Celebrating Plamen Atanassov's 60^th Birthday

Dedicated to Plamen: In this Guest Editorial, we intend celebrate the 60th birthday of Prof. Plamen Atanassov. We have here described his personal and scientific journey highlighting contributions field electrochemistry in particular electrocatalysis bioelectrochemistry. Personal stories four colleagues or former students/Post Docs him are reported impact not just science but also life people. This Special Collection is dedicated Atanassov birthday. For all those you that know Plamen, well aware passion devotion science, technology, history. an excellent example a scientist who combines enthusiasm with highest level energy contribution. During career, he has distinguished himself only for prolific publication record, most interdisciplinary highly collaborative character research related electrochemistry. proven be critical leader bioelectrochemistry many well-recognized breakthroughs guide directions travel today. All these accomplishments been possible thanks fortunate combination diverse technical preparedness, analytical talent, inventiveness, inter-person organizational skill. short celebration, first briefly describe Plamen's history, which starts beautiful, culturally rich fascinating country East Europe (Bulgaria) leading current employment at University California Irvine. Secondly, scientists celebrating initiative will experiences anecdotes as “older brother”, mentor, colleague, friend brought into our nowadays lives. journey, up days, quite unique adventure. graduated Sofia 1987 specializing Chemical Physics & Theoretical Chemistry. 1988, obtained specialization Bioelectrochemistry Frumkin Institute Physical Chemistry Electrochemistry, Moscow. He then received PhD Chemistry/Electrochemistry from Bulgarian Academy Sciences where was Central Laboratory Electrochemical Power Sources (now Budevski Electrochemistry Systems). 1992, moved United States joined New Mexico (UNM) Senior Research Associate (1992–1993), later Assistant Professor (1993–1999) Nuclear Engineering department. left academia join startup company named Superior MicroPowders LLC (acquired 2004 by Cabot Corp.) Scientist. 2000, hired department 2006 became Full 2009. founded UNM Center Emerging Energy Technologies (CEET) 2007, serving founding director till 2011. period 2012–2013 Dean School Engineering. 2014, Distinguished Biological (new name) UNM. 2015, appointed Director Micro-Engineered Materials (CMEM), joint laboratory between Sandia National Laboratories. spent two sabbatical years, one 2007 Visiting Researcher Hawaii Natural Institute, Hawaii, Manoa, Honolulu, second 2014 Padua (Padua, Italy); Sofia, (Sofia, Bulgaria); Grenoble-Alps (Grenoble), Total Chair Montpellier (Montpellier, France). Starting October 2018, Irvine (UCI) Chancellor's Department Biomolecular Engineering, holding secondary appointments Science His educational efforts directed toward creating program Currently, engaged several major initiatives Energy, participating team build Clean Hydrogen Hub – Alliance Renewable Systems (ARCHES) interfacing hydrogen technology demonstration Pacific/Mountain/Southwest regions Nation-wide. bioelectrochemist “by training”, able successfully translate knowledge other fields such electrochemical devices, focusing mainly on metal air batteries fuel cells. achievements span enzymatic sensing glucose biosensing, including long-term implantable monitoring intravenous lactate, immunosensors viral bacterial detection DNA-based sensors. Important oxygen reduction oxidation, lowest cell hand-held portable devices. Integration reactions electrodes through proper immobilization led paper-based Design efficient gas diffusion significant boost power output. Similarly, innovative silica technique bacteria-based cells well-defined biofilms. pioneers recent development advancement platinum group metal-free (PGM-free) electrocatalysts. Silica templated synthesis transition metal-nitrogen-carbon (M−N−C) materials gave rise commercially available PGM-free catalysts, used currently benchmark many. pioneered use M−N−C catalysts circum-neutral pH biological/microbial systems. These revolutionized cathode performance microbial technologies systems biological bio-inspired harvesting water treatment. programs focused novel electrocatalysts main worldwide recognized contributors, attention non-platinum electrocatalyst cells, nano-structured advanced supports. Novel development, along integration electrodes, redrawn roadmap future advances, technological transfer. Most recently, direction expanded towards CO2 electroreduction product valorization, electrosynthesis ammonia new materials, enabling conversion storage. holds 56 issued US patents, substantial number licensed form core commercial catalyst products. published more than 450 peer-reviewed papers (bringing 35 K+ citations forming h-index 95). Importantly, supervised 40 completed dissertations UCI had advised 25 postdoctoral fellows. each graduated, collects bottle different sparkling wine juice, defense date signature student. students post-doctoral associates work around USA entire world, story tell growth achievement. Countless benefited interactions learning deep knowledge. national international recognition. ACS Division Fuel Outstanding Service Award. 2012, Honorary Systems, Science. STC.UNM Innovation Fellow Award, UNM's award intellectual property 2019, Technology Award Society. 2018 inducted Inventors, now both The Society (2018) International (2020). served Vice-President (2015–17) 2022, elected President (for 2023–28 term). As outstanding teacher regularly receives high praise students, very proud “Top Gobbler” ChNE Student Appreciation 2000 2005. thank authors submitted contribution contributors bioelectrocatalysis time. Happy birthday, Plamen! Our interaction ECS Honolulu 2012 (12/2012) organized Symposium Obviously, I avoided presenting my Symposium, avoid “grilling”. However, chance meet propose way collaborating. invited me spend 10 days learned how integrate enzymes cell. allowed learn concepts expand knowledge, Becket Summer Fellowship lab. remember day July 2013, waiting outside office door, popping behind corner, dressed Hawaiian clothes telling me: “Hi Carlo! Welcome home!” Later, Post Doc lab promoted Professor. fantastic years UNM, enjoying growing much person scientist. Leaving 2017 challenging difficult adjustment. inspiring scientist, noticed feeling shared people academic context. meetings talking about felt embarrassingly ignorant, given possibility night library, turn, grow. feel scientifically speaking (and only), pillar, arrived am right do actually love, need Plamen. tremendous opportunity, privileged. always like consider it growth, success, inspiration. To me, older brother, friend, colleague father. wish happy birthday!” talked Skype soon after conversation changed forever. It opened completely career path me. started post-doc Mexico, scenery what whole point. mentor friend. supported guided start continues day. excited share good news asked planning next, next goal. That thinking ahead, pushing move forward, think big. convinced take adventure Orianna Bretschger, turned another big decision life. professionally because opportunity touch so topics, lot, grow lot. Working confidence needed continue path. don't single topic knowledgeable about, open eager help. baking ideas head. creative minded both, professional love him. At created board pictures under sign saying “Plamen slaves” us were part special group. believing being I'm looking forward collaboration friendship. Birthday!” interests common, spanning bioelectrocatalysis, kinetics. lean modeling, physical characterization, frequently found ways collaborate, spiced some healthy competition. treasured opportunities friendship, get beyond artist, storyteller, teacher, There too fond memories count, I′ll bring one: I′ve Great Wall China once, 2014. I′m runner perhaps athlete, could keep climbed descended staircases abandon. exemplifies approaches life, joy invigorating contagious rest us.”