Michael Tucker
Staff Scientist, Energy Conversion Group
Mike Tucker develops electrochemical devices at all stages from inception to product prototyping. His research activities focus on resource-efficient development of new devices and concepts, with a clear focus on the critical development path towards commercialization. In-situ electrochemical testing, advanced diagnostics, and post-mortem analysis are used to determine limitations to cell performance and lifetime and inform efforts to improve device performance metrics, cost, and manufacturability. Much of Tucker’s research is sponsored by or in collaboration with industrial partners. In addition to hands-on technical R&D, Tucker’s entrepreneurial activities are also focused on moving technology out of the Lab and into the marketplace. He has authored many patents, co-founded a start-up company, led technology transfer to industrial partners, and led Customer Discovery efforts for various Berkeley Lab and Cyclotron Road technology teams.
Education
Awards
Tech Transfer Award: Michael Tucker - November 18th 2021
For persistent efforts in IP development, commercialization activities, industrial collaboration and technology transfer that generated significant engagement and interest from industry, culminating in multiple companies successfully scaling up LBNL’s solid-oxide fuel-cell technology.
Top Article of the Year in "Energy Technology" - March 15th 2019
"Metal‐Supported Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cell with Significantly Enhanced Catalysis," published in 2019 in Energy Technology, has been named one of the top articles of the year by the editorial office of the journal.
2016 Director's Award for Exceptional Achievement: Technology Transfer - September 12th 2016
In recognition of his efforts to develop industrially-relevant technology and transfer it out of Berkeley Lab for commercialization, and his recent leadership in fostering entrepreneurial mindset and skills among Berkeley Lab researchers.
2013 R&D 100 - July 9th 2013
Point Source Power and Berkeley Lab won an R&D 100 award for the company’s Voto product. The innovative device is based on a solid oxide fuel cell that is powered by burning charcoal, wood or other types of biomass—even cow dung—the types of fuel that many in the developing world use for cooking. The fuel cell sits in the fire and is attached to circuitry in a handle that is charged as the fuel cell heats up to temperatures of 700 to 800 degrees Celsius. The handle, which contains an LED bulb, can then be detached and used for lighting or to charge a phone.
Michael Tucker, a member of the development team, is in the Electrochemical Technologies Group of EETD's Energy Storage and Distributed Resources Department. Craig Jacobson, CEO and co-founder of Point Source Power, based in Alameda, California, co-invented the fuel cell in his 13 years as a materials scientist at Berkeley Lab. Working with Steve Visco, Tucker and Lutgard DeJonghe, their breakthrough was in finding a way to replace most of the ceramics in the fuel cell with stainless steel, a far cheaper and more durable material. Jacobsen, Visco, and DeJonghe are all affiliated with the Materials Sciences Division of BerkeleyLab.