Mark Orazem, Ph.D., a distinguished professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering (ChE), was recently named a lifetime fellow by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), which has been honoring distinguished scientists, engineers and innovators since 1874. Orazem was one of 12 faculty from the University of Florida elected to the newest class of fellows.
His appointment as an AAAS Fellow recognizes his “distinguished contributions to the field of electrochemical engineering, particularly establishing a rigorous foundation for electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and advancing its application to complex engineering problems.”
The motto of the Orazem Lab is “electrochemical engineering in service to society,” Orazem said. The cathodic protection models developed in the 1990s by his group were used in the remediation of the trans-Alaska pipeline. More recently, his group developed and patented an electrokinetic method to separate clay from water, an approach that could reduce the environmental impact of phosphate mining in Florida. His method to quantify oxide film thickness is used in industry to qualify raw materials. His group developed and patented a contactless impedance sensor to detect corrosion of post-tensioned tendons in segmentally constructed bridges, such as the Sunshine Skyway Bridge near Tampa. His group also developed the science behind the impedance and transient response of glucose sensors used by Medtronic for diabetes management.
His current work includes identifying possible mechanisms for localized corrosion of copper-clad steel containers, proposed for storage of spent nuclear fuel rods. With Kevin Otto, Ph.D., of the UF Department of Biomedical Engineering (BME), he is leading an NIH-funded effort to use ultramicroelectrodes for neural stimulation. While these areas seem very diverse, they are connected by an emphasis on electrochemical engineering fundamentals.
Orazem is known for his work in electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. His coauthored book in electrochemical impedance spectroscopy is recognized as the standard in the field. Since 2000, he has delivered over 80 short courses on the subject for industry, universities, and professional societies. With Bernard Tribollet, he is writing a new book to be published by Wiley entitled “Problem Solving in Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy: Methods, Data Analysis and Case Studies.”
During his time at UF, Orazem has directed 34 doctoral students, and he is currently advising three doctoral students and co-advising another with Joshua Moon, Ph.D. He is a Fellow of both the Electrochemical Society and the International Society of Electrochemistry, and he served as President of the International Society of Electrochemistry. He received the 2021 Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering Doctoral Dissertation Advisor/Mentor Award and was recognized as a University of Florida Foundation Preeminence Professor.
Carlos Rinaldi-Ramos, Ph.D., ChE department chair and 2022 AAAS Fellow, said “Dr. Orazem is a leader in electrochemical engineering research and education. He established a rigorous foundation for electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and has educated thousands of students and practitioners on how to use it to solve complex engineering problems.”
Orazem taught at the University of Virginia before joining UF in 1988. He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in chemical engineering from Kansas State University followed by his Ph.D. at UC Berkeley.
The 2023 class of AAAS Fellows comprises 502 scientists, engineers and innovators across 24 AAAS disciplinary sections. Participants across various disciplines, such as research, academia, technology, industry and government, have received the honor, including Thomas Edison, W.E.B. DuBois and astronaut Ellen Ochoa.
For more information on AAAS, visit aaas.org.
By: Ada Lang, ChemE Marketing & Communications Specialist
