Director Business Development,
Amphenol Advanced Sensors

Brian Engle is a business development leader driving advanced sensing solutions for next-generation electrification as Director of Business Development at Amphenol Advanced Sensors. With extensive experience supporting OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers across automotive and industrial markets, Brian specializes in aligning high-performance sensor technologies with the evolving demands of EV battery systems, power electronics, and thermal management architectures.

At Amphenol Advanced Sensors, Brian plays a key role in expanding the company’s portfolio of temperature, pressure, current, and gas sensing technologies tailored for lithium-ion battery packs, battery management systems (BMS), and high-voltage platforms. His work supports safer, smarter, and more efficient battery operation—enabling precise thermal monitoring, early fault detection, and enhanced system reliability in increasingly energy-dense applications.

Brian’s expertise spans sensor integration strategies, system-level validation, and cross-functional collaboration with engineering teams to address critical challenges in battery safety, predictive maintenance, and thermal runaway mitigation. By bridging technical innovation with commercial strategy, he helps accelerate the deployment of intelligent sensing solutions that underpin advanced battery analytics and AI-driven control systems.

Ph.D., Product Development Manager Transportation, Industry and Defense, Constellium

Maria Tzedaki, Ph.D., holds a doctorate in materials engineering and specializes in the development of innovative aluminum‑based solutions for electric and hybrid vehicle systems At Constellium, she provides global leadership for customer applications engineering, working directly with OEM teams to translate advanced aluminum thermal management and electrical technologies into validated solutions for EV and HEV platforms. She supports system‑level integration by aligning material performance with OEM requirements for thermal efficiency, safety, durability, and scalable manufacturing.

Her work focuses on optimizing heat dissipation, electrical and thermal conductivity, and mechanical durability in battery packs, power distribution components, and lightweight structural applications. Through application‑driven material innovation, Maria delivers scalable and efficient aluminum solutions that address the evolving technical demands of next‑generation electric mobility.

Customer Application Engineer,
Constellium

Dr. Jack Franklin has worked for Constellium for 15 years and in the aluminum industry for over 20. After earning his Ph.D from the University of Pennsylvania he spent 5 years at Constellium’s world renowned research center C-TEC. While there he managed the development and industrialization of multiple new aluminum products which are currently seeing service on armor ground combat vehicles. He also supported the growth of Constellium’s automotive business in North America. For the past 10 years, Jack has worked as a Customer Application Engineer within Constellium’s Transportation and Industry division. Continuing to support the production and usage of armor alloys, he also supports customers throughout markets who use Constellium’s general plate, coil, mold, and marine materials. A recent focus has been in both residual and automotive energy storage systems including battery box protection, prismatic and cylindrical cases, and highly conductive material for bus bar electrical interconnects.

Applications Engineering Manager,
Neograf Solutions

Bret Trimmer is an applications engineering leader advancing high-performance carbon materials for electrified systems as Applications Engineering Manager at NeoGraf Solutions. With extensive experience in graphite-based thermal management technologies, Bret works at the intersection of materials science and system integration to solve complex heat transfer challenges in EV batteries and power electronics.

At NeoGraf Solutions, Bret leads technical engagement with OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers, supporting the integration of flexible graphite heat spreaders and engineered graphite materials into battery modules, packs, and adjacent high-heat components. His work focuses on enhancing thermal uniformity, mitigating hotspots, and improving overall system reliability — critical factors as energy density and charging speeds continue to increase.

Bret’s expertise spans application design, thermal modeling collaboration, and validation testing, helping customers optimize material selection for cell-to-pack architectures, busbars, power conversion systems, and structural battery enclosures. He plays a key role in advancing lightweight, passive thermal solutions that complement active cooling strategies while supporting safety and long-term durability.

By bridging product innovation with real-world engineering requirements, Bret contributes to scalable, high-performance thermal management strategies that enable safer and more efficient electrified platforms.

Global Chief Engineer, Batteries,
Intertek

Rich Byczek is a global engineering authority on battery safety, compliance, and performance validation, serving as Global Chief Engineer, Batteries at Intertek. With decades of experience in energy storage testing, certification, and regulatory strategy, Rich supports manufacturers in navigating the rapidly evolving landscape of battery standards for automotive, industrial, and consumer applications.

At Intertek, Rich leads global technical strategy for battery testing and certification programs, helping OEMs and suppliers validate lithium-ion battery cells, modules, and packs against international safety, transport, and performance requirements. His work spans UN 38.3, UL, IEC, SAE, and other regional and global standards — ensuring products meet stringent criteria for electrical safety, thermal stability, abuse tolerance, and lifecycle durability.

Rich’s expertise includes thermal runaway evaluation, abuse testing protocols, failure analysis, and system-level risk mitigation. He works closely with engineering and compliance teams to identify potential design vulnerabilities early in development, accelerating time to market while strengthening product safety and reliability.

With a deep understanding of regulatory frameworks and emerging requirements for EV batteries and stationary energy storage systems, Rich plays a critical role in aligning innovation with compliance. His leadership helps organizations anticipate evolving global regulations, integrate robust validation strategies, and build confidence in next-generation battery technologies.

