Three scientists won the 2019 Nobel Prize for chemistry for developing and refining rechargeable lithium-ion batteries that made the global information technology, mobile and fossil-fuel free revolutions possible.

American John Goodenough, at 97, became the oldest winner of a Nobel prize and shares the nine million Swedish crown ($1.34 million) award equally with Stanley Whittingham from Britain and Akira Yoshino of Japan, the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences said on Wednesday.

“Lithium-ion batteries have revolutionised our lives since they first entered the market in 1991,” the academy’s Nobel committee said.

“They have laid the foundation of a wireless, fossil fuel-free society, and are of the greatest benefit to humankind.”

“We can see an enormous, dramatic effect on society because of this fantastic battery.”

Olof Ramström, member of the Nobel Committee, on the huge, everyday impact of the development of lithium-ion batteries, which was awarded this year’s #NobelPrize in Chemistry. pic.twitter.com/l0QCZzkXyD

— The Nobel Prize (@NobelPrize) October 9, 2019

Mr Whittingham developed the first functional lithium battery in the early 1970s.

Mr Goodenough doubled the battery’s potential in the following decade and Mr Yoshino eliminated pure lithium from the battery, making it much safer to use.

Speaking on Japanese TV after hearing of his win, a smiling Mr Yoshino said he was glad to have helped the environment.

“I am happy that Lithium ion battery won the prize in that context,” he said, adding that he also hoped it would inspire young researchers.

“It is very important to keep thinking every day.”

We spoke to 2019 Chemistry Laureate Akira Yoshino just after he received news of his #NobelPrize.

Listen to the phone conversation with Yoshino:https://t.co/fIZ0u3rMag

— The Nobel Prize (@NobelPrize) October 9, 2019

Gregory Offer, an expert in mechanical engineering at Imperial College London, said the scientists’ work had led to “one of the key enabling technologies of the 21st century”.

“They have already underpinned the mobile revolution, and are now essential to help us solve the problem of climate change by electrifying transport and storing renewable electricity generation,” he said in an emailed comment.

Peter Somfai, a professor of organic chemistry and a member of the Nobel committee for chemistry, said it was clear why the three should have won.

“This is a technology we use every day. Most people have a mobile phone, electric vehicles are getting more popular. So … it’s pretty straight forward why it’s an important discovery, he told Reuters.”

The prizes for achievements in science, literature and peace were created and funded in the will of Swedish dynamite inventor and businessman Alfred Nobel and have been awarded since 1901.

The Nobel prizes for medicine and physics were awarded earlier this week.

The awards for literature, peace and economics will be announced in the next few days.