Sayaka Takahashi, a second-year master’s student and Soichiro Natori, a first-year master’s student received the Best Student Presentation Award at the 90th Electrochemical Society of Japan Annual Meeting.

　Sayaka Takahashi, a second-year student of the Applied Chemistry Course in the Master’s Program of the Interdisciplinary Graduate School of Medicine, Engineering and Agricultural Sciences, University of Yamanashi (Supervisor: Prof. Makoto Uchida of the Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Nanomaterials Center) and Soichiro Natori, first-year master’s student of the Special Program for Green Energy Conversion Science and Technology (Supervisor: Prof. Makoto Uchida of the Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Nanomaterials Center) received the Best Student Presentation Award at the 90th Electrochemical Society of Japan Annual Meeting held at Tohoku Institute of Technology on March 27 (Mon.) to 29 (Wed.), 2023. This award is given to students who give excellent presentations that contribute to the development of electrochemistry and the Electrochemical Society of Japan.

　Takahashi’s awarded subject is “Performance and durability of membrane-electrode assemblies using a non-precious metal catalyst and a hydrocarbon-based electrolyte for anion exchange membrane water electrolysis.” This study focused on anion exchange membrane water electrolysis (AEMWE), which is expected to have low cost and high hydrogen production efficiency. During her presentation, Takahashi demonstrated the excellent water electrolysis performance of precious metal-free electrolysis cells that utilize an anion-conductive electrolyte membrane and non-precious metal electrocatalysts developed at the University of Yamanashi. The award committee highly evaluated Takahashi’s oral presentation, Q&A session, and achievement of high electrolytic efficiency in a noble metal-free cell, which led to her receiving the Best Student Presentation Award.

　Natori’s presentation, titled “Performance and durability evaluation of anion exchange membrane water electrolysis cells using NiFe-LDH catalyst and hydrocarbon electrolyte,” was also recognized with the Best Student Presentation Award. In his study, he evaluated the performance of AEMWE cells utilizing an anion-conductive electrolyte membrane developed at the University of Yamanashi and non-precious metal electrocatalysts developed by Panasonic Holdings Corporation. His findings showed that these cells had excellent water electrolysis performance. His presentation was highly evaluated by the award committee for delivering a good oral presentation, answering Q&A questions effectively, and achieving a high durability and current density of 4 A cm-2 for AEMWE cells.

　Takahashi expressed her happiness after receiving the Best Student Presentation Award at the 90th Electrochemical Society of Japan Annual Meeting, saying, “I am very happy to receive this award.” She also expressed her sincere gratitude to Professor Makoto Uchida, as well as all other professors and researchers who supported her. Moreover, she stated that she was encouraged by this award and vowed to continue enjoying her research while also striving to realize a hydrogen society. Natori expressed his elation after receiving the Best Student Presentation Award at the 90th Electrochemical Society of Japan Annual Meeting, saying, “I’m very glad to receive this award.” He also expressed his sincere gratitude to Professor Makoto Uchida, other professors at the research center, and Panasonic for their support. He further added, “I will continuously work towards improving the performance of water electrolysis technology to realize a decarbonized society.”　(The school year is as of April 2023)