The rise, fall and renaissance of electrochemistry
Once seen as a dusty branch of chemistry confined to old textbooks full of mathematical equations, electrochemistry is now at the forefront of some of the world's most exciting technologies. In research labs around the world, electrochemists are quietly driving some of the biggest scientific breakthroughs of our time.
But despite its growing influence, most people still don't know what electrochemistry is, or why it's suddenly at the centre of clean-tech innovation that can help solve anything from clean water access to climate change.
So, what is electrochemistry exactly? As the name suggests, it's where chemical reactions and electricity meet. We can use electricity to drive chemical reactions or, conversely, we can use chemical reactions to produce electricity.
From RTÉ Brainstorm, what's going to happen to used electric car batteries?
It's the science behind the batteries that power your phone, watch or car. It's how gold gets plated onto your jewellery and how an ECG can measure your heart function. Even the electricity that powers your TV or computer is rooted in electrochemical processes, often driven by the combustion of fossil fuels. In other words, electrochemistry is everywhere, but you just might not think about it.
It also has a rather odd origin story involving frogs. In the late 1700s, Italian scientist Luigi Galvani was examining a dissected frog and noticed its leg twitched whenever it came into contact with metal. He thought the frog had its own built-in electricity. It didn't, but the idea stuck, and Galvani had unknowingly stumbled across the principles of electrochemistry.
A few years later, Alessandro Volta realised that it was the reaction between two different metals that caused the spark and ended up inventing the first true battery in 1800. Within years, we'd learned h ow to split water into hydrogen and oxygen and how to coat metal surfaces in gold or nickel, By the mid-1800s, the first rechargeable battery was born, the same kind of batteries still found under millions of car bonnets today.
From History of Simple Things, how do rechargeable batteries work?
Electrochemistry subsequently went relatively quiet and was overshadowed by other major scientific advancements during the 20th century. It never quote disappeared, though, and could be found quietly powering metal plating factories and corrosion testing labs. It took a backseat as more on-trend fields as organic chemistry, nuclear physics and molecular biology took attention and resources. Electrochemistry was considered useful, though hardly exciting.
But it has re-emerged recently as central to some of the world's fastest growing technologies, from electric vehicles to wastewater treatments. In med-tech, it underpins biosensors that allow people with diabetes check their blood sugar in real time, and wearable implants and patches that can monitor everything from heart rate to stress levels. These tiny devices can detect glucose, cholesterol and even early markers of cancer in blood, sweat or saliva.
Electrochemistry is also being used in smart drug delivery systems that release medication in precise doses inside the body. As these technologies shrink and become more affordable, they're bringing personalised, preventative healthcare within reach for millions.
From Inside Science, new smart material could automatically deliver your medication inside your body without a reminder
As if powering a medical revolution wasn't enough, electrochemical technologies are also crucial to mitigating climate change. The concept of "ecological footprint" measures how much nature we use compared to how much the planet can regenerate. Back in 2012, the WWF's Living Planet Report warned that we would need the resources of two planet Earths by 2030 if global consumption and emissions continued a "business as usual" path.
More than a decade on, this warning remains just as urgent. Recent data show we are still on track for ecological overshoot, making technological intervention more critical than ever. Right now, most of our energy still comes from fossil fuels which release carbon dioxide when burned.
Electrochemistry offers a cleaner alternative. We can now use renewable electricity from wind or solar to split water into hydrogen and oxygen, a process known as electrolysis. That hydrogen can then be used as a clean fuel or stored and used later to generate electricity on demand to power cars, buses, trains.
Electrochemistry has re-emerged recently as central to some of the world's fastest growing technologies, from electric vehicles to wastewater treatments
In addition, electrochemists are also developing new ways to deal with carbon dioxide itself. Researchers are now developing electrochemical systems that can directly capture carbon dioxide from the air and then convert it into something useful such as fuels or chemicals. In theory, this means we could close the carbon loop, using electricity to turn a waste gas into a valuable commodity, without relying on fossil fuels at all. It's early days, but the potential is enormous.
