The Techne Connect

Behind the Power: Tom Maull, Technical Strategy Manager at Elysia Battery Intelligence

In this episode of Behind the Power, we sit down with Tom Maull, Technical Strategy Manager at Elysia Battery Intelligence, whose unconventional career path has taken him from US courtrooms to UK racetracks, and everywhere in between.

Tom shares:

⚙️ How a career in litigation consulting shaped his systems-thinking mindset

🚗 His journey from restoring an '80s sports car to designing real-world EV battery algorithms

🔋 The impact of battery intelligence, and why it’s transforming both motorsport and heavy industry

🇺🇸➡️🇬🇧 What it’s like to pivot careers and continents in the pursuit of innovation

🌍 How he and Elysia are working to decarbonize Fortescue's mining fleet with the same emissions as France

Tom’s story is a powerful mix of curiosity, grit, and vision; perfect for engineers, innovators, and anyone looking to make their mark in battery tech or clean mobility.

Thank you for listening to The Tech Connect Podcast - where we go behind the tech and ahead of the curve.

Each episode brings you stories from the minds shaping the future of automotive, motorsport, space, defense, aviation, energy, and beyond. Whether you're an aspiring engineer, a tech enthusiast, or just curious about how innovation really happens - you're in the right place.

👉 Don’t miss an episode: Follow and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

📸 For behind-the-scenes content, follow us on Instagram: @techne_talent

💼 Connect with us on LinkedIn: Techne Talent

Inspire your future. Plug into what’s next.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Had the pleasure of speaking with Niclas Lehnert, co-founder of PULSETRAIN, on the latest episode of the Techne Connect: Behind the Entrepreneur series.

We covered: How PulseTrain is extending EV battery life by up to 80%, the powerful combination of hardware + software in battery innovation, the near-bankruptcy moment that almost shut it all down, why mobility is more than just movement - it’s a human need and practical advice for aspiring founders and engineers

If you’re into deep tech, clean mobility, or just love hearing honest founder stories, this one’s for you.

The Techne Connect Podcast 🎧

Thank you for listening to Techne Connect! This podcast takes you inside the companies and conversations shaping the future of engineering.

From space and defence to robotics, AI, clean energy, advanced manufacturing and next-generation mobility, each episode features the founders, engineers and technology leaders building tomorrow's world.

Through candid discussions on innovation, leadership, product development and career journeys, the podcast uncovers the ideas, challenges and breakthroughs driving the world's fastest-moving industries. Whether you're an engineer, founder, investor or simply fascinated by emerging technology.

Techne Connect offers a front-row seat to the people creating what's next.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're thrilled to welcome Neeta Khare, Director of Battery & Fuel Cell, to the latest episode of Techne Connect: Behind the Power.

With 25+ years of experience across academia, R&D, and industry, Neeta is a true pioneer in battery intelligence long before it became a buzzword. In this conversation, she shares her remarkable journey from India to the US Navy to leading innovation in Switzerland's clean tech landscape.

We cover: The evolution of battery tech + AI, building teams and departments from scratch, why curiosity, risk-taking & continuous learning drive success, what animated movies can teach us about resilience and her deep passion for nature and its lessons in leadership

If you're working in electrification, engineering, or just need a dose of real-world inspiration, this one’s for you.

The Techne Connect Podcast 🎧

Thank you for listening to Techne Connect! This podcast takes you inside the companies and conversations shaping the future of engineering.

From space and defence to robotics, AI, clean energy, advanced manufacturing and next-generation mobility, each episode features the founders, engineers and technology leaders building tomorrow's world.

Through candid discussions on innovation, leadership, product development and career journeys, the podcast uncovers the ideas, challenges and breakthroughs driving the world's fastest-moving industries. Whether you're an engineer, founder, investor or simply fascinated by emerging technology.

Techne Connect offers a front-row seat to the people creating what's next.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today we're joined by Tim O’Sullivan, Head of Development at Petalite, a rising force in EV charging. 

Tim walks us through his journey from pioneering electric traction systems to leading roles in ADAS, battery innovation and now charging infrastructure. 

We explore lessons from Formula 1, the evolution of control systems, and the importance of collaboration and mentorship in engineering. 

A must-listen for anyone shaping the next generation of mobility technology.

The Techne Connect Podcast 🎧

Thank you for listening to Techne Connect! This podcast takes you inside the companies and conversations shaping the future of engineering.

From space and defence to robotics, AI, clean energy, advanced manufacturing and next-generation mobility, each episode features the founders, engineers and technology leaders building tomorrow's world.

Through candid discussions on innovation, leadership, product development and career journeys, the podcast uncovers the ideas, challenges and breakthroughs driving the world's fastest-moving industries. Whether you're an engineer, founder, investor or simply fascinated by emerging technology.

Techne Connect offers a front-row seat to the people creating what's next.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today we’re joined by Adam Schulz, Senior Manager of Engineering at Clearway Energy . 

Adam shares his journey through his Phd in electrochemical energy storage, to his first job at NEC energy to joining clearway.

We dive into his views on the design of experiments and his career advice for anyone entering the industry 

A powerful episode for anyone passionate about renewable energy, battery technology and solving real-world engineering challenges.

The Techne Connect Podcast 🎧

Thank you for listening to Techne Connect! This podcast takes you inside the companies and conversations shaping the future of engineering.

From space and defence to robotics, AI, clean energy, advanced manufacturing and next-generation mobility, each episode features the founders, engineers and technology leaders building tomorrow's world.

