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Tucker, Electrochemical Innovator, Named a Berkeley Lab Inventor of the Year

April 4, 2025

Scientist-entrepreneur Mike Tucker was named 2024 Inventor of the Year for the Energy Technologies Area at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab).

At a January 22 Innovation Celebration event, the Lab’s Intellectual Property Office (IPO) recognized Tucker as his research Area’s most prolific innovator by volume of IPO technology submissions. Tucker is an electrochemical engineer and materials scientist working to transform power generation, conversion, and storage.

“I'm motivated to develop safe, reliable, low-cost power,” said Tucker. “I have many publications, but at the end of the day I hope to see my technologies producing watts and watt-hours out in the world. Commercialization is the only way to reach that goal.”

His 2024 inventions helped advance solid-state batteries as a safer and more efficient alternative to Li-ion, as well as electrolysis methods aimed at sustainably converting industrial waste products like steam and carbon dioxide into clean hydrogen fuel.

Tucker is the author of nearly 20 patents and pending applications and co-founder of an R&D100-winning start-up company serving people in developing areas without access to electricity. He is also a two-time recipient of the Berkeley Lab Tech Transfer Director’s Award.

Tucker was a featured panelist at the IPO Innovation Celebration, and his discussion on pathways to technology transfer is now available to view at streaming.lbl.gov.