Technologies of the future like Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality, Advanced IoT/Computing devices, require batteries with high energy density and capacity without compromising safety. 

Vinay Jadhav, our next pathbreaker, Senior Principal Mechanical Engineer – Battery Cell at Enovix Corporation (California), works on development of novel 3D Silicon Anode Lithium-Ion Batteries for Wearable, IoT, Laptop, Mobile and Industrial Applications. 

Vinay talks to Shyam Krishnamurthy from The Interview Portal about his work on India’s first Indigenous Modular Street Cleaning Machine, largely based on the concept of frugal Innovation, which earned him the recognition of ‘J.N. Tata Scholar’.

For students, there is a lot of potential for research in nextgen storage architectures that will contribute towards development of technologies which will drive purposeful innovations !

Vinay, Your background?

I was an intellectually gifted kid, securing highest grades right from pre-school days. I was the school topper in Grade 10 with 93.23%, Physics Topper in Grade 12 Board Exams with 100/100, ranked 3rd in Pune District with 95.50%, and ranked 55 in MHT-CET exams with a score of 188/200, enabling my enrollment into the Mechanical Engineering program at the prestigious College of Engineering, Pune. I have been recognized as a ‘J.N. Tata Scholar’ in 2016, awarded by the J.N. Tata Foundation.

I grew up in the Pimpri Chinchwad suburb of Pune, nicknamed ‘Oxford of the East’ in a middle-class family of 4. Pimpri-Chinchwad is well known for its automotive, IT and manufacturing industry. It is home to the Indian operations of major automobile companies like Bajaj Auto, Daimler Chrysler, Force Motors, General Motors, Jaguar Land Rover, Kawasaki, Kinetic Engineering, Mahindra & Mahindra, Mercedes-Benz India, Premier Ltd., TATA Motors, and Volkswagen. 

What did you do for graduation/post-graduation?

I did my BTech in Mechanical Engineering at the College of Engineering, Pune. I further pursued an M.S degree in Mechanical Engineering focused on Solid Mechanics, Design and Manufacturing from the University of Florida.

What were some of the influences that led you to such an offbeat, unconventional and unique this career?

Growing in an automotive manufacturing hub, it was natural for me to develop an interest in Physics and Automotive Engineering. My interests were further developed by my father, a mechanical engineer who currently heads the Operations Department at Thermax Limited, an Indian multinational engineering conglomerate, involved in clean air, clean energy, and clean water. I used to accompany him on his business visits, which intrigued my interest in the working of Power Plants, strengthening my conviction to learn mechanical engineering. My mother, who has a Master of Arts degree helped me develop interpersonal skills by enrolling me in various extra-curricular activities like karate, swimming, cricket etc. My elder sister helped develop string fundamentals in Mathematics.

Tell us about your career path.

I became involved in the SAE Baja activities at Team Nemesis Racing to gain knowledge and hand-on skills in Automotive Engineering and Product Development. It helped me apply theoretical knowledge practically to build a product. After graduation, I worked in an early-stage startup, Spruceup Industries, where I led the development of a Street Litter Collecting Vehicle. 

I realized that I lacked technical skills in Computer Aided Engineering and Finite Element Analysis, and therefore decided to pursue a M.S degree in Mechanical Engineering, where I learned more about Non-Linear Finite Element Analysis, Topology Optimization, Structural and Multidisciplinary Optimization. 

I worked with Dr. Ashok Kumar at the University of Florida for testing his FEA software On simulation that was based on Implicit Boundary Method for Finite Element Analysis, which significantly reduced computation time and cost. We rolled out this software for the undergraduate students as well. I was the Graduate Teaching Assistant for the undergraduate FEA course, grading assignments, quizzes and exams.

During my MS, I interned at E-One Fire Trucks and learned more about Chassis Engineering 

E-one builds custom fire trucks for various fire departments around the world. I worked as part of the chassis engineering team for designing components. It involved Finite Element Analysis, testing and Validation.

My next internship was at Tesla where I worked on a plastic part design for the first Model of Tesla 3 and learned more about injection molding. 

Tesla was facing issues ramping up production for Model 3 and was losing a lot of money. During the time of my internship, the production ramped up from 500 cars a week to 5000 cars a week. 

After my master’s degree, I was able to get an opportunity to develop a Boom Energy Recovery System at Caterpillar inc. 

