Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory, University of Oxford

The work of John B. Goodenough with Koichi Mizushima, Philip C. Jones and Philip J. Wiseman was honoured at a Chemical Landmark ceremony in the Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory, University of Oxford on Tuesday, 30 November 2010 in front of an audience of students and staff, past and present, representatives of industry and members of the Royal Society of Chemistry. The award coincided with the thirtieth anniversary of the publication of a paper given by John B Goodenough in 1980 on a new cathode material for batteries of high energy density. 

This research breakthrough led to the development of the re-chargeable lithium-ion battery that ushered in the age of portable electronic devices of today.  The material has proven to be inexpensive, environmentally friendly, safe, sustainable, and capable of thousands of charge cycles with a constant output voltage without a loss of capacity.  Batteries incorporating this cathode material are used worldwide for cell phones and other portable wireless devices, power tools, hybrid automobiles, small all-electric vehicles, as well as increasingly for electrical energy storage for alternative energy, such as wind and solar power.  

Head of Inorganic Chemistry, Professor Peter Edwards, said: 'It is tremendous for the University that such an important contribution to both science and technology is being recognised in this way. This plaque is a fitting tribute to Professor Goodenough and the team for making such a landmark discovery 30 years ago. It is also remarkable that as we celebrate today, Professor Goodenough will also be formally admitted as a Foreign Member of the Royal Society'.

John B Goodenough was unable to attend the ceremony from his home in the US although he had recorded a speech which was shown during the ceremony.  Other members of the team were present including Dr Koichi Mizushima who flew from Japan with his family and Dr Phil Jones who had flown over from France with his wife. 

Dr Phil Wiseman gave an enthralling talk entitled 'Lithium-ion batteries: a personal perspective' taking the audience back thirty years and captured on photographs of that time.   

At the end of the ceremony, Dr Richard Pike, RSC Chief Executive presented the chemical landmark plaque to the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Andrew Hamilton, before guests adjourned to the historic Abbot's Kitchen and many reminiscences.