 2012 to recognize distinguished ECS student chapters that demonstrate active participation in The Society’s technical activities, establish community and outreach activities in the areas of electrochemical and solid state science and engineering education, and create and maintain a robust membership base. (more…)

In our series, The ECS Community Adapts and Advances, Venkat Viswanathan shares stories of unexpected opportunities and inspiration. To help early career researchers make progress while labs are shuttered and new lab work isn’t possible, he is creating opportunities to showcase their latest work to academic and industry.

Online Battery Symposium Inspires Action

Venkat Viswanathan is a Faculty Fellow at the Wilton E. Scott Institute for Energy Innovation, and Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU). He was scheduled to speak at the second Oxford Battery Modelling Symposium (OBMS) on March 16-17, 2020, just two days after CMU officially went remote. Most speakers could not travel—but they all participated when the event format switched to an interactive, real time webinar. Online participation included over 150 previously registered attendees. (more…)

In just a few months, everything has changed—and will continue changing in the months ahead. ECS reached out to our members to understand how this unprecedented crisis affects our community. We will share their observations and insights in a series of stories so our shared experiences help us navigate this period.

There will be bumps in the road, unexpected opportunities, and newly discovered inspirations.  What is clear: everyone longs to return to their labs; and research, collaboration, teaching, and learning continue in new ways. We hope you stay connected to your colleagues and the broader ECS community for support.

Elizabeth Biddinger on Being Sensitive to our Academic Community’s Needs

Elizabeth Biddinger Assistant Professor, Chemical Engineering Department, City College, The City University of New York (CUNY), shares how she and her CUNY community are adapting to—and planning to move beyond—the the current situation. (more…)

The ECS San Francisco Section is proud to present Distinguish Seminar speaker Shirley Meng on May 18 at 1100 (PST) via Zoom:

Li Metal Anode – Advanced Characterization for Next Generation Energy Storage Materials

Shirley Meng, PhD
Zable Endowed Chair Professor in Energy Technologies and
Professor of NanoEngineering and Materials Science
University of California San Diego

When: Monday, May 18, 2020
Time: 1100-1200h PST
Join Zoom Meeting: https://lbnl.zoom.us/j/93893593041

Free participation; no advance registration required (more…)

Deadline: Monday, July 27, 2020

Are you an undergraduate, graduate student, postdoctoral researcher, young professional, or faculty member presenting a paper at PRiME 2020? Many ECS divisions and sections offer travel grants to help fund travel to the meeting. See which ECS divisions and sections are offering travel grants —and their specific requirements.  (more…)