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Power Play: The Global Stakes Behind the Battery Boom

admin — Thu, 05 Jun 2025 14:27:50 +0000

Power Play: The Global Stakes Behind the Battery Boom admin Thu, 06/05/2025 - 10:27

As electric vehicles and renewable energy storage become central to the global energy transition, the battery supply chain is under more pressure than ever. In 2024, global battery demand surpassed 1 terawatt-hour, equal to powering 100 million homes for an hour, according to the International Energy Agency. But while demand is booming, the infrastructure to meet it — especially in the U.S. — is still catching up.

The U.S. Push for Battery Independence

For years, the U.S. has relied heavily on foreign sources for battery components and materials. Now, with geopolitical tensions rising and clean energy goals looming, policymakers are trying to change that. The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), passed in 2022, offered tax credits and incentives to boost domestic battery production. It also introduced restrictions to limit reliance on adversarial nations.

“These policies, as well as support from state and local governments, have significantly accelerated battery manufacturing in the U.S.,” said Matt McDowell, a mechanical engineering and materials science professor at Georgia Tech and Carter N. Paden Jr. Distinguished Chair for Innovation in Material Science and Metals Processing. “But we’re still in the early stages of building a truly resilient supply chain.”

Gleb Yushin, a professor at Georgia Tech and chief technical officer of battery materials company Sila, agrees. “The IRA’s FEOC restrictions sent a timely, much-needed market signal to spur demand for battery materials made outside of China and, in turn, investments by cell makers into local suppliers,” he said.

Still, reshoring production is no small feat. “It’s been great to see increased domestic production of graphite and other components,” McDowell added. “This will result in more robust battery supply and lower prices in the long-term.”

How New Materials Are Changing the Game

While policy is one piece of the puzzle, innovation is another. For decades, graphite has been the go-to material for battery anodes. But researchers have long eyed silicon as a more powerful alternative — one that can store up to 10 times more charge.

The problem? Silicon swells dramatically during charging, which can damage the battery. “It expands by 300%,” Yushin explained. “That’s compared to just 7% for graphite.”

After years of research, Sila developed Titan Silicon™, a silicon-carbon composite that solves the swelling issue. “It offers 25–35% more energy density, over two times faster charging, and can be dropped into any production line,” Yushin said. “Now, the challenge lies in scaling this technology for mass production while staying ahead of market pressures.”

Solid-state and lithium-sulfur batteries are also gaining attention for their potential to improve safety and performance. But while McDowell is excited about these technologies, he cautions that they’re not yet ready for prime time. “A key focus is developing scalable manufacturing processes to compete with lithium-ion batteries,” he said.

Yushin is more skeptical of the benefits. “Solid-state batteries require entirely new supply chains and infrastructure,” he said. “Silicon is a perfect replacement for lithium metal — it’s stable, reversible, and compatible with existing infrastructure.”

What It Will Take to Compete and Lead

The IRA initially generated over $115 billion in clean energy investments, with $69 billion directed toward battery manufacturing. But with parts of the law now under threat of repeal, the future is uncertain.

“Now that most of the IRA stands to be repealed, we will see if a tariff approach can spur the same results,” Yushin said. “There’s a lot of capital waiting on the sidelines. But without long-term certainty, it’s hard to justify the risk.”

He also pointed to deeper structural issues. “Capital intensity and the cost of borrowing are primary inhibitors of investment,” he said. “Firm purchasing of goods is required to secure financing, but uncertainty over tax credits has cooled demand for local supply.”

McDowell believes the solution lies in a broader strategy. “We need to invest in workforce development, research, and infrastructure,” he said. “This isn’t just about batteries — it’s about building an entire ecosystem.”

Summary sentence

As the world shifts toward electrification, the nations that command the battery supply chain will define the future of mobility, energy, and economic influence. For the U.S., the challenge isn’t just to keep pace — it’s to lead the charge.

