This week's episode highlights how USC alumni are driving impact across national labs and industry.
We hear from:
Drew Pereira, NREL – early-career researcher at the frontline of battery R&D
Will Rigdon, Stanley Black & Decker – mid-career leader bridging engineering and real-world deployment
Venkat Srinivasan, Argonne National Lab – late-career visionary shaping the national research agenda for energy storage
Key themes:
How USC talent is contributing to global battery leadership
Bridging academic research, government labs, and industry
Alumni insights on scaling innovation in a fast-moving sector
In Episode 2 of our CIBI Series, we turn the spotlight on the University of South Carolina (USC) faculty driving battery and energy storage research forward.
This episode explores how researchers at different career stages — from early-career innovators to established leaders — are shaping the growth of the Carolina Institute for Battery Innovation (CIBI).
You’ll hear insights from:
Goli Jalilvand – early-career researcher leading fresh approaches in energy storage innovation
Xinyu Huang – mid-career faculty member advancing applied battery science and technology
Ralph White & Adel Nasiri – late-career experts whose decades of research, mentorship, and leadership continue to influence global energy storage research
Key themes covered include:
How diverse perspectives strengthen USC’s research community
The role of faculty in connecting cutting-edge science with industry needs
USC’s long-standing leadership in energy storage research and its central role in CIBI’s growth
This conversation highlights why the University of South Carolina remains a cornerstone of U.S. battery research and how faculty expertise is powering the future of clean energy innovation.
In this episode, we speak with the leaders of 6 companies driving innovation in battery technology and energy storage, and carefully selected for the NENY Charge Up Accelerator.
Amel Energy – non-toxic solvents and PFAS-free binders for sustainable lithium-ion manufacturing
Valgotech – developing lithium–sulfur batteries to diversify and secure supply chains
FastLion Energy (FLE) – improving performance and efficiency of next-generation batteries
vsNew – scaling solutions for U.S. battery manufacturing capacity
Coulomb Technology – advancing smarter tools for battery monitoring and integration
LiBAMA Power – innovating new approaches in energy storage and power systems
The NENY Charge Up Accelerator provides funding, lab access, mentorship, and ecosystem connections, supporting startups across four pillars: Innovation, Workforce Development, Equity & Justice, and Supply Chain.
This episode launches our special 7-part series on the Carolina Istitute for Battery Innovation (CIBI), founded in 2024 and adding to South Carolina’s long history in battery research dating back to the 1980s.
We’re joined by William Mustain, key leader from the University of South Carolina, to explore how CIBI is positioning itself as a hub for world-class battery innovation.
In this conversation, you’ll hear about:
The origins of CIBI and its role in South Carolina’s clean energy ecosystem
Plans for a 20,000 sq. ft. pilot-scale battery manufacturing facility
New research labs and office space for 40+ researchers, opening in just 18 months
Strategic partnerships with companies and national labs driving the initiative forward
How USC is connecting decades of research expertise to shape CIBI’s growth
This series will also feature insights from Siemens, Phenogy, Stanley Black & Decker, SC Nexus, Argonne National Lab, NREL, and more — offering a rare look at how partnerships and infrastructure are accelerating the next chapter in battery research and energy storage innovation.
(3) Carolina Institute for Battery Innovation: Overview | LinkedIn(3) University of South Carolina: Overview | LinkedIn(3) William Mustain | LinkedIn
Currentcollectors, the often times overlooked; key cog to battery performance -Addionics
We sit down with Gary Ong, CEO of Celadyne Technologies, to hear the story of building a startup in one of the toughest markets — clean hydrogen and fuel cells.
We discuss:
Founding Celadyne in the middle of the Covid-19 pandemic
Developing proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells with breakthrough durability and performance
Securing early contracts in the defense sector and navigating government partnerships
The challenges of scaling deep-tech innovation from lab to real-world deployment
How fuel cells fit into the broader energy transition and hydrogen economy
Gary shares the highs, lows, and practical lessons from building a company at the cutting edge of clean energy.
Home | Celadyne(6) Gary Ong | LinkedIn
This episode kicks off our new Charge Up Series , following 6 start-ups in the NENY Charge Up Accelerator — a program created to strengthen domestic manufacturing and accelerate innovation in battery technology and clean energy.
The NENY Charge Up initiative is built around four key pillars:
Innovation – supporting breakthrough ideas in energy storage
Workforce Development – preparing talent for the clean energy economy
Equity & Justice – ensuring opportunities are shared across communities
Supply Chain – building resilience through local and domestic production
Founders and leaders share their journey so far — the challenges of scaling early-stage technology, securing investment, and bringing ideas from the lab to market.
In six months time, we’ll return to each of the seven companies to see how far they’ve come, what hurdles they’ve faced, and what success looks like in the next stage of their journey.
If you want an inside look at how the next generation of battery innovators are being built and supported, this series delivers both inspiration and practical lessons from the people at the forefront of the energy transition.
ChargeUp | New Energy New York(5) Bandhana Katoch, Esq., MBA, MS, RTTP | LinkedIn(5) Andy Simon | LinkedIn
GeorgiaNetwork for Electric mobility, The flourishing electrification within the Peachstate - GNEM
"DataAnalysis within Battery Manufacturing & Women in Batteries - PDFSolutions"
In this episode, co-hosts Mike Norton and Jackson Lyons sit down with Emily Dickens, Chief Commercial Officer at Octet Scientific, to explore how her company is advancing energy storage through smart chemistry.
Emily discusses:
Learn more here
In this episode, we’re joined by Roshan Pujari, founder and CEO of Stardust Power, a fast-rising player in the American battery-grade lithium refining space.
