To compete globally in key energy sectors through the 21st century and beyond, the U.S. must accelerate the discovery and development of novel materials. The I05 symposium at the 236th ECS Meeting, “Accelerated Discovery and Development of Energy Materials,” is a unique opportunity for researchers and stakeholders from electrochemistry and materials research to meet, network, and initiate new collaborations in highly impactful research and development. The electrochemical research community focuses on important energy applications such as generation, storage, distribution, and utilization. The materials research community focuses on computational and experimental methodologies for accelerated materials discovery and development, and advancing multiple sectors. While rapid scientific advances are occurring independently in both fields, bringing world leaders from the two fields together is an extraordinary opportunity to achieve materials breakthroughs with the potential to revolutionize the U.S. energy sectors. (more…)

Ten new issues of ECS Transactions (ECST) have just been published for the upcoming 236th ECS Meeting in Atlanta, Georgia. ECST volume 92, issues 1 to 10 can now be accessed online through the ECS Digital Library. These issues are also available for purchase as an instantly downloadable electronic (PDF) edition through the ECS Online Store:

1. 1. Semiconductors, Dielectrics, and Metals for Nanoelectronics 17
2. 2. 16th International Symposium on Semiconductor Cleaning Science and Technology (SCST 16)
3. 3. Atomic Layer Deposition Applications 15
4. 4. Semiconductor Process Integration 11
5. 5. Materials and Processes for Semiconductor, 2.5 and 3D Chip Packaging and High Density Interconnection PCB 2
6. 6. State-of-the-Art Program on Compound Semiconductors (SOTAPOCS 62)
7. 7. Gallium Nitride and Silicon Carbide Power Technologies 9
8. 8. Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cells & Electrolyzers 19 (PEFC&E-19)
9. 9. Photovoltaics for the 21st Century 15: New Materials and Processes
10. 10. Sonoelectrochemistry

Questions? Contact ECST@electrochem.org for more information.

While most research is accomplished by graduate students and post-doctoral fellows, a number of undergraduate-only institutions are also making significant contributions to electrochemistry. The Education in Electrochemistry symposium at the 236th ECS Meeting explores the challenges these primary investigators face that those at more research focused institutions do not. The symposium addresses teaching and curriculum ideas for incorporating electrochemistry into undergraduate programs — and also provides opportunities for undergrads to showcase their work.

In “How Do We Learn Electrochemistry,” Jeffrey W. Fergus decries the lack of formal electrochemistry educational programs. (more…)

As ECS celebrates the 40-year-anniversary of its first female president, Joan Berkowitz, it is important to note that ECS has a tradition of showcasing women in the sciences at its meetings. Carol A. Bessel, acting division director at the National Science Foundation (NSF), was the highlighted speaker at the annual business meeting at the 235th ECS Meeting. Valerie Browning, director of the Defense Advances Research Projects Agency (DARPA)’s Defense Sciences Office (DSO), will deliver the ECS Lecture at the plenary session of the 236th ECS Meeting. If including, recognizing, and hearing women is critical to attracting and retaining talented women in the sciences, then Bessel and Browning are shining examples of women leading the way. (more…)

Elon Musk promised—and Jeff Dahn delivered! With the publishing of a ground-breaking paper in the Journal of The Electrochemical Society (JES), Dahn announced to the world that Tesla may soon have a battery that makes their robot taxis and long-haul electric trucks viable. Dahn and his research group is Tesla’s battery research partner. Dahn says “… that cells of this type should be able to power an electric vehicle for over one million miles and last at least two decades in grid energy storage.”

According to Doron Aurbach, JES batteries and energy storage technical editor, “This comprehensive article is expected to be impactful in the field of batteries and energy storage. It is a very systematic study by one of the most renowned and prestigious electrochemistry groups in the world. It was a pleasure for me as a technical editor to handle this paper. It substantiates all the statements about the truly high quality and importance of JES, one of the leading and most prestigious journals in electrochemistry. JES provides an excellent service to the global electrochemistry community—and thousands of ECS members—regardless of ‘impact factors.’” As of today, Dahn’s JES article has received over 31,563 abstract views, over 17,000 articles downloads, and quotes in news outlets around the world. (more…)

Recent growth in space-related activities has presented numerous opportunities for electrochemistry in space. That’s why Greg Jackson, chair of the ECS High-Temperature Energy, Materials & Processes Division (H-TEMP) and mechanical engineering professor at the Colorado School of Mines, took it upon himself to bring the first-ever symposium dedicated to “Electrochemistry in Space” to the 236th ECS Meeting.

“As a board member and someone who cares about the Society expanding its audience, I felt that there are many activities going on in regards to applying electrochemistry in space and the uniqueness of the space environment merited a special symposium,” said Jackson, lead symposium organizer.

The potential for increased lunar and Martian activities with in situ resource utilization (ISRU), human space flight, and in-space satellite maintenance, and space debris management present many technical challenges and opportunities where electrochemistry plays a central role. (more…)

Forty years ago, Joan Berkowitz became the first female president of The Electrochemical Society. In honor of the groundbreaking milestone, ECS will host the symposium, “40 Years After: A Symposium on Diversity,” taking place on Wednesday, October 16, at the 236th ECS Meeting. The symposium will not only celebrate the past but also look towards the future, encouraging conversations and examining options to promote the continued support of not only women in the sciences, but diversity and inclusiveness overall. (more…)

What do Koen Kas and Valerie Browning have in common? They were both chosen to deliver The Electrochemical Society (ECS) Lecture at meeting plenary sessions. ECS selects only the most prestigious and forward thinking specialists to present these lectures. Koen Kas delivered the ECS Lecture at the 235th ECS Meeting. Valerie Browning will present the ECS Lecture at the 236th ECS Meeting. Plenary session attendees get to meet the speakers. So be sure to mark your calendar for Browning’s presentation in October at the plenary session of the ECS Meeting.

The ECS Lecture presenters speak on topics that are important for electrochemical and solid state scientists. Koen Kas is a lifetime member of ECS.  A renaissance man, Kas is known as a healthcare futurist, entrepreneur, professor of molecular oncology, acclaimed international keynote speaker, and author.

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Jeff Dahn

More efficient, longer-lasting batteries are needed to ensure the future of the electric vehicle market. Thanks to Jeff R. Dahn and his Dalhousie University research team, a “million-mile battery” may soon be a reality. Dahn is Tesla’s battery research partner. In “A Wide Range of Testing Results on an Excellent Lithium-Ion Cell Chemistry to be used as Benchmarks for New Battery Technologies,” Dahn describes a new Li-ion battery cell with a single crystal NMC cathode and an advanced electrolyte. The new battery should power an electric vehicle for one million miles and last at least 20 years in grid energy storage—making Tesla’s electric-powered semi-autonomous driving cars and trucks viable.

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ECS Executive Director & CEO Chris Jannuzzi

The Electrochemical Society meetings’ plenary sessions provide unparalleled opportunities for participants. Christopher J. Jannuzzi, ECS Executive Director and CEO, described these benefits in his introduction to the 235th ECS Meeting. The plenary session brings everyone together. Colleagues create long-lasting collaborative efforts. Participants enrich and energize their professional lives. New friends are made and old friends revisited. Leading authorities showcase important innovations in the electrochemical and solid state sciences which can impact attendees’ research.

Last spring, at the 235th ECS Meeting’s plenary session, Héctor Abruña and David Lockwood received Society Awards. They spoke on new research in energy conversion and storage, and silicon-based photonic integrated circuits. (more…)