There were two important discoveries made by the early 1980’s. Whittingham had shown that lithium ions could move between battery materials. Goodenough had developed a high-voltage lithium cobalt oxide cathode. Another breakthrough occurs as Akira Yoshino makes lithium-ion batteries practical.
Could a Lithium-Ion Battery Work Without Lithium Metal?
One major problem remained. The battery still used metallic lithium, which could form tiny needle-like deposits called dendrites during charging. These could sometimes lead to short circuits and fires.
Yoshino Experiments With A Novel Battery Anode
Akira Yoshino believed there was a better solution. Instead of using metallic lithium as the negative electrode, he experimented with carbon materials that could safely store lithium ions.
During charging, the lithium ions moved into the carbon anode. During discharge, they returned to the cathode, while electrons flowed through the external circuit to power a device.
This Solved One Of The Biggest Practical Obstacles!
That was the memorable day that Akira Yoshino made lithium-ion batteries both safe and practical. Since the battery no longer contained metallic lithium, the danger of dendrites forming was significantly reduced. The battery became far safer, more reliable, and capable of being recharged many times.
Discovery Merges Three Lines Of Lithium-Ion Research
Yoshino combined his carbon anode with Goodenough’s lithium cobalt oxide cathode, bringing together discoveries made by researchers in Britain, the United States and Japan.
He Transformed a Scientific Idea Into a Battery!
Yoshino did not invent lithium-ion batteries on his own. Instead, he solved the final major obstacle that had prevented earlier designs from being practical. His achievement transformed an exciting scientific idea into a battery, that safely powers countless millions of everyday devices today.
More Information From Our Blog
Waiting For Lithium-Ion Batteries – The Challenge
Whittingham Opens The Lithium-Ion Battery Door
Goodenough Increases Volts in Lithium-Ion Batteries
Akira Yoshino Makes Lithium-Ion Batteries