For years, electrochemistry lived somewhat in the shadow of other scientific disciplines, often seen as old fashioned or too complex to be exciting. But as we face urgent global challenges, this "in-between" science is proving to be one of the most powerful tools we have. Whether it's producing clean energy, capturing carbon, or monitoring our health in real time, electrochemistry is having its renaissance, and it won't be overshadowed any time soon.
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RTÉ News
7 days ago
- RTÉ News
The rise, fall and renaissance of electrochemistry
Analysis: The once unfashionable science which began with a dissected frog is now behind a vast array of indispensable modern innovations Once seen as a dusty branch of chemistry confined to old textbooks full of mathematical equations, electrochemistry is now at the forefront of some of the world's most exciting technologies. In research labs around the world, electrochemists are quietly driving some of the biggest scientific breakthroughs of our time. But despite its growing influence, most people still don't know what electrochemistry is, or why it's suddenly at the centre of clean-tech innovation that can help solve anything from clean water access to climate change. So, what is electrochemistry exactly? As the name suggests, it's where chemical reactions and electricity meet. We can use electricity to drive chemical reactions or, conversely, we can use chemical reactions to produce electricity. From RTÉ Brainstorm, what's going to happen to used electric car batteries? It's the science behind the batteries that power your phone, watch or car. It's how gold gets plated onto your jewellery and how an ECG can measure your heart function. Even the electricity that powers your TV or computer is rooted in electrochemical processes, often driven by the combustion of fossil fuels. In other words, electrochemistry is everywhere, but you just might not think about it. It also has a rather odd origin story involving frogs. In the late 1700s, Italian scientist Luigi Galvani was examining a dissected frog and noticed its leg twitched whenever it came into contact with metal. He thought the frog had its own built-in electricity. It didn't, but the idea stuck, and Galvani had unknowingly stumbled across the principles of electrochemistry. A few years later, Alessandro Volta realised that it was the reaction between two different metals that caused the spark and ended up inventing the first true battery in 1800. Within years, we'd learned h ow to split water into hydrogen and oxygen and how to coat metal surfaces in gold or nickel, By the mid-1800s, the first rechargeable battery was born, the same kind of batteries still found under millions of car bonnets today. From History of Simple Things, how do rechargeable batteries work? Electrochemistry subsequently went relatively quiet and was overshadowed by other major scientific advancements during the 20th century. It never quote disappeared, though, and could be found quietly powering metal plating factories and corrosion testing labs. It took a backseat as more on-trend fields as organic chemistry, nuclear physics and molecular biology took attention and resources. Electrochemistry was considered useful, though hardly exciting. But it has re-emerged recently as central to some of the world's fastest growing technologies, from electric vehicles to wastewater treatments. In med-tech, it underpins biosensors that allow people with diabetes check their blood sugar in real time, and wearable implants and patches that can monitor everything from heart rate to stress levels. These tiny devices can detect glucose, cholesterol and even early markers of cancer in blood, sweat or saliva. Electrochemistry is also being used in smart drug delivery systems that release medication in precise doses inside the body. As these technologies shrink and become more affordable, they're bringing personalised, preventative healthcare within reach for millions. From Inside Science, new smart material could automatically deliver your medication inside your body without a reminder As if powering a medical revolution wasn't enough, electrochemical technologies are also crucial to mitigating climate change. The concept of "ecological footprint" measures how much nature we use compared to how much the planet can regenerate. Back in 2012, the WWF's Living Planet Report warned that we would need the resources of two planet Earths by 2030 if global consumption and emissions continued a "business as usual" path. More than a decade on, this warning remains just as urgent. Recent data show we are still on track for ecological overshoot, making technological intervention more critical than ever. Right now, most of our energy still comes from fossil fuels which release carbon dioxide when burned. Electrochemistry offers a cleaner alternative. We can now use renewable electricity from wind or solar to split water into hydrogen and oxygen, a process known as electrolysis. That hydrogen can then be used as a clean fuel or stored and used later to generate electricity on demand to power cars, buses, trains. Electrochemistry has re-emerged recently as central to some of the world's fastest growing technologies, from electric vehicles to wastewater treatments In addition, electrochemists are also developing new ways to deal with carbon dioxide itself. Researchers are now developing electrochemical systems that can directly capture carbon dioxide from the air and then convert it into something useful such as fuels or chemicals. In theory, this means we could close the carbon loop, using electricity to turn a waste gas into a valuable commodity, without relying on fossil fuels at all. It's early days, but the potential is enormous. For years, electrochemistry lived somewhat in the shadow of other scientific disciplines, often seen as old fashioned or too complex to be exciting. But as we face urgent global challenges, this "in-between" science is proving to be one of the most powerful tools we have. Whether it's producing clean energy, capturing carbon, or monitoring our health in real time, electrochemistry is having its renaissance, and it won't be overshadowed any time soon.
