# John B. Goodenough

> American materials scientist (1922–2023)

**Wikidata**: [Q906529](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q906529)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_B._Goodenough)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/john-b-goodenough

## Summary
John B. Goodenough was an American materials scientist (1922–2023) known for pioneering work in lithium-ion battery technology, which revolutionized portable electronics and electric vehicles. He co-developed the first commercially viable rechargeable lithium-ion battery, earning the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2019.

## Biography
- Born: July 25, 1922
- Nationality: United States
- Education:
  - Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, University of Utah (1943)
  - Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry, University of Chicago (1946)
- Known for: Developing the lithium-ion battery, a foundational technology for modern electronics and renewable energy.
- Employer(s):
  - University of Oxford (1950s)
  - University of Utah (1950s–1960s)
  - University of Texas at Austin (1960s–2003)
- Field(s):
  - Materials science
  - Electrochemistry
  - Battery technology

## Contributions
- Co-developed the first commercially viable rechargeable lithium-ion battery in the 1970s, which became the standard for portable electronics and electric vehicles.
- Published numerous papers on battery materials, including work on lithium cobalt oxide and lithium iron phosphate.
- Led research on high-energy-density batteries, contributing to advancements in energy storage technology.
- Founded and directed the Texas Materials Institute at the University of Texas at Austin.

## FAQs
- **What was John B. Goodenough known for?**
  He is known for co-developing the lithium-ion battery, a breakthrough in energy storage technology that powers modern electronics and electric vehicles.

- **Where did John B. Goodenough work?**
  He held faculty positions at the University of Oxford, the University of Utah, and the University of Texas at Austin, where he founded the Texas Materials Institute.

- **What awards did John B. Goodenough receive?**
  He won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry (2019), the John Price Wetherill Medal (1994), and the John B. Goodenough Award (granted by the Royal Society of Chemistry).

- **What was his educational background?**
  He earned a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from the University of Utah (1943) and a Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Chicago (1946).

## Why They Matter
John B. Goodenough's work on lithium-ion batteries transformed portable electronics, enabling devices like smartphones and laptops. His innovations laid the groundwork for electric vehicles and renewable energy storage. His research influenced countless scientists and engineers, shaping modern energy infrastructure. Without his contributions, the global shift toward sustainable energy technologies would have been significantly delayed.

## Notable For
- Nobel Prize in Chemistry (2019)
- Co-inventor of the lithium-ion battery
- Founder of the Texas Materials Institute
- Author of over 150 scientific publications
- Recipient of the John Price Wetherill Medal (1994)
- Member of the National Academy of Sciences and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences

## Body
### Early Life and Education
John Bannister Goodenough was born on July 25, 1922. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from the University of Utah in 1943 and his Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Chicago in 1946. His early research focused on inorganic chemistry and electrochemistry.

### Career and Research
Goodenough began his academic career at the University of Oxford in the 1950s before moving to the University of Utah in the 1960s. In 1976, he joined the University of Texas at Austin, where he founded the Texas Materials Institute. His work on lithium cobalt oxide and lithium iron phosphate batteries laid the foundation for modern energy storage.

### Breakthroughs in Battery Technology
In the 1970s, Goodenough co-developed the first commercially viable rechargeable lithium-ion battery. This innovation enabled the portable electronics revolution, powering devices from smartphones to laptops. His research on high-energy-density batteries continued throughout his career, influencing global energy storage advancements.

### Awards and Recognition
Goodenough received numerous accolades, including the Nobel Prize in Chemistry (2019) for his work on lithium-ion batteries. He also won the John Price Wetherill Medal (1994) and the John B. Goodenough Award (granted by the Royal Society of Chemistry). His contributions were recognized by memberships in the National Academy of Sciences and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

### Legacy
John B. Goodenough died on June 25, 2023. His legacy endures in the lithium-ion batteries that power modern technology, making his work essential to the digital and renewable energy revolutions. His influence extends to ongoing research in battery materials and energy storage solutions.

## References

1. [nobelprize.org](https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/chemistry/2019/goodenough/facts/)
2. Virtual International Authority File
3. Who's Who
4. [Source](https://www.japanprize.jp/en/laureates_by_year.html)
5. Czech National Authority Database
6. [ORCID Public Data File 2023](https://pub.orcid.org/v3.0/0000-0001-9350-3034/employment/2742938)
7. [ORCID Public Data File 2023](https://pub.orcid.org/v3.0/0000-0001-9350-3034/employment/2742946)
8. Find a Grave
9. [Source](https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/jorf/jo/id/JORFCONT000000019410)
10. [Source](https://awards.acm.org/fellows/award-recipients)
11. [Olin Palladium Award. Electrochemical Society](https://www.electrochem.org/palladium-award)
12. [Source](https://science.osti.gov/fermi/Award-Laureates)
13. [The President's National Medal of Science: Recipient Details. National Science Foundation](https://www.nsf.gov/od/nms/recip_details.jsp?recip_id=5300000000478)
14. [Charles Stark Draper Prize for Engineering: Dr. John B. Goodenough. National Academy of Engineering](https://www.nae.edu/55291/DraperWinners?id=55291)
15. [Source](https://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Netanyahu-announces-2015-alternative-fuels-prize-421231)
16. [Source](https://clarivate.com/citation-laureates)
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18. [Award winners : Copley Medal](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1dsunM9ukGLgaW3HdG9cvJ_QKd7pWjGI0qi_fCb1ROD4/pubhtml?gid=1336391689&single=true)
19. [The Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2019. Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences. 2019](https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/chemistry/2019/press-release/)
20. [Source](https://www.washingtonaward.com/directory/2020s/)
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22. CiNii Research
23. John Goodenough: Biography. Directory of Fellows of the Royal Society
24. John B. Goodenough, The University of Texas at Austin. www.nasonline.org
25. John Goodenough. www.academie-sciences.fr
26. [Dr. John B. Goodenough. National Academy of Engineering](https://www.nae.edu/29302/Dr-John-B-Goodenough)
27. [Source](https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/255868713/john-bannister-goodenough)
28. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie
29. [Obituary. Goodenough, Nobel laureate who gave the world Li-ion batteries, passes away. Business Line. 2023](https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/goodenough-nobel-laureate-who-gave-the-world-li-ion-batteries-passes-away/article67010369.ece)
30. [John B. Goodenough, 100, Dies; Nobel-Winning Creator of the Lithium-Ion Battery. The New York Times](https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/26/science/john-goodenough-dead.html)
31. Autoritats UB
32. La France savante
33. [Source](https://cen.acs.org/people/Podcast-John-Goodenough-100th-birthday/100/web/2022/07)
34. FamilySearch Family Tree
35. Quora