#156 – Gene Berdichevsky | Sila – Deploying a Silicon Anode at Scale for Next Generation Automotive Batteries

Gene Berdichevsky is the Co-Founder & CEO of Sila. Key topics in this conversation include: The importance of a battery technology that can be integrated into existing gigafactories The promise of silicon anodes, and how Sila has overcome the typical challenges faced by this technology Sila’s entry into automotive scale with Mercedes-Benz How Sila is thinking about scaling manufacturing How Gene and Sila have navigated a few “false finishes” over their 12-year history Links: ● Show notes: http://brandonbartneck.com/futureofmobility/geneberdichevsky ● Company Website: https://www.silanano.com ● Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sila-nanotechnologies-inc-/ ● Company Twitter: https://twitter.com/SilaNanotech ● Gene’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/berdichevsky/ Gene’s Bio: Gene Berdichevsky is the Co-Founder & CEO of Sila. Prior to co-founding Sila, Gene was the seventh employee at Tesla Motors where he served as Principal Engineer on the Roadster battery, leading the development of the world’s first, safe, mass-produced, automotive lithium-ion battery system. Gene holds two degrees from Stanford University; an MS in Engineering with a focus on energy and materials, and a BS in Mechanical Engineering. He has co-authored over 45 patents and academic publications. Gene has been named to the Forbes 30 under 30 list, the MIT Technology Review 35 Under 35, and was a recipient of the Paul and Daisy Soros Fellowship for New Americans. About Sila: Founded in 2011, Sila is a next-generation battery materials company with the mission to power the world’s transition to clean energy. Sila shipped the world’s first commercially available silicon anode for lithium-ion batteries in 2021. Sila’s materials drive battery performance enhancements in consumer electronics devices and will power electric vehicles starting with the Mercedes-Benz G-Class series. Committed to American leadership in clean energy production, Sila is scaling its technology at its manufacturing facility in Moses Lake, Washington. Future of Mobility: The Future of Mobility podcast is focused on the development and implementation of safe, sustainable, effective, and accessible mobility solutions, with a spotlight on the people and technology advancing these fields. linkedin.com/in/brandonbartneck/ brandonbartneck.com/futureofmobility/