The Nobel Prize for chemistry awarded to Whittingham, Goodenough and Yoshino surprised many who had not heard of them. Why pull these three people out of obscurity they wondered. When there is such brilliant work occurring elsewhere. Work aimed at correcting deficiencies in their design. Lithium Ion ignited a technology step change, that’s why!
Lithium Ion Ignited Hope Hidden in a Conspiracy of Silence
There was a dark conspiracy of silence in the 1980’s. A web of deceitfulness hid the damage fossil fuel was causing climate. Meanwhile, gasoline cars were pumping out carbon dioxide pollution in deadly numbers. If our politicians knew about the danger, then they must have been in denial too.
However, Whittingham, Goodenough and Yoshino sensed there had to be a better way to manufacture portable energy. Something they could carry with them everywhere they went. They may not have made the connection to the smog enveloping in their cities. They may not have even heard of global warming. Yet lithium ion ignited a new direction of thinking in their curious minds.
The Three Scientists Sensed the Power of Batteries
Whittingham, Goodenough and Yoshino did not work as a team. Each one built on the ideas of the other as they searched for better batteries. And in so doing they advanced the work of earlier battery pioneers we detail on these pages.
However, their work did not change the fundamentals of battery design we use in lead-acid batteries for starting cars. They were after making something smaller and lighter, although they had no idea this would enable computers and smartphones. And also the electric cars and energy storage batteries that give us hope for the future.
Lithium ion ignited a green future where we will no longer have to burn fossil fuel. The flame is not burning strongly enough though. Each of us should therefore nurture hope, by embracing renewable energy in every way we can.
Related
Climate Change Conspiracy of the 1980’s
The History of Batteries in Our World
Preview Image: Smog Over Los Angeles
