Donald Pile

Donald Pile has a long and varied work experience in the engineering and research fields. Donald began their career in 2002 as a Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Texas at Austin, where they prepared and studied thin-film, solid-state devices based on electroluminescent complexes, and fabricated electrode structures using electron beam lithography for exploring nanoelectrochemical cell effects. In 2004, they became a Postdoctoral Appointee at Sandia National Laboratories, where they evaluated thermal and electrical properties of Li-ion battery separator materials under temperature and applied voltage conditions, designed and developed test cells, fixtures, test equipment set-ups and programs for conducting electrochemical materials investigations, and developed and characterized new membrane materials and catalysts for alkaline water electrolysis. Donald then moved on to TPL, Inc. in 2007, where they developed Li-ion cathode material for decreasing battery capacity fade, fabricated and tested Li-ion and supercapacitor electrodes and coin cells, and wrote an initial draft of a grant proposal. Donald also worked at Valence Technology, Inc. in 2007, where they wrote protocols for testing lithium ion cells as part of an internal effort to standardize the characterization of cell behavior and performance, harmonizing where appropriate with industry standards, devised part number scheme and system for tracking components, assemblies, and documents for production of cells and cathode materials, and reviewed and edited standard operating and inspection procedures (English version) for cathode material (lithium magnesium iron phosphate) production. In 2010, they became a Senior Electrochemist at Spectrum Brands, Inc. (Rayovac battery division), where they conceived, designed, developed, and tested novel electrochemical systems and components, and designed and developed reusable test cells to evaluate primary lithium cells and cathode materials. Donald then moved on to Dow Kokam LLC in 2011, where they served as Lead Cell Engineer / Cell Development Engineer and designed and conducted experiments to test performance of pouch lithium-ion cells, e. g. , calendar life, life cycling, under compression, at low temperature, during short-term storage. In 2017, they became Manager of Cell Engineering at Rolled-Ribbon Battery Company, and in 2021, they began working at EnPower, Inc. as R&D Engineering Manager, Manager, Cell Engineering, and Senior Cell Engineer.

Donald Pile obtained their BS in Materials Science and Engineering from Northwestern University, followed by an MS in Materials Science and Engineering from Pennsylvania State University. Donald then completed a nondegree program in chemical and nuclear engineering courses at the University of New Mexico, before obtaining their PhD in Materials Science and Engineering from the University of Virginia. Additionally, they obtained a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification from the Project Management Institute.