Stony Brook Distinguished Professor Esther Sans Takeuchi Honored by The Electrochemical Society with New Innovation Award Named for Her

The ECS establishes this award in recognition of Takeuchi's lasting contributions to electrochemistry and technologies that benefit society

STONY BROOK, NY-November 6, 2026-The Electrochemical Society (ECS) has established the Esther Sans Takeuchi Innovation Award, recognizing the enduring legacy and groundbreaking contributions of The State University of New York at Stony Brook (Stony Brook University) Distinguished Professor Esther Sans Takeuchi to the field of electrochemistry and its real-world applications in energy and the environment.

The award was announced at the Society's historic 250th meeting in Calgary, Canada. It will recognize individuals who have made substantial and sustained impacts on electrochemistry, particularly through the development of technologies with meaningful applications in energy and the environment.

Takeuchi, the William and Jane Knapp Chair in Energy and the Environment at Stony Brook University, also holds a joint appointment at Brookhaven National Laboratory, where she serves as chief scientist. She is a former the ECS president, having served from 2011 to 2012, and has been a member of the Society since 1985.

"I hold this recognition in high regard and am sincerely grateful to the ECS for creating this legacy in my name," said Takeuchi. "This award is a testimony to accomplishment in electrochemical science and technology that I hope will inspire others to pursue research with meaningful and positive impact. The achievements were only possible through the contributions of others, in particular the deep scientific understanding and selfless contributions from my husband, Kenneth Takeuchi, and collaborator Amy Marschilok."

Throughout her career in industry and academia, Takeuchi has championed the translation of scientific discovery into practical inventions that make a difference in people's lives. Her research has focused for decades on advancing electrochemical energy storage, from batteries for medical devices to systems for larger-scale energy storage. Her work combines the design of new battery materials with fundamental studies of the electrochemical reactions, ion transport, and structural changes that govern battery performance. This research helps guide the development of batteries with greater energy and power, longer lifetimes, improved safety, and increased sustainability.

Inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame, Takeuchi holds more than 150 patents, making her one of the leading American women patent holders. In 2008, she received the National Medal of Technology and Innovation for her innovative battery research at Greatbatch Inc., where she was a key contributor to the development of the battery system that powers life-saving implantable cardiac defibrillators. She is also a member of the National Academy of Engineering.

"Esther's work has had an extraordinary impact, both scientifically and in people's lives," said Anatoly Frenkel, chair of the Department of Materials Science and Chemical Engineering at Stony Brook University. "This award is a testament to the highest level of excellence she has set for her field. We are very proud to have Esther as a colleague in our department."

The Esther Sans Takeuchi Innovation Award will celebrate sustained innovation that bridges fundamental science and applied devices to deliver meaningful societal and technological impact. Eligible contributions may include electrochemical inventions in energy storage and conversion, sensors, materials, corrosion and coatings, electrochemical and bioelectrochemical components and assemblies, and electronics.

"Scientific discovery is a marathon, not a sprint. You have to be in it for the long haul," Takeuchi has said, reflecting the sustained commitment to research and innovation that has defined her career.

Takeuchi is a Fellow of the ECS, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering. She is also a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. In addition to her roles at Stony Brook and Brookhaven National Laboratory, she is co-director of Stony Brook's Institute of Sustainability, Electrification and Energy and founding director of the Center for Mesoscale Transport Properties, an Energy Frontier Research Center. She earned her PhD in chemistry from The Ohio State University and her BA in chemistry and history from the University of Pennsylvania.

Nominations Open March 15, 2027

Nominations for the inaugural Esther Sans Takeuchi Innovation Award will open on March 15, 2027. Details about eligibility requirements and the nomination process will be available soon on the ECS website.

Honoring Achievement; Celebrating Service

The ECS Honors & Awards Program recognizes outstanding technical achievements in electrochemical and solid state science and technology, as well as exceptional service to the Society. Recognition opportunities are available through Society, division, student, and section awards. There are no restrictions based on age, sex, race, citizenship, or place of origin or residence.

For more information about the ECS Honors & Awards Program, email [email protected] or visit www.electrochem.org/awards.

To support the Esther Sans Takeuchi Innovation Award and help recognize individuals whose work has made significant and sustained contributions to electrochemistry and its applications in energy and the environment, visit the ECS award support page.

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About the State University of New York at Stony Brook (Stony Brook University)

The State University of New York at Stony Brook is New York's flagship university and No. 1 public university. It is part of the State University of New York (SUNY) system. With more than 27,700 students, more than 3,000 faculty members, more than 237,000 alumni, a premier academic healthcare system and 18 NCAA Division I athletic programs, Stony Brook is a research-intensive distinguished center of innovation dedicated to addressing the world's biggest challenges. The university embraces its mission to provide comprehensive undergraduate, graduate and professional education of the highest quality, and is ranked as the #59 overall university and #24 among public universities in the nation by U.S. News & World Report's Best Colleges listing. Fostering a commitment to academic research and intellectual endeavors, Stony Brook's membership in the Association of American Universities (AAU) places it among the top 73 research institutions in North America. The university's distinguished faculty have earned esteemed awards such as the Nobel Prize, Pulitzer Prize, Indianapolis Prize for animal conservation, Abel Prize, Fields Medal, Breakthrough prizes in mathematics and physics, and MacArthur Fellows Genius Grants. Stony Brook has the responsibility of co-managing Brookhaven National Laboratory for the U.S. Department of Energy - one of only eight universities with a role in running a national laboratory. In 2023, Stony Brook was named the anchor institution for the New York Climate Exchange on Governors Island in New York City. Providing economic growth for neighboring communities and the wider geographic region, the university totals an impressive $8.93 billion in increased economic output on Long Island. Follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/stonybrooku/ and X @stonybrooku.