The Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2019 has been awarded to the scientists behind lithium Ion Batteries. It is no secret that batteries have played an enormous role in our daily lives. Batteries are involved in just about every aspect of our routines from our cars to computers. It is difficult to think of an industry that doesn’t use Lithium-Ion batteries in some critical way.
The scientists include John B. Goodenough, of The University of Texas at Austin, M. Stanley Whittingham, of Binghamton University, State University of New York, and Akira Yoshino of Asahi Kasei Corporation, Tokyo, and Meijo University, Nagoya, Japan. The technology was developed in the 1970’s during the oil crisis. Batteries were initially developed to be a path toward solutions that don’t require any fossil fuels. The endeavor was an international feat including the United States, Britain, and Japan working together.
John Goodenough reflected on the award wishing that the award will help further new energy innovations needed to meet demand, “I am overcome with gratitude at receiving this award, and I honestly have so many people to thank, I don’t know where to begin,” he said in a statement issued by his university. “It is my hope that this recognition will help to shine a much-needed light on the nation’s energy future”
Lithium Ion Batteries have changed the way the world is powered. Without batteries, the worlds push to become more sustainable isn’t possible. Batteries play an essential role in electric cars, solar energy, and the wind industry. The Lithium industry is expected to grow five-fold by 2025 with the growing need for energy storage. A fossil fuel free world is currently only possible by using lithium-ion batteries.