The challenge of meeting the world’s gargantuan energy demands, in a sustainable manner with low environmental impact, is undoubtedly one of the most important challenges of this century. In this issue of Interface, guest edited by S. R. Narayan, four feature articles from members of the ECS Energy Technology Division deal with the science and technology of sustainable energy generation and conversion strategies for solar, electrochemical, and thermoelectric systems. Editor Krishnan Rajeshwar speaks to the need in the U.S. to develop a bi-partisan energy R&D policy in "Red, Blue, or Green?" The issue also includes the Call for Papers for the 216th ECS meeting in Vienna, Austria.
From the President
What's New
In his recent column, ECS President Noel Buckley reflected on the recent PRiME 2008, our fifth Joint International Meeting with The Electrochemical Society of Japan (ECSJ). With approximately 3,400 participants and 3,237 papers on 53 separate topics, it was the largest meeting in the history of our Society. The meeting also had the technical co-sponsorship of four other international societies (JSAP, KECS, RACI, and CSE). An important result was the goodwill generated among international organizations and the new channels of communication opened. Collaboration and the exchange of ideas has always been a hallmark of progress in science. International collaboration between scientists and scientific organizations benefits humanity not only by its contribution to scientific progress but also by its unifying effect between people and by the example that it sets for collaboration in other spheres. The great success of PRIME 2008 is another reminder of what can be achieved through such cooperation.
Don’t forget to vote! Every January, ECS members choose new officers. The election process is Web-based and fast. If we have an e-mail address for you, you’ll receive a message with a link to the online voting. If we don’t have your e-mail, you’ll receive a paper ballot. Read the winter issue of Interface for information about the current candidates.
ECS is pleased to announce the addition of Fuel Cells: Problems and Solutions to its Monograph Series. This new textbook, written by Vladimir S. Bagotsky, is now available for sale; and ECS members will receive a discount. With hundreds of new developments and applications in fuel cells reported every month, this publication could not be timelier. Written for a broad audience, the book enables the reader to understand what fuel cells do, how they do it, and their role in the global economy.
Travel Grants are available for the 216th ECS Meeting in Vienna, Austria (October 4-9, 2009). Applications are due April 24, 2009. Most ECS Divisions offer travel grants to students presenting papers at ECS meetings. The Battery and HTM Divisions also offer travel grants to postdoctoral associates, junior faculty, and other young investigators presenting papers at the meetings.
