On Friday, October 8 at 10:30 a.m., Stan Whittingham, 2019 Chemistry Nobel Laureate, will present "The Lithium Ion Battery, from a Dream to Readiness to Take on Climate Change - Materials Opportunities and Challenges" as part of MSE's Van Vlack Lectureship. Short registration required to receive Zoom link: https://bit.ly/2Yh4B9q

Abstract:
Lithium-ion batteries have come from an idea in 1972 to dominate electrochemical energy storage today. They are now in a position to enable the large-scale introduction of renewable energy, as well as electrifying transportation, which will leave a cleaner and more sustainable environment for the next generation. There are ample scientific opportunities to further improve their performance and safety. Today’s cells attain only 25% of their theoretical value. However, as the energy density is increased, the safety tends to be compromised. Examples will include: the soft TiS2 lattice, the layered oxides, LiMO2, and Li2VOPO4, a proof of concept for a two-electron transfer. These opportunities and the technical challenges that need to be overcome will be described in order to open up a discussion.