Profiles

Advanced Battery Technology, Apr 2002

Dr. George E. Blomgren evolved from a theoretical chemist into a battery expert, first by earning a B.S. in chemistry from Northwestern University in 1952 and a Ph.D. in physical chemistry from the University of Washington in 1956. After a post-doc at Columbia University, he began a 41 -year career with Union Carbide Corp. which evolved into the Eveready Battery Co.

His early work with UCC involved statistical mechanical theories of liquids, electrolyte solutions, and molten salts. This led to a group leader position in the Battery Products Division in 1963 with a focus on the then-new lithium batteries. His work on electrolytes prepared the way in 1971 to filing the first patent on lithiumliquid cathode batteries in which the liquid (e.g., thionyl chloride) serves as both the solvent for the electrolyte salt and the active cathode material. This dual role allows very high energy to be packed in the container, thus forming the highest energy primary battery in use today. His work also led to the lithium-ion disulfide battery, which the company developed into a commercial product, first as a button cell and then as an AA cell. His reward was the highest technical position at Eveready - Senior Technology Fellow.

After retirement he started a new career consulting with companies around the world on battery technology and applications. He also has presented invited papers at many meetings in the U.S., Europe, and Asia to the delight of his wife Gerry, who is always ready to pack up and go with him. To keep even busier, George is associate editor of the Journal of the Electrochemical Society, vice-chair of the ECS Battery Division, and adjunct professor at Case Western Reserve and Carnegie Mellon universities.

None of the three Blomgren children has shown the slightest interest in chemistry, although George plans to give granddaughter Alicia, a chef in San Francisco, The Science of Cooking for her next birthday.