John Bannister Goodenough, the American co-inventor of Lithium-ion batteries and a co-winner of the 2019 Nobel prize for Chemistry, passed away on June 25, 2023. At the time of his death, he was just a month short of turning 101, leaving behind a legacy of work that has had a transformative impact on technology and society​​.

Born on July 25, 1922, in Jena, Germany, to American parents, Goodenough started his academic journey studying mathematics at Yale University. He then served the US Army during the Second World War as a meteorologist. After the war, he obtained a doctorate in physics from the University of Chicago in 1952 and embarked on a career that would lead him to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, University of Oxford, and finally to the University of Texas at Austin, where he was a professor​.

Goodenough's contributions to science were far-reaching. He is best known for his work on the development of lithium-ion batteries. His innovation of a cobalt-based cathode perfected the lithium battery, enabling the creation of a product that today influences nearly every aspect of our lives, from smartphones to electric vehicles​​. His work did not stop there; he also played a significant role in the development of Random Access Memory (RAM) for computers, another innovation that is now essential to modern technology​​.

His influence was not only confined to his pioneering work in technology but also extended to the way he lived his life and interacted with others. Goodenough was remembered by his students as a "great soul, very humanistic, whose doors were always open to anyone for discussion, suggestion, and help"​. This sentiment was mirrored in his 2008 autobiography, "Witness to Grace," in which he shared his personal history, touching upon both science and spirituality​.

Even in his later years, Goodenough did not stop working. In a recent interview, when asked about his secret to a long life in research, he humorously advised, "don't retire too early"​. At the time, he was working on developing a polymer that conducts lithium or sodium as fast as in liquid, highlighting his continued commitment to advancing battery technology​.

Despite his groundbreaking achievements, Goodenough remained humble and grounded. During his Nobel interview, he shared a light-hearted anecdote about his lectures attended by teddy bears and humorously remarked, "You know, you live long enough, you never know how it’s going to come out"​. This humility was paired with a clear understanding of the responsibility that comes with technological innovation. He emphasized that "Technology is morally neutral; it’s how we use technology that determines everything"​.

John Bannister Goodenough's life is a testament to the power of perseverance, the pursuit of knowledge, and the impact one person can have on the world. His work has transformed the technological landscape, and his legacy will continue to inspire future generations of scientists and innovators. As we remember his contributions, we are reminded of the indelible mark he has left on our world.