Toyota and the Electrochemical Society awarded grants to young researchers in the field of green energy research. The scholarships will be used for projects developing fuel cell, electrocatalyst and electrolyzer technologies.
ECS Toyota Young Investigator Fellowship is an annual grant program organized by Toyota Research Institute of North America, a division of Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, and the American Electrochemical Society. The programme is aimed at young doctors and professors conducting research on new technologies that will improve renewable energy in the future. The aim of the ECS Toyota Young Investigator Fellowship is to encourage researchers of the younger generation to look for new solutions to accelerate the construction of next-generation green cars. Electrochemical research is crucial for the development of batteries, electrocatalysts, photovoltaics and fuel cells.
"The grant scheme gives young researchers the opportunity to demonstrate their capabilities and the freedom to carry out research in new territories. - said ECS Executive Director Roque Calvo. - "Toyota's long-standing support makes it easier for our researchers and engineers to create a renewable energy future.
Awards of $50,000 were given to Dr. Ahmet Kusoglu from the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Prof. Julie Renner from Case Western Reserve University and Prof. Shuhuhui Sun from the Institut National de la Rechersche Scientifique. The grant was awarded for one year, during which time the winners are to complete the tests described in their application. In addition, they will receive annual membership of the ECS and the opportunity to present and/or publish their findings.
"We are delighted that three enthusiastic and creative researchers have joined the ranks of ECS and Toyota scholarship holders," said Paul Fanson, President of the ECS-Toyota Fellowship Fund and Senior Manager of Toyota North American Research Strategy Office. - "The projects of this year's fellowships cover a very wide range of research, from ideas for improving fuel cells to new material concepts and design methods for electrocatalysts and electrolysers. The three winners are linked to Toyota by a desire to improve the world through unconventional thinking.