Shrewsbury Researcher Awarded State Grant For Clean Battery Tech

SHREWSBURY, MA – A Shrewsbury researcher was awarded a state grant Wednesday for his efforts in developing clean energy technology. Dr. Yan Wang of AM Batteries was one of seven researchers and companies to receive a total of $455,000 from the Baker-Polito administration.

Wang is currently working on an energy efficient process to manufacture electrodes for lithium ion batteries. The state awarded grants through the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center’s (MassCEC) Catalyst program to projects developing clean energy and water technology.

"The success of our clean energy sector and nation-leading innovation economy relies heavily on supporting promising entrepreneurs from across the Commonwealth," Gov. Charlie Baker said in a statement. "Catalyst funding will accelerate the development of clean energy technology and mitigate the effects of climate change as we work to meet our carbon reduction goals."

The Catalyst program awards $65,000 grants to products and technology with clean energy potential. Since 2010, Catalyst has awarded $3.65 million to 83 research teams. Past awardees have raised a combined total of more than $100 million in financing from angel investors, venture capitalists and federal grants.

Awardees have gone on to form six new companies, receive patents for or filed inventions on 104 new pieces of intellectual property and issued 58 new research publications.

"Supporting growth in our clean energy sector is critical and funding to early-stage clean tech companies and entrepreneurs such as Dr. Yan Wang’s AM Batteries of Shrewsbury will bring new products and technologies to market that will support the Commonwealth’s commitment to the environment and a stronger economy," State Rep. Hannah Kane of Shrewsbury said in a release. "I am grateful to the Baker-Polito Administration for prioritizing support of these worthy projects across the Commonwealth."

Image courtesy of the San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District