John B. Goodenough 1922-2023

UT Mourns Battery Pioneer

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, June 25 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.

Winner of the 2019 Nobel Prize in Chemistry

John B. Goodenough, who holds the Virginia H. Cockrell Centennial Chair of Engineering in the Cockrell School of Engineering, has been awarded the 2019 Nobel Prize in Chemistry — jointly with Stanley Whittingham of the State University of New York at Binghamton and Akira Yoshino of Meijo University — “for the development of lithium-ion batteries.”

In the words of the Nobel Foundation, “Through their work, they have created the right conditions for a wireless and fossil fuel-free society, and so brought the greatest benefit to humankind.”

100th Birthday Symposium

To celebrate John Goodenough turning 100 on July 25, 2022, battery leaders from around the globe, many of whom have been influenced by Goodenough’s breakthroughs, gathered virtually and in person at a symposium at the Cockrell School of Engineering at The University of Texas at Austin to share stories and discuss the next generation of battery research.

“He is a symbol of ingenuity, strength and excellence in the Cockrell School,” said Sharon Wood, executive vice president and provost at UT Austin and former dean of the Cockrell School, at the event. “His mere presence inspires students and encourages our faculty to succeed. He has unequivocally and quite literally changed the world with his inventions. And he has the biggest laugh on campus, so you always know when you are in John’s presence.”

John Goodenough – Changing the World

See how a visionary investment in The University of Texas at Austin brought John B. Goodenough to UT, where his work continues.

To celebrate John Goodenough turning 100 on July 25, 2022, battery leaders from around the globe, many of whom have been influenced by Goodenough’s breakthroughs, gathered virtually and in person at a symposium at the Cockrell School of Engineering at The University of Texas at Austin to share stories and discuss the next generation of battery research.

“He is a symbol of ingenuity, strength and excellence in the Cockrell School,” said Sharon Wood, executive vice president and provost at UT Austin and former dean of the Cockrell School, at the event. “His mere presence inspires students and encourages our faculty to succeed. He has unequivocally and quite literally changed the world with his inventions. And he has the biggest laugh on campus, so you always know when you are in John’s presence.”