George Thomas, Ph.D. Professional Profile

Transcription

1 6205 Shiloh Crossing, Suite C Alpharetta, Georgia Phone Cell gthomas@inscitech.com George Thomas, Ph.D. Professional Profile Dr. George Thomas has expertise in the battery technology, production process and quality. He specializes in rechargeable battery technologies including Li-ion, Ni-MH, Ni-CD, chemistries. His specific expertise includes R&D, production process development, factory audits, battery safety, and battery failure analysis of rechargeable batteries. Dr. Thomas holds 14 issued US patents; one newly filed patent application, and has presented papers in many technical conferences. Dr. Thomas has proven business acumen, and has many years of new market and customer development. He has also developed supercapacitor (electrochemical capacitors) technologies and invented new materials and battery-capacitor hybrids for high power pulse applications. Dr. Thomas had assisted Law Firms in litigation work involving Li-ion battery failures and conducted technology Due Diligence of start-up companies on behalf of institutional investors. In addition to the consulting engagement, Dr. Thomas also directs NuGen Systems LLC, a startup company, in developing mid-sized multi-cell Li-ion batteries for mobile robotic applications. This activity span from the selection of technology, supplier, cell form factors, shipping, engineering and customer interface. Professional Experience: Founder and Executive Consultant, Shiningstar Technology Corporation (STC), 2009 present: Chief Technology Officer, NuGen Systems LLC: January 2014 to present. In charge of the development of multi-cell Li-ion batteries for mobile robotic applications with a goal to develop premium batteries for mobile robots. Executive Vice President, Evgentech Inc: July 2013 to July 2014 Development of fast charge technologies, its evaluation, and development of products

2 Senior Advisor to AAC Technologies, Shenzhen, China: July 2012 to December 2012 Energy Strategy: Developing the strategic directions for the CEO/CSO of AAC ($1B in revenue) conducting assessment of technology, production capability of a small newly acquired battery facility, Scouting new energy storage technologies for potential investment / acquisition, reviewing proposals from super capacitor and micro-battery companies for RTC backup power applications, evaluating market potential for coating separators and advising in JV/ acquisition negotiations, and other jobs as requested by CSO/CEO. Executive Vice President (Contract Assignment from STC) - Maxx Mobile Communications Limited, Mumbai, India, October 2011 to July Established the design of Li-ion polymer and prismatic batteries for mobile phone applications, completed plan for cells manufacturing factory to produce 100,000 Ah per day and sourced machinery for the factory. Completed factory layout and received quotes for the dryroom and other equipment. Short-term Consulting Projects: Consulting with a number of corporations in the Battery Space. Client list includes EON (India), AAC Technologies (China), Microsoft, Intel, Benchmark Capital, Maxx Mobile Communications, Veeco Instruments, Sensus USA, Enovix, Enevate, and others. Activities include: Li-ion cell production planning, Li-ion battery spec and qualifications, Lithium primary batteries, Technology due diligence, etc. Senior Managing Scientist, Exponent Inc (Phoenix, AZ). August 2010 to January Consulting engagements with Li-ion cell suppliers and customers. Multiple projects with Law firms in assisting the litigation cases. Battery Technology Manager, First Solar, Inc. September 2009 to December Completed the selection of the battery chemistries and identified suppliers to develop Grid Scale Energy Storage Batteries for storing energy from solar (PV) panels. Senior Vice President, Tianjin Lishen Battery Jt-Stock Co., Ltd., New Product Introduction, Production process characterizations, six sigma production processes, technology development, Corporate Strategy, field failure analysis, new business development, etc. Founder and CEO, Lishen International, Inc., Marketing and sales, new customer development, design (in USA) and production (in China) of Li-ion batteries for high-end customers, such as Apple and Motorola. Managed a business volume of close to $160 million in annual revenue.

3 Senior Cell Technology & QA Manager, Motorola Inc., Li-ion, Ni-MH and Ni-CD cell selection for mobile phone, Two-way radio, and computer applications. Supplier audits, supplier development, technology development with selected suppliers. Developed minimum standards for Li-ion cells for mobile phone applications. Senior Staff Scientist, Motorola Inc., Team Leader to develop solid state Li-ion technology, solid state supercapacitor development, Hybrid technology, technology benchmark and evaluations ( ). New technologies developed, many Patents received. Research Scientist, Moli Energy Ltd., Canada Developed multi-solvent electrolytes for Li-ion and lithium metal battery technologies. Conducted analytical and electroanalytical studies (GC, GC/MS, IR, etc.) of gas composition as a function of charge voltage to aid in the development of suitable electrolytes. Evaluated new salts, like Li Triflate, for Li-ion technology. Developed true solid state Li-ion cells using SPE. Managed a pilot line to produce selected electrolyte for large scale cell testing. Post Doctoral Fellow, University of Calgary, Department of Chemistry, Academic Credentials Ph.D. Electrochemistry, University of Hyderabad, India, M.Sc. Chemistry, University of Kerala, India, B.Sc. Chemistry, University of Kerala, India, Patents In process: A) Pulse Battery Charger Methods And Systems For Improved Charging of Lithium Ion Batteries, Filed March 2014 (Tim O Brian, Steven Hung). Issued: 1. Patent No. 5,219,684: Electrochemical Cells Containing a Safety Electrolyte Solvent. Issued June 15, 1993 (Wilkinson D, Thomas G, Dudley J, Juric P). 2. Patent No. 5,378,551: Rechargeable Battery Cell having Integral Vibrating Means, issued January 3, 1995 (Meadows V, Thomas G, Anani A).

