Now, Next and Beyond Now, Next and Beyond

Summary:

In this episode, Dr. Majid Abbasi discusses various aspects of battery manufacturing, including global manufacturing capacity, challenges in anode and cathode materials, building a battery factory, the role of lasers in battery manufacturing, availability of rare metals, desirability of lithium, implications of battery breakthroughs, regulatory factors, impact on consumer devices, introduction to solid-state batteries, obstacles in solid-state batteries, cost per kilowatt, investment trends, and his passion for batteries.

Takeaways:

Battery manufacturing capacity has significantly increased in recent years, with new battery chemistries, recycling, and solid-state batteries driving further growth.
The availability of anode and cathode materials, such as lithium, graphite, and other metals, is a key factor in scaling up battery production.

Building a battery factory requires significant investment in R&D, equipment, and processes, with gigafactories being constructed to meet the growing demand.
Lasers play a crucial role in battery manufacturing, including welding, cutting, drying, and cleaning processes.

Solid-state batteries offer potential advantages in terms of safety and energy density, but face challenges related to lithium dendrite formation and manufacturability.
The cost per kilowatt of batteries is a critical metric, with a target of $100 per kilowatt being a common goal for affordability and accessibility.

Government regulations, incentives, and consumer demand are driving investment in battery manufacturing, with different regions experiencing varying levels of growth.
Battery technology is transforming various industries, including consumer devices, appliances, and transportation, enabling innovative designs and portability.

Battery manufacturers collaborate with companies like Coherent to address challenges, improve processes, and develop solutions for battery manufacturing.
Dr. Abbasi's passion for batteries stems from his background in metallurgy and welding, and his belief in the transformative power of battery technology.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction
02:20 Global Manufacturing Capacity for Batteries
03:46 Challenges in Anode and Cathode Materials
05:10 Building a Battery Factory
06:07 Overview of Battery Manufacturing Process
08:26 Role of Lasers in Battery Manufacturing
10:54 Drying Process in Battery Manufacturing
11:53 Competing Methods for Welding and Cutting
14:17 Challenges in Pouch and Prismatic Cells
15:12 Advantages of ARM Laser in Battery Welding
18:05 Availability of Rare Metals for Batteries
20:04 Desirability of Lithium in Batteries
21:30 Switching Chemistries in Battery Manufacturing
22:00 Implications of Battery Breakthroughs
23:55 Regulatory Factors in Battery Manufacturing
28:43 Impact of Batteries on Consumer Devices
31:12 Introduction to Solid State Batteries
33:09 Obstacles in Solid State Batteries
35:09 Cost Per Kilowatt and Long-Term Implications
38:04 Investment Trends in Battery Manufacturing
40:04 Engagement with Battery Manufacturers
41:30 Passion for Batteries

Summary

In this episode of Now, Next, and Beyond, host Jeff Nolan discusses thermal management with Dr. Sridhar Nagarajan, an expert in the field. They explore the importance of thermal management in various industries, including automotive design, data centers, and consumer devices. They also discuss the challenges and innovations in engineering materials for thermal management. The episode emphasizes the need for energy sustainability and offers advice for young professionals in the field.

Takeaways:

Thermal management is crucial in industries such as automotive design, data centers, and consumer devices.

Engineering materials with high thermal conductivity and low coefficient of thermal expansion are essential for effective thermal management.
Maintaining optimal temperature ranges is important for efficiency and the longevity of systems.

Innovations in thermal management include advancements in chip-level cooling and the use of materials like diamond and silicon carbide.
Young professionals should focus on energy sustainability in their work.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Thermal Management
03:47 The Importance of Thermal Management
08:46 Engineering Materials for Thermal Management
14:01 Thermal Management in Automotive Design
16:29 Optimal Temperature Range and Efficiency
19:17 Thermal Management in Data Centers
22:37 Thermal Management in Consumer Devices
23:35 Thermal Management in Various Industries
26:20 Innovations in Thermal Management
31:42 Advice for Grad Students and Young Professionals

This is part two of the interview with Coherent CMO Sanjai Parthasarathi. 

Takeaways



Connectivity and internet access are essential for both urban and rural areas, and there is still a need for increased bandwidth and infrastructure development. Space optical communication provides a perfect transmission medium for data transmission without signal attenuation.
Satellite communications, including satellite-to-satellite optical links, are becoming more prevalent in the commercial domain.
The adoption of new technologies often takes longer than expected, but breakthroughs can happen when unrelated developments come together.
Engineered materials and crystal growth require significant human expertise and investment, providing a competitive advantage.
Platform technologies, such as gallium arsenide, have broad-based growth potential across multiple markets.
The future of technology includes advancements in wearables, personal health monitors, optogenetics, and pulse laser deposition.

In our first episode of Now, Next and Beyond, we sit down with Sanjai Parthasarathi, the CMO of Coherent to discuss optical communications technology and the impact of AI on the industry.


Sanjai highlights milestone developments in the industry, such as advancements in materials and laser processing. The conversation covers various topics related to the Coherent business and the future of technology. The chapters include discussions on space optical communication, satellite communications, and non-commercial technologies becoming commercially available. 


Part One Takeaways


Optical communications are at the center of mega trends the depend on the need for increased bandwidth and capacity. Connecting the world – and space! – is now taking on greater urgency and scale with the introduction of AI as a force.
Advancements in materials and laser processing have had a significant impact on the industry, enabling technologies like amorphous silicon and fiber optic amplifiers.
The role of optics and coatings is crucial in various applications, from displays to sensors.
AI is driving the demand for transceivers in data centers, as GPUs require high-speed connections for efficient processing.