Somerville Researcher Awarded State Grant For Clean Battery Tech

SOMERVILLE, MA – A researcher at Tufts University was awarded a state grant Wednesday for his efforts in developing clean energy technology. Dr. Matthew Panzer was one of seven researchers and companies to receive a total of $455,000 from the Baker-Polito administration.

Panzer is currently working on a flexible, lightweight technology for lithium-ion batteries that is safer than the conventional technology. 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.

"As Massachusetts continues to lead in efforts to address climate change through innovation, I am proud of significant advances right in our community by Dr. Panzer at Tufts University," State Rep. Christine Barber of Somerville said in a release. "Investments in this kind of research are critical as we work to reduce greenhouse gases."

Image courtesy of the San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District