The Electrochemical Society University of Michigan Student Chapter has been selected as a 2024 Chapter of Excellence by the Electrochemical Society.
The organization, founded in 2023, was recognized for participation in technical activities, commitment to community outreach, and pursuit of engineering educational opportunities. The ECS University of Michigan Student Chapter was one of three chapters recognized by the Electrochemical Society, and the only chapter based in the United States to be recognized this year.
“It’s only been a year and a half since we started the chapter, so I think this award shows that we’ve been able to accomplish a lot in encouraging the electrochemical community here at the University of Michigan to work together,” said Rachel Silcox, a fourth-year Mechanical Engineering PhD student and current president of the chapter.
The Electrochemical Society is a national organization dedicated to the advancement of electrochemical and solid-state science. The organization includes more than 20 regional professional sections and more than 100 student chapters worldwide.
The ECS University of Michigan Student Chapter hosted a variety of events throughout 2024, including seminars, facility tours, social events, monthly journal clubs, and other networking opportunities. They have hosted speakers from the University of Buffalo, Michigan State University, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, and local companies including Ford, Nissan, and General Motors.
“Some of the work we’ve done definitely makes us stand out,” said Daniel Liao, a fifth-year Mechanical Engineering PhD student.
Liao previously served as the organization’s first president. He helped establish the chapter in 2023 alongside students from the mechanical engineering, materials science & engineering, and chemistry departments. The chapter was founded in an effort to strengthen connections between students, faculty, and local industry leaders through a shared interest in electrochemical science and engineering.
Since its inception, the chapter has grown to include both graduate and undergraduate students from the College of Engineering and the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts. The chapter has also collaborated with the ECS Detroit Section to host a networking event where students shared their research and experiences with current industry professionals.
“This award means a lot for me and the entire leadership team from last year and this year because it recognizes the amount of work we put into creating this chapter,” Liao explained. “I think it highlights all of the things we were able to accomplish and that we are moving in the right direction in creating a long-lasting community here at U-M.”
For more information, visit the ECS University of Michigan Student Chapter and Electrochemical Society websites.