Chemist John Goodenough reacts to receiving Nobel prize 97 year-old John Goodenough, who has been co-awarded the Nobel Prize for chemistry, says it's 'very nice to receive' such recognition. Of his role in inventing the lithium-ion batteries that power modern mobile devices he says 'the lawyers always end up with the money', and on a more serious note he warns that humanity must wean itself off fossil fuels.