Tin Valley

Dr Jeremy Pearce
Markets & Technology ITA

An overview of the International Tin Association and introduce our technology platform, Tin Valley, where we explore the latest advancements in tin-related technologies. A look into why tin in sodium-ion batteries has been chosen as a key focus area for Tin Valley, discussing its growing importance in the energy storage sector and its potential to contribute to sustainable battery technologies.

Georgia Laurie
Technologist

An overview of the current landscape of tin in sodium-ion batteries. This session will provide a deeper understanding of the role tin plays in enhancing battery performance and efficiency, as well as its potential for future energy storage solutions. It will cover key trends, challenges, and advancements in the integration of tin within sodium-ion battery technologies, offering a comprehensive foundation for the discussions that will follow.

Dr. Shahid Rasul
Associate Professor
Northumbria University

Dr. Rasul is a distinguished scientist, entrepreneur, and academic leader. He is a professor at the University of Northumbria, the founder of IONIST, and the executive director of TEXONOMY. His research focuses on advancing next-generation battery technologies, particularly the development of tin anodes for both sodium and lithium-ion batteries. These innovations aim to improve energy density, extend battery life, and enhance safety. Dr. Rasul recently published a groundbreaking paper on tin-hard carbon anodes, which demonstrate exceptional cycle life and promising charging rates.

Pranay Gandharapu
Anode Scientist

Pranay is a materials scientist with experience in battery research and development. He is currently working as an anode scientist at LionVolt. Pranay's PhD research at the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, India, focused on Sn-based anodes for Na-ion batteries. In addition to its high theoretical capacity, Sn is a ductile metal with favourable properties for accommodating volume expansion during Na-ion storage. To further enhance its performance, Pranay alloyed Sn with Bi to develop a high-performance anode material. Pranay will discuss why Sn is well-suited for Na-ion storage, along with the synthesis, development, testing, and characterization of Sn-Bi-based anodes. He will also present insights gained from characterisation techniques to better understand their electrochemical behaviour.

Dr. Michael Metzger
Professor of Physics
Dalhousie University

Dr. Michael Metzger is the Herzberg-Dahn Chair and a professor of Physics at Dalhousie University. An ECR, Dr. Metzger works closely with industrial partner Tesla on long-lived and safe high-energy batteries based on sustainable, low-cost materials. Before joining Dalhousie, Dr. Metzger co-developed on-line electrochemical mass spectrometry, an ultra-sensitive gas analysis technique that allows detection of small quantities of unwanted gases to diagnose battery cells at TUM in collaboration with BASF and BMW (2013-2017). As a senior research engineer for Robert Bosch (2017-2020), he focused on solid-state lithium batteries, fuel cells, and water desalination. Dr. Metzger is one of two co-leads for the Canadian Battery Innovation Center, a $20 million user facility at Dalhousie University for prototyping next-generation batteries. Dr. Metzger has 12 patents and over 50 articles in peer-reviewed journals including Nature Materials (>6,000 citations). This presentation will highlight the performance and structural stability of micron-sized Sn particles and emphasize the need to address issues related to Na inventory loss and electrode volume expansion for their successful application as anode in practical sodium-ion batteries.

Darren H. S. Tan
CEO & Co-Founder
UNIGRID Battery

Darren H. S. Tan is the CEO & co-founder of UNIGRID Battery, a spin-out startup from University of California, San Diego. He is currently leading the UNIGRID team in commercialising tin based advanced sodium ion batteries for the emerging e-mobility and energy storage markets. In this session, he will discuss the emerging opportunities in the tin material industries for next generation battery manufacturing and the importance of ramping up the supply chain of tin ahead of massive adoption in the coming years.

Jiankuan Li
Chief Scientist
Nanode

Dr. Jiankuan Li is the Chief Scientist at Nanode. He has over 10 years of experience in electrochemistry and energy fields. He holds a Ph.D. degree in Materials Engineering from University of Alberta, having published more than 10 papers in peer-reviewed journals during his Ph.D. He is currently leading the Nanode technical team and taking charge of all R&D activities, strategic planning, production scaling up and engagement with partners and customers.