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John Goodenough, Lithium-Ion Battery Inventor and Nobel Prize Recipient, Dies (utexas.edu) 34

shilly writes: John B. Goodenough, professor at The University of Texas at Austin who is known around the world for the development of the lithium-ion battery, died Sunday at the age of 100. Goodenough was a dedicated public servant, a sought-after mentor and a brilliant yet humble inventor. His discovery led to the wireless revolution and put electronic devices in the hands of people worldwide. In 2019, Goodenough made national and international headlines after being awarded the Nobel Prize in chemistry for his battery work, an award many of his fans considered a long time coming, especially as he became the oldest person to receive a Nobel Prize.

"John's legacy as a brilliant scientist is immeasurable -- his discoveries improved the lives of billions of people around the world," said UT Austin President Jay Hartzell. "He was a leader at the cutting edge of scientific research throughout the many decades of his career, and he never ceased searching for innovative energy-storage solutions. John's work and commitment to our mission are the ultimate reflection of our aspiration as Longhorns -- that what starts here changes the world -- and he will be greatly missed among our UT community." Goodenough served as a faculty member in the Cockrell School of Engineering for 37 years, holding the Virginia H. Cockrell Centennial Chair of Engineering and faculty positions in the Walker Department of Mechanical Engineering and the Chandra Family Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. Throughout his tenure, his research continued to focus on battery materials and address fundamental solid-state science and engineering problems to create the next generation of rechargeable batteries.

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John Goodenough, Lithium-Ion Battery Inventor and Nobel Prize Recipient, Dies

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  • by e065c8515d206cb0e190 ( 1785896 ) on Monday June 26, 2023 @10:27AM (#63633728)
    100 is good enough
  • by Baron_Yam ( 643147 ) on Monday June 26, 2023 @10:35AM (#63633746)

    Just a few years ago, he came up with an improved LiON battery and a lot of people said it was impossible, that he'd lost it, or that he was putting his name on someone else's work.

    His response - releasing a video where he explained what he'd come up with, why it worked, and did an actual on-camera demo with a lab-built device - was awesome.

    • by Kobun ( 668169 )
      The good Doctor gave us all a fighting chance, and worked tirelessly right up to the very end. If they can commercialize his final battery (glass-substrate solid lithium film) he may very well have saved the world. Rest in peace, Dr. Goodenough. You've certainly earned it.
      • Yep; I wish we'd lionize more people like him than the usual celebrities.

        Why do you need to get to the Einstein-tier before the public cares at all? These are the kind of scientist-inventors who are solving major technological problems for us, they're arguably critical to a better future.

    • by Shaitan ( 22585 )

      Without question the man did amazing things with his life and all our LEDs will be dimmer for his passing.

      Rest in peace Professor GoodEnough, we will all strive to be worthy of the legacy you've left us.

  • Nope, not April 1. Huh.

  • Stress tested all the way to 100.
  • But he could play guitar and win the Nobel

    Go Johnny go, go!

    Johnny B Goodenough.

    Side note, apparently he had an alter ego called Johnny B Nearenough.
  • I have to say lithium ion batteries have enabled electric cars, smartphones, lightweight laptops, and many other technologies. I mean, sure it would be great if they were even lighter and more compact, but they're good enough.

    • It would also be nice if they weren't as prone to going off in an intractable inferno, but this usually only happens under extreme circumstances... so definitely good enough.
    • by tlhIngan ( 30335 )

      lithium ion batteries have enabled electric cars

      EVs were around far longer and most people considered the 60 mile range of early EV vehicles of the 19th century to be decent for the time. You have to remember ICE was looked down on as a crappy technology - you had to crank them (with the chance they could break your wrist) so you had to be strong enough to do that, they emitted nasty fumes and were all around a dirty technology.

      Electric is quiet, requires no starting and was heavily promoted to the ladies w

    • by ls671 ( 1122017 )

      it would be great if but they're good enough

      Of course they are GoodEnough

    • by Shaitan ( 22585 )

      They B. Goodenough? lol see what you did there.

      Ok seriously, that poor poor man. Even in death he has to suffer this crap.

  • It has been over a decade since I have seen the documentary "Who Killed The Electric Car?". I seem to remember a scientist who invented the battery that the EV1 used. Was that him?
  • It would be awesome if he was cremated using a pile of runaway Lion Batteries! I mean, right?
  • was he killed by perfection ?
  • by 93 Escort Wagon ( 326346 ) on Monday June 26, 2023 @12:46PM (#63634204)

    He was killed by his jealous best friend, Boris Wellenough. Boris and Natasha Wellenough had been friends with John Goodenough for decades - but, unbeknownst to Boris (until recently), John and Natasha were having a long-running affair. When Boris finally found out, he basically went postal.

    The moral of the story: John really should have left Wellenough alone.

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