Renowned engineering professor John Goodenough, the esteemed Nobel laureate hailed as the world’s oldest recipient of the prestigious accolade, has died at the age of 100. The University of Texas at Austin, where Goodenough devoted his expertise and shared his profound knowledge with aspiring minds, confirmed the heartbreaking news of his passing on Sunday.
Fondly remembered for his seminal contributions to the groundbreaking advancement of the lithium-ion battery, his departure leaves an indelible void in the scientific community and beyond.
‘John’s legacy as a brilliant scientist is immeasurable,’ the University of Texas said applauding his magnificence.
Millions of electric vehicles worldwide rely on lithium-ion batteries for their power source.
Renowned for his unwavering dedication to public service, mentorship, and remarkable ingenuity, Dr. Goodenough from the University of Texas stands as a notable figure.
His pioneering contributions in battery research, notably the groundbreaking development of the lithium-ion battery, earned him the prestigious Nobel Prize in chemistry in 2019. He achieved this remarkable accolade at the age of 97, a testament to his brilliance and humility as an inventor.
The advent of the lightweight yet potent battery sparked a technological revolution, opening doors for the emergence of modern portable electronics like laptops and mobile phones. These batteries have also assumed a vital role in energizing larger contemporary devices, including solar panels.
Born to American parents in Germany in 1922, Dr. Goodenough’s formative years were spent in the northeastern United States. During World War II, he served as a meteorologist in the US Army. His academic journey led him to obtain a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Yale University, followed by a Ph.D. in physics from the University of Chicago.
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His spouse, Irene Wiseman died in 2016.
His findings have ‘improved the lives of billions of people around the world’, Mr. Hartzell said. ‘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.’
Dr. Goodenough embarked on his professional journey at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, dedicating 24 years to the institution. During his tenure, he made significant contributions to the development of random-access memory for computers, leaving an indelible mark on the field.
Additionally, his time at MIT saw him emerge as one of the pioneers of the modern theory of magnetism, a breakthrough that has played a pivotal role in the advancement of telecommunications.
In a 2016 interview with John Humphrys, when asked about the profound impact of his discoveries on human life, Dr. Goodenough revealed that he did not dwell on such thoughts excessively.
‘I’m very gratified that I’ve provided something for the people of this world,’ he stated.
During that period, he humorously remarked that he chose not to own a mobile phone as he preferred to not be ‘bothered’.
According to the University of Texas, the professor was renowned for his sharp sense of humor and a laugh that was described as ‘infectious.’
The university stated that his ‘laughter could be heard reverberating through UT engineering buildings.’
In recent times, Dr. Goodenough and his team at the University of Texas delved into cutting-edge research on energy storage, actively exploring novel methodologies, one of which involved the utilization of a glass-based battery.