Takeuchi Wins American Chemical Society Award

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Esther S. Takeuchi, Ph.D., Greatbatch Professor in Power Sources Research in the University at Buffalo School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, has been selected as a 2008 recipient of an Astellas USA Foundation Award, administered by the American Chemical Society (ACS).

The award carries a $30,000 prize and an invitation to deliver an award address as part of a half-day symposium during the 236th ACS National Meeting to be held in Philadelphia in August.

The Astellas USA Foundation Awards were established to identify individuals or teams who exemplify the criterion of having significantly contributed to scientific research that improved public health through contributions in the chemical and related sciences.

Takeuchi is being recognized for development of silver-vanadium-oxide battery technology that enabled the development of lifesaving implantable cardiac defibrillators (ICDs).

As a faculty member in UB's departments of Chemical and Biological Engineering and Electrical Engineering, she continues to conduct research in areas related to power sources. She and her team are investigating new materials for possible use as electrodes in lithium-based cells, parasitic reactions that limit the life and usefulness of batteries and the incorporation of micro- and nanostructures into the power sources of the future.

She lives in East Amherst.