Asahi Kasei Honorary Fellow Dr. Akira Yoshino has been chosen for the 2018 Japan Prize, awarded by the Japan Prize Foundation, in the field of Resources, Energy, Environment and Social Infrastructure, in recognition of his significant contributions to the development of the lithium-ion battery (LIB). The award ceremony will be held in Tokyo on April 18, 2018.

Dr. Yoshino invented a completely new combination of carbon for the negative electrode and LiCoO₂ (lithium cobalt oxide) for the positive electrode, developed the fundamental technology for the LIB which uses aluminum as positive current collector material, and fabricated the world’s first LIB cell. He also developed other technologies that were essential for the successful commercialization of the LIB, including technology for fabricating electrodes, technology for assembling batteries, and other technology that made the LIB possible as a small, lightweight rechargeable battery.

Digitization, the IT revolution, and the mobile revolution that began in the early 90s would not have been possible without the LIB. The importance of the LIB to society continues to grow, including as a means to stabilize the supply of power from natural energy sources to counter global warming. Dr. Yoshino was chosen for the Japan Prize in recognition of his original and breakthrough accomplishments that formed the technological and industrial foundations of the LIB.

Awarded annually since 1985, the Japan Prize is a prestigious international award presented to individuals whose original and outstanding achievements are not only scientifically impressive, but have also served to promote peace and prosperity for all mankind. The Japan Prize Foundation was created by the government of Japan supported by a personal donation from the late Mr. Konosuke Matsushita, founder of Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. (now Panasonic Corp.) in 1982.

More about the Japan Prize Foundation
www.japanprize.jp/en/index.html

Profile of Honorary Fellow Dr. Akira Yoshino
www.asahi-kasei.co.jp/asahi/en/r_and_d/interview/yoshino/profile.html