2023 VinFuture Prize honors solar-battery storage green energy platform

The 2023 VinFuture Grand Prize worth $3 million has been awarded to four scientists, namely Prof. Martin Andrew Green (Australia), Prof. Stanley Whittingham (United States), Prof. Rachid Yazami (Morocco), and Prof. Akira Yoshino (Japan) for their breakthrough inventions in creating a sustainable platform for green energy production with solar cells and energy storage using lithium-ion batteries.

The VinFuture Prize, administered by the non-profit VinFuture Foundation, aims to recognize transformative scientific and technological innovations capable of making significant positive changes in the lives of millions of people worldwide every year.

The organizers claim that the honored breakthroughs have a profound impact on the present and future of humanity in crucial fields such as green and sustainable energy, climate change response, sustainable agriculture, food security, and healthcare, impacting the lives of billions of people worldwide.

Prof. Martin Green and his research team pioneered the Passive Emitter and Rear Contact (PERC) solar cell technology, elevating energy conversion efficiency from 15 percent to an impressive 25 percent. These advancements deliver exceptional utilities, even in regions with limited sunlight conditions. 

The PERC cells entered mass production in 2012, now commanding a significant 60 percent share of the global solar cell market.

On the other hand, the advent of lithium-ion battery storage has extended the reach of energy consumption across all geographical regions and socioeconomic classes, providing widespread access to green and sustainable energy solutions. 

Prof. Stanley Whittingham, Prof. Rachid Yazami, Prof. Akira Yoshino, and the late Prof. John Goodenough are credited for the rapid emergence of Li-ion batteries that power 15 billion mobile devices and 26 million electric vehicles globally.

The award ceremony paid tribute to the late Prof. John Goodenough, whose invention enabled lithium-ion batteries to be safely rechargeable for the first time, improving the efficiency and saving resources.

The synergy of these two groundbreaking technological revolutions has promoted the widespread adoption and accessibility of clean energy in everyday lives of the masses through the conversion of solar energy into electricity by PERC solar cells and storage by lithium-ion battery, claimed VinFuture.

In addition to the Grand Prize, three Special Prizes, each valued at US$500,000, have been awarded to innovators with outstanding achievements in emerging fields, female innovators, and innovators from developing countries.

"We are very excited to have announced our new VinFuture Prize winners. They have all made huge advances in science and innovation, and these have had real global impact", said Professor Richard Friend, VinFuture Prize Council Chair.

"The Grand Prize recognizes the pioneers in two of the critical technologies we need to achieve zero-carbon energy that are critical if we are to control global warming. The vision that the Founders set – to celebrate the potential for discovery and innovation to bring real benefits to societies across the whole globe – is very clearly delivered in the set of this year's prize winners", he added.