The grand prize winners of the VinFuture Prize Awards were celebrated for their groundbreaking discoveries in clean energy and energy storage. These visionary scientists, Martin Green, Stanley Whittingham, Rachid Yazami, and Akira Yoshino, were each awarded $3 million for their exceptional contributions to the industry. Their advancements in solar and energy storage technologies have revolutionized the field and had a profound impact on our daily lives.
The grand prize winners of the VinFuture Prize Awards were recognized for their pioneering contributions to the clean energy revolution. At the renowned Hanoi Opera House on December 20, professors Martin Green, Stanley Whittingham, Rachid Yazami, and Akira Yoshino were celebrated as brilliant innovators in the field of renewable and energy storage systems. Their exceptional achievements in the development of solar and energy storage technologies have revolutionized the industry. These remarkable scientists were each awarded a substantial prize of $3 million for their groundbreaking discoveries and inventions. The atmosphere at the event was truly electrifying, as these visionary individuals were honored for their invaluable contributions that we all know and depend upon today.
At the awards ceremony and post-awards sit-down session called “Dialogue with the VinFuture Winners,” held on December 21 at the VinUniversity, Susan Solomon stood tall as the recipient of the Special Prize for Female Innovators. She was awarded for her groundbreaking work on environmental protection, specifically for her role in discovering the hole in the ozone layer. Solomon, a renowned chemist, led the team that confirmed the link between chlorofluorocarbons and ozone depletion, providing concrete evidence for the existence of the gaping wound in the ozone layer. As a result of her findings, policymakers were motivated to take action and create the historic Montreal Protocol, which remains the most successful environmental agreement to date. The ceremony was attended by CleanTechnica, providing an opportunity to witness this recognition of Solomon’s remarkable contribution to environmental science.
During the press conference called “Dialogue with the VinPrize Winners,” Professor Yoshino spoke to journalists about the development of the lithium-ion (Li-Ion) battery. He explained that their primary goal was to find a more efficient way to store energy. Professor Yoshino, along with Whittingham, Yazami, and the late Prof. John Goodenough, believed that rechargeable battery energy storage using lithium-ion was the ideal solution because of its ability to store and discharge energy effectively. The creation and development of this first lithium-ion battery by these influential scientists sparked an energy revolution.
The theoretical basis for further research on lithium-ion batteries was established by Professor Stanley Whittingham with his concept of lithium intercalation using titanium disulfide and lithium metal. Initially, the first batteries designed based on this concept were able to effectively take in a charge rapidly and maintain a reliable and available charge. However, these early prototypes posed significant safety risks. To address this issue, Dr. Yazami introduced graphite as the negative electrode, which proved to be a crucial step towards a safer and more practical battery design. By replacing lithium metal with carbon, the stability of the batteries significantly improved, resulting in reduced safety concerns. Notably, Yoshino played a significant role in bringing this technology to the real world by prioritizing its commercial viability.
The 2019 Nobel Prize in Chemistry was awarded to a trio of scientists and a fourth team member, the late Prof. John Goodenough, for their contributions to the development of lithium-ion batteries. Acknowledging the late Professor John Goodenough is important in understanding the story. In the 1980s, he made a crucial discovery of a cobalt-oxide cathode that could remain stable at higher voltages, thus enabling the achievement of the energy density and safety required for practical applications. His groundbreaking work paved the way for the first commercially successful lithium-ion battery, which was produced by Sony in 1991. The battery utilized lithium cobalt oxide as the cathode and incorporated safety features such as the heat-sensitive membrane.
Introducing mixed metal oxides to optimize the cathode material was the focus of his work. This improvement significantly enhanced performance and cycle life. Unfortunately, Professor Goodenough passed away in June 2023.
A revolution was birthed by these four brilliant minds. They played a vital role in the development of lithium-ion batteries, which now power our smartphones, laptops, electric vehicles, and grid storage systems. These batteries have liberated us from relying solely on fossil fuels for our portable and stationary energy needs, resulting in a staggering impact.
The global presence of lithium-ion batteries cannot be overlooked. Currently, there are over 15 billion mobile devices and 26 million electric vehicles that rely on these batteries. The market for lithium-ion batteries is projected to reach $88.2 billion by 2027.
Just imagine the possibilities of capturing more sunlight. With advancements, we could potentially squeeze 10% more energy from every ray that strikes a solar cell.
Professor Martin Green’s Passive Emitter and Rear Contact (PERC) technology is considered magical due to its revolutionary approach in overcoming the limitations of traditional solar cells. Developed in the 1980s, this technology addressed a significant drawback wherein the metal contacts on the front surface obstructed some of the incoming light. To resolve this issue, Professor Green ingeniously relocated the contacts to the back and introduced a reflective layer. This simple adjustment allowed for optimal light absorption, resulting in significantly higher energy conversion efficiency.
