Electrochemistry in energy and environment: some future trends

ASHOK K. VIJH ([e-mail])

Dr. Ashok Vijh is Maître-de-recherche at the Institut de recherche d’Hydro-Québec and, concurrently, Invited Professor at the National Institute of Scientific Research (INRS) of Université du Québec, both in Varennes, Qc., CANADA. He earned his BSc.(Hons) in Chemistry in 1960 , M.Sc.(Hons.) in Physical Chemistry in 1961,both from Panjab University Chandigarh; his Ph.D. is in Electrochemistry from the University of Ottawa. After obtaining his Ph.D. in 1966, he worked for three years in the U.S.A. before joining his present positions in 1969.

Elected to The Royal Society of Canada in 1985, he was President of The Academy of Science of The Royal Society of Canada (2005-2007). He is an electrochemist of international stature who has published over 360 refereed papers and six books on various areas of interfacial electrochemistry, including on electrochemical treatment of cancerous tumours. His work has been recognized by the award of over 60 distinctions: prizes, medals, decorations, fellowships, honorary doctorates, academy memberships and membership in international editorial boards. His research contributions have been recognized by his peers in the areas of Chemistry, Physics, Chemical Engineering, Electrical Engineering and Energy Science. He has also made notable published contributions to the philosophy of science, science and ethics, creativity in science and its inhibition, intellectual roots of innovation , science policy, and science as culture. Some of his recent work has also explored the theoretical connections between immunology and cancer, and, the theory and experimental work on the Electrochemical Treatment of Solid Cancerous Tumours.
He is a FELLOW of: The Royal Society of Chemistry; The Institute of Physics (U.K.); The American Physical Society; Institute Of Electrical and Electronic Engineers(IEEE); an Elected Visiting Fellow of St-Edmund’s College,Cambridge University(2005,2006). His Academy memberships include: The Royal Society of Canada; TWAS—The World Academy of Sciences (Trieste,Italy);EASAL--- European Academy of Sciences, Arts and Letters(Paris); INSA—Indian National Science Academy (Foreign Fellow). INSA has just awarded him the prestigious international Chair as The D.S. KOTHARI Visiting Professor for 2014/2015—he will spend several weeks in India as the Chair holder in Jan.-Feb.2015: specifically he will be the Kothari Chair in the Chemistry Dept. of Panjab University from Feb. 20-28,2015 with a cross appointment at IISER Mohali, and,in Jan. 2015,he will spend two weeks at the Central Electrochemical Research Institute(CECRI) laboratories in Karaikudi and Chennai, TN, India.
He was the youngest winner of the I.W. KILLAM Memorial Prize—the highest Canadian prize in any field of science-- of The Canada Council in 1987. He was the first physical scientist to become a Knight of the National Order of Quebec in 1987, promoted to the rank of Officer in 2008. He was decorated as an Officer of the Order of Canada in 1990. He received the Golden Jubilee Medal (2002) and the Diamond Jubilee Medal (2012) from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

He is married to Dr. Ratna Ghosh, C.M., O.Q., F.R.S.Canada, James McGill Professor and W.C. Macdonald Professor of Education and former Dean of the Faculty of Education, McGill University,. They have two sons and two grand-children.