News & Analysis
John Goodenough: Li-ion work kick-starts mobile revolution
Charles Murray
12/3/2012 10:11 AM EST
Revolution in functionality
"Look at all the Apple products that are powered at their core by lithium-ion batteries," noted Kevin See, an industry analyst for Lux Research. "The ability to pack all that energy into a small volume has truly enabled a revolution in functionality."
Indeed, high energy density has been a key to the success of lithium-ion, and it was Goodenough's work that set the stage for it. Before his efforts, researchers tried to use titanium sulfide with lithium, only to find it grew dendrites and short-circuited. Similarly, nickel cadmium chemistries showed promise but failed to operate at the necessary voltages.
"With lithium, I saw that they were going to need a cathode that would give a much better voltage," Goodenough says. "So I developed a lithium cobalt oxide, and that was the cathode that went in the first lithium-ion battery."
Today, Goodenough still sees a need for more energy density, especially if electric cars are to fulfill their ultimate promise. That's why, as he approaches his 90th birthday later this year, he continues to work on new chemistries.
"Right now, lithium-ion batteries rely on a mature technology that doesn't quite make it for the electric car market," Goodenough says. "That's why we're in the process of writing up a new proposal.
“We want to show what can be done to move things forward." — Charles Murray is editor at UBM Tech's Design News.
"Look at all the Apple products that are powered at their core by lithium-ion batteries," noted Kevin See, an industry analyst for Lux Research. "The ability to pack all that energy into a small volume has truly enabled a revolution in functionality."
Indeed, high energy density has been a key to the success of lithium-ion, and it was Goodenough's work that set the stage for it. Before his efforts, researchers tried to use titanium sulfide with lithium, only to find it grew dendrites and short-circuited. Similarly, nickel cadmium chemistries showed promise but failed to operate at the necessary voltages.
"With lithium, I saw that they were going to need a cathode that would give a much better voltage," Goodenough says. "So I developed a lithium cobalt oxide, and that was the cathode that went in the first lithium-ion battery."
Today, Goodenough still sees a need for more energy density, especially if electric cars are to fulfill their ultimate promise. That's why, as he approaches his 90th birthday later this year, he continues to work on new chemistries.
"Right now, lithium-ion batteries rely on a mature technology that doesn't quite make it for the electric car market," Goodenough says. "That's why we're in the process of writing up a new proposal.
“We want to show what can be done to move things forward." — Charles Murray is editor at UBM Tech's Design News.
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EREBUS
12/3/2012 3:31 PM EST
The development of efficient batteries was clearly a contributing factor. Even the early hand held devices indicated that more power was needed for longer periods of time.
The Li-ion technology proved to be the most promising technology, so it got a lot of investment. There are other technologies still waiting for maturity and funding for the next generation.
My only concern is the disposal of the Li devices. Though we could mitigate that problem with an active recycling campaign.
Just a thought.
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chipmonk
12/3/2012 5:02 PM EST
John Goodenough is NOT a Mechanical Engr. as claimed by the blurb for this article. He is a Physicist who happens to be parked at the Mech E Dept of UT at present.
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nicolas.mokhoff
12/7/2012 10:46 AM EST
Thanks for bringing this to our attention. It has been corrected.
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prabhakar_deosthali
12/4/2012 1:03 AM EST
Just a thought.
Can we pack some material alongside the Li-ion batteries which can convert the chemical inside the battery to some kind of a harmless salt at the end of its life.
Just have some mechanism to puncture it into the main battery system when it is to be thrown away.
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MikeSmith2011
12/4/2012 2:41 PM EST
Li-ion technology has been good-enough for now (sorry could not resist that). But this technology has been around for quite sometime now. Other than incremental improvements is there any other chemical technology that improves the energy stored/cu-in dramatically.
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