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AI data centers. Manufacturing facilities. Quantum computing. Local communities.

The future of each depends on a power grid that can deliver electricity quickly, reliably and efficiently. But meeting that challenge will require more than just better batteries—it will take new partnerships and a shared vision.

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Sir M. Stanley Whittingham, distinguished professor of chemistry at Binghampton University and recipient of the 2019 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, delivering his keynote talk at the 2026 Battery-Grid Application Workshop.

This summer, those partnerships came to life at �鶹��Ѱ�����Boulder’s Battery-Grid Application Workshop. Hosted through the��College of Engineering and Applied Science’s (CEAS) Catalyzing Engineering Research Teaming (CERT) program, the all-day event brought academic researchers and professors from universities together with industry leaders, national laboratory experts and other stakeholders to explore the future of battery-enabled power infrastructure.

"We don't want people working in isolation," said Associate Dean for Research Michael Gooseff. "Our goal was to blend different areas of expertise and spark new collaborations that can move technology forward not just for our labs, but for society as a whole."

The event opened with a keynote address by Sir M. Stanley Whittingham, distinguished professor of chemistry at Binghamton University and recipient of the 2019 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. His talk set the stage for discussions on bridging battery science, technological innovation, manufacturing and real-world applications.

From there, the workshop, led by Professor��Chunmei Ban of the��Paul M. Rady Department of Mechanical Engineering and Professor��Bri-Mathias Hodge of the��Department of Electrical, Computer and Energy Engineering, focused on four key themes: batteries for emerging technologies, manufacturing pathways, accelerated battery discovery and next-generation technologies.

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Conference attendees chatting with each other after a workshop session.

A panel of industry practitioners and faculty representatives discussing the future of battery research and innovation.

Conference attendees, including keynote speakers M. Stanley Whittingham (left) and Dr. Jud Virden (standing), sharing ideas in the lobby during lunch.

Industry representatives from Eaton, Forge Nano, Mana Battery, Peak Energy, Prieto Battery, Solid Power, and Xcel Energy shared insights into current technological needs and commercialization opportunities. Faculty members representing institutions such as the Ohio State University, Texas A&M University and University of California San Diego showcased existing research initiatives and OSU Battery Cell R&D Center facilities.

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Dr. Jud Virden, laboratory director at the National Laboratory of the Rockies, giving his keynote address at the workshop.

Researchers from the National Laboratory of the Rockies shared their research expertise and ongoing projects aimed at addressing critical energy challenges. Laboratory Director Dr. Jud Virden delivered a keynote presentation highlighting the government's priorities in applied energy research.

“Thanks to CEAS, this workshop brought together professors, national laboratory scientists and industry experts,” said Ban, who is also affiliated with the��Materials Science & Engineering Program. “We are entering a new era with rapidly emerging applications and energy storage is a critical technology for enabling them. Bringing together experts with diverse perspectives in one room is exactly how we can accelerate the process and turn lab research into large-scale manufacturing.”

The workshop highlighted a wide range of applications where next-generation batteries could have a transformative impact, from powering AI data centers to electrifying forklifts in Amazon warehouses. While significant scientific and engineering advances are still needed before many of these technologies reach widespread commercial deployment, Ban and Hodge believe �鶹��Ѱ�����Boulder is uniquely positioned to help bridge that gap.

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Professor Chunmei Ban (left) and Associate Dean for Research Michael Gooseff (middle) at the workshop.

“We’re hearing from industry practitioners that there is no one energy storage technology that works for every application,” said Hodge. “At �鶹��Ѱ�����Boulder, we bring a new design mentality. We have faculty working at the application level all the way down to the fundamental level, ready to develop various technologies for different use cases, rather than applying them as a one-size-fits-all solution.”

Moving forward, CEAS and the CERT program plan to build on the momentum generated by the workshop by advancing a large-scale proposal for a center focused on battery-grid integration. The envisioned center would further support energy research by accelerating discoveries in battery materials, manufacturing, power electronics and grid planning.��

But most of all, it would unite researchers, industry partners and national laboratories in one place—something Gooseff says is crucial to ensuring that promising technologies emerge from laboratories and play a role in the systems that power our everyday lives.

“It’s so easy for us all, especially in academia, to put blinders on and focus solely on our own labs, papers and work,” said Gooseff. “But if we do that, who benefits from it besides us? We need to step out, understand each other’s goals and find new ways to leverage each other’s strengths and ideas for one common purpose.

“This workshop is just the first step on a long journey towards making that happen.”