BattChatt by NAATBatt

NAATBatt International
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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.

Episodes

  1. Sep 20

    BattChatt S1E4: Inside the Federal Battery Buildout with David Howell, VP of Strategic Marketing Innovations

    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.

  2. Apr 2

    BattChatt S1E3: Scaling Batteries for the World with Bob Galyen, Co-Founder and Former CTO of CATL

    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 Gallion 01:33 From Medicine to Batteries 03:48 GM Breakthrough Moment 06:00 Impact at CATL 08:24 Leadership Lesson Learned 11:04 Why Batteries Hooked Him 14:36 Battery Autopsies and Blasts 16:17 EV1 Origins Impact 21:08 EV1 Market Reality Check 23:27 Founding a Test Lab 27:28 Selling to Magna 33:22 Meeting Robin at CATL 39:02 Quality Culture Shift 43:39 Five Golden Rules 49:29 China Honors Received 54:00 Electrification Turning Point 59:03 Supply Chain Reality 01:01:03 Training the Workforce 01:08:51 Building US Battery Base 01:13:43 Mentorship and Legacy 01:16:42 Advice for Young Pros 01:20:04 Closing Reflections

  3. Feb 9

    BattChatt S1E2: Inventing the Lithium-Ion Battery with Stan Whittingham, Nobel Prize Laureate

    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 Batteries 00:51 Meet the Nobel Laureate: Professor Stan Whittingham 01:30 The Journey to Discovery: From Exxon to Lithium Batteries 02:23 Challenges and Triumphs: Developing the Lithium Battery 04:47 Commercialization and Competition: The Rise of Lithium Batteries 09:56 Academic Pursuits: From Exxon to Binghamton 14:29 The Nobel Prize: Recognition and Impact 20:41 Life After the Nobel: Reflections and Future Directions 31:21 Building a Prototype Facility 36:24 Impact of Nobel Prize and Knighthood 43:55 Challenges in Rebuilding US Manufacturing 47:24 Workforce Development and Hands-On Experience 50:23 Advice for Young Scientists and Innovators 56:24 Balancing Life and Career 57:25 Reflections on a Successful Career

  4. Season 1, Episode 1 Trailer

    BattChatt S1E1: Introduction to BattChatt with NAATBatt

    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/

  • 1 Trailer
    3 Episodes

Trailer

About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    NAATBatt International
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    4
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © NAATBatt International
  • Show Website
    BattChatt by NAATBatt

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