"A worldwide race is on to perfect the next engine of economic growth, the advanced lithium-ion battery. It will power the electric car, relieve global warming, and catapult the winner into a new era of economic and political mastery. Can the United States win? Steve LeVine was granted unprecedented access to a secret federal laboratory outside Chicago, where a group of geniuses is trying to solve this next monumental task of physics. But these scientists--almost all foreign born--are not alone. With so much at stake, researchers in Japan, South Korea, and China are in the same pursuit. The drama intensifies when a Silicon Valley start-up licenses the federal laboratory's signature invention with the aim of a blockbuster sale to the world's biggest carmakers.…
"Yes. The book’s cover gives the impression that it’s a broad account of the electric vehicle industry, but it’s very gripping. It doesn’t fit the mold of traditional investigative journalism—which often seeks to uncover misdeeds—but he finds out a lot. His research is thorough and revealing. He delves deep into the workings of the Argonne National Laboratory and meticulously constructs its history. He vividly portrays the internal challenges, tensions, and captivating events surrounding the development of the lithium-ion battery. He also chronicles the influential figures behind the battery’s evolution and the inevitable clashes that ensued. A significant portion of the book sheds light on the complexities of intellectual property law and the myriad disputes that arose among companies and individuals over the innovations that shaped the lithium-ion battery. It’s essential to recognize that the lithium-ion battery wasn’t the brainchild of a single person or lab. The Nobel Prize itself was awarded to three individuals: Akira Yoshino, Stanley Whittington, and John Goodenough. While they may be credited with the battery’s invention, its commercial success hinged on the companies that brought it to market. The narrative also touches upon the hesitancy of many companies, who failed to see the potential of this technology. That led to lost opportunities. It’s as much a story of missed chances as it is of triumph."
Batteries (for Electric Vehicles and Renewable Energy) ·
fivebooks.com
