White House honors UT researchers

Two are among 12 people to be awarded National Medal of Science.

The UT honorees are Allen Bard, a professor of chemistry, and John Goodenough, a professor of engineering.

Bard is known for various discoveries and inventions involving the interplay of electricity, light and chemicals. For example, he invented the scanning electrochemical microscope, which provides high-resolution chemical imaging.

Goodenough developed materials used in lithium-ion batteries for cellphones, hybrid cars and a host of other ubiquitous goods.

Obama also named 11 inventors, none from the state of Texas, as recipients of the National Medal of Technology and Innovation.

The science and technology medals are the highest honors bestowed by the U.S. government on scientists, engineers and inventors. Recipients will receive their awards at a White House ceremony early next year.

“I am proud to honor these inspiring American innovators,” Obama said in a statement. “They represent the ingenuity and imagination that has long made this nation great — and they remind us of the enormous impact a few good ideas can have when these creative qualities are unleashed in an entrepreneurial environment.”