Out of 65 applicants across seven countries, the winner of the 2022 Better World Project was a lithium-ion battery recycling process that was invented by Yan Wang and commercialized by Todd Keiller and his Technology Commercialization team at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI). 

When the invention came across his desk, Todd’s first thought was, “Boy, this looks dangerous,” but when he began to understand its potential, he became fully invested in its world-changing capabilities. 

Tune in today to hear about the long road to getting the company to the point it is at today, and what its future trajectory is set to look like! 

In This Episode:

[01:05] Introducing today’s guest, the Director of Technology Commercialization at WPI, Todd Keiller. 

[02:37] Yan Wang; the inventor of the lithium-ion battery recycling process that won the 2022 Better World Project award.

[03:02] When the first patent for the invention was filed.

[04:11] Todd's first thoughts when he heard about the invention. 

[05:58] The process Todd and his team went through to commercialize the invention.

[07:51] How WPI’s investment in the lithium-ion battery recycling company has grown. 

[08:11] Challenges that Todd and his team dealt with during the commercialization process.

[10:01] The approach that has stood Todd’s small office in good stead over the years.

[11:11] Why Todd strongly believes in the world-changing potential of the invention.

[12:09] A shocking discovery about the power of recycled lithium-ion batteries.

[13:02] The huge honor of winning the Better World Project award. 

[13:36] Positive and negative outcomes that have come from winning the award.

Resources:

Wellspring

Better World Project 

Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Todd Keiller on LinkedIn