Free Republic

American materials scientist and co-inventor of the lithium-ion battery John B Goodenough died yesterday, according to reports. He was 100. The Nobel laureate and professor of mechanical, material science, and electrical engineering at the University of Texas, Austin, enjoyed a long and prestigious career in chemistry but is best known for his significant contribution to the development of lithium-ion batteries which shaped the landscape of mobile telecommunications and computing. UT Austin president Jay Hartzell said: "John's legacy as a brilliant scientist is immeasurable — his discoveries improved the lives of billions of people around the world. "He was a leader...

Three scientists have been awarded the 2019 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for the development of lithium-ion batteries. John B Goodenough, M Stanley Whittingham and Akira Yoshino share the prize for their work on these rechargeable devices, which are used for portable electronics. "We have gained access to a technical revolution. The laureates developed lightweight batteries of high enough potential to be useful in many applications." In addition to their use in electric vehicles, the rechargeable devices could also store significant amounts of energy from renewable sources, such as solar and wind power.