John Goodenough, a distinguished Nobel laureate recognized for his groundbreaking work in the development of lithium-ion batteries, passed away on Sunday, just a few weeks before his 101st birthday. Hailed as a visionary in scientific research, Goodenough spent 37 years as a faculty member at the University of Texas at Austin, leaving an indelible mark on the field.
In 2019, at the age of 97, Goodenough was honored with the Nobel Prize in Chemistry alongside Stanley Whittingham from Britain and Akira Yoshino from Japan. Their collective research on lithium-ion batteries revolutionized the energy landscape, powering millions of electric vehicles worldwide. Goodenough holds the distinction of being the oldest recipient of a Nobel Prize.
Throughout his illustrious career, Goodenough and his team at the University of Texas also explored innovative directions for energy storage. They delved into the realm of solid-state electrolytes and lithium or sodium metal electrodes, leading to the development of a groundbreaking “glass” battery.
Goodenough’s contributions extended beyond lithium-ion batteries. He played a pivotal role in advancing lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cathodes as a viable and sustainable alternative to nickel and cobalt-based counterparts. LFP has gained prominence in electric vehicle batteries due to its cost-effectiveness and utilization of more abundant materials.
Born on July 25, 1922, in Jena, Germany, to American parents, Goodenough pursued his education at Yale University, earning a bachelor’s degree in mathematics. He furthered his studies at the University of Chicago, attaining both a master’s and a Ph.D. in physics. Goodenough’s career took him to esteemed institutions such as the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the University of Oxford, where he served as a prominent researcher and head of the inorganic chemistry lab.
