Nobel Lecture: Akira Yoshino, Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2019 | Summary and Q&A

Summary

Akira Yoshino, the 2019 Nobel laureate in Chemistry, gave a lecture on battery research and its impact on society. He discussed his journey in the field, from his early fascination with chemistry to his groundbreaking work on lithium-ion batteries. Yoshino also highlighted the growth of the battery market and its potential for sustainability in the future.

Questions & Answers

Q: When and where was Akira Yoshino born, and where did he earn his doctoral degree?

Akira Yoshino was born in 1948 in Sweta, Osaka Prefecture, in Japan. He earned his doctoral degree in 2005 from Osaka University in Japan.

Q: What was Yoshino's career primarily focused on?

Yoshino's career primarily focused on working as an industrial scientist at a corporation in Tokyo, Japan. He is also currently a professor at Mayo University and Nagoya, Japan.

Q: What did Yoshino mention about his selection for the Nobel Prize in Chemistry?

Yoshino expressed gratitude for receiving the 2019 Nobel Prize in Chemistry and acknowledged the excitement and support from people in Japan. He considered it a great gift to his family who had supported him throughout his career.

Q: When did Yoshino develop an interest in chemistry, and what was his initial area of study?

Yoshino developed an interest in chemistry when he was around nine years old, encouraged by his teacher to explore the chemical history of candle vision by Michael Faraday. He became fascinated with Faraday's chemistry and went on to study inorganic chemistry at Kyoto University.

Q: What is the definition of an ion battery according to Yoshino?

According to Yoshino, an ion battery is a non-access rechargeable battery that operates on the principle of intercalation. It consists of a metal oxide cathode and a carbon-based anode material.

Q: What were some previous Nobel Prize-winning experiments and achievements related to batteries that Yoshino mentioned?

Yoshino mentioned three Nobel Prize-winning experiments and achievements related to batteries. These include the experiments by Kenji Fukui and Roald Hoffmann in 1981 on the theory of chemical reactions, the discovery of conductive polymers by Alan J. Heeger, Alan G. MacDiarmid, and Hideki Shirakawa in 2000, and the development of cobalt oxide as a cathode material in rechargeable batteries.

Q: How did Yoshino begin his research on ion batteries, and what were his initial challenges?

Yoshino began his research on ion batteries in 1981, focusing on conductive polymers as an initial material. However, this material did not work well as an anode, so he needed to find another material. Despite initial frustrations, he eventually discovered cobalt oxide, which became the cathode material for his battery system.

Q: What were the challenges Yoshino faced in commercializing his battery system?

One of the challenges Yoshino faced in commercializing his battery system was the issue of variable capacity due to electrode density. The available carbon-based anode materials at the time did not provide the desired stability. However, he later found a suitable carbon material developed by another group, which resolved this problem.

Q: How did Yoshino ensure the safety of his battery system, and when did he conduct the first safety tests?

In order to proceed with commercializing his battery system, Yoshino needed to prove its safety. In 1986, he conducted the first safety tests on his battery, one involving metallic lithium and the other involving the prototype of the new battery. These tests were carried out at a specialized testing site due to the potential risks involved.

Q: How has the battery market evolved over the years, and what does Yoshino predict for the future?

Yoshino showcased the growth of the battery market, particularly in the mobile IT sector. He emphasized the importance of the 1995 launch of Windows 95, which marked a significant milestone in mobile IT society. Yoshino predicted that the future market will see a dominant shift towards electric vehicles, with increasing applications for batteries in various industries.

Takeaways

Akira Yoshino's lecture provided valuable insights into the development of lithium-ion batteries and their impact on society. His journey from initial research to commercialization highlighted the challenges and breakthroughs in battery technology. Yoshino's vision for a sustainable future, where batteries play a central role, demonstrated the potential of innovation and adaptation in solving global issues. The lecture showcased the significant progress made in the battery market and hinted at the promising future of electric vehicles and shared mobility.