Dev Chidambaram, an Indian American professor of chemical and materials engineering at the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR), has been awarded the Electrochemical Society’s (ECS) 2025 Rusty Award for Mid‑Career Excellence in Corrosion.
The Rusty Award, presented by ECS-the oldest professional organization devoted to electrochemistry-acknowledges Chidambaram’s outstanding contributions to corrosion research. His work includes developing a safer coating alternative to carcinogenic hexavalent chromium systems, and novel formulations to inhibit corrosion and scaling in geothermal wells, both deployed by Ormat Technologies.
Chidambaram leads the Materials and Electrochemical Research (MER) Laboratory at UNR, founded in 2009. His lab’s focus on electron transfer processes has yielded nearly 275 publications and presentations, five U.S. patents, and about $20 million in research funding. His achievements span collaborations with national labs and universities, including DOE‑funded work.
Victor Vasquez, Chair of UNR’s Chemical & Materials Engineering Department, lauded Chidambaram as “a leader in the field,” citing both his scientific innovations and his mentorship of the next generation of corrosion scientists. Chidambaram is scheduled to receive the award and present his research at the ECS October meeting in Chicago.
Chidambaram’s recognition underscores not only his scientific contributions, but also his impact on sustainable materials science and environmental stewardship.
Key Takeaways About Dev Chidambaram
- UNR chemical and materials engineering professor; established the MER Laboratory in 2009
- Named recipient of ECS’s 2025 Rusty Award for Mid‑Career Excellence in Corrosion
- Developer of safer corrosion‑resistant coatings and geothermal scaling inhibitors used in industry
- Established researcher with ~275 publications, 5 patents, and ~$20M in funding
- Recognized for scientific leadership and mentorship in electrochemistry