Irish Examiner
02-08-2025
- Irish Examiner
Sky Matters: It's August so it's time to look out for Perseids
We are very fortunate to live at a time in human history when we have a comprehensive understanding of many of the objects in the night sky; how they came into being and how — and when — they will cease to exist. Much of what we know, we have learned only in the last 150–200 years. The path to this knowledge has been far from straightforward. It is littered with theories that failed to stand up to close scrutiny, with observations that only told part of the story and indeed sometimes led us on the celestial equivalent of a wild goose chase. Nevertheless, through the fundamental self-correcting approach that is the very essence of the scientific method, only the best theories, supported by the best observations, have survived and brought us to where we are today. There is absolutely nothing truly complete in our understanding of even the most common objects in the universe, such as stars or planets, and there will surely be twists and turns ahead as new theories and new observations challenge aspects of understanding which we feel confident about today. That is exciting! It is a characteristic of the scientific method, not a bug. During August the most famous meteor shower — the Perseids — will peak on the evening of 12th. We know meteors are caused by small particles, typically of the size of a grain of sand, as they burn up in the Earth's atmosphere in a second or two. We know that those which show colours do so because they cause molecules of oxygen and nitrogen in our atmosphere, primarily, to glow momentarily. Or sometimes because of the vaporisation of the material in the meteors themselves. We know the particles from the Perseids come from the tail of a comet called 109P/Swift-Tuttle which takes 133 years to orbit the sun once — a discovery made in 1865 by the Italian astronomer Giovanni Schiaparelli. So you'd be right to think we actually know quite a lot about them. Perseid meteor trail. Time exposure showing a trail of a Perseid meteor against a starry sky at dusk. The Perseids are meteors seen around August 12 each year, and which appear to originate from the direction of the constellation Perseus. These meteors are small dust particles from an orbiting dust belt known as the meteor stream. As the Earth passes through the stream, a large number of dust particles enter the atmosphere and burn up, creating a bright trail. At its peak, the Perseid shower has about one meteor per minute. This photograph was taken in British Columbia, Canada. Yet there remains a thrill in simply going outside and looking up expectantly until a Perseid flashes across your vision. Observing the death of a grain of sand that may have been wandering the solar system for more than 4 billion years may not advance our scientific knowledge, but it has a way of connecting us as humans to the greater cosmos with minimal preparation on our part. To paraphrase the great astronomer-communicator Carl Sagan, it does nothing to the romance of the Perseids to know a little bit about them. Roll the clock back a few hundred years and those same Perseids had no scientific explanation. Yet they were just as visible to our ancestors as they are to us today. Alongside comets and other meteor showers, Perseids were recorded in mythology, including Irish mythology. Medieval Irish annals such as the Annals of Ulster, Four Masters, and Annals of Tigernach recorded comets — 'long-haired stars' and associated them as omens heralding disasters, famine, wars or death. Irish medieval monks who copied and preserved ancient texts recorded 'wonders in the sky' as signs from God — noting flaming swords, burning stars, or falling fire. Some of these may well refer to brighter, rare meteors of a centimeter or more in size, though we can't be sure. 'Falling stars' were considered a curse or a blessing depending on local traditions. In some cases they may have been linked to archaeological sites such as ring forts or dolmens. In other cases they were associated with a soul going to heaven, or perhaps a visit from a divine being from the 'otherworld' — rarely considered a good thing! More latterly, a meteor was an opportunity to make a wish. Far from a momentary flash of light in the night sky, meteors are a reminder of the advancement of human thought and the power of celestial phenomena to brighten up our lives — quite literally. Niall Smith is head of research / head of Blackrock Castle Observatory, Munster Technological University, Cork
The Irish Sun
09-07-2025
- The Irish Sun
Inside DOOMED Mt Vesuvius villa destroyed by volcano blast where famed Roman emperor may have died 2,000 years ago
