Pioneer in development of lithium batteries to present engineering seminar at Alfred University

ALFRED, NY – M. Stanley Whittingham, SUNY distinguished professor of chemistry and materials science and engineering at Binghamton University and the 2019 Chemistry Nobel Laureate, will present the 2021 Engineering Seminar at Alfred University, hosted by the Inamori School of Engineering.

Whittingham is a pioneer in the development of the lithium battery, which today plays a leading role in renewable energy and sustainability efforts. His seminar lecture, titled “The Lithium Battery, from a Dream to Readiness to Take on Climate Change – Materials Opportunities and Challenges”, will be presented via Zoom on Thursday, Sept. 2, at 11:20 a.m.

Whittingham will outline how lithium-ion batteries have progressed from being an idea in 1971 to dominating electrochemical energy storage today. Lithium batteries 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. He will also discuss scientific opportunities to further improve the battery’s performance and safety.

To participate in the virtual seminar, please email Alissa Faulkner to request the Zoom link.

Whittingham received his bachelor’s and doctoral degrees in chemistry from Oxford University, where he is an honorary Fellow of New College. He has been active in lithium batteries research since 1971 when he won the Young Author Award of the Electrochemical Society for his work on beta-alumina. In 1972, he joined Exxon and discovered the role of intercalation in battery reactions, which resulted in the first commercial lithium rechargeable batteries that were built by Exxon Enterprises.

In 1988 he returned to academia at Binghamton University (SUNY) to initiate a program in materials chemistry. He is director of the NorthEast Center for Chemical Energy Storage (NECCES) at Binghamton University, which supports basic research in the design of next generation lithium-ion batteries.

M. Stanley Whittingham bio, Binghamton University

In 2018 Whittingham was elected a member of the National Academy of Engineering and received the Turnbull Award from the Materials Research Society. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society and of the Materials Research Society, among others.