John B. Goodenough

Energy, you need it, I need it, and more importantly, your device needs it. It may be simple to just plug your power-hungry device to the nearest wall or power bank today, but this idea of a lightweight rechargeable battery would have seemed like a marvel only 30 years ago. Who is the person behind this innovative technology? He must be a billionaire now, right? Wrong. He has never made a single cent off his work and still continues to tirelessly work to create a new battery that's even better than the one he made 30 years ago. Born in 1922, John B. Goodenough lived in a world where technology was rapidly becoming available, ¨[i]n 1941 he received his BA in mathematics while serving in WWII as a USAAF meteorologist and then went on to earn his MS (1951) and Ph.D. (1952) in physics from the University of Chicago.¨(NAE) “At the MIT Lincoln Laboratory (1952–1976), he developed the concept of cooperative orbital ordering in transition-metal compounds”(NAE) Other than that being a random jumble of words, Goodenough’s concept proved vital to creating RAM (Random Access Memory), and if that was not enough, in 1979 Goodenough made one of the greatest contributions to modern technology by creating the lithium-ion battery. The lithium-ion battery is a lightweight rechargeable battery that had twice the energy density of any other battery at the time. John B. Goodenough is the perfect example of an unsung hero; he exemplifies the persistence, and passion needed to inspire people in the modern world.

Currently, Mr. Goodenough resides in Austin, where he works as a college professor for the University of Texas; here, he persistently works on his newest idea, the solid-state battery. When Goodenough first published his paper on his solid-state battery, he received some skepticism on his data. “The paper has drawn criticism from other battery researchers, who tell [the publication] one aspect of the new battery cells — the relative dielectric constant — is higher than ever before recorded in any material known to science. That metric measures how much energy can be stored in an electric field. That extraordinarily high number raises some red flags, those other researchers say” (Hanley). Despite the slipping backing of the science industry, Goodenough continued to work on his battery with undying persistence and backed his data credibility when one of Goodenough's colleagues Maria Helena Braga reported similar results with a separate battery “Data is data and we have similar data from many different cells, in four different instruments, different labs,...(Braga). Now that his battery is entering near completion we may expect lithium-ion batteries to be replaced in only a few short years, thanks to Goodenough’s persistence and tireless effort to put his work to fruition.

Goodenough’s dedication pales only to his passion for his work. Currently in his late 90s, Goodenough could have retired years before. With the popularity of the lithium-ion battery, he could receive millions, if not billions of dollars in royalties; instead, Goodenough and his colleagues decided to not profit from the invention at all ¨Goodenough has never seen one dime from his discovery¨(Hanley). Nevertheless, Goodenough continues to work, with over 300 publications and countless patents under his belt, for the better of society. Some of his recognitions include “the Japan Prize, the Presidential Enrico Fermi Award, and the National Medal of Science” (NAE). Even after receiving the kind of recognition a scientist can only dream of, Goodenough continues to strive to improve the world. Though some people are skeptical about Goodenough’s data on the Solid state battery. With his credible 300 plus papers, an impeccable track record and with no visible ulterior motive, it is hard to find any reason to discredit Mr. Goodenough

Goodenough's hard work and dedication have paved a path for millions in the world of technology, from RAM to the lithium-ion battery, Goodenough has done more than his fair share in shaping the modern era of technology and continues to do so. I see Goodenough as an excelling influence, paving a new era of technology for the next generations. As a nexus between the past and present, John B. Goodenough represents the best of humanity. Though the name John B. Goodenough may not be able to endure the test of time, his relentless work will inspire people for generations to come as an example of true dedication to one's work.

“John B. Goodenough.” NAE Website, www.nae.edu/105796.aspx.

“John B. Goodenough Inventions, Patents and Patent Applications - Justia Patents Search.” Justia, patents.justia.com/inventor/john-b-goodenough.

“John B. Goodenough, PhD - Publications.” Hidde L. Ploegh - Publications, academictree.org/chemistry/publications.php?pid=90740&searchstring=&showfilter=all.

Maney, Kevin. "How a 94-Year-Old Genius May Save the Planet; John Goodenough's lithium-ion batteries changed consumer electronics in the 1980s. Can his new, glass-based batteries spur the electric car revolution?" Newsweek, 24 Mar. 2017. Research in Context,

https://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A485770954/MSIC?u=powa9245&sid=MSIC&xid=ddfd3fcd. Accessed 14 Jan. 2019

“The Solid-State Lithium-Ion Battery - Has John Goodenough Finally Done It?” CleanTechnica, 26 June 2018, cleantechnica.com/2018/06/26/the-solid-state-lithium-ion-battery-has-john-goodenough-finally-done-it/.