How Daniel Scherson's Electrochemical Innovations Earned the Morley Medal
In the silent, invisible world of electrochemical reactions, where atoms dance and electrons flow, lies the key to solving some of humanity's most pressing energy challenges.
At the forefront of this microscopic realm stands Daniel Scherson, the Frank Hovorka Professor of Chemistry at Case Western Reserve University, whose groundbreaking work recently earned him the prestigious Edward W. Morley Medal from the American Chemical Society's Cleveland Section 1 5 .
This award recognizes not just scientific achievement but contributions that bridge the gap between theoretical chemistry and practical applications that power our modern world—from the batteries in our smartphones to the fuel cells that might one day drive our cars.
Scherson's journey represents a perfect marriage of theoretical sophistication and practical ingenuity, demonstrating how fundamental electrochemical research can translate into world-changing technologies. His work has opened new windows into chemical processes that occur at the mysterious interface between solids and liquids—processes that were once literally invisible to science but hold the key to advanced energy storage and conversion 3 .
Electrochemistry studies the complex interplay between electrical energy and chemical change—a relationship that powers everything from biological cells to industrial processes.
The batteries and fuel cells that power our modern world all depend on efficient electrochemical reactions. Scherson's work has been instrumental in improving these technologies.
Enhancing chemical reactions through specialized surfaces that speed up processes without being consumed themselves—crucial for making fuel cells practical and efficient.
Developing methods to observe electrochemical processes as they happen, in real time, rather than after the fact.
Working with perfectly uniform materials to understand how surface structure affects electrochemical activity 1 .
| Technology | Challenge | Scherson's Contribution |
|---|---|---|
| Lithium-ion batteries | Capacity fading over time | Developed methods to observe degradation processes in real time |
| Fuel cells | Inefficient catalysis | Created approaches to study catalytic surfaces under operating conditions |
| Implantable biofuel cells | Generating power from biological fluids | First to report an implantable biofuel cell—now a major field of research |
| Grid-scale storage | Improving reliability and capacity | Advised on fundamental research for next-generation solutions |
One of Scherson's most significant contributions came when he became among the first scientists to study the chemistry of lithium batteries using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy 1 .
This technique allowed researchers to peer inside operating batteries and observe chemical changes as they happened—a previously impossible feat that revolutionized battery development.
Before this innovation, battery researchers often had to disassemble cells after operation to analyze what occurred during charging and discharging, much like trying to understand a cake recipe by only examining the finished product. Scherson's approach provided a window into the oven, allowing scientists to watch the batter rise in real time.
They created a specialized electrochemical cell with an infrared-transparent window positioned extremely close to the electrode surface.
For some experiments, they used powerful synchrotron radiation sources instead of conventional infrared generators, which provided significantly stronger signals capable of detecting even minute quantities of chemical species 3 .
They collected infrared spectra continuously while applying precisely controlled electrical currents to the battery cells, correlating electrical behavior with chemical changes.
Using sophisticated algorithms, they decoded the complex spectral patterns to identify chemical compounds forming and disappearing at the electrode surface during operation.
| Chemical Species | Stage of Formation | Effect on Battery Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Lithium carbonate (Li₂CO₃) | Early cycle | Provides stability but reduces conductivity |
| Lithium fluoride (LiF) | Mid-cycle | Enhances durability but can increase resistance |
| Polyethylene oxide (PEO)-like oligomers | Throughout cycling | Increase flexibility but may promote degradation |
| Alkyl lithium compounds | Late cycle | Signal decomposition and capacity loss |
"The implications extended far beyond academic interest. Battery manufacturers could use these insights to design better electrolyte additives that would create more stable SEI layers, ultimately leading to batteries that lasted longer and performed more reliably."
Scherson's pioneering work relied on sophisticated materials and reagents carefully designed to reveal electrochemical secrets.
| Reagent/Material | Function | Special Properties |
|---|---|---|
| Single-crystal electrodes | Provide atomically uniform surfaces to study fundamental processes | No defects or irregularities that complicate interpretation |
| Deuterated solvents | Allow clearer infrared spectroscopy signals | Reduce overlapping absorption peaks in critical spectral regions |
| Synchrotron radiation | Ultra-bright infrared source for spectroscopy | Enables detection of extremely weak signals from interfacial species |
| Isotopically-labeled compounds | Trace specific atoms through complex reactions | Helps identify reaction pathways and intermediates |
| Spectroelectrochemical cells | Specialized containers that allow simultaneous electrical measurements and spectroscopy | Feature infrared-transparent windows precisely positioned near electrodes |
Scherson's research utilized cutting-edge spectroscopic tools that provided unprecedented views into electrochemical processes.
The development of specialized electrodes and reagents enabled precise control and observation of electrochemical reactions.
Scherson's fundamental research has spawned numerous practical applications and continues to guide the development of next-generation energy technologies. His work on implantable biofuel cells—a field he pioneered—has opened possibilities for medical devices that draw power from their biological environment, eliminating the need for battery replacement surgeries 3 .
Similarly, his insights into electrocatalysis have informed the design of more efficient fuel cells that could someday provide clean energy for transportation and stationary power. As director of the Ernest B. Yeager Center for Electrochemical Sciences, Scherson has fostered an environment where these fundamental discoveries rapidly translate into practical technologies 3 6 .
The recognition of Scherson's work with the Morley Medal highlights the growing importance of electrochemistry in addressing global energy challenges. As society moves toward renewable energy sources and electric transportation, the need for better energy storage and conversion becomes increasingly critical.
Developing energy systems that can be safely implanted in the human body to power medical devices.
Creating more efficient, longer-lasting, and faster-charging batteries for electric vehicles and grid storage.
Developing electrochemical systems to store energy from intermittent renewable sources like solar and wind.
Daniel Scherson's Morley Medal recognizes more than four decades of work that has fundamentally expanded our ability to see and understand electrochemical processes 3 6 . His development of sophisticated spectroscopic techniques has transformed electrochemistry from a field where scientists often worked blind to one where they can observe reactions at the molecular level in real time.
"Dan Scherson has led a very distinguished and highly productive program in fundamental electrochemistry for four decades... In my view, he is one of the most creative electrochemists of his generation"
The implications of this work extend far beyond the laboratory walls. From longer-lasting batteries to more efficient fuel cells, Scherson's research has paved the way for technologies that will power our future more cleanly and efficiently.
The Morley Medal not only honors Scherson's past achievements but also highlights the essential role of fundamental electrochemical research in building a sustainable energy future. As we confront the challenges of climate change and energy security, the work of scientists like Scherson—who push the boundaries of what we can see and understand—becomes increasingly vital to developing the technologies that will power tomorrow's world.