Proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolysis was originally developed in the 1950s and 1960s by General Electric for space applications to generate oxygen for astronaut life support. Since then, several companies have transitioned the same basic technology to products for hydrogen generation at various scales. Today, PEM water electrolysis has developed into a mature technology for green hydrogen production when integrated with renewable energy. Its advantages include high efficiency, high operating density, fast dynamic response, and the ability to operate at high and differential pressures. However, cost and durability limit the large-scale implementation of PEM electrolyzers. Major components, including catalysts, membranes, and porous transport layers, hold promise for significantly reducing the cost of PEM electrolyzers. Collaborative accelerated stress tests across different labs are highly desirable to study the degradation of PEM electrolyzers and to further improve their durability.
The Electrochemical Society (ECS) was founded in 1902 to advance the theory and practice at the forefront of electrochemical and solid state science and technology, and allied subjects.
ISSN: 1944-8783
The Electrochemical Society Interface is an authoritative yet accessible publication for those in the field of solid-state and electrochemical science and technology. Published quarterly, this full-color magazine contains technical articles about the latest developments in the field, and presents news and information about the Society.
2019 Electrochem. Soc. Interface 28 1
Katherine Ayers et al 2021 Electrochem. Soc. Interface 30 67
Jijeesh Ravi Nair et al 2019 Electrochem. Soc. Interface 28 55
Among so-called "next generation" battery technologies, lithium metal batteries (LMBs) enabled by solid-state electrolytes are considered key to achieve rechargeable batteries with higher energy density and safety than current lithium ion batteries (LIBs). This article briefly evaluates various aspects of polymer electrolytes from history, macromolecular architecture, material classification, and electrode optimization, with special emphasis on solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs) and single ion conducting polymeric electrolytes. Representative interfaces and interphases as well as corresponding engineering strategies adopted for the anticipated goals are briefly summarized, including various approaches adopted to mitigate the shortcomings at the interfaces. Significant weight should be given for research and development of SPEs, as they could be an enabler for solid-state LMBs with attractive performance and made by comparatively easy electrode and cell processing techniques.
Barbara Shaw and Robert Kelly 2006 Electrochem. Soc. Interface 15 24
Corrosion is degradation of materials' properties due to interactions with their environments, and corrosion of most metals (and many materials for that matter) is inevitable. While primarily associated with metallic materials, all material types are susceptible to degradation.
Toshihiko Yoshida and Koichi Kojima 2015 Electrochem. Soc. Interface 24 45
This article presents a high-level overview of the various technological advances that were performed to enable the commercialization of the Toyota MIRAI fuel cell vehicle. The article describes the innovations made in flow-field structure, catalyst layer structure and composition, various stack components, the hydrogen storage tank, and in streamlining the humidification process. Finally, the article highlights the importance of leveraging mass manufactured parts from prior generations/platforms to the maximum extent possible to achieve the requisite cost reductions and concludes with some thoughts on the future of fuel cell vehicles, and the necessity for a concerted effort to develop a hydrogen fueling infrastructure.
Daniel H. Doughty and E. Peter Roth 2012 Electrochem. Soc. Interface 21 37
Safety response of Li ion batteries is increasingly recognized as a critical performance requirement for commercial adoption of this chemistry, especially in large scale vehicular applications. The development of increasingly safe battery systems requires continued improvements in cell thermal stability as well as new pack and vehicle designs with rigorous and redundant safety controls. There are many advanced materials being developed and characterized in industry, universities, and national laboratories for Li ion batteries. These materials are often developed primarily for improved performance such as energy density, specific energy, power capability, low temperature response, cycle lifetime, and cost. Safety is often a property determined after the development phase. Safety and thermal stability should become a prime consideration in the initial development and material selection process. There is certainly no need for a "safe" battery that does not perform but also there is no need for a high performance battery that is unsafe.
Hiroshi Iwai and Durga Misra 2022 Electrochem. Soc. Interface 31 65
Seventy-five years ago, on December 16, 1947, the transistor was invented by William Shockley, John Bardeen, and Walter Brattain at Bell Telephone Laboratories. This was a big milestone in human history as it was the origin of the field of micro/nano electronics, which is now resulting in a super-intelligent society. The technological revolution that followed the invention of the transistor is astounding and has moved mankind forward in countless ways. This paper describes the process of the technological development behind the invention of the transistor, and discusses the meaning and impact of its invention on human history.
Thomas P. Barrera et al 2022 Electrochem. Soc. Interface 31 69
Recent advances in electrode materials, manufacturing processes, and safety features are enabling Li-ion battery (LIB) designs to better support energy storage needs for the emerging all-electric aviation market. Increases in cell specific energy, improved fast charge and discharge rate capability, and extended cycle-life are required for the next-generation aviation platforms that consist of more-electric, hybrid, and all-electric aircraft designed to reduce generated flight noise and carbon emissions. The success of these emerging Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) markets is highly dependent upon implementing a safe and reliable energy storage system compliant with aircraft system requirements. This work discusses state-of-the-art (SOA) and emerging LIB technology readiness to meet the derived marketplace performance and imposed regulatory requirements for all-electric aircraft. A special focus on advanced LIB safety design guidelines intended to meet the intent of the FAA DO-311A minimum operational performance standard for rechargeable lithium batteries and battery systems installed on aircraft is emphasized.
Eric Wuchina et al 2007 Electrochem. Soc. Interface 16 30
3000°C. That's not just hot ... it's EXTREMELY hot. It is above the melting or decomposition temperatures for most of the materials known to man. But in the world of extreme environment engineering, it is just a baseline.
2023 Electrochem. Soc. Interface 32 15
Fall 2023 Society News includes publications updates, editorial updates, 2022-23 peer reviewers, and Division News.
Robert G. Kelly 2025 Electrochem. Soc. Interface 34 3
Although I realize that it would be impossible to cover all the things I can't do in a mere 750 words, in this case I am referring to the work of nurses and doctors. We take for granted that they will be there when we need them, but we rarely focus on what that assumption means.
Christopher J. Jannuzzi 2025 Electrochem. Soc. Interface 34 7
As the world continues to confront cultural, scientific, political, and armed conflicts, and climate change wreaks environmental havoc, I draw great inspiration from our community's response to the upcoming 247th ECS Meeting in Montréal, Canada. Despite these conflicts, or perhaps partly because of them, the ECS community is uniting across borders, ideologies, and anything that prevents us from doing what we do best: advancing theory and practice at the forefront of electrochemical and solid state science and technology for the benefit of all humanity. With more than 3,000 abstracts scheduled, the Montréal meeting will no doubt be another outstanding event, uniting scientists, engineers, and researchers from 69 countries to champion and support ECS's mission.
2025 Electrochem. Soc. Interface 34 14
Spring 2025 Society News includes publications updates, editorial updates, staff news, division officers and contacts, and reports from ECS sponsored meetings
2025 Electrochem. Soc. Interface 34 28
The spring 2025 ECS People News includes new of awards received by Corie L. Cobb, Ahmet Kusoglu, Robert Kelly, James Burns, and John Scully, and remembrances of Boone B. Owens, Bruno Scrosati, and John S. Wilkes
2025 Electrochem. Soc. Interface 34 54
Spring 2025 Section News brings an update from the Twin Cities section and section leadership.