Professor Jason Xu - Recipient of the 2024 TÜBA Academy Prize in Basic and Engineering Sciences
We are proud to share that Professor Jason Xu has been awarded the 2024 TÜBA Academy Prize in Basic and Engineering Sciences in recognition of Prof Xu’s pioneering contributions to the field of electrocatalysis. Prof Xu was presented with the award by His Excellency Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, President of Turkey, and Professor Muzaffer Şeker, President of the Turkish Academy of Sciences (TÜBA), on 18 December 2024 at the Beștepe National Congress and Culture Centre of the Presidential Complex.
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Prof Xu’s research has advanced the fundamental understanding of oxygen electrocatalysis on spinel oxides and other oxide materials. His seminal work, published in high-impact journals such as Nature Catalysis, Nature Energy, Nature Sustainability, Nature Communications, Science Advances, PNAS, etc., has elucidated key factors like geometric occupation of transition metal cations, non-bonded oxygen, electron spin effects, and magnetisation that influence catalytic performance. These insights pave the way for the rational design of more efficient catalysts for critical energy applications. Prof Xu’s research has immense practical implications. His discoveries on magnetisation enhancement of water oxidation and novel mechanisms for sustainable urea production offer promising pathways to address pressing challenges in green energy and chemical synthesis. Beyond scientific excellence, Prof Xu has also made significant contributions to the scientific community by educating young researchers and students in electrochemical measurement and catalyst evaluation protocols. His educational papers and tutorial seminars have contributed to the importance of reliable data in reporting new electrocatalysts for fuel cells and water splitting within the materials research community.
Prof Xu’s outstanding achievements have earned him numerous accolades, including being named Clarivate’s Highly Cited Researcher (2018-2024) and Stanford’s Top 2% Scientists (2020-2024), a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry and a Fellow of the Academy of Engineering Singapore. The TÜBA Academy Prize is a testament to his stature as one of the world’s preeminent electrochemists.
For more about the award, please visit: 2024 Academy Prize Laureates | Turkish Academy of Sciences
About the TÜBA Academy Prize
TÜBA Academy Prizes were launched in 2015 in appreciation and encouragement of eminent scientists. The TÜBA Academy Prizes are annually awarded to the nominated scientists, each in one of the following categories of sciences: 1) Basic and Engineering Sciences, 2) Health and Life Sciences, and 3) Social Sciences and Humanities. TÜBA Academy Prizes are given to scientists who have done original, leading, and path-breaking work in their respective fields. One prize is awarded in each category, and every year, one of the prizes is awarded to scientists related to Türkiye or Turkish issues, meaning those who work in Türkiye and/or study Türkiye