THE luxurious but tragedy-stricken villa where the first Roman emperor, Augustus, is believed to have died has been unearthed after 2,000 years. Researchers from the University of Tokyo say there are a number of clues that suggest the posh villa belonged to Augustus, who lived between 63 BC and 14 AD. Advertisement 5 The ruins of the villa, which were buried under a thick layer of volcanic ash, reveal luxuries only afforded to the ultra-wealthy at the time - namely, a private bath Credit: University of Japan 5 Amphora ceramic containers lined along a wall of a structure at the Somma Vesuviana site Credit: University of Japan 5 That number of furnaces has been called an exceptionally rare find by the archaeological community Credit: University of Tokyo The 3,650-square-meter villa located at Somma Vesuviana, at the northern foot of Mount Vesuvius, was destroyed on the day of the eruption in 79 AD. The famous buried city of Pompeii was located on the mountain's southern slope, and was also completely destroyed by the same eruption. The ruins of the villa, which were buried under a thick layer of volcanic ash, reveal luxuries only afforded to the ultra-wealthy at the time - namely, a private bath. It boasts five large furnaces, which are presumed to have heated an enormous bath. Advertisement READ MORE ON ARCHAEOLOGY That number of furnaces has been called an exceptionally rare find by the archaeological community. Carbon found inside the furnace dates back to around the first century, and suggests they went cold not long after. "There has never been a case where five large furnaces have been excavated from an Italian site," Mariko Muramatsu, professor of Italian studies at the University of Tokyo, said. 5 The famous buried city of Pomepii was located on the mountain's southern slope, and was also completely destroyed by the same eruption Credit: University of Tokyo Advertisement Muramatsu, who began an archaeological survey of the site in 2002, added: "It makes sense as an explanation that no one else but the emperor could make such a magnificent feat possible." Most read in Science The researchers noted that Augustus, who held immense power as the founder of the Roman Empire, may have used the building as a guesthouse. Mystery as body of footless Roman with KNIFE in back found at ancient fort That many furnaces would have heated a significant amount of water, which may have even been used to entertain influential guests. "It is almost certain that they were used to heat a large amount of water for a huge bath facility," said Masanori Aoyagi, former commissioner of the Agency for Cultural Affairs and professor emeritus at the University of Tokyo. Advertisement The researchers also said the bath was out of use around the same time Augustus died in 14 AD, and what appeared to be a large temple was later constructed on the site. 5 The researchers noted that Augustus, who held immense power as the founder of the Roman Empire, may have used the building as a guesthouse Credit: Getty Augustus' grave has never been found, but ancient records say he passed away at his villa northeast of Mount Vesuvius. Accounts from that period also say a memorial was built there in memory of his accomplishments - but the precise location of that villa has remained a mystery. Advertisement Despite the lack of conclusive evidence, researchers say another clue supporting their theories is the fact that the site is located more than 200 kilometres from Rome. "Augustus built a guesthouse with a huge bath beyond Roman citizens' scrutiny in a bid to show his greatness to aristocrats and military officers and have them feel the Pax Romana (Roman peace) in the bath," said Aoyagi, who served as the first project head of the research team. The research team has already begun excavations on the south side of the furnace in hopes of finding the remnants of ancient bath water. A brief history of the Roman Empire Here's what you need to know... The Roman Empire began shortly after the founding of the Roman Republic in the 6th century BC It reigned for around a thousand years until the fall of the last Western emperor in 476 AD During this time, the Romans ruled over many countries in Europe and parts of Africa and the Middle East At its height, 90 million people lived in the Roman Empire It evolved from a monarchy to a democratic republic to a military dictatorship and then was finally ruled by emperors One of the most well-known Roman leaders is Julius Caesar, famously assassinated in 44BC He is largely credited for his military mind and laying the foundations for the Roman Empire The spread of the Roman Empire into Britain in around 55 BC has had a lasting impact on our lives today Latin, straight roads, underfloor heating and the spread of Christianity are all attributed to the Romans
