The Ohio State University is reimagining a former warehouse into a groundbreaking Battery Pilot and Prototyping Lab- an ambitious step forward in advancing battery science and accelerating real-world innovation. Designed to serve both academic pioneers and industry trailblazers, this dynamic center brings energy to life through three driving pillars: hands-on demonstration, next-gen workforce training, and entrepreneurial launch.
Inside, the space is anything but ordinary. Outfitted with -40°C dew point dry rooms and -60°C super dry rooms, the lab offers ideal conditions for prototyping and testing today’s lithium-ion batteries while boldly preparing for tomorrow’s solid-state breakthroughs. It’s a high-performance space built for rigorous research and real results.
But what truly energizes this project is collaboration. Fueled by a shared vision between The Ohio State University and leaders in technology and manufacturing, the center becomes a living lab for advancement. It’s a home for hands-on learning- where students, researchers, and industry partners roll up their sleeves together. Eighty percent of training is laser-focused on battery validation and demonstration; the remaining twenty percent pushes the envelope with solid-state research and development.
Moreover, the center doubles as a launchpad for entrepreneurship-based training, nurturing collaborations with startup companies and foundation partners. By fostering innovation and practical application, this initiative not only enhances academic research capabilities but also accelerates the commercialization of groundbreaking battery technologies.
Battery production traditionally consumes huge amounts of energy. This project flips that script. Smart HVAC choices, optimized air handling systems, and ultra-efficient dry room design add up to some serious savings:
It’s a forward-thinking facility built not only to power devices, but to power change.
Construction scheduled for completion Q3 2025.