Summary

Dateline

Thu, 06/05/2025 - 12:00

sar30@gatech.edu

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Siobhan Rodriguez
Senior Media Relations Representative
Institute Communications

media@gatech.edu

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Keywords

Battery supply chain

lithium-ion batteries

silicon anode

Titan Silicon

solid-state batteries

energy density

battery innovation

battery chemistry

EV batteries

battery manufacturing

gigafactories

graphite alternatives

electrification

critical minerals

global battery race

supply chain resilience

Foreign Entity of Concern

FEOC

Inflation Reduction Act

IRA

reshoring

energy independence

strategic materials

clean energy transition

domestic production

clean energy policy

industrial strategy

investment incentives

Section 45X tax credit

tariffs on EVs

local sourcing requirements

workforce development

infrastructure investment

public-private partnerships

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Science and Technology

Georgia Tech Launches Tech AI to Accelerate the Real-World Impact of Artificial Intelligence

admin — Mon, 24 Mar 2025 18:54:41 +0000

Georgia Tech Launches Tech AI to Accelerate the Real-World Impact of Artificial Intelligence admin Mon, 03/24/2025 - 14:54

ATLANTA — March 24, 2025 — Georgia Tech has officially launched Tech AI, a bold new initiative designed to accelerate the real-world impact of artificial intelligence across industry and government. The announcement marks the start of Tech AI Fest, the Southeast’s leading AI event, bringing together leading academics, industry experts, government figures, and students for three days of immersive discussion, creative partnerships, and transformative ideas.

Georgia Tech distinguishes itself through its exceptional ability to merge foundational research with dynamic real-world partnerships. Through Tech AI, the Institute connects top-tier researchers with public and private sector collaborators to translate scientific breakthroughs into tangible societal benefits — from optimizing supply chains and modernizing health systems to strengthening national security and improving transportation infrastructure.

“AI is both a force to drive innovation in science and engineering and a technology to deliver concrete, scalable solutions to challenging industrial problems,” said Pascal Van Hentenryck, director of Tech AI and A. Russell Chandler III Chair and professor at Georgia Tech. “Through Tech AI, Georgia Tech is redefining the pathway from academic research to tangible societal benefits, advancing fields like energy, supply chains, manufacturing, transportation, enterprise systems, and healthcare to shape a smarter, more sustainable future."

One of the AI ecosystem's greatest challenges — securing highly skilled talent — is being addressed head-on. Tech AI is preparing the next wave of AI innovators through advanced education and training, helping to close the widening talent gap.

Tech AI is built on four strategic pillars: applied research, industry partnerships, AI engineering, and workforce development. Together, these pillars form a dynamic ecosystem that develops responsible, rigorously validated AI technologies — and speeds their deployment in critical sectors such as energy, advanced manufacturing, healthcare, transportation, and essential services.

Tech AI is more than an initiative — it’s a catalyst. By turning world-class research into scalable solutions, Georgia Tech is shaping the future of artificial intelligence and delivering impact where it matters most. Tech AI leverages the groundbreaking work of Georgia Tech’s three National Science Foundation-funded AI Institutes and its network of Interdisciplinary Research Institutes, creating a powerful hub to accelerate AI solutions from research to real-world impact.

Happening this week at Georgia Tech’s campus, Tech AI Fest showcases the initiative’s wide-ranging impact through hands-on demos, research spotlights, student showcases, and panels featuring thought leaders from academia, industry, and government. The event reinforces Georgia Tech’s role as a national hub for cutting-edge AI exploration and collaboration.

To learn more about Tech AI or explore partnership opportunities, visit ai.gatech.edu.

Subtitle

Summary sentence

The announcement marks the start of Tech AI Fest, the Southeast’s leading AI event, bringing together leading academics, industry experts, government figures, and students for three days of creative partnerships and transformative ideas.

Summary

Georgia Tech has officially launched Tech AI, a bold new initiative designed to accelerate the real-world impact of AI. The announcement coincides with Tech AI Fest, the Southeast’s leading AI event, featuring academics, industry experts, government figures, and students.

Dateline

Mon, 03/24/2025 - 12:00

media@gatech.edu

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Georgia Tech Media Relations

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Keywords

Georgia Tech

Tech AI

artificial intelligence

AI Initiative

real-world impact

AI Fest

AI Event

industry partnerships

Applied Research

AI Engineering

workforce development

Societal Benefits

supply chains

health systems

National Security

Transportation

infrastructure

Talent Development

AI Innovators

AI in Healthcare

AI in Agriculture

AI and Cybersecurity

AI in Education

Pascal Van Hentenryck

Panels

Expert Speakers

Keynotes

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Research Spotlights

Student Showcases

alumni networking

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Science and Technology

workforce development

Power Play: The Global Stakes Behind the Battery Boom

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Georgia Tech Launches Tech AI to Accelerate the Real-World Impact of Artificial Intelligence

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