MS, PhD, MBA, Key Account Manager, Kingfa Science and Technology

Khaled Rashwan, MS, PhD, MBA, is a materials and commercial strategy leader advancing high-performance polymer solutions for electrified mobility as Key Account Manager at Kingfa Science and Technology. With a multidisciplinary background spanning materials science, advanced engineering, and business leadership, Khaled works closely with OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers to integrate next-generation polymer compounds into EV battery and high-voltage systems.

At Kingfa, Khaled supports the development and commercialization of flame-retardant, thermally stable, and lightweight engineering plastics designed for battery enclosures, module components, connectors, and structural applications. His work focuses on addressing critical challenges in battery safety, thermal runaway mitigation, electrical insulation, and weight reduction — all while meeting stringent regulatory and sustainability requirements.

Drawing on his technical foundation in polymer science and his MBA-driven commercial insight, Khaled bridges R&D innovation with market-driven execution. He collaborates across engineering, procurement, and validation teams to ensure materials meet demanding performance specifications for mechanical strength, heat resistance, dielectric performance, and manufacturability at scale.

His expertise includes materials selection strategy, application validation, lifecycle considerations, and global supply chain alignment — enabling robust, compliant, and cost-effective solutions for next-generation battery architectures.

Head of Engineering,
Arnold Fastening Systems

Business Development Manager,
Evonik

Christian Kochanek is a strategic business development leader advancing specialty materials solutions for electrified mobility as Business Development Manager at Evonik. With extensive experience in high-performance polymers and additives, Christian works closely with automotive OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers to enable safer, lighter, and more efficient EV battery systems.

At Evonik, Christian focuses on expanding the adoption of advanced materials engineered for demanding battery applications — including structural components, electrical insulation systems, thermal interface materials, and flame-retardant solutions. His work supports the integration of lightweight polymer technologies that enhance thermal stability, mechanical strength, and long-term durability in high-voltage battery environments.

Christian collaborates across R&D, application engineering, and customer teams to align material innovation with evolving requirements such as cell-to-pack architectures, improved thermal management performance, and compliance with global fire safety standards. He plays a key role in translating specialty chemistry into scalable solutions that meet manufacturability, sustainability, and cost targets.

With a strong understanding of both technical performance and commercial strategy, Christian helps accelerate the deployment of multifunctional materials that contribute to battery safety, system integration efficiency, and lifecycle optimization.

R&D Manager,
Wacker Chemical Corporation

Director Battery Processing Systems AME, Quintus Technologies

Pontus Nilsson is a technology leader advancing high-pressure processing solutions for next-generation battery manufacturing as Director of Battery Processing Systems AME at Quintus Technologies. With extensive experience in advanced manufacturing systems and industrial process optimization, Pontus focuses on enabling more efficient, reliable, and scalable production of lithium-ion battery components.

At Quintus Technologies, Pontus leads the development and deployment of high-pressure processing (HPP) and densification technologies tailored for battery applications, including electrode fabrication, solid-state battery components, and structural parts. His work supports improvements in material uniformity, energy density, and mechanical integrity — addressing key challenges in next-generation battery performance and manufacturability.

Pontus collaborates closely with OEMs, cell manufacturers, and research institutions to integrate high-pressure processing into battery production lines, helping reduce defects, enhance material properties, and optimize throughput. His expertise spans system integration, process validation, and industrial scaling, ensuring that emerging battery technologies can transition from lab-scale innovation to full-scale production.

Ph.D. Research Scientist,
DuPont

Niranjan Malvadkar, Ph.D., is a research scientist advancing cutting-edge materials for electrified systems as a Research Scientist at DuPont. With a strong foundation in materials science and engineering, Niranjan focuses on the development of innovative polymer and composite solutions designed to meet the demanding performance and safety requirements of next-generation EV battery systems.

At DuPont, Niranjan is engaged in the research and development of advanced materials for thermal management, electrical insulation, and structural applications within lithium-ion battery architectures. His work supports improvements in thermal stability, dielectric performance, and resistance to extreme operating conditions — all critical for enhancing battery safety, reliability, and energy efficiency.

Niranjan’s expertise spans materials design, microstructure-property relationships, and advanced characterization techniques, enabling a deeper understanding of how materials behave under thermal, electrical, and mechanical stress. He collaborates with cross-functional teams to translate fundamental research into scalable solutions that align with industry requirements for manufacturability and regulatory compliance.

Through his work, Niranjan contributes to the advancement of high-performance materials that address key challenges such as thermal runaway mitigation, lightweighting, and long-term durability in electrified platforms.

Sr. Application Engineer,
Henkel

Kush Patel is a Senior Application Engineer (Thermal) at Henkel, specializing in thermal interface materials (TIMs) for e‑Mobility applications. He designs and validates test methods, optimizes dispense and process parameters, and supports customers in solving field and production issues.

With a background in Chemical Engineering and prior experience as a product development engineer formulating TIMs, Kush bridges material science with manufacturing realities—helping engineering teams select and implement the right TIM for their application.

He is passionate about leveraging modeling and simulation to accelerate and improve the development and validation of next‑generation TIM technologies.