Tom Zawodzinski, the UT-ORNL Governor’s Chair in Electrical Energy Conversion and Storage, has been selected as the recipient of the 2025 Vittorio de Nora Award, one of the most prestigious awards bestowed by the Electrochemistry Society (ECS).

Established in 1971, the award recognizes outstanding contributions to engineering and technology directed toward the utilization of electrochemical phenomena and processes. Zawodzinski is the first person affiliated with the University of Tennessee to receive the award.

“I am grateful to the ECS for this recognition. This is a highlight of my career to date, which has had a core focus on developing and using fundamental experimental approaches to improve our ability to interconvert electricity and chemicals in numerous ways for numerous purposes,” said Zawodzinksi, who serves in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering. “I have been, and continue to be, blessed to work with many talented staff and students and I thank them all for their contributions.”

Zawodzinski’s research focuses on using fundamental measurements as well as device analysis to advance the technology and materials used in batteries, fuel cells and other electrochemical devices. His research includes metal air batteries, redox flow batteries, fuel cells, and membranes.

Zawodzinski will be recognized at the 249th ECS Meeting, which takes place May 24-28 in Seattle, Washington. He will receive a gold medal with his name, a plaque with his name, $7,500, and ECS lifetime membership.

At the meeting, Zawodzinski will also deliver a general address on a subject related to the contributions or which the award is presented.

Contact

Rhiannon Potkey (rpotkey@utk.edu)