Introducing Professor Yiying Wu, Deputy Editor of ACS Applied Energy Materials

ACS Publications is excited to welcome Professor Yiying Wu as the new Deputy Editor of ACS Applied Energy Materials.

Prof. Wu received his B.S. in chemical physics from the University of Science and Technology of China in 1998, and his Ph.D. in chemistry from the University of California at Berkeley in 2003 with Prof. Peidong Yang. He then completed his postdoctoral research with Prof. Galen D. Stucky at the University of California, Santa Barbara, and joined the chemistry faculty at The Ohio State University in the summer of 2005.

He was promoted to associate professor with tenure in 2011 and to full professor in 2014. From 2017 to 2022, he was appointed as the Leet Endowed Chair. He has been serving as an associate editor for ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces since 2013.

His group focuses on materials chemistry and interfaces for energy conversion and storage. He is the inventor of the one-electron K-O₂ battery that received DOE Clean Energy Prize in 2014, and pioneered solar batteries that integrate solar harvesting with energy storage.

He received Cottrell Scholar Award in 2008, NSF CAREER Award in 2010, CAPA Distinguished Faculty Award in 2014, Franklin County Commissioner’s Award in 2014, Midwest Energy News “40 under 40” in 2015, Nano Research Top Paper Award in 2019, and ACS Akron Award in 2019.

We recently spoke with Dr. Wu to learn more about his plans as Deputy Editor of ACS Applied Energy Materials.

What do you see as the biggest challenges and opportunities in the field of energy materials research today?

In the field of materials research for energy conversion and storage, one of the biggest challenges is the development of materials that can simultaneously offer high performance, durability, and cost-effectiveness. This includes addressing issues such as the limited availability of critical raw materials, the scalability of synthesis methods, and the long-term stability of materials under operating conditions. Furthermore, achieving high energy density and efficiency in energy storage systems while ensuring safety and environmental sustainability remains a significant hurdle.

On the other hand, there are tremendous opportunities in this field, particularly with the advent of advanced materials and characterizations. Innovations in materials design, such as the development of high-capacity electrode materials, solid-state electrolytes, and multi-functional catalysts, have the potential to revolutionize energy storage and conversion technologies. Additionally, the integration of machine learning and artificial intelligence in materials research can accelerate the discovery and optimization of new materials, leading to breakthroughs in performance and cost reduction.

What new and exciting things can we expect from the ACS Applied Energy Materials?

As the new Deputy Editor of ACS Applied Energy Materials, I am honored to take on this role and build upon the outstanding foundation laid by Professor Gerald Meyer. We aim to enhance the journal's impact by focusing on high-quality submissions, improving the author experience, and increasing our impact factor through strategic initiatives like special issues and invited reviews. I am excited to work with the Editor-in-Chief Xing Yi Lin and our dedicated editorial team to elevate ACS Applied Energy Materials to new heights and contribute to the advancement of the energy materials research community.

What new areas of research are you looking forward to seeing published in the ACS Applied Energy Materials?

The strength of ACS Applied Energy Materials lies in its broad scope, encompassing a wide array of materials dedicated to energy conversion and storage. We are committed to continuing this mission by embracing innovative and interdisciplinary research. Emerging areas of interest include solid-state electrolytes and batteries, beyond-lithium batteries, organic-inorganic hybrid and composite materials, as well as the integration of machine learning and artificial intelligence in materials research.

What accomplishment are you most proud of?

The accomplishment I am most proud of is the invention of the potassium-oxygen battery in 2013. This innovation exemplifies out-of-the-box thinking and quite elegantly solved the challenges of oxygen reduction and evolution in metal-air batteries.

How do you spend your “free” time? Any hobbies?

In my free time, I love playing tennis. It's a fantastic way to stay active and get a great workout. Plus, tennis is a wonderful social activity that allows me to meet new people and build connections through “friendly” (most of the time) matches and club events.