I was working on a Boom Energy Recovery System for the world’s largest Hydraulic Mining Shovel, which is almost 3 levels tall. During Operation, the boom goes up and down for digging. Only the upward motion needs energy, the downward motion is under gravity. We utilized the potential energy stored in the Boom and converted it into kinetic energy to compress gas. The pressurized gas is then used on the next digging cycle, hence reducing engine consumption. 

My next role was a contract job where I had to work through a consulting firm. I was working on design and development of Diesel Exhaust fluid tanks for Aftertreatment systems. These systems help reduce NoX(Nitrogen Oxides) emissions in diesel engines. These are harmful for the environment.

This led to an opportunity with Lucid Motors for the development of the first greenfield Electric Vehicle factory in North America. Witnessing the rapid acceleration towards electric vehicles, I decided to shift my career into batteries, leading to an opportunity at Enovix Corporation for developing Silicon Anode Lithium-Ion Batteries.

How did you get your first break?

During my masters degree, I attended the career fair and connected with the Chassis Engineering Manager at E-one Fire trucks. I interviewed and secured an internship in the Chassis Engineering team.

What were some of the challenges you faced? How did you address them?

Challenge 1

Communication – Being a non-native English speaker, it was difficult to adjust to American English pronunciations and slang.

We tend to speak fast when nervous. I was advised to speak slowly and clearly, to be effective at conveying things.

Challenge 2

Networking – I had no family in the USA, just friends to rely on. Most professional arrangements like job interviews, business opportunities etc. need effective networking.

I used LinkedIn to the extreme, to connect with new people and visited career fairs to make myself known to company recruiters.

Challenge 3

Mentorship – Navigating your career in a new and unknown country without any guidance proved difficult.

I focused on reaching out to seniors, and learning tips and tricks from them to effectively navigate my career.

Where do you work now? 

I currently work as a Senior Principal Mechanical Engineer at Enovix Corporation, involved in Product Engineering, Mechanical Design and Development of novel 3D Silicon Anode Lithium-Ion Batteries for Wearable, IoT, Laptop, Mobile and Industrial Applications. 

What problems do you solve?

I work among a team of engineers that design, prototype lithium-ion battery cells and resolve issues to enable high volume production.

What skills are needed for job? How did you acquire the skills?

Computer Aided Design and Engineering, Finite Element Analysis, Product Design and Development, Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing, Design for Manufacturing and Assembly. These skills were acquired through advanced degrees in Mechanical Engineering, professional work experience, and hand-on fabrication skills.

What’s a typical day like?

A typical day involves cross functional interaction with teams from manufacturing, equipment, quality, and supply chain for planning new products and resolving issues with current products.

What is it you love about this job? 

I get to work on every detail right from concept to production. The product is built in the same building I work at, which helps with concurrent product and process development.

 How does your work benefit the society? 

Lithium-Ion Batteries were invented in the 1990s and there hasn’t been any breakthrough improvement until recently. Enovix is on a mission to power the technologies of the future like Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality, Advanced IoT, Mobiles and Computing devices. Our disruptive architecture enables a battery with high energy density and capacity without compromising safety. 

A high energy density battery would help increase the battery life of a smartwatch, laptop, or an electric vehicle etc. Alternatively, it enables the use of a smaller battery providing the same battery life. The freed-up space can be used for additional functionalities in these devices.

A high energy density battery increases the risk of thermal runaway or battery fire. An internal short can occur, discharging the cell in microseconds, potentially releasing a violent chemical chain reaction. We at Enovix, have created BrakeFlowTM, an intra-cell system that significantly increases tolerance against thermal runaway from internal short circuits, without compromising high energy density.

Tell us an example of a specific memorable work you did that is very close to you!

I worked at Spruceup Industries, an early startup in India leading the Product Development team for engineering India’s first Indigenous Modular Street Cleaning Machine largely based on the concept of frugal Innovation. We were able to develop the product in 6 months, 80% cheaper and 20% more efficient than the solutions available then. This led to me being recognized as a ‘J.N. Tata Scholar’. The startup grew to sell these machines to major government entities in the next few years.

Your advice to students based on your experience?

I would like to quote Steve Jobs here who in his Stanford Commencement Speech said, “Have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.” Moreover, according to me, Perseverance and Patience are the two most important traits that will take you far in life.

Future Plans?

As a strong proponent for adoption of sustainable energy, I truly believe Advanced Energy Storage technologies can unlock potential never imagined before and hence would like to continue contributing towards developing novel technologies.