Chemistry Nobel for development of lithium-ion batteries

Chemistry Nobel for development of lithium-ion batteries

TOPIC: Science & Tech

Context- An American physicist, a British-American chemist and a Japanese chemist on October 9, 2019, won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2019 “for the development of lithium-ion batteries.

Concept-

About Lithium Ion Batteries:

• A lithium-ion battery or Li-ion battery is a type of rechargeable battery.
• The lithium-ion batteries are based upon lithium-ions flowing back and forth between the anode and cathode.
• Li-ion batteries use an intercalated lithium compound as one electrode material, compared to the metallic lithium used in a non-rechargeable lithium battery.
  • Intercalation is the reversible inclusion or insertion of a molecule into materials with layered structures.
• The “lightweight, rechargeable and powerful battery” today powers everything from mobile phones to laptops and electric vehicles.
• They have laid the foundation of a wireless, fossil fuel-free society, and are of the greatest benefit to humankind.
• Disadvantages of Li-ion Batteries:
  • Long charging times.
  • Expensive to manufacture.
  • Safety issues as instances of batteries catching fires have been there.