The 20th International Symposium on Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFC-XX) is now accepting abstract submissions for oral and poster presentations. The symposium takes place July 11–16, 2027, at the Plaza Heisei in Tokyo, Japan.

SOFC-XX, a leading international conference on high-temperature solid oxide electrochemical energy conversion, invites scientists, engineers, and researchers from academia, industry, and government laboratories to share their latest advances in solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) and solid oxide electrolyzer cell (SOEC) science, technology, and commercialization. (more…)

E. Jennings (EJ) Taylor

“Celebrating Electrochemical and Solid State Science Innovations: Commercialization of Electrochemical Processes and Products”

When different ECS Divisions repeatedly asked EJ (E. Jennings) Taylor¹ to deliver talks at symposia on commercializing scientific innovations, he began to wonder, “Why not combine these different symposia into one multi-division symposium?”² Since solving so many of the world’s grand challenges requires interdisciplinary collaboration, an international symposium that brings together researchers at different career stages and across different disciplines could help streamline the path from invention to market while supporting ECS’s vision to “accelerate scientific discovery and innovation”—a foundational aspect of the Society’s mission.

EJ feels strongly that researchers need more support in bridging the “Valley of Death”—the challenge of successfully bringing a promising idea or technology to market. “When I talk about the broader challenges of commercialization, people always respond, ‘I’ve encountered similar challenges in taking technology from lab to market.’ These challenges occur across all disciplines of electrochemical and solid state science and technology. Z02 was conceived to address the common challenges of technology commercialization.” (more…)

An Electrobat cab

A brief history of the first ECS Meeting

The newly formed American Electrochemical Society (which would become The Electrochemical Society) held its first meeting  from April 3–5, 1902.* Earlier, Charles John Reed III, an independent electrochemistry consultant, had proposed creating a new electrochemistry section of the American Chemical Society (ACS). When ACS dragged its heels, Reed appealed to Joseph W. Richards, Professor of Metallurgy at Lehigh University, who agreed to become involved. Reed, Roberts, Carl Hering, E. F. Roeber, Samuel P. Sadtler, and William H. Wahl sent 30 letters to engineers, chemists, and scientists, which said:

“The rapidly growing importance of the subject of electrochemistry and the want of suitable occasions in this country for the discussion of papers and questions pertaining thereto by those specially interested have suggested the advisability of founding a National Electrochemical Society…”¹

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ECS 249: Z05 Young Researchers in Western North America – A Special Symposium and Workshop

The Z05 Symposium and Workshop takes place on Sunday and Monday, May 24–25, 2026, in Seattle, WA, during the 249th ECS Meeting. The symposium includes three expert panels from academia and industry, offering graduate students and postdocs valuable insights into career paths and professional development in the ever-evolving field of electrochemistry. Nobel laureate M. Stanley Whittingham is featured in the third panel.

The symposium is designed to:

• Strengthen the academic and professional network of early-career researchers across Western North America;

• Foster meaningful connections among scientists and engineers;

• Introduce relevant research grant opportunities;

• Provide space for participants to share their work and experiences.

Panelists will be available during coffee breaks to provide feedback and engage in networking discussions.   (more…)

Tyra Lewis

Their experiences reveal not just what happens at the meetings, but why they matter—and barriers that can make participation challenging.

Thanks to these ECS Student Chapter student members for sharing what it’s like to attend ECS Meetings!

• Mohammed Abdullah Al Murisi (President, ECS University of South Carolina Student Chapter, US) attended and presented talks and posters at the 245th and 248th Meetings.
• Rose Yesl Lee (President, ECS University of Washington Student Chapter, US) presented a talk at 2024 PRiME.
• Tyra Lewis (Vice President, ECS Ontario Tech University and Trent University Student Chapter, Canada) presented talks at three meetings, the 241st and 247th, and virtual 239th ECS Meeting with the 18th International Meeting on Chemical Sensors (IMCS).
• Krzysztof Wojno (Vice President, ECS Gdansk Tech Student Chapter, Poland) has not yet attended an ECS Meeting but is very eager to do so!

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