In the race to make the next leap in battery technology, there is a 96-year-old who won’t give up. Four decades ago, John Goodenough helped invent the battery that is used to recharge cellphones, iPads and many other of today’s electronic goods. His work made batteries more powerful and portable by introducing lithium cobalt oxide to their inner workings. Now Dr. Goodenough wants to kill off that creation by removing the cobalt that meant his lithium-ion battery could charge faster and last longer. In April, the World War II veteran published research with three co-authors that he said is being used to develop a prototype of a liquid-free and cobalt-free battery. “My mission is to try to see if I can transform the battery world before I die,” Dr. Goodenough says. “When I’m no longer able to drive and I’m forced to go into a nursing home, then I […]