Can we reimagine the way we power modern life? On Feb. 25, Caltech chemistry professor Kimberly See will tackle that question in a free Earnest C. Watson Lecture on “Chasing Sustainable Battery Chemistries for the Future.” She will explain how lithium-ion batteries—which can be found in nearly every home—work on a chemical level and why they are not fully optimized for tomorrow’s demands, from electric cars and grid storage to the challenge of electrifying airplanes.
See’s research focuses on next-generation chemistries using more abundant elements such as magnesium, calcium and zinc. Her goal is to help develop batteries that are both efficient and sustainable, easing supply constraints while supporting a low-carbon energy system.
The evening begins at 6 p.m. outside Beckman Auditorium, where members of See’s lab will answer questions and guide hands-on activities, including building a lemon battery using copper wire, zinc nails and over 100 lemons. Food, drinks and books will be available for purchase. The main lecture runs from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., followed by post-talk concessions and conversation.
Caltech’s long-running Watson Lectures are free and open to the public, offering monthly opportunities to hear how researchers are tackling society’s most pressing challenges and inventing technologies of the future.
Caltech Watson Lecture—Kimberly See will run on Wednesday, Feb. 25, at 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Beckman Auditorium, 332 S. Michigan Ave., in Pasadena, 91106. For more information, call (626) 395-4652 or visit https://www.visitpasadena.com/events/caltech-watson-lecture-kimberly-see/.
