The energy sector today is facing significant challenges as it moves away from traditional fossil fuels towards cleaner, renewable energy sources. Strong leadership is essential during this transition. Leaders need to motivate their teams, adapt to new technologies, and navigate various regulations. They play a crucial role in promoting sustainable practices and addressing the urgent need to cut carbon emissions. In this rapidly changing environment, leaders who embrace innovation and provide collaboration among different stakeholders are vital for achieving success.
One notable leader in this field is Maher El-Kady, the Co-Founder and Chief Science and Technology Officer of Nanotech Energy. He has made important contributions to creating advanced energy storage solutions using nanotechnology. Maher is a visionary and experienced professional with a deep understanding of science and regulations. He focuses on developing new materials and devices for various applications, including consumer electronics, energy storage, medical, and aerospace fields. His goal is to drive corporate growth and innovation by turning objectives into practical strategies and plans that support the business.
Journey in Energy and Sustainability
Maher’s path to co-founding Nanotech Energy began years ago as an international student at UCLA, where his fascination with materials and their unique properties set the foundation for his future endeavors. It was during his research at UCLA that he first encountered graphene – a groundbreaking material that surpassed everything previously known for its strength, lightness, and electrical conductivity. Recognizing its potential, Maher knew that graphene could revolutionize energy storage.
At that time, Maher was focused on lithium-ion batteries and saw their inherent limitations, especially regarding energy density, safety, and lifespan. The challenge became clear: to build batteries that store more energy, last longer, and are safer. Inspired by graphene’s promise, Maher envisioned a new kind of battery that could overcome these challenges.
In addition to these technological challenges, he became increasingly aware of a broader issue: the United States holds a relatively small share – around 8% – of the global manufacturing capacity for lithium-ion batteries. This stark statistic motivated him and his co-founders, Dr. Jack Kavanaugh and Dr. Richard Kaner, to take action. They saw an opportunity to reshape the industry by developing more efficient and sustainable battery technologies in the United States.
The company’s mission was clear: to develop batteries that could power everything from electric vehicles to consumer electronics and, most importantly, to change the way we think about energy storage. Maher envisioned a world where energy storage is efficient, sustainable, and safe.
In addition to his role at Nanotech Energy, Maher holds a joint appointment at UCLA as a professional researcher, where he continues to push the boundaries of energy and sustainability. He has co-authored nearly 200 patents and patent applications, as well as over 75 papers published in respected journals, which have been cited more than 20,000 times. His professional achievements have earned him numerous awards, including Energy Storage Materials Young Scientist Award, C&EN Talented 12 from the American Chemical Society, the UCLA Herbert Newby McCoy Award, the Amgen Postdoctoral Award, the Lindau Graduate Student Award, and the Cairo University Presidential Award for Excellence in Research, along with a research award from the Government of Egypt.
Maher has shared his research in a film produced for the Sundance Film Festival, which highlights ideas that could change the world. He has also appeared on the popular science show NOVA and in a series on BBC Four that tells the stories behind significant inventions that have shaped our world. He was featured alongside Nobel laureate Harry Kroto, whose discovery of fullerenes sparked a global interest in nanotechnology. Throughout his career, Maher has developed a deep passion for creating “smart” materials that can transform lives.
Revolutionizing Energy Storage
Nanotech Energy is at the forefront of advancing lithium-ion battery technology to tackle some of the most pressing challenges in the energy sector. The company produces batteries in various sizes, including the widely used 18650 and 21700 formats, with the primary goal of improving two key issues: increasing energy storage capacity and enhancing safety.
Consumers are looking for batteries that can hold more charge, whether for smartphones to extend usage time or for electric vehicles to allow longer travel distances on a single charge. At the same time, safety is a major concern. Traditional lithium-ion batteries can catch fire if mishandled or during accidents, leading to serious consequences. Nanotech Energy aims to develop batteries that are both safer and more reliable, addressing these critical problems.
Currently, the U.S. manufactures around 8% of lithium-ion batteries, while China dominates the global market with about 76%. Nanotech Energy’s goal is to boost domestic manufacturing by producing batteries in the United States using locally sourced materials, including components for the anode, cathode, and other parts. This effort is essential for the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy, which is necessary for reducing carbon emissions and achieving sustainability goals.
Simplifying the Lithium-Ion Battery Supply Chain
The supply chain for lithium-ion batteries is very complicated. For instance, lithium is primarily mined in countries like Argentina, Chile, and Australia, then shipped to China for refining. From there, it is sent to Japan and Korea to produce anode and cathode materials before finally reaching facilities in the U.S. for battery assembly. This entire supply chain, from the extraction of raw materials to the final assembly of battery packs, involves multiple stages of transportation across continents, amounting to a journey of over 50,000 miles. The complexity of this global supply chain raises concerns about geopolitical risks, environmental impact, and the reliability of sourcing critical materials.
Nanotech Energy’s goal is to simplify this supply chain by focusing on using American-made components. This approach would strengthen U.S. manufacturing and reduce dependence on imports.
A key innovation in the company’s batteries is the use of graphene; a groundbreaking material often called the “wonder material.” Discovered in 2004 and awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2010, graphene allows its batteries to store more charge and operate more efficiently. Nanotech Energy is the only company to have industrialized the production of high purity, single-layer graphene used to manufacture safe, high-performance, 100% American-made battery cells. This innovation not only boosts performance but also contributes to a more resilient and sustainable supply chain.
“During my graduate studies at UCLA, I recognized the potential of graphene to revolutionize energy storage industry, which inspired me to co-found Nanotech Energy back in 2014,” Maher says.
Solutions for Data Center Efficiency
Currently, Nanotech Energy is focusing on markets where it can make an immediate impact, such as energy storage for data centers. Data centers use a large amount of electricity, accounting for nearly 3% of total electricity consumption in the U.S. today, and this number is expected to rise to 9% by 2030, driven by the growing demand for artificial intelligence and cloud-based services, the expanding need for data storage.
To ensure uninterrupted operations, data centers rely on backup power systems in case of main power failures. Maher explains, “Our enhanced lithium-ion batteries are designed to operate efficiently and safely at high temperatures, and they are currently being tested and validated for these critical applications. Additionally, our cells have the highest power density on the market today, providing unmatched performance and reliability for these demanding environments.”
Another area the company is exploring is the growing market for two- and three-wheelers, such as electric scooters, bikes, and hoverboards. These vehicles are becoming more popular for short commutes, but safety concerns around traditional lithium-ion batteries have increased.
For example, in New York State, incidents of lithium-ion battery fires increased dramatically from 28 in 2019 to 268 in 2023. These fires have caused fatalities and serious property damage, often occurring indoors while the batteries are being charged. The company’s goal is to develop safer batteries for these vehicles by using their unique materials and designs.
Pioneering Circular Economy in Battery Production
Nanotech Energy is also committed to a circular economy in battery production. In partnership with BASF and American Battery Technology Company (ABTC), Nanotech is leading the effort to use recycled metals in lithium-ion batteries. BASF produces cathode active materials from recycled metals in Michigan for use in Nanotech batteries. This process reduces the carbon dioxide footprint of batteries by 25% compared to using primary metals, helping lower the environmental impact of production.
ABTC’s recycling facility in Nevada recycles battery scrap from Nanotech’s California operations. The recovered metals, including nickel, cobalt, and lithium, are then used to produce new cathode materials, which are incorporated into Nanotech batteries, closing the loop on the supply chain.
“By using locally recycled materials, we create a fully regional supply chain for our customers in North America.” Maher explains. “This collaboration is a major step in reducing carbon emissions and waste in the energy storage industry, supporting both sustainability and energy security.”
Supporting the Shift to Renewable Energy
The transition to renewable energy is essential for the U.S. and the entire planet. Batteries are crucial in this shift because they enable one to store energy generated from renewable sources like solar and wind. For instance, California has made significant strides in adopting renewable energy. In April 2022, the state powered itself entirely with renewable energy for the first time, although this lasted only about 15 minutes. By May 2024, that duration increased to 9 hours per day during daylight hours. “However, to rely on renewable energy 24/7, we need to store the excess energy produced during the day for use at night. This requires the development of large-scale battery systems.” Maher says.
At Nanotech Energy, the team is dedicated to supporting this vision by creating batteries that are safer, more efficient, and locally manufactured. This technology has the potential to power data centers, electric vehicles, and energy storage systems while also reducing carbon emissions and promoting sustainability. “The work we do at Nanotech Energy is about more than just innovation—it’s about making a real difference in the future of energy and sustainability for all of humanity,” he concludes.
Maher’s contributions to nanotechnology and energy storage are vital in the global transition to renewable energy. By simplifying supply chains and prioritizing domestic manufacturing, his work strengthens energy independence and supports a cleaner, greener future for generations to come.
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Key Takeaways from Maher’s Inspiring Journey
- Nanotech Energy is developing safer and more powerful batteries using graphene. The company focuses on improving lithium-ion batteries by incorporating graphene, a “wonder material.” This makes the batteries hold more charge, last longer, and, importantly, be much safer, reducing the risk of fires that can occur with traditional lithium-ion batteries.
- The company aims to simplify the complex battery supply chain and boost U.S. manufacturing. Currently, the battery supply chain is very global and complicated. Nanotech Energy wants to use more American-made materials and manufacture batteries in the U.S. This would reduce reliance on imports and strengthen domestic production.
- Nanotech Energy is targeting key markets like data centers, micro-mobility and energy storage systems. Recognizing the growing need for reliable and safe energy storage, the company is focusing on providing batteries for data centers, which require significant backup power, and for electric vehicles like scooters and bikes, where battery safety is a major concern.
- Maher El-Kady’s research and leadership are driving innovation in energy storage. As co-founder and CTO, Maher El-Kady’s expertise in nanotechnology and graphene research is crucial to Nanotech Energy’s advancements. His vision is to create “smart” materials that can transform lives and contribute to a more sustainable future.
- The company’s work is essential for the transition to renewable energy. Batteries are vital for storing energy generated from renewable sources like solar and wind power. Nanotech Energy’s development of better batteries supports the broader shift towards cleaner energy and helps reduce carbon emissions.
