Abruña honored for chemistry in the public interest

For his work in energy storage and power generation, Héctor D. Abruña, the Émile M. Chamot Professor of Chemistry and Chemical Biology in the College of Arts and Sciences (A&S) has received the 2026 Gustavus John Esseln Award for Chemistry in the Public Interest from the Northeastern Section of the American Chemical Society.

The award honors outstanding achievement in scientific and technical work that contributes to public well-being. This year, it recognizes Abruña's innovative contributions to electroanalytical chemistry.

Abruña will give an award lecture, "The Energy Landscape in the Age of Sustainability," and receive the award at the Harvard Faculty Club on April 17 at 8 p.m., a free event open to the public.

In his research, Abruña uses synthetic chemistry to develop novel electrode materials and employs advanced operando methods for their characterization. His work has transformed the understanding of electrochemical interfaces, advancing the performance and capacity of batteries and fuel cells.

Read the full story on the College of Arts and Sciences website.