John B. Goodenough
He shared the Nobel Prize for his role in the development of lithium-ion batteries.
Most quoted
"The lithium-ion battery is a testament to the power of fundamental science. We weren't looking for a battery; we were looking to understand materials."
— from Interview/Correspondence
"The development of the lithium-ion battery was a collaborative effort, and I am grateful to all of my colleagues who contributed to its success."
— from Interview/Speech
"Patience is not just a virtue in science; it's a necessity. Many times, the answer is just around the corner, but you have to keep walking."
— from Personal Reflection
All quotes by John B. Goodenough (228)
The search for new materials is like a detective story.
I never set out to invent a battery. I set out to understand materials.
Failure is just a step on the path to understanding.
The interface between electrode and electrolyte is where the battle is won or lost.
We need an energy storage solution that is safe, cheap, and abundant.
Curiosity is the engine of science.
My faith has been a guide and a comfort throughout my life.
The lithium iron phosphate structure is stable and safe.
I am an engineer at heart. I want to make things that work.
The world runs on energy. How we store it will define our future.
Do not be afraid to challenge dogma.
The spinel structure of manganese oxide provided the first practical cathode.
I have lived long enough to see my ideas become technology.
A scientist must be both optimistic and skeptical.
The battery in your phone is a piece of condensed physics.
We are running out of time to address climate change. Better batteries are part of the answer.
I read the Bible and the Physical Review.
The joy of discovery is what keeps me going.
You have to be willing to be wrong, and to learn from it.
The transition to renewable energy is not optional; it is imperative.
Contemporaries of John B. Goodenough
Other Chemistrys born within 50 years of John B. Goodenough (1922–2023).