June 12, 2025 | Beijing, China — CATL has presented its inaugural “Outstanding Contribution Award” to 85-year-old academician Chen Liquan in recognition of his pioneering achievements in China’s lithium battery industry. The ceremony, held at CATL’s headquarters in Ningde, was attended by senior executives and leading researchers in the field of electrochemistry.
Chen, a member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and a renowned scientist at the Chinese Academy of Sciences Institute of Physics, is widely regarded as the father of lithium battery research in China. In the 1980s, he led the development of China’s first lithium-ion battery and pilot production line, laying the foundation for industrial-scale manufacturing. His contributions helped move China’s battery industry from imitation to global leadership.
In recent years, Chen has continued to lead breakthroughs in cutting-edge areas such as solid-state batteries, silicon-carbon anodes, and sodium-ion technologies. His work has significantly advanced battery safety, energy density, and long-term sustainability.
CATL founder and chairman Zeng Yuqun, who was once a doctoral student of Chen’s, spoke at the ceremony, noting that Chen served as chair of CATL’s Technical Advisory Committee during its early years. “He provided decisive guidance in key technology paths and helped nurture a generation of battery talent,” Zeng said.
Earlier this year, Chen was awarded the 2024 Outstanding Science and Technology Achievement Prize by the Chinese Academy of Sciences, further affirming his central role in the country’s electrochemical research. He is also credited with introducing solid-state ionics to China and mentoring many of the nation’s top battery scientists.
CATL said the award reflects not only gratitude for Chen’s scientific contributions but also its continued commitment to innovation. In 2024, CATL invested over RMB 18.6 billion in R&D and formed partnerships with dozens of academic institutions, including its “21C Innovation Lab” and Hong Kong Research Institute.
Chen, born in March 1940, graduated from the University of Science and Technology of China and became an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering in 2001. His awards include the National Natural Science Award and the Ho Leung Ho Lee Foundation Science & Technology Progress Award.
The recognition marks a symbolic moment in the Chinese battery industry, honoring a scientist whose lifelong work helped power the nation’s rise as a global energy technology leader.