Shalini Divya, the CEO and founder of TasmanIon and EnergyLab alumni, is on a mission to revolutionise the battery industry with a breakthrough technology born out of her PhD research. Milly Young recently spoke with Shalini to hear more about the birth of TasmanIon, Shailini’s transition from PhD student to CEO and how TasmanIon is creating safer, more affordable batteries that provide a sustainable alternative for a world increasingly dependent on energy storage.
The Birth of TasmanIon
TasmanIon was born from Shalini's battery technology research during her PhD at the Victoria University of Wellington in 2017. Shalini aimed to find a better alternative to the conventional lithium-ion batteries that dominate the market. During her second year of research, she discovered what she describes as a ‘magic material’ with exceptional battery performance at a fraction of the cost of its competitors. Recognising the potential, Shalini filed a patent with the help of the technology transfer office, and after receiving positive feedback from the preliminary market studies, she began to see the larger market potential for her technology. ‘I realised there were a lot of industries looking for [a battery] that was cheaper and safer,’ she said.
Though initially focused on completing her PhD, Shalini's vision soon expanded beyond the lab. She participated in commercialisation workshops, where she learned to pitch and build a model of the market and the real-world implications of her work. Inspired by the pressing global issues of climate change and energy poverty - something Shalini personally understood growing up in India, where power cuts were common - she decided to take her technology out of the lab and make a tangible difference.
‘I grew up with a lot of power cuts,’ Shalini explains, ‘I studied with kerosene lamps and candlelight. There was this picture in my mind when I was doing these mock pitches that I have an opportunity to create a product where the next generation doesn’t have to experience these problems.’
‘The goal is to provide a safer, more affordable battery technology that can help light up households and address energy poverty,’ Shalini explains. ‘I wish to cater to all customer groups, which includes developing nations like Africa and India where energy poverty is a big problem.’
‘The goal is to provide a safer, more affordable battery technology that can help light up households and address energy poverty,’
The Transition from Scientist to Entrepreneur
One of the biggest challenges Shalini faced was making the leap from researcher to CEO. As a scientist, she was accustomed to working in a controlled environment, where her work was driven by data and research. However, becoming a founder meant stepping into the unpredictable world of commercialisation, where funding, strategy, and market positioning take center stage.
Shalini took a hands-on approach to her education, attending workshops, seeking out mentors, and spending countless hours researching the battery industry and her customers. ‘I am a very positive person and I took this as a challenge,’ she says, ‘I surrounded myself with a lot of cheerleaders and a lot of mentors and advisors.’
‘It took me two years to ensure I had enough knowledge to be confident to run my own startup,’ she shares. ‘I had to learn how to speak to investors, how to pitch, and how to translate my technical knowledge and my vision into something commercially viable. I finished my PhD in 2020 and my first day as CEO of TasmanIon was in January 2022.’
Solving the Energy Storage Problem
A big challenge Shalini faced as CEO was differentiating TasmanIon in a crowded and competitive market. The battery industry is ripe with innovation, and there are numerous startups developing new materials and technologies. For TasmanIon to succeed, Shalini knew she had to clearly define its competitive advantage.
Shalini’s technology addresses a critical gap in the energy storage sector. While there is a growing demand for batteries in various industries - ranging from mobile phones and electric scooters to larger vehicles and stationary storage - the dominant lithium-ion batteries are expensive, come with volatile prices of non-abundant raw materials, and are often unsafe due to their flammable components.
In contrast Shalini says that, ‘TasmanIon’s aluminium-ion battery technology is not only more affordable than Lithium ion but also safer and more energy-dense than other alternatives like lead-acid or nickel-cadmium batteries. Aluminium is a commodity with a stable price, making it a far more reliable choice for manufