Jean-Marie Tarascon is a world-renowned solid-state chemist whose pioneering research has profoundly shaped modern energy storage technologies. Currently serving as Professor of Chemistry at the Collège de France in Paris where he holds the Chair of Solid State Chemistry and Energy, Tarascon has built an exceptional career spanning more than four decades of scientific innovation. Born in 1953 in Meilhan sur Garonne, France, he earned his PhD in solid-state chemistry from the University of Bordeaux in 1981 before conducting postdoctoral research at Cornell University. His initial research focused on high-temperature superconducting materials to improve energy transport efficiency, establishing his early reputation in materials science. Following fifteen impactful years at Bell Laboratories and Bellcore in the United States, he returned to France in 1994 to join the University of Picardie Jules Verne in Amiens where he directed the Laboratory of Reactivity and Solid-State Chemistry until 2008.
Tarascon's groundbreaking research has revolutionized electrochemical energy storage through his development of innovative battery technologies that prioritize both performance and environmental sustainability. He pioneered the creation of thin and flexible plastic lithium-ion batteries by replacing hazardous liquid electrolytes with leak-free polymer alternatives, a transformative advancement that enabled safer and more versatile battery applications. His identification of dimethyl carbonate as a critical electrolyte additive significantly improved battery safety and reliability, meeting professional standards for commercial applications. Tarascon's development of innovative surface treatments for electrodes markedly extended battery lifespan while his research consistently emphasized environmentally responsible approaches to materials selection, synthesis methods, and recyclability. These fundamental contributions have made him a global leader whose work has shaped the trajectory of modern battery research and development.
Demonstrating exceptional leadership in unifying the scientific community, Tarascon has created influential research networks that bridge academia and industry to accelerate innovation in energy storage technologies. He founded the Alistore European research network on lithium batteries in 2003 and established the French Research Network on Electrochemical Energy Storage RS2E in 2011, which now connects seventeen university and industrial laboratories dedicated to advancing sustainable battery solutions. His vision for international collaboration was instrumental in creating the Erasmus Mundus master's program in energy storage and conversion, training a new generation of scientists in this critical field. As the distinguished recipient of the 2022 CNRS Gold Medal and the 2020 Balzan Prize for Environmental Challenges, Tarascon continues to drive innovation in renewable energy storage while advocating for environmentally responsible approaches that will shape the future of sustainable energy technologies worldwide.
