Akira Yoshino is an honorary fellow of Asahi Kasei Corporation and a professor at Meijo University in Nagoya, Japan. A pioneering chemist and innovator, he is recognised for creating the first safe and production-viable lithium-ion battery, a breakthrough technology that has become integral to modern life, powering devices such as cellular phones, notebook computers, and other portable electronics.
In recognition of his groundbreaking contributions to the development of lithium-ion batteries, Yoshino was awarded the 2019 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, which he shared with Dr John B. Goodenough of the University of Texas and Dr M. Stanley Whittingham of Binghamton University, State University of New York. Together, they were recognised for their transformative work that enabled the widespread adoption of rechargeable lithium-ion battery technology.
After completing his master’s degree in 1972, Yoshino joined Asahi Kasei Corporation, where he dedicated his career to research and development in advanced materials and battery technologies. He began working at the Kawasaki Laboratory in 1982 and in 1983, developed an early prototype using lithium cobalt oxide as the cathode and polyacetylene as the anode. Recognising the limitations of polyacetylene, including instability and size constraints, he later introduced carbonaceous materials as the anode and fabricated the first prototype of the lithium-ion battery in 1985, for which he received a foundational patent. His innovations addressed critical challenges in battery safety, performance, and scalability. Yoshino developed key technologies including the use of an aluminium foil current collector, functional separator membranes, and positive temperature coefficient (PTC) safety devices. He also pioneered the coil-wound battery structure, which enabled higher current discharge and improved performance despite the low conductivity of organic electrolytes. These advances paved the way for the commercialisation of lithium-ion batteries by Sony in 1991 and by A&T Battery Corporation, a joint venture between Asahi Kasei and Toshiba in 1992.
Yoshino was appointed an Asahi Kasei Fellow in 2003 and later became General Manager of his own laboratory. In 2017, he joined Meijo University as a professor while continuing his association with Asahi Kasei as an honorary fellow. Through his pioneering research and lifelong commitment to innovation, Yoshino continues to advance the field of energy storage and inspire future generations of scientists and engineers.