Before the introduction of PERC, early solar cells were only able to convert a mere 1 to 5 percent of sunlight into usable energy. Even with advancements in silicon manufacturing and its utilization in photovoltaic cells, the energy efficiency only reached a maximum of 15 percent. The breakthrough achieved by PERC propelled energy efficiency to an unprecedented 25 percent.
While PERC’s accomplishments are significant, scientists believe that the theoretical maximum efficiency of a solar cell is around 30 percent. Despite its success, there is still room for further innovation and improvement in solar cell technology.
Green, during a presentation at VinUniversity, informed students and young scientists that their current achievement is reaching 25% of energy from solar cells, which is the closest they can get to the scientific estimations. He stated that their next goal is to reach 29%. The impact of PERC technology has been transformative, as it has dominated 60% of the global solar cell market within just a decade of its mass production in 2012. This has led to the production of cheaper and more efficient solar panels, benefiting homes, businesses, and entire communities. As a result, the cost of solar energy has decreased, and the adoption of solar power has accelerated worldwide.
Green and his team are committed to improving the technology of PERC, continuously pushing the boundaries of efficiency.
In the pursuit of a cleaner energy future, recent advancements have emerged, promising an additional 3–5% efficiency boost. This development solidifies the position of PERC, or Passivated Emitter and Rear Cell, as the backbone of this movement. Moving away from the energy sector, the 2023 VinFuture Awards shed light on the power of collaboration in pushing the boundaries of scientific knowledge. Recognizing the importance of diverse perspectives, these awards highlight projects that demonstrate the boundless potential when minds from different backgrounds unite to tackle global challenges. Among the various areas of impact, from renewable energy to advancements in healthcare and environmental protection, the 2023 VinFuture Prize reveals a path towards a more sustainable, healthier, and fairer future for all. A key aspect of the awards, beyond the prestigious Grand Prize, is the recognition of three Special Prizes, each of which tells a story of human impact.
Professors Daniel Joshua Drucker, Joel Francis Habener, Jens Juul Holst, and Associate Professor Svetlana Mojsov made a groundbreaking discovery regarding the role of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). This discovery has paved the way for new and innovative treatments in the fields of diabetes, obesity, and neurodegenerative diseases. The impact of their findings has already touched the lives of millions, offering hope for a healthier future for future generations. Additionally, the efforts of Professors Gurdev Singh Khush, now at the University of California, and Vo Tong Xuan from Vietnam have made significant contributions to food security. In recognition of their work, they were awarded the Special Prize for Innovators from Developing Countries.
Disease-resistant rice varieties, such as IR36 and IR64, have played a crucial role in transforming agricultural landscapes and providing nourishment to vulnerable regions. These tireless efforts have paved the way for sustainable food production and have benefitted millions of people. Furthermore, Prof. Susan Solomon’s pioneering work in uncovering the link between chlorofluorocarbons and ozone depletion has been recognized through the Special Prize for Female Innovators. Her unwavering dedication to this research has safeguarded our planet’s protective shield, ensuring the long-term health of both human and ecological systems. The impact of her work was instrumental in triggering the Montreal Protocol, the only global environmental agreement that has successfully reduced the effects of climate change.
Professor Sir Richard Friend, VinFuture Prize Council Chair, expressed his excitement in announcing the winners of the new VinFuture Prize. These individuals have made significant contributions in the fields of science and innovation, which have had a profound impact on a global scale. This year’s prizes highlight the extensive range of opportunities to utilize science and innovation for the betterment of society.
The 2023 VinFuture Awards serve as a testament to the limitless potential of human creativity and resourcefulness, as they embrace the concept of “Boundless Unity.” The organizers firmly believe that science knows no boundaries when it comes to geographical limitations, language barriers, or cultural differences. It is through collaborative efforts that we unlock the gateway to a brighter future.
The VinFuture Prize, through acknowledging and fostering these partnerships, not only commends remarkable advancements, but also instills inspiration in future generations to construct a world where scientific progress benefits everyone.
Raymond Gregory Tribdino, the motoring and information technology editor of Malaya Business Insight in the Philippines, co-wrote the aforementioned text with Lourdes E. Tribdino. Since 1992, Raymond has been involved in covering automotive, transport, and IT topics. His enthusiasm for electric vehicles emerged in 1994 with the unsuccessful electrification of a scooter. In 1997, he contributed articles to EVWorld.com, one of the pioneering websites dedicated to electric vehicles. Additionally, Raymond served as a college professor for eight years at the Philippine Women’s University.
The grand prize winners of the VinFuture Prize Awards were celebrated for their contributions to clean energy, with Professor Martin Green, Stanley Whittingham, Rachid Yazami, and Akira Yoshino recognized for their work in renewable energy and energy storage systems. The Special Prize for Female Innovators was awarded to Susan Solomon for her groundbreaking research on environmental protection and the discovery of the hole in the ozone layer. These groundbreaking scientists were each given a $3 million prize for their game-changing discoveries and inventions
