
Hosted by Mike Norton and Jackson Lyons · EN

In this closing episode, we sit down with Dean Hossein Haj-Hariri to reflect on the major themes of the series and look ahead to the future of CIBI. We cover:Key learnings from across the seriesWhy the Carolina Institute for Battery Innovation is central to South Carolina's energy strategyThe power of partnerships and ecosystem buildingA vision for the future of US Battery InnovationCIBIUniversity of South Carolina

This episode spotlights Phenogy, with CEO PeterBraun and Director North America Suzanne Dickerson,exploring how industry partnerships accelerate energy storage innovation.CIBIUniversity of South Carolina

In this week's episode, we speak with Sam Phillips, Digital Strategies Lead at Siemens, about the company’s role in driving innovation at the intersection of research and industry. We cover:CIBIUniversity of South Carolina

This week's exciting episode spotlights SC Nexus, a key player in building the collaborative ecosystem surrounding CIBI. We talk with one of the most informed and influential women in South Carolina, Cristina Paredes (Executive Director of SC Nexus) covering:How SC Nexus connects research, industry, and investmentThe strategic importance of ecosystem thinking for energy innovationSouth Carolina's role in strengthening US clean energy leadershipCIBIUniversity of South Carolina

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&DWill Rigdon, Stanley Black & Decker – mid-career leader bridging engineering and real-world deploymentVenkat Srinivasan, Argonne National Lab – late-career visionary shaping the national research agenda for energy storageKey themes:How USC talent is contributing to global battery leadershipBridging academic research, government labs, and industryAlumni insights on scaling innovation in a fast-moving sectorCIBI University of South Carolina

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 innovationXinyu Huang – mid-career faculty member advancing applied battery science and technologyRalph White & Adel Nasiri – late-career experts whose decades of research, mentorship, and leadership continue to influence global energy storage researchKey themes covered include:How diverse perspectives strengthen USC’s research communityThe role of faculty in connecting cutting-edge science with industry needsUSC’s long-standing leadership in energy storage research and its central role in CIBI’s growthThis 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 manufacturingValgotech – developing lithium–sulfur batteries to diversify and secure supply chainsFastLion Energy (FLE) – improving performance and efficiency of next-generation batteriesvsNew – scaling solutions for U.S. battery manufacturing capacityCoulomb Technology – advancing smarter tools for battery monitoring and integrationLiBAMA Power – innovating new approaches in energy storage and power systemsThe 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 ecosystemPlans for a 20,000 sq. ft. pilot-scale battery manufacturing facilityNew research labs and office space for 40+ researchers, opening in just 18 monthsStrategic partnerships with companies and national labs driving the initiative forwardHow USC is connecting decades of research expertise to shape CIBI’s growthThis 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

We’re joined by Moshiel Biton, CEO of Addionics, to explore a battery component that rarely gets attention but plays a crucial role in performance: current collectors.Addionics is pioneering a new 3D current collector architecture that promises to dramatically improve energy density, safety, and charging speed — while being compatible with existing manufacturing processes.In this conversation, you’ll learn:What current collectors are, and why they’re so critical to battery design.How Addionics’ 3D architecture enables more efficient ion transport and thermal management.The potential impact on battery lifespan, safety, and fast-charging capability.Why innovation at the materials level matters for scaling the next generation of EVs and energy storage systems.How companies like Addionics are balancing cutting-edge research with commercialisation pathways.Moshiel Biton | LinkedInAddionics: Overview | LinkedIn

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 pandemicDeveloping proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells with breakthrough durability and performanceSecuring early contracts in the defense sector and navigating government partnershipsThe challenges of scaling deep-tech innovation from lab to real-world deploymentHow fuel cells fit into the broader energy transition and hydrogen economyGary shares the highs, lows, and practical lessons from building a company at the cutting edge of clean energy.Home | Celadyne(6) Gary Ong | LinkedIn