In a world where technology reigns supreme, there are rare individuals who possess the ability to reshape our lives through their inventive genius. John B. Goodenough, the visionary physicist and Nobel laureate, whose groundbreaking work birthed the revolutionary lithium-ion battery, passed away on Sunday, June 25, 2023, at the remarkable age of 100.
Imagine this: you’re at home, alone, surfing the internet on your phone. As you hold this powerful device in your hand, controlled by the touch of your fingertips, you realize the immense privilege it represents. And at the heart of this extraordinary capability lies the battery. The lithium-ion battery, a true marvel of innovation, is responsible for powering our wireless electronic devices and propelling the wheels of electric and hybrid vehicles. And it is John Goodenough, a man of brilliance and perseverance, whose tireless efforts led to its development.
Born on July 25, 1922, in Germany, Goodenough entered this world as an unwanted child in the home of an agnostic professor. His early years were marked by loneliness and the burden of dyslexia within an emotionally distant household. Local primary schools labeled him as a backward student, but fate intervened when his family returned to the United States, providing him with an opportunity to escape the scrutiny his dyslexia attracted. It was here that he delved into the world of science, a path he pursued diligently to avoid the perils of the English language.
In 1940, Goodenough graduated at the top of his class from Groton and earned a scholarship to Yale, where he immersed himself in the study of mathematics. Determined to fund his education, he took on various jobs and became a tutor to his fellow students. However, his journey was momentarily interrupted when he was called to serve in the wartime Army Air Forces. Yet, he overcame this hurdle and completed his degree, with Yale recognizing his military meteorology course. After the war, he pursued physics, securing a government scholarship at the University of Chicago. In 1951, he earned his master’s degree, followed swiftly by a doctorate a year later. It was during this time that he laid the foundation for a remarkable career that would forever shape the world.
Goodenough’s path led him to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where he became an esteemed professor. Described as a dedicated public servant, a sought-after mentor, and a brilliant yet humble inventor by the University of Texas, he left an indelible mark on the academic landscape. His extraordinary journey culminated in the 2019 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, awarded to him at the age of 97, for his pioneering research on batteries, including the groundbreaking development of the lithium-ion battery. He became the oldest person to receive a Nobel Prize.
This lightweight and powerful battery sparked a technological revolution, ushering in an era of portable electronics, from laptops to mobile phones. Its transformative impact extended to larger devices, enabling the proliferation of solar panels and powering the rise of renewable energy. But Goodenough’s thirst for progress knew no bounds. Before he died, John and his team at the University of Texas had been researching new ways of storing energy, including via a battery made of glass.
Goodenough’s passion for giving was as profound as his dedication to science. He selflessly donated the monetary rewards from his numerous accolades to the University of Texas, supporting engineering graduate students and researchers. He established endowed funds and scholarships, leaving an enduring legacy of support and encouragement for future generations of scientists and engineers. St. Catherine’s College at the University of Oxford established the Goodenough Fellowship in Chemistry in his honor, recognizing the profound impact he had on the world.
Beyond the Nobel Prize, Goodenough received numerous prestigious awards, including the National Medal of Science, the Japan Prize, the Charles Stark Draper Prize, the Benjamin Franklin Medal, the Enrico Fermi Award, the Robert A. Welch Award, and the Copley Medal. He authored insightful books, with his autobiography, “Witness to Grace,” in 2008 providing a captivating glimpse into his extraordinary life.
While the lithium-ion battery cemented Goodenough’s legacy, his contributions spanned far beyond it. During his time at MIT, he played a pivotal role in pioneering the technology that underpins modern random access memory (RAM) found in countless computing devices. His collaborative spirit and generosity shone through as he shared his patents with colleagues, embodying the essence of innovation and progress.
John B. Goodenough, a luminary of science, an inventive virtuoso, and a beacon of inspiration, has left an indelible imprint on our world. As we bid farewell to this remarkable man, let us honor his legacy by embracing the limitless power of ideas and pushing the boundaries of knowledge. May his extraordinary journey serve as a guiding light for generations to come.
Goodenough, who never had children of his own, was married to Irene for over 70 years until her death in 2016.
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