Esther Takeuchi

Takeuchi to Present ECS Lecture at 250th Meeting

Esther Takeuchi (SUNY Distinguished Professor and William and Jane Knapp Chair in Energy and the Environment at Stony Brook University and Chief Scientist and Chair of the Interdisciplinary Science Department at Brookhaven National Laboratory) will present the ECS Lecture—“Electrochemistry: A Keystone of the Energy Future”—at the 250th ECS Meeting Plenary Session. Her participation is especially fitting as ECS celebrates its 250th meeting since its founding in 1902. As she noted, “Scientific participation and scientific discovery is a marathon, not a sprint; you have to be in it for the long haul. I think that idea is very reflective of the Society and its members.”¹

Holding more than 150 patents and in the National Inventors Hall of Fame, Prof. Takeuchi is best known for developing the lithium/silver vanadium oxide (Li/SVO) battery used in implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs), more than 150,000 of which are implanted annually in the United States.²  

An ECS member for over 40 years and Society President from 2011 to 2012, Prof. Takeuchi credits ECS with fostering connections across disciplines, sectors, and countries. In a conversation with ECS staff in June 2026, she discussed the themes of her ECS Lecture and the evolving role of electrochemistry in addressing global energy challenges. (more…)

One of Nobel laureate Dr. M. Stanley Whittingham’s earliest memories of ECS (he’s been a member for more than 50 years!) dates back to receiving a Young Author Award: “…when I got a Young Author Award and went to the Shamrock Hotel in Houston, the reception was around the pool, and the Texas Rangers came on their horses. And that was amazing!”^{1, 2}

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249th Meeting ECS Lecturer Talks Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow

Joseph Wang | 249th ECS Plenary/ECS Lecturer

Joseph Wang (SAIC Endowed Chair, Distinguished Professor of Chemical and Nanoegineering, Director of the Center of Wearable Sensors, and Co-Director, Center for Mobile-health Systems at the University of California San Diego) insists that his research has always focused simply on “solving problems.” Yet his work over the past 40 years has transformed the fields of wearable sensors, nanomachines, and medical diagnostics. He advanced field-based environmental monitoring and forensics by introducing “green” electrodes as non-toxic alternatives to mercury for detecting heavy metals, as well as remote submersible sensors for detecting explosives and gunshot residue. He is also expanding innovative technologies to detect, monitor, and treat disease and promote health—including minute rapidly moving catalytic nanorobots that deliver medication precisely where it is needed!

Dr. Wang is consistently ranked as one of the top engineers and top electrochemists in the world (190,000+ citations). One on one, he is charming—just ask the 800+ aspiring scientists who have graced his labs! Or learn more about his life and work in this interview leading up to his presenting the ECS Lecture, “Wearable Bioelectronic Platforms,” at the 249th ECS Meeting Plenary Session.

Read on and join us—and Joe—in Seattle, WA US, from May 24–28, 2026!

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Dr. Loraine Torres-Castro

Physicist Dr. Loraine Torres-Castro, Battery Safety Lead at Sandia National Laboratories, is serving as the lead organizer for the A01—New Approaches and Advances in Electrochemical Energy Systems Symposium at the 249th ECS Meeting in Seattle, WA, this spring.  

In a recent interview with ECS staff, Dr. Torres-Castro shared insights into the rewards and complexities of symposium leadership, encouraging colleagues to pursue similar roles. She is part of a dynamic new organizing team—which includes Dr. Yuliya Preger (Sandia National Laboratories) and Prof. Golareh (Goli) Jalilvand (University of South Carolina)—that has introduced a collaborative leadership model. Under this arrangement, the leads rotate each meeting: Dr. Preger led the 248th Meeting symposium, while Prof. Jalilvand is slated to lead it at the 250th. 

Learn more about symposium organizing and Dr. Torres-Castro.

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The Electrochemical Society (ECS) welcomed over 400 members from around the world at the  248th ECS Meeting Member Reception Celebrating Student Chapters in Chicago, IL, US. Held at the Hilton Chicago, this special gathering was a chance to recognize the collective impact of ECS members and celebrate the Society’s over 160 Student Chapters! 

In a room alive with energy, ideas, and warm fellowship, members enjoyed an animated celebration filled with memorable moments, news, proud achievements, and the always-anticipated ECS raffle. Here are the highlights.  (more…)

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Journal of The Electrochemical Society (JES) and The Electrochemical Society Interface each won 2025 Apex Awards in the category of Magazines, Journals & Tabloids – Electronic, which includes web and PDF magazines. “This award is a testament to the excellence, talent, dedication, and tireless passion of our team—our writers, editors, and designers—and our readers who continue to inspire everything we do. Together they make our magazines continuing forces for positive change in the world,” said Adrian Plummer, Senior Director of Publications, The Electrochemical Society (ECS).

APEX awards are based on excellence in graphic design, editorial content, and the entry’s success in achieving overall communications effectiveness and excellence. The prestigious awards recognize the Society’s efforts to uphold the highest standards of quality, integrity, and excellence across its family of journals.

“We’re humbled by this honor and proud of our team’s commitment to publishing world-class research that shapes a more sustainable future. This recognition motivates us to provide a platform for future leaders and to keep advancing science for the benefit of all humanity,” stated Christopher Jannuzzi, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer, ECS. (more…)