As demand for electric vehicles (EVs) and grid-scale energy storage explodes, Roshan and his team are building one of the first large-scale lithium refineries in the U.S.—designed to process domestic and imported raw lithium into high-purity material ready for battery manufacturing.
Topics covered include:
Securing the lithium supply chain: how domestic refining helps reduce dependence on China and other global processing hubs
From raw ore to battery-ready: the technical and logistical challenges of producing high-purity lithium hydroxide and carbonate
Unlocking U.S. critical minerals potential: why refining capacity—not mining—is the bottleneck in America's battery materials supply chain
Scaling a lithium refining business: how Stardust Power is navigating regulation, investment, and infrastructure at the national level
A vision for energy independence: Roshan’s long-term strategy to support the entire U.S. EV and energy storage ecosystem
Tune in to hear how Stardust Power is bringing strategic lithium refining back onshore - laying the foundation for a more resilient and competitive American clean energy future.
Discussions with Derek Ramsell, co‑founder of Battery Metals Inc, on how he’s applying his hard-won experience in the gold mining industry to revolutionise battery recycling. Operating from North Carolina, Battery Metals is harnessing mining-style operations to recover valuable metals from used battery packs—essential to scaling the domestic energy storage supply chain.
Topics covered include:
Transferring mining expertise: how gold‑industry best practices translate to battery recycling processes
Battery-to-metal recovery: challenges in collection, processing, and refining spent battery modules
Sustainable supply chain innovation: what recycling means for reducing reliance on global raw mineral extraction
Strategic insights: what's required to build a profitable, scalable recycling business in the US
Future goals: Derek’s vision for Battery Metals as a “striking‑gold” moment in clean energy supply chains
Tune in to discover how mining methodology is transforming the battery recycling sector—delivering both economic opportunity and critical support to the renewable energy transition.
John Busbee, a member of Xerion’s leadership team, talks about the long and winding road of building a cleantech company; sharing candid reflections on overcoming technical setbacks, refining their product offering, and maintaining belief through moments of doubt.
As we map Xerion’s evolution—from early R&D struggles to pioneering sustainable battery materials—John’s authentic account highlights the resilience required to be successful in energy storage innovation.
Topics covered include:
How Xerion faced and overcame technical and strategic obstacles
Adjustments, pivots, and product-market alignment in battery materials
Leadership in innovation: communicating vision under pressure and mentoring through uncertainty
Company evolution: lessons learned as Xerion scaled from lab research to commercial readiness
Balancing persistence and adaptability in entrepreneurial leadership
Learn more here
Aaron Wade offers a deep dive into the financial landscape of the battery industry, sharing unique perspectives on investment strategies, valuation trends, and funding challenges.
Topics covered:
Whether you're a startup founder, investor, or energy professional, this episode provides actionable insights to navigate funding, valuation, and investment strategies in the rapidly evolving battery ecosystem.
Aaron is a Volta Foundation Director and you can contact him at - aaron@volta.foundation
Mike Norton and James Lang sit down with Mykela DeLuca, a battery data scientist and product manager at Micantis, to explore her transition from physical sciences to cutting‑edge AI and data science in battery diagnostics.
Mykela shares her story of how data science is reshaping the battery industry—particularly in predictive modeling for cycle life tests, cell health analytics, and quality control. She explains:
Moving from traditional lab science to programming, algorithms, and battery data interpretation
AI in diagnostics: how Micantis uses machine learning to predict battery performance and failure before it happens
Data-driven acceleration: stitching large datasets and generating test reports in minutes instead of weeks
Key platforms, workflows, and KPIs used in real-world R&D and manufacturing settings
Why domain knowledge plus data fluency is becoming essential in energy storage innovation
If you're curious about how AI and analytics are transforming battery R&D, and how scientists are redefining their roles with code, this episode is full of real-world context and forward-thinking insight.
Contact Mykela - mykela.deluca@micantis.io
Brad Reed, VP of Corporate Development at Microporous (the U.S. leader in lithium-ion battery separator technology) shares his career journey, the story of building multiple battery-focused businesses, and how Microporous secured a $100 million Department of Energy grant to expand domestic manufacturing.
Highlights include:
Key takeaways from founding and growing battery material ventures
Microporous today: Scaling up as the leading U.S. separator company, backed by DOE funding
Plans for a $1.4 billion separator plant in Virginia—creating ~2,000 jobs—to support EV and energy storage supply chains
Material innovation: How advanced separators improve safety, performance, and efficiency in lithium-ion cells
What federal support and domestic scale mean for U.S. battery manufacturing resilience
Whether you're interested in battery materials, manufacturing scale-up, or government-supported innovation, this episode delivers key insights into building critical infrastructure for energy storage technologies.
If you wish to talk about any details on today's show, please contact -
brad.reed@microporous.net
A talk with Les Alexander, President & CEO of the Battery Innovation Center (BIC), exploring how the BIC is shaping the future of US battery R&D.
With over 25 years of leadership in national defense and private sector Research & Development—including prior roles at Navitas Systems and the US Navy—Les brings both technical and strategic depth to the conversation.
Key topics include:
Home - The Battery Innovation Center
Neil brings over 14 years of expertise building US based energy business's to talk about his collaborative solutions and the changing landscape of the battery energy storage space!
Tal founded Voltaiq in 2012 and is joining us to discuss the growth and journey of Voltaiq!
His background as a creative materials engineer, he has a great ability to explain complex problems in a simple and laid back way, enjoy listening to him!
(16) Tal Sholklapper | LinkedIn
Curt Collar joins us from Nanotech to talk to us all about their market leading graphene powere batteries!
