Venkat Viswanathan

Venkat Viswanathan is an Associate Professor at the University of Michigan since August 2023, focusing on launching an electric aviation battery program. Venkat has served as a Technical Consultant for QuantumScape since December 2015, contributing as a member of the Science Advisory Committee and a Technical Advisor. As a co-founder of multiple companies, including Aionics, Inc., And Battery Aero, Chement Co., and Ionworks, Venkat actively supports the development of a decarbonized global economy through materials innovation. Previously, Venkat held academic positions at Carnegie Mellon University, where service spanned from August 2014 to August 2023, including roles as Associate Professor and Faculty Fellow at the CMU Scott Institute for Energy Innovation. Additional experience includes advisory roles at Citrine Informatics and Zunum Aero, focusing on battery-related research and development. Venkat holds a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Stanford University and a Bachelor of Technology and Master of Technology in Mechanical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras.