Tulio Donovan Email & Phone Number

I am a Research Associate at South 8 Technologies, a startup that I continue to be excited and grateful to have been a part of since 2023. South 8's LiGas® electrolyte unlocks Li-ion battery operation at world record low temperatures, inherently reduces risks of fire/thermal propogation and improves cost and efficiency for current commercially available anode/cathode chemistries (NMC, NCA & LFP) manufacturing processes with faster fill and formation cycle times. LiGas® also has exciting potential for next generation battery technology by enabling thicker electrodes, Si anodes, Li-S, LNMO and other Cobalt free cathodes.I started my career in the battery industry at at Tesla in San Diego, CA as a technician in the cell characterization lab where my work was focused on the qualification of the novel 4680 form factor. My last role was at Redwood Materials in Reno, NV as a Cathode R&D tech where I worked with a three person team to establish and run an electrochemistry lab. In my current role, I'm using my past experience in formation processes and electrochemical testing (cycle and calendar life) while expanding my skill set performing safety testing to certify for standards such as UN38.3, UL 1642, SAE J2464 & MIL-PRF-29595B as South 8 ramps from lab to pilot scale production of cells and electrolyte for evaluation/qualification with industry partners/customers in the automotive, stationary energy storage, space and defense industries.My educational background consists of a Bachelor's of Science from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo (go Mustangs!) Orfalea College of Business where I majored in Industrial Technology with a minor in Packaging Sciences. Although I used to think my degree had nothing to do with electrochemistry or Li-ion batteries, after almost 5 years in this industry I continue to be surprised by the many applicable similarities between the packaging industry and cell manufacturing. I hope to continue my education by one day pursuing a graduate degree that combines my industry experience and undergraduate degree.I'm also passionate about sustainability, clean energy, reuse/recycling and the circular economy as a whole. Outside of work, I try to spend as much time in the great outdoors as I can and enjoy hobbies like surfing, juggling, gardening and composting. I'm not looking for a new role but always happy to network and be a resource so feel free to reach out if you'd like to connect on here.