Celebrating the 2026 Ekeberg Prize winner
The Tantalum-Niobium International Study Center (T.I.C.) congratulates Professor Yongjie Hu of UCLA on the award-winning research revealing extraordinary heat-conducting properties in a form of tantalum nitride.
An important advance in tantalum research
The 2026 Anders Gustaf Ekeberg Tantalum Prize recognises research into metallic theta-phase tantalum nitride (θ-TaN), a material shown to conduct heat at nearly three times the rate of copper. Led by Professor Hu, the UCLA-based research team worked with collaborators across several institutions to challenge a long-standing benchmark for heat transport in metals.
A new benchmark for thermal conductivity
Metallic θ-phase tantalum nitride has a thermal conductivity triple that of copper
As electronic devices become more powerful, removing excess heat is increasingly important. Copper has long been a standard material for moving heat away from electronic components, with a thermal conductivity of around 400 watts per metre-kelvin (W/m·K).
The research team measured approximately 1,100 W/m·K in high-quality, single-crystalline θ-TaN at room temperature. This remarkable laboratory result points towards new possibilities for the way heat could be managed in future technologies.
Nearly three times that of copper
Approximate room-temperature thermal conductivity
Illustrative comparison based on results presented at the 2026 T.I.C. General Assembly. The θ-TaN measurement relates to laboratory-grown single crystals, not a commercially available cooling product.
Why the discovery matters
Managing heat is a growing challenge in AI hardware, high-performance computing and power electronics. Materials that transfer heat more effectively could help engineers tackle hotspots and improve the reliability of future devices.
From research to real-world use
The result establishes a promising scientific foundation. Further work on material production, processing and integration will be needed before tantalum nitride can be assessed for practical cooling applications.
“My sincere thanks to my students, collaborators, and funding partners whose efforts made this discovery possible.”Professor Yongjie Hu, 2026 Ekeberg Award keynote, closing slide
Explore the award-winning research
Professor Hu's 20-slide keynote explains the science behind the discovery, the experimental findings and the opportunities it may open up for future thermal management technologies.
The Anders Gustaf Ekeberg Tantalum Prize
First awarded in 2018, the annual Ekeberg Prize is presented by the Tantalum-Niobium International Study Center (T.I.C.) to recognise excellence in tantalum research and innovation. It honours Anders Gustaf Ekeberg, the Swedish chemist who discovered tantalum in 1802.
An independent panel of experts assesses published work that advances understanding of tantalum, its properties, processing or applications. The award celebrates research that may shape the future of this remarkable element.