4 3. Patent No. 5,392,191: Transition Metal Oxide Anodes for Aqueous Pseudocapacitors, issued February 21, 1995 (Thomas G, Prasad S, Nerz J). 4. Patent No. 5,429,893: Electrochemical Capacitors Having Dissimilar Electrodes, issued July 4, Patent No. 5,436,548: Battery Charging and Discharging System and Corresponding Method, issued July 25, Patent No. 5,587,250: Hybrid Energy Storage System, issued December 24, 1996 (Thomas G, More G). 7. Patent No. 5,629,599: Rechargeable Battery-Powered Communication Device Having Integral Vibrating Means, issued May 13, 1997 (Malaspina F, Thomas G). 8. Patent No. 5,670,266: Hybrid Energy Storage System, issued September 23, 1997 (Thomas G, Fernandez J, More G). 9. Patent No. 5,738,919: Energy Storage System, issued April 14, 1998 (Thomas G, Fernandez J, Garrett S, More G). 10. Patent No. 5,744,258: High Power, High Energy, Hybrid Electrode and Electrical Energy Storage Device Make Therefrom, issued April 28, 1998 (Bai L, Li C, Anani A, Thomas G, Wu H, Lian K, Denton F, Howard J). 11. Patent No. 5,800,937: Current Interrupt Device for Secondary Batteries, issued September 1, 1998 (Decker E, Thomas G, Desai V, Meadows V, Bresin M). 12. Patent No. 5,849,426: Hybrid Energy Storage System, issued December 15, 1998 (Thomas G, More G). 13. Patent No. 5,916,699: Hybrid Energy Storage System, issued June 29, 1999 (Thomas G, Fernandez J, More G). 14. Patent No. 6,087,812: Independent Dual-Switch System for Extending Battery Life under Transient Loads, issued July 11, 2000 (Thomas G, Fernandez J, Garrett S, More G). Selected Presentations in Technical Conferences / On-line Publications 1. Thomas, G. Ultra-low Downtime Power Sources for Robotic Application, 31st International Battery Symposium and Exhibit, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, 2014.

5 2. Thomas G, Polymer Cell Production Process: Influence of Formation & Pressing on Cell Performance, Battery Show 2013, Novi, MI, USA, September Thomas G, Reducing Cost, Improving Quality of Large Format Li-ion Cells. Battery Show 2012, Novi, MI, USA, November 13-15, Thomas G, Swart J, Horn Q, Influence of Production Process Quality on Li-ion Cell Life and Reliability. Advanced Automotive Battery Conference, Pasadena, CA, January 24-28, Turner C, Thomas G, Seek Production Expertise During Li-ion Cells Selection, Article featured in ECN Application Solutions, December 18, Thomas, G. and Junkui, G. Li-ion power batteries: Industry trend and applications. 26th International Battery Symposium and Exhibit, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, Thomas, G. and Junkui, G. Safer Li-ion batteries for communication safety-critical applications. Batteries The 10 th International Power Supply Conference and Exhibition, Nice, France, Thomas, G., Praturu, S. and Junkui, G. Large Li-ion single cells for emerging applications. 25 th International Battery Symposium and Exhibit, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, Thomas, G. Dimensionally stable high temperature Li-ion polymer cells. Batteries The 9th International Power Supply Conference and Exhibition. Nice, France, Thomas, G., Deakin, T., Ruizhen, R. and Junkui, G. Emerging applications of Li-ion battery technology: Power back-up. Batteries The 8 th International Power Supply Conference and Exhibition, Paris, France, Thomas, G. LiNMC based Li-ion technology for power tool application. 23 rd International Battery Symposium and Exhibit, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, Thomas, G. Arrival of new world players in Li-ion arena: Influence & impact (Keynote address). Batteries The 7th International Power Supply Conference and Exhibition, Paris, France, Thomas, G., Gao JK., Su JR., Yang HT. and Zhang, RL. XRD Mapping: A potential method to determine the primary cause of Li-ion battery failures in the field. (Keynote address). Advancements in Battery Technology & Power Management, Vancouver, Canada, 2005.

6 14. Thomas, G. Is Li-ion technology branching out? Electrochemical Society Fall Meeting, Hawaii, Thomas, G., Maleki, H. Self discharge and thermal performance studies of high capacity Li-ion cells for computing applications. 21 st International Battery Symposium and Exhibit, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, Thomas, G., Maleki, H. Performance evaluation of hi-capacity Li-ion cells for portable computer applications. Advancements in Battery Technology & Power Management, Denver, UT, Thomas, G. Benefits of performance standards for lithium-ion and lithium-ion polymer batteries. 19 th International Battery Symposium and Exhibit, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, Thomas, G. Benefits of a rigorous qualification process for lithium-ion/polymer technology. 19 th International Battery Symposium and Exhibit, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, 2002.