BattChatt by NAATBatt

What does it actually take to build a battery industry from scratch?In this episode, Jill Pestana sits down with David Howell, former Director of DOE's Vehicle Technologies Office, founding Chair of the Federal Consortium for Advanced Batteries, and one of the architects of the U.S. battery manufacturing buildout, to trace the inside story of how America got here.Dave takes us through three inflection points he lived from the center of: the early 2000s transition from nickel metal hydride to lithium ion, when you could count domestic lithium battery companies on one hand; the first real commercial EV market around 2010, when government policy had to shift from R&D to scale; and the supply chain reckoning of 2016 and beyond, when China's Made in China 2025 policy changed the game overnight.Along the way, Dave shares stories including how DOE placed simultaneous bets on three cathode chemistries (NCA, NMC, and LFP) that all made it to market, how a two-person U.S. startup backed by LG Chem became LG Chem Michigan, and what it took to get 18 federal agencies and 65 offices coordinating around a single national battery blueprint.Now VP at Strategic Marketing Innovations (SMI) and founder of FCAB, Dave reflects on what the policy environment looks like from the outside, and what the domestic supply chain still needs to get right.For more information about NAATBatt International, the leading trade association for advanced battery technology in North America, visit ⁠https://www.naatbatt.org⁠.

In this episode, host Jill Pestana interviews battery industry leader Bob Galyen, CTO of NAATBatt, about his path from aspiring surgeon to a 40+ year career in batteries, including early work at GM/Delco Remy, the Impact/EV1 program, co-founding of CATL, and his current work with Galyen Energy.He recounts recognition from Chinese leaders for EV batteries’ role in reducing air pollution and shares leadership lessons, including listening to colleagues. Galyen outlines his “five golden rules” for electrification: safety, performance, life, cost, and environmental, and discusses supply chains, workforce training, and the need for stable energy policy.For more information about NAATBatt International, the leading trade association for advanced battery technology in North America, visit https://www.naatbatt.org.Chapters:00:38 Meet Bob Gallion01:33 From Medicine to Batteries03:48 GM Breakthrough Moment06:00 Impact at CATL08:24 Leadership Lesson Learned11:04 Why Batteries Hooked Him14:36 Battery Autopsies and Blasts16:17 EV1 Origins Impact21:08 EV1 Market Reality Check23:27 Founding a Test Lab27:28 Selling to Magna33:22 Meeting Robin at CATL39:02 Quality Culture Shift43:39 Five Golden Rules49:29 China Honors Received54:00 Electrification Turning Point59:03 Supply Chain Reality01:01:03 Training the Workforce01:08:51 Building US Battery Base01:13:43 Mentorship and Legacy01:16:42 Advice for Young Pros01:20:04 Closing Reflections

In this episode, host Jill Pestana interviews Professor Stan Whittingham, 2019 Nobel Prize winner in Chemistry for the invention of the lithium-ion battery. They delve into the origins of his groundbreaking discovery, his experiences working at Exxon, and the journey leading up to his Nobel Prize win. He also reflects on winning the Nobel Prize and being knighted, his contributions to battery-related initiatives, and the future of the battery industry in the United States. Whittingham highlights the importance of collaboration, risk-taking, and innovative thinking in scientific research, emphasizing the need for workforce development and manufacturing capabilities in the United States.Chapters:00:00 The Birth of a Breakthrough: Early Experiments with Lithium Batteries00:51 Meet the Nobel Laureate: Professor Stan Whittingham01:30 The Journey to Discovery: From Exxon to Lithium Batteries02:23 Challenges and Triumphs: Developing the Lithium Battery04:47 Commercialization and Competition: The Rise of Lithium Batteries09:56 Academic Pursuits: From Exxon to Binghamton14:29 The Nobel Prize: Recognition and Impact20:41 Life After the Nobel: Reflections and Future Directions31:21 Building a Prototype Facility36:24 Impact of Nobel Prize and Knighthood43:55 Challenges in Rebuilding US Manufacturing47:24 Workforce Development and Hands-On Experience50:23 Advice for Young Scientists and Innovators56:24 Balancing Life and Career57:25 Reflections on a Successful Career

Welcome to BattChatt by NAATBatt, where the battery industry talks power, people, and progress. Led by NAATBatt International, the nation’s premier battery industry trade association, this series features interviews with the trailblazers behind the technologies driving our electrified world. Whether you’re in the industry or just battery-curious, you’ll find valuable insights, inspiring stories, and a deeper understanding of the energy revolution.Visit our website to learn more about NAATBatt International: https://www.naatbatt.org/