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M. Stanley Whittingham facts for kids

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Sir M. Stanley Whittingham
Stanley Whittingham 2020 (3x4 cropped).jpg
Whittingham in 2020
Born
Michael Stanley Whittingham

(1941-12-22) 22 December 1941 (age 83)
Nottingham, England
Nationality British, American
Alma mater New College, Oxford (BA, MA, DPhil)
Known for Lithium-ion battery
Awards Nobel Prize in Chemistry (2019)
Scientific career
Fields Chemist
Institutions Binghamton University
Thesis Microbalance studies of some oxide systems (1968)
Doctoral advisor Peter Dickens
Other academic advisors Robert Huggins (post-doc)

Sir Michael Stanley Whittingham (born 22 December 1941) is a famous British-American chemist. He is a professor at Binghamton University in New York. He also leads important research centers there.

Whittingham won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2019. He shared it with Akira Yoshino and John B. Goodenough. They were honored for their work on lithium-ion batteries. These batteries are used in many things we use every day. This includes mobile phones, laptops, and electric cars.

Whittingham is a key person in the history of these batteries. In the 1970s, he discovered how to make special battery parts. He found out how materials could take in and release lithium ions. This process is called intercalation. He also invented the first rechargeable lithium metal battery. This invention laid the groundwork for all modern lithium-ion batteries. That is why he is often called the "founding father" of these batteries.

Early Life and Education

Michael Stanley Whittingham was born in Nottingham, England. This was on December 22, 1941. His father was an engineer. His mother, Dorothy Mary, was a chemist before she got married.

He went to Stamford School from 1951 to 1960. After that, he studied chemistry at New College, Oxford. He earned several degrees from the University of Oxford. These included his Bachelor of Arts (1964) and Doctor of Philosophy (1968).

After finishing his studies, Whittingham moved to the United States. He worked as a researcher at Stanford University. Later, he spent 16 years working for Exxon. He also worked for Schlumberger for four years. In 1988, he became a professor at Binghamton University.

From 1994 to 2000, he was in charge of research at the university. He also helped lead the Research Foundation of the State University of New York. Today, he is a top professor of chemistry and materials science at Binghamton.

Developing Lithium-Ion Batteries

Whittingham came up with the idea for the intercalation electrode. This is a key part of lithium-ion batteries. In the 1970s, Exxon made Whittingham's first lithium-ion battery. It used a special material called titanium disulfide. This material could easily take in and release lithium ions. This made the battery rechargeable.

The battery had a high energy density. This means it could store a lot of energy. Also, the lithium ions could move quickly into the titanium disulfide. This made the battery work well.

Exxon tried to sell these batteries. However, there were some safety worries. So, Exxon stopped the project. But Whittingham and his team kept sharing their research. They published their findings in science journals.

Whittingham explained how these batteries work. He said, "It’s like putting jam in a sandwich." He meant that lithium ions go into a crystal structure. Then they can come out again. The crystal structure stays the same. This is why lithium batteries can be recharged many times.

His research has helped make batteries even better. He has explored ways to store more energy. This involves making materials that can take in more than one lithium ion. This could lead to batteries that last much longer.

Awards and Recognition

Whittingham has received many awards for his important work.

  • In 1971, he won the Young Author Award from The Electrochemical Society.
  • He received the Battery Research Award in 2003.
  • In 2010, he was named one of the Top 40 innovators in green technology.
  • He won the IBA Yeager Award in 2012 for his lifetime work on lithium battery materials.
  • In 2018, he joined the National Academy of Engineering. This was for his pioneering work in energy storage.
  • In 2019, he won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry. This was for developing lithium-ion batteries. He shared the prize with John B. Goodenough and Akira Yoshino.
  • In 2024, he was made a Knight Bachelor by the King. This means he is now called "Sir Stanley Whittingham."

Personal Life

Stanley Whittingham is married to Dr. Georgina Whittingham. She is a Spanish professor at the State University of New York at Oswego. They have two children, Michael and Jenniffer.

Recognition

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Stanley Whittingham para niños

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