NEDO SV Foresight Seminars: Inventing the Future: Session 10

NEDO Silicon Valley Foresight Seminars: Inventing the Future

You are cordially invited to an in-person seminar exploring Innovation in lithium extraction and recycling. This is the 10th Silicon Valley Foresight Seminar Series featuring solutions to advance the goal of a sustainable future with Net Zero emissions by 2050.

~Innovation in Lithium Extraction and Recycling~

This in-person seminar will explore the cutting-edge advancements reshaping the landscape of lithium extraction and recycling. As the demand for lithium-ion batteries continues to grow along with the rise of electric vehicles, renewable energy storage, and portable electronics, the need for sustainable and efficient lithium sourcing and recycling methods is critical.

Our distinguished panel of experts will present breakthrough lithium extraction technologies, and innovative processes that enhance efficiency while minimizing environmental impact. The seminar will also spotlight the rapidly evolving field of lithium recycling, an important component in advancing the circular economy. Experts will explain methods for recovering and reusing lithium from end-of-life batteries that reduce reliance on traditional mining and decrease the ecological footprint associated with lithium production.

Gain invaluable insights into the future of lithium extraction and recycling and be part of the conversation to drive positive change in the energy landscape. Discover innovations in how we source, use, and recycle lithium for a more sustainable and greener future.

Date: Tuesday, February 6, 2024

Time: 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM (Registration and networking begin at 5:00PM)

Location: Plug and Play Tech Center, 440 N Wolfe Rd, Sunnyvale, CA 94085

Cost: Free but registration is required

You will have an opportunity to network in person to share your thoughts and experiences with peers and to speak in-depth with each of the panelists after the formal presentation, while enjoying refreshments.

Agenda:

5:00 - 5:30 PM -Registration and Networking

5:30 - 7:00 PM -Program Panel Presentations and Q&A

7:00 - 7:30 PM -Networking (Seminar speakers and attendees only)

Speakers:

David Zhen Yin, Ph.D., Co-founder & Program Director, Mineral-X, Stanford University

Haixia Deng, Ph.D., VP Cathode, Ascend Elements
Eric McShane, Ph.D., Co-founder & CEO, Electroflow Technologies

Speakers Bio:

David Zhen Yin, Ph.D.
David Zhen Yin is the co-founder and program director of Stanford Mineral-X. He leads the
Mineral-X initiative to accelerate the critical mineral supply using artificial intelligence
(AI). He is also the lead research scientist at Stanford Center for Earth Resources
Forecasting. David’s research develops data-scientific/AI technologies for prediction,
uncertainty quantification, and decision-making in critical mineral exploration and
supply. Before joining Stanford, David was a Research Associate at Edinburgh Time-
Lapse Project in Scotland, leading geophysical monitoring research development from
2016 to 2018. He was also a technology consultant at Equinor's Research Center in
Bergen, Norway. David received his Ph.D. in Geosciences from Heriot-Watt University,
Scotland, in 2016. He has authored one book, and more than twenty peer-reviewed
journal articles on these topics.

Mineral-X at Stanford University
Mineral-X focuses on technological innovation needed to create a resilient mineral
supply chain to achieve clean renewable energy. This program will also develop new
pathways in the Mineral-Energy nexus, such as geothermal energy and renewable
energy resources that enable a decarbonized mineral supply chain. Their work focuses on
decision making under uncertainty at all levels of the Mineral-Energy nexus. Building a secure, resilient, and decarbonized supply chain of critical minerals that power the renewable energy future requires planning over a long time horizon. Mineral-X pioneered the use of Intelligent Agents for sequential decision making towards net-zero 2050 goals. Mineral-X developed the intelligent prospector, an Intelligent Agent (IA) which helps exploration and mining companies in decision making for optimal data acquisition and engineering operations. An intelligent agent is an AI system that can optimize goals over long-term horizons, accounting for how future information will inform system variables to improve the present decision. This general formulation has also been applied on Carbon Capture and storage and Geothermal Energy in collaboration with OMV.

