Allen J. Bard

Allen J. Bard, regarded as the “father of modern electrochemistry,” was recently announced the winner of the 2019 King Faisal International Prize in Science. According to UT NEWS, the University of Texas at Austin professor of chemistry received $200,000 and a gold medal from the King Faisal Foundation, as a result of the big win.

Bard, an ECS member for over 50 years, is a big believer in chemistry—the chemistry found among people.

“There’s a chemistry that can develop in a group, and that chemistry can lead to very good science,” says Bard.

So it’s no surprise that his team player mentality has indeed led him to “very good science,” so good it earned him the international award, given to only those who have made outstanding contributions in physics, chemistry, biology, or mathematics through original scientific research that brings major benefits to humanity.

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It’s winter. And with that comes heavy coats, icy winds, and occasionally, below freezing temperatures: conditions not favorable for batteries.

Car batteries

Temperature extremes, in general, are not favorable to batteries. According to Lifewire, lead-acid batteries drop in capacity by about 20 percent in normal to freezing weather, and down to about 50 percent in temperatures that reach about -22 degrees Fahrenheit.

As a result, you may find your car battery giving out on any given winter morning. This is due to reduced capacity and increased draw from starter motors and accessories. This is because starter motors require a tremendous amount of amperage to get going: knocking out the capacity of even the newest batteries. (more…)

The Electrochemical Society and Enago have entered into a collaboration that will allow researchers within ECS’s member network easy access to Enago’s author services, including English manuscript editing and publication support, at every stage of the publication cycle.

ECS exists to advance global knowledge and practice in the sphere of electrochemistry and solid state science. It’s an international community, led by scientists, for scientists. Its members, individual and institutional, can take advantage of the vast programs offered, such as awards, grants, fellowships, and much more. (more…)

When it comes to growing crops, it’s a balancing act. You need just the right amount of sun, water, and soil composition to keep plants happy and blooming.

Researchers have recently discovered that light sensors might be able to help with that. According to New Food, the sensors work by actively measuring the various wavelengths of light coming off of crop leaves. These measurements are then used to calculate how much nitrogen crops need for optimal health. (more…)

Let’s face it. Anyone can benefit from a boost in their cell phone’s battery life, with the use of social media apps like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and the daily connectedness of email, texting, FaceTime, and selfies, it’s a surprise if our cell phone batteries last a day—which most often they don’t. Cut to, Apple’s newly released smart battery case that extends the life of their latest iPhones: the XS and XR. (more…)

Schematic representation of the movement of the flower-like particle as it makes its way through a cellular trap to deliver therapeutic genes. Credit: WSU

According to ScienceDaily, researchers have developed a new method to deliver drugs and therapies into cells at the nanoscale level.

What makes this new approach particularly promising is that it does not lead to toxic side effects, unlike other similar efforts attempted by researchers. The problem frequently faced was in the delivery of the therapeutic genes into cells, the nanomaterials only showing low delivery efficiency of medicine and possible toxicity. (more…)

The Electrochemical Society has appointed Krishnan Rajeshwar as the new editor of the ECS Journal of Solid State Science and Technology for a three-year term.

Launched in 2012, the ECS Journal of Solid State Science and Technology focuses on fundamental and applied areas of solid state science and technology including experimental and theoretical aspects of the chemistry and physics of materials and devices. The journal’s technical scope covers (1) carbon nanostructures and devices, (2) dielectric science and materials, (3) electronic materials and processing, (4) electronic and photonic devices and systems, and (5) luminescence and display materials, devices, and processing.

Rajeshwar is a distinguished university professor at University of Texas at Arlington. He is also the founding director of the Center for Renewable Energy and Science Technology (CREST) on campus. (more…)