Distinguished Electrochemist Marc Koper Receives the ECS Allen J. Bard Award in Electrochemical Science

Marc Koper

Marc Koper

Koper Delivers Bard Award Address on June 3

Pennington, NJ – The Electrochemical Society (ECS) honored Marc Koper, Professor of Surface Chemistry and Catalysis at Universiteit Leiden, Netherlands, with the 2021 ECS Allen J. Bard Award in Electrochemical Science. He will deliver his Award Address, “Electrochemistry of Platinum: New Views on an Old Problem,” at the 239th ECS Meeting with IMCS18. The address can be seen live online at 0900h EDT, Thursday, June 3, after which it will be available through June 26, 2021. There is no cost to participate, however pre-registration is required.

Koper’s presentation highlights his research group’s recent work on understanding the surface chemistry of platinum in an aqueous electrolyte, by combining single-crystal electrochemistry, density functional theory calculations, ultra-high-vacuum modeling, in situ spectroscopy, and in situ electrochemical scanning tunneling microscopy. Platinum is the most used electrocatalyst in electrochemical energy conversion devices such as fuel cells and electrolysers. Koper challenges some existing explanations and interpretations of platinum electrochemistry, and shows the sometimes surprising surface disordering of platinum that happens at both positive (anodic) and negative (cathodic) potentials. 

The 239th ECS Meeting with IMCS18, takes place in a digital format from May 30-June 3, 2021. The event showcases today’s and tomorrow’s top researchers in the fields of electrochemistry and solid state science and related technologies. Symposia with over 2,000 abstracts cover 14 different topic areas: Batteries and Energy Storage; Carbon Nanostructures and Devices; Corrosion Science and Technology; Dielectric Science and Materials; Electrochemical/Electroless Deposition; Electrochemical Engineering Fuel Cells, Electrolyzers, and Energy Conversion; Electronic Materials and Processing; Electronic and Photonic Devices and Systems Organic and Bioelectrochemistry; Luminescence and Display Materials, Devices, and Processing; Physical and Analytical Electrochemistry, Electrocatalysis, and Photoelectrochemistry; and Electrochemical Sensors and Solid State Sensors. Access to all technical presentations is freely available during the event, and later almost all can be accessed through June 26, 2021, via digital presentation files.  

Marck Koper’s research focuses on fundamental aspects of electrocatalysis, theoretical and computational electrochemistry, and electrochemical surface science, in relation to renewable energy and chemistry. He has received numerous awards including the 2019 Netherlands Catalysis and Chemistry Award, 2017 Faraday Medal, 2016 International Society of Electrochemistry Brian Conway Award, and 2013 ECS Carl Wagner Memorial Award. In 2021, Koper received an ERC (European Research Council) Advanced Grant of 2.5 million euros for research into chemical reactions driven by electrodes and electricity. He was awarded his PhD from Universiteit Utrecht, Netherlands (1994), and joined the faculty at Universiteit Leiden in 2005.

The ECS Allen J. Bard Award in Electrochemical Science was established in 2013 to recognize distinguished contributions to electrochemical science. Recipients have made paradigm shifting contributions in the fields of electrochemical science. They are known for exceptionally creative experimental or theoretical studies that opened new directions in electroanalytical chemistry or electrocatalysis.

The award is named in honor of Allen J. Bard, in recognition of his outstanding advancements in electrochemical science. Bard is the Norman Hackerman-Welch Regents Chair in Chemistry and Director of the Center for Electrochemistry at The University of Texas at Austin. A well-published expert in electrochemistry, he is responsible for over 850 peer-reviewed research papers, 75 publications, and three books: Chemical EquilibriumElectrochemical Methods – Fundamentals and Applications, and Integrated Chemical Systems: A Chemical Approach to Nanotechnology.

Visit the ECS meeting registration webpage to learn more about participating in this exciting event.

For more information about the 239th ECS Meeting with IMCS18, visit www.electrochem.org/239.

The Electrochemical Society
ECS, a prestigious nonprofit professional society, has led the world in electrochemistry, solid state science and technology, and allied subjects since 1902. By publishing research, hosting meetings, fostering education, and collaborating with other organizations, ECS advances scientific theory and practice. Our 8,000+ member community in 85+ countries develops innovative solutions to major global challenges. The ECS Digital Library, hosted on IOPscience, encompasses 160,000+ journal and magazine articles and meeting abstracts, and the Journal of The Electrochemical Society, the oldest peer-reviewed journal in its field. Scientists, engineers, and industry leaders share relevant scientific developments, network, and expand research horizons at ECS biannual, co-hosted, and sponsored meetings. Learn more about the history of ECS at www.electrochem.org/history-ecs.

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