John Goodenough, a distinguished American scientist and Nobel laureate, passed away on Sunday at the age of 100. Goodenough was renowned for his foundational contributions to the development of the lithium-ion battery, which has revolutionized mobile technology and is a key component of electric cars. However, later in his career, Goodenough expressed concerns about the reliance on scarce natural resources that the design of lithium-ion batteries entails.
Goodenough had a long and illustrious career at the University of Texas at Austin, where he served as an engineering professor. Even in his 90s, he continued to conduct experiments on next-generation rechargeable power cells. In 2019, at the age of 97, Goodenough became the oldest person to receive a Nobel Prize in chemistry, recognizing his groundbreaking discoveries in lithium-ion technology. Despite his achievements, he remained committed to finding new solutions to move away from fossil fuels, including the development of more eco-friendly battery components and high-capacity “super batteries.”
Goodenough was determined to solve the problem of gas emissions from vehicles and expressed his hope to witness a world free from gas-powered automobiles. He understood that battery technology evolves rapidly, and he aimed to contribute to advancements in the field. He acknowledged that the basic principles of modern batteries had been known for centuries, but the introduction of lithium in the late 20th century led to a new era of compact and powerful batteries.
In the late 1970s, Goodenough’s collaborator, Michael Stanley Whittingham, developed the first rechargeable lithium battery. Although it was a significant breakthrough, the design was volatile and had safety concerns. Goodenough dedicated four years of research at Oxford University to improve the concept. In 1980, he and his team discovered a new configuration using cobalt oxide for the positive pole of the battery, resulting in higher voltage, greater stability, and smaller size.
Subsequently, Japanese professor Akira Yoshino made further advancements by using carbon for the negative pole and allowing lithium ions to flow between the poles. This innovation made lithium-ion batteries more stable, capable of enduring multiple recharges, and opened up a wide range of applications, from cellphones and laptops to electric vehicles. The collective achievements of Goodenough, Whittingham, and Yoshino were recognized by the Nobel Committee, which highlighted their contribution to creating conditions for a wireless, fossil fuel-free society.
Despite his groundbreaking work, Goodenough was concerned about the potential environmental and geopolitical issues that could arise from the reliance on limited resources like cobalt and lithium. He warned that the world could face conflicts similar to those seen in oil-rich regions if battery designs didn’t evolve to utilize alternative materials. Goodenough devoted his research to developing “super batteries” that incorporated nanotechnology and explored the use of sodium as an anode, which could be obtained in abundance from oceans.
In recent years, Goodenough collaborated with Energy Exploration Technologies on projects involving solid-state batteries, which offer advantages such as higher voltage, faster recharging, longer lifespan, and reduced risk of combustion. He remained open to surprises and new discoveries throughout his career.
Goodenough’s journey to becoming a pioneering scientist began in 1922 when he was born in Jena, Germany. His family moved back to the United States during the 1920s, where he eventually pursued higher education at Yale University. After serving in World War II as a meteorologist, he obtained his master’s and doctoral degrees in physics from the University of Chicago. Goodenough’s career took him to prestigious institutions like MIT and Oxford University before he settled at the University of Texas.
Goodenough left behind a lasting legacy as a highly accomplished scientist and author. He wrote numerous scientific articles and seven books on science, in addition to his memoir, where he expressed his perspectives on faith, spirituality, and the concepts of good and evil.
Although Goodenough did not profit from the patents associated with his breakthroughs, his work and lab were involved in several notable legal battles over battery technology. He emphasized the importance of skepticism amid claims of new breakthroughs, particularly given the increasing demand for greener energy solutions.
The scientific community mourns the loss of John Goodenough, a visionary mind who pushed the boundaries of battery technology while maintaining a critical perspective on its societal and environmental implications. His contributions will shape the future of sustainable energy and inspire future generations of scientists and engineers.
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