Through candid discussions on innovation, leadership, product development and career journeys, the podcast uncovers the ideas, challenges and breakthroughs driving the world's fastest-moving industries. Whether you're an engineer, founder, investor or simply fascinated by emerging technology.

Techne Connect offers a front-row seat to the people creating what's next.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today we’re joined by Didier Manning, CTO at Rheinmetall’s Power Systems division. 

Didier shares his international journey through automotive engineering, from Bosch and ZF to leading innovation at Rheinmetall. 

We dive into his views on authentic leadership, building cultures that foster innovation, and why Europe's future in mobility depends on empowering its engineers. 

A powerful episode for anyone passionate about tech, leadership and the future of clean mobility.

The Techne Connect Podcast 🎧

Thank you for listening to Techne Connect! This podcast takes you inside the companies and conversations shaping the future of engineering.

From space and defence to robotics, AI, clean energy, advanced manufacturing and next-generation mobility, each episode features the founders, engineers and technology leaders building tomorrow's world.

Through candid discussions on innovation, leadership, product development and career journeys, the podcast uncovers the ideas, challenges and breakthroughs driving the world's fastest-moving industries. Whether you're an engineer, founder, investor or simply fascinated by emerging technology.

Techne Connect offers a front-row seat to the people creating what's next.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today we’re joined by Jan Richter, co-founder and CEO of Batemo. A pioneering battery modelling company, rooted in academia and driven by purpose.

Jan shares his journey from working as a paramedic in Germany, to studying electrical engineering and completing a PhD in motor control, before co-founding Batemo with his long-time friend, Michael.

In this episode, we discuss the challenges of building something new, why competition is essential for innovation and how engineering talent can help shape a truly sustainable future.

The Techne Connect Podcast 🎧

Thank you for listening to Techne Connect! This podcast takes you inside the companies and conversations shaping the future of engineering.

From space and defence to robotics, AI, clean energy, advanced manufacturing and next-generation mobility, each episode features the founders, engineers and technology leaders building tomorrow's world.

Through candid discussions on innovation, leadership, product development and career journeys, the podcast uncovers the ideas, challenges and breakthroughs driving the world's fastest-moving industries. Whether you're an engineer, founder, investor or simply fascinated by emerging technology.

Techne Connect offers a front-row seat to the people creating what's next.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today we’re joined by Ben Gully, Chief Technologist at SPOC a company applying its deep expertise in power systems to enable next-generation battery and microgrid solutions.

Ben shares his journey from academic research to hybrid vehicle controls, battery testing at DNV, a CTO role in lithium-metal tech and now leading innovation at SPOC.

We discuss his shift from R&D to strategy, lessons in leadership and his advice for those building a career in clean tech.

The Techne Connect Podcast 🎧

Thank you for listening to Techne Connect! This podcast takes you inside the companies and conversations shaping the future of engineering.

From space and defence to robotics, AI, clean energy, advanced manufacturing and next-generation mobility, each episode features the founders, engineers and technology leaders building tomorrow's world.

Through candid discussions on innovation, leadership, product development and career journeys, the podcast uncovers the ideas, challenges and breakthroughs driving the world's fastest-moving industries. Whether you're an engineer, founder, investor or simply fascinated by emerging technology.

Techne Connect offers a front-row seat to the people creating what's next.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We’re joined by Vance Strader, former CTO at Live Wire and long-time Harley-Davidson engineering leader, to talk all things electric mobility, leadership and innovation.

Vance shares his journey from designing fighter jet components to building Harley’s first electric motorcycle and scaling Live Wire into a standalone EV brand. He reflects on the leadership lessons that shaped him, his passion for design and two-wheel performance, and why now is such a critical time for clean tech.

A must-listen for anyone passionate about engineering, electrification, or the future of transportation.

The Techne Connect Podcast 🎧

Thank you for listening to Techne Connect! This podcast takes you inside the companies and conversations shaping the future of engineering.

From space and defence to robotics, AI, clean energy, advanced manufacturing and next-generation mobility, each episode features the founders, engineers and technology leaders building tomorrow's world.

Through candid discussions on innovation, leadership, product development and career journeys, the podcast uncovers the ideas, challenges and breakthroughs driving the world's fastest-moving industries. Whether you're an engineer, founder, investor or simply fascinated by emerging technology.

Techne Connect offers a front-row seat to the people creating what's next.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today we’re joined by Fillip Hes, Founder of Delta Capacity – a company building next-generation infrastructure to support a more intelligent, resilient, and sustainable energy system.

Fillip shares his journey from systems engineering to entrepreneurship, and how his passion for battery intelligence, software-defined energy systems, and the energy transition led him to create Delta Capacity.

We explore the challenge of building grid-scale solutions in a fragmented ecosystem, the importance of systems thinking in clean tech, and the mindset required to move from concept to company.

A must-listen episode for anyone passionate about energy systems, battery software, and the future of sustainable infrastructure.

The Techne Connect Podcast 🎧

Thank you for listening to Techne Connect! This podcast takes you inside the companies and conversations shaping the future of engineering.

From space and defence to robotics, AI, clean energy, advanced manufacturing and next-generation mobility, each episode features the founders, engineers and technology leaders building tomorrow's world.

Through candid discussions on innovation, leadership, product development and career journeys, the podcast uncovers the ideas, challenges and breakthroughs driving the world's fastest-moving industries. Whether you're an engineer, founder, investor or simply fascinated by emerging technology.

Techne Connect offers a front-row seat to the people creating what's next.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.