Ionic Mineral Technologies, a frontrunner in advanced battery materials innovation, is excited to announce the appointment of Dr. Wenwei Zheng as Head of Research. With over 20 years of experience in materials science, including more than 8 years focused on battery materials research and commercialization, Dr. Zheng has a proven track record in advancing next-generation lithium-ion battery technologies, particularly in the development of silicon anodes.
Dr. Zheng has an impressive track record of battery materials R&D and commercialization at Hong Kong’s top research institutes and battery manufacturer as a principal/senior scientist/engineer, such as GP Batteries International and Applied Science and Technology Research Institute. His experience and expertise encompass wide range of battery technologies including Si anode, advanced electrolyte, battery modeling, and data analysis. Notably, he successfully developed and commercialized high energy density Li-ion cell chemistry platforms enabled by Si-based anodes, which boosted energy density by more than 25% compared with graphite-only anode cells. Throughout his career, Dr. Zheng also demonstrated strong strategic R&D leadership and project management capabilities; he has led numerous international joint developments of battery technologies with academia and commercial partners on Si-rich anode cells, solid-state batteries, optical fiber sensors for early cell failure detection, to name a few.
Dr. Zheng's background in R&D and commercialization of battery technologies aligns with Ionic Mineral Technologies' mission to accelerate the adoption of silicon anode materials for high-performance lithium-ion batteries. His expertise in strategic R&D planning, materials characterization, electrolyte optimization, and supply chain management make him a key addition to the company’s leadership team.
“I am excited to join Ionic Mineral Technologies at this pivotal time in the evolution of lithium-ion battery technology,” said Dr. Zheng. “Silicon anodes represent a transformative opportunity for energy storage, and I look forward to leveraging my experience to advance cutting-edge solutions that enable higher energy density and commercial scalability”.
Quote from Dr. Sunho Kang: Dr. Zheng’s extensive and impressive experience and expertise, ranging from fundamental science to engineering and from R&D to commercialization, is a huge addition to the Ionic MT team, which will mark a new era of innovation and discovery for our advanced Si anode materials and other halloysite-derived battery materials as well. I am very excited about him joining the team.
Dr. Zheng holds a Ph.D. and MS in Chemistry from Stanford University, along with a B.S. in Chemistry and Physics from Peking University. He brings a wealth of experience in partnering with academic institutions, industry experts, and government agencies to foster innovation in battery technology.
As Head of Research at Ionic Mineral Technologies, Dr. Zheng will spearhead efforts to enhance the company’s silicon anode materials, build strategic industry partnerships, and drive commercialization to address the increasing demand for high-energy-density battery solutions.