Michael M. Thackeray facts for kids

Michael Makepeace Thackeray, born in 1949, is a famous chemist and researcher from South Africa. He is known for his important work on materials used in batteries. In the 1980s, he helped discover a special type of material called "manganese oxide spinel" for lithium-ion batteries. He did this while working with John Goodenough at the University of Oxford. Later, in 1998, at Argonne National Laboratory, he led a team that found a new battery material called NMC. This invention was patented in 2005 and is now used in many things like phones, laptops, and electric vehicles.

Thackeray's Journey in Science

Michael Thackeray studied Chemistry at the University of Cape Town in South Africa. He earned both his Master's (M.Sc) and Doctorate (Ph.D.) degrees there.

Early Research in South Africa

After finishing university, Thackeray worked as a researcher. From 1973 to 1977, he was at the CSIR in Pretoria, South Africa. He focused on physics research during this time.

Working with John Goodenough

Thackeray had the chance to work with John Goodenough at the University of Oxford in England. He worked there in 1981-82 and again in 1985. Goodenough is another very famous scientist known for his work on batteries.

Leading Teams in South Africa

In 1983, Thackeray returned to CSIR in South Africa. He became a Group Leader in the Ceramics Division. Later, in 1988, he became a Research Manager in the Battery Technology Unit. This shows his growing importance in battery research.

Moving to the United States

In 1994, Thackeray moved to the United States. He joined the Argonne National Laboratory. Here, he became the Group Leader of the Battery Materials Group. This group focused on finding new materials for batteries.

Leading Energy Research

Thackeray also helped start and lead a special research center. It was called the Center for Electrochemical Energy Science (CEES). At CEES, he guided research into new ways to store energy. This included studying lithium-air batteries and new types of battery coatings. He retired from his work in 2019.

Important Discoveries and Awards

Michael Thackeray has written over 200 scientific papers. He also holds more than 60 patents. Patents protect his inventions and ideas.

Key Battery Inventions

• Manganese Oxide Spinel Cathodes: In the mid-1980s, he helped discover a key material for lithium-ion batteries. This material, called manganese oxide spinel, made batteries safer and more powerful.
• NMC Cathode Technology: In 1998, he led a team that found the NMC cathode technology. This material is now widely used in batteries for phones, laptops, and electric vehicles.

Honors and Recognition

Thackeray has received many awards for his important work:

• In 2014, he was chosen as a Fellow of The Electrochemical Society. This is a high honor for scientists who study electricity and chemistry.
• In 2022, he became a Fellow of the Royal Society. This is one of the oldest and most respected scientific honors in the world.
• He received the Electrochemical Society Battery Division Research Award in 2005.
• He also won the Yeager Award in 2011 and the International Battery Association Medal of Excellence in 2019. These awards recognize his major contributions to battery science.