Media Releases

Halifax, NS – Dalhousie University is honoured to join the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) in celebrating Dr. Jeff Dahn, a professor in the Dept. of Physics and Atmospheric Science, and his world renowned research in Lithium ion (Li-ion) battery technology.

Dr. Dahn has been named as the recipient of NSERC’s most prestigious award: The Gerhard Herzberg Canada Gold Medal for Science and Engineering. The Right Honourable David Johnson, Governor General of Canada, will present the award at a ceremony today in Ottawa’s Rideau Hall.

This is the third time in four years that one of Dalhousie’s world-class researchers has been awarded the Herzberg. Dr. Dahn follows Dr. Axel Becke (2015), a recipient for his work in computational chemistry, and Dr. W. Ford Doolittle (2014), a recipient for his work in molecular genetics.

“It’s incredibly flattering to receive this award,” said Dr. Dahn. “In my experience, success in research is about passion for one’s work, mental engagement, and a personal commitment to the highest standards. The Herzberg provides great support for the research going forward, and we’ll use that wisely.”

The Herzberg Medal, a $1 million research award, was created in memory of Canada’s 1971 Nobel Prize winner in Chemistry. It recognizes sustained excellence and influential Canadian research that has substantially advanced natural sciences and engineering fields.

“This is a well-deserved honour for an outstanding member of our community,” said Dr. Richard Florizone, Dalhousie University President. “Jeff Dahn is one of the world’s leading battery researchers and his work is building a more sustainable energy future for our planet. We are very proud to have him as both a faculty member and alumnus.”

Widely considered Canada’s “Battery Man,” Jeff Dahn has been involved in the research and development and commercialization of lithium and lithium-ion batteries since 1978. He conducts a mix of fundamental and practical research that focuses on finding novel materials to satisfy the increasing demands for lithium-ion batteries, while at the same time building on those discoveries to improve energy production, storage and sustainability.

In the summer of 2016, Dr. Dahn began a five-year exclusive research partnership with Tesla Motors. The collaboration is a first between the leading American electric vehicle company and a university, and will help Tesla achieve better Li-ion cells for their innovative products.

Learn more about Dr. Dahn’s research on Dal News

Links:

Video: NSERC Presents: A conversation with Jeff Dahn

-30-

Media contact:
Michele Charlton
Communications Advisor, Dalhousie Research Services
Tel: (902) 494-4148
Cell: (902) 222-2817
Email: michele.charlton@dal.ca