Li Batteries: 50 Years Old and the Future Challenges for an American-Based Industry 

Dr. M. Stanley Whittingham, FRS
Distinguished Professor of Chemistry and Materials Science and Engineering
Binghamton University

ABSTRACT: The Nobel Committee citation read: “They have laid the foundation of a wireless, fossil fuel-free society, and are of the greatest benefit to humankind.” Now the world needs to take action. Although lithium batteries celebrated their 50th anniversary in 2022, they still achieve only 25% of their theoretical energy density. Even at that level, they now dominate portable energy storage. The dominant anode and cathode today are graphitic carbon and the layered NMC oxides, LI[NiMnCoAl]O2. Both need improving; we must push the chemistry to its limits. Ten-year lifetimes demand 99.95% reaction selectivity.

Alternatives to Li-NMC cells will also be discussed, including the phosphates, in addition to a discussion of what is technically and/or politically challenging and may not be viable in an attempt to correct some of the exponential hype in the battery energy storage arena. A key challenge in the Western world is to build a sustainable supply chain and manufacturing capability that leapfrogs the present 30-year-old technology. We need to stop building new “old gigafactories” in North America.

BIOGRAPHY: M. Stanley Whittingham is a distinguished professor of chemistry and materials science and engineering at Binghamton University. Following his D.Phil. at Oxford University, he was a research associate in materials science and engineering at Stanford University. This was followed by 16 years in the energy industry, before returning to academia at Binghamton. He developed the materials chemistry programs and subsequently master’s and doctoral degrees in materials science and engineering. He served as Binghamton’s vice provost for research for five years and as vice-chair of the board of directors of the Research Foundation of SUNY. He was the 2019 Chemistry Nobel Laureate for the discovery of lithium rechargeable batteries, and the 2023 VinFutures $3 million grand prize winner. He is a member of the National Academy of Engineering and Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS). He presently leads the Battery-NY $113 million economic development effort and is the chief innovation officer of the recently awarded NSF Upstate New York Energy Storage Engine. He is a founding member of NYBEST and serves on the board as vice chair for research and chief scientific officer of NAATBatt. He received a knighthood in the King’s Birthday Honors 2024 list.

ATTENDANCE: This event is open to all Stevens students, faculty, staff, alumni and invited guests.