The significance of the Nobel Prize winner's research was pointed out by the Rector of the Warsaw University of Technology, Prof. Krzysztof Zaremba.

– Achievements of Prof. Whittingham have revolutionized our lives – emphasized the WUT Rector – The professor was one of three Nobel Prize-winning scholars who laid the foundations for the creation of lithium-ion batteries.

These devices have found a number of applications: from laptops, mobile phones and digital cameras, through power tools, to cars.

– I am positive that the Warsaw University of Technology, as a technical university, is the right place to honor the professor, as our mission and our goal is to create such solutions that bring measurable benefits for people.

A man to follow

In the laudation in honor of the new honorary doctor Prof. Franciszek Krok from the Faculty of Physics of the Warsaw University of Technology talked about the scientific path and the successes of Prof. Whittingham.

– He is the author or co-author of more than 400 scientific articles, which have been cited more than 26.5 thousand times – said Prof. Krok – His current Hirsch coefficient is h=74. What is worth emphasizing is the research activity of Prof. Whittingham did not slow down either after receiving the Nobel Prize in 2019, or during the coronavirus pandemic. Despite the huge burden of duties at the university, in research institutions, which he heads, despite many domestic and foreign visits, conference speeches, the number of his scientific articles has increased by more than 40 since 2019. It is worth emphasizing that he is also the author of many patents.

Prof. Krok discussed not only the scientific successes of the new WUT honoris causa doctor, but also his organizational and didactic achievements.

– He is a scholar of a unique class, and at the same time a very kind man, focused on cooperation with research teams, including the WUT– said Prof. Krok – One of his priorities is to inspire students and young researchers to implement their research ideas. Such a character is a model to follow for the academic community of the Warsaw University of Technology.

A message to researchers and young people

In his speech Prof. Whittingham pointed out how important it is to create energy storage, especially in the face of climate change. He emphasized that this was a serious task, especially in large cities that needed a lot of energy.

The new WUT honoris causa doctor reminded that the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2019 was awarded to people dealing with various fields: he focused on chemistry, prof. John B. Goodenough – on physics, prof. Akira Yoshino – on engineering. The combination of knowledge from various disciplines is, according to Prof. Whittingham, one of the foundations of modern science. Equally important for its development is internationalisation and the related exchange of thoughts and experiences of people from different cultures.

The Nobel Prize winner addressed the young people in a special way. He encouraged them to do in life what they liked, and to follow their dreams, not the ideas and expectations of others or solely funded benefits.

The ceremony of awarding the honoris causa doctorate took place on 21 November 2022 in the Main Building of the Warsaw University of Technology. This is the climax of the visit of Prof.Whittingham at our university. The Nobel Prize winner also met the authorities, researchers, doctoral students and students of the University of Warsaw, and addressed them in an open lecture.