Haixia Deng, Ph.D., VP Cathode, Ascend Elements

Dr. Haixia Deng serves as the Vice President of Cathode at Ascend Elements, a prominent Li-ion battery recycling and remanufacturing company based in Boston. Her company was awarded close to $500M in Department of Energy funding and achieved top-tier ranking in the field. At Ascend Elements, Dr. Deng leads the research, development, and scaling of Li-ion battery cathode materials derived from spent Li-ion batteries and their scraps sourced from battery factories. She earned a Ph.D. in Physics and Materials Science from the City University of Hong Kong. After completing her doctorate, she joined Argonne National Laboratory as a postdoctoral researcher. Dr. Deng has authored over 30 publications and patents and has been invited to present at numerous conferences, solidifying her reputation as a leading expert in the Li-ion battery field. Her notable achievements include receiving the 47th R&D 100 Awards, recognizing her significant contributions to Li-ion cathode materials. She was honored as one of the top 40 women leaders in energy storage by the Energy Storage Report last year.

About Ascend Elements

Based in Westborough, Mass., Ascend Elements is the leading provider of sustainable, closed-loop battery materials solutions. From EV battery recycling to commercial-scale production of lithium-ion battery precursor (pCAM) and cathode active materials (CAM), Ascend Elements is revolutionizing the production of sustainable lithium-ion battery materials. Its proprietary Hydro-to-Cathode® direct precursor synthesis technology produces new pCAM from spent lithium-ion cells more efficiently than traditional methods, resulting in reduced cost, improved performance, and lowered GHG emissions. With fewer batteries going to landfill and a cleaner manufacturing process, Ascend Elements is taking the lithium-ion battery industry to a higher level of sustainability.

Eric McShane, Ph.D., Co-founder & CEO, Electroflow Technologies

Eric is the Co-founder and CEO of Electroflow Technologies, a direct lithium extraction company which he spun out of Stanford in September 2023. Electroflow is developing a breakthrough electrochemical technology to unlock sustainable lithium resources to achieve energy abundance. Eric comes to Electroflow with extensive experience in electrochemical system design. He completed his Ph.D. at UC Berkeley, where he studied lithium-ion battery fast charging, and his postdoc at Stanford, where he studied electrochemical ammonia synthesis. He has amassed over 1,000 citations during his academic career and now aims to leverage his inventiveness and technical expertise to develop solutions to the pressing challenge of critical mineral supply.

Moderator:

Marianna Grossman, Sr. Consultant, USAsia Venture Partners

Moderator Bio:

Marianna Grossman is Senior Consultant & Advisor on Sustainability, and Managing Partner of Minerva Ventures, investing and advising on solutions for a resilient future – bringing people and institutions together across sectors to collaborate, invent, fund and implement solutions that enhance sustainability and reverse climate change. Marianna led Sustainable Silicon Valley for seven years, after roles in the automotive, computer, and semiconductor industries. Recent publication: Sustainable Electricity II: A Conversation on Tradeoffs, Chapter on Silicon Valley Corporate Case Studies on Clean Energy Innovation. Service includes: California’s Climate Adaptation Action Plan Technical Advisory Group 2016; Sustainable and Resilient Resources Roundtable; the international Balaton Group; Board President, Transportation Choices for Sustainable Communities; Environmental Entrepreneurs; and, climate action councils for Palo Alto and Mountain View. Degrees: BA in Policy Studies, Dartmouth College, and an MBA from Yale School of Management.

About USAsia Venture Partners: USAsia Venture Partners is a premier Silicon Valley strategic consulting company. They help their clients discover and exploit new opportunities for innovation and market disruption across a wide range of industries, from high tech and cleantech to healthcare and finance. Their consultants are renowned experts in their fields. They conduct market research and due diligence; formulate alliance, marketing, and business development strategies; and partner with the clients to plan and execute for their success.