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• Award honors outstanding research results in the area of
lithium-oxygen batteries
• Award ceremony in Tokyo, Japan
• Annual award with total prize money of €100,000, with the first
rank worth €50,000
The international “Science Award Electrochemistry” from BASF and Volkswagen goes this year to Dr. Bryan McCloskey, Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Berkeley. The jury of representatives from BASF, Volkswagen and from academia selected Dr. McCloskey for his outstanding research results in the area of lithium-oxygen batteries. He has analyzed the fundamental electrochemical processes in this type of battery by examining the stability of electrolytes and electrode materials. Through his work, the scientist has decisively contributed to a deeper understanding of lithium-oxygen batteries. He receives prize money of €50,000.
The award ceremony took place today in Tokyo, Japan. The award was presented by Dr. Kurt Bock, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of BASF SE, and
Dr. Herbert Diess, Member of the Board of Management of the Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft Group and Chairman of the Board of Volkswagen Passenger Cars brand, to Dr. McCloskey.
“BASF aims to further develop high performance battery materials such as cathode materials and electrolytes. To be successful, innovations in electrochemistry are necessary,” said Dr. Kurt Bock, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of BASF SE. “We are well aware that we still need breakthroughs in research and development to further improve the energy density of batteries. Therefore, we have presented this award for the fourth time to honor outstanding basic research in the field of electrochemical energy conversion and storage. We do this because we want to encourage innovations that will make electromobility a success. We are convinced that electromobility is a key element of future mobility.”
Dr. Herbert Diess, Member of the Board of Management of the Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft Group and Chairman of the Board of Volkswagen Passenger Cars brand, explained: “We at Volkswagen are deeply convinced by electric mobility. The Board of Volkswagen Passenger Cars brand has just launched a major electric mobility campaign. Our aim is the ‘electric car for all’. Powerful batteries are the key here to achieving the breakthrough in electric mobility. Research and development for electrochemical battery concepts of the next generation and the one after are therefore extremely important for Volkswagen. Through this route, we shall ultimately be working together closely with science in order to further optimize energy storage systems in terms of their range and hence increase the attractiveness of electric vehicles.”
The Science Award Electrochemistry (www.science-award.com) was initiated by BASF and Volkswagen in 2012. It is presented annually and targets outstanding scientists in the global academic research community. The aim is to foster exceptional scientific and engineering achievements in electrochemistry and to provide an incentive for the development of high-performance energy stores. The total prize money is €100,000, with the first rank worth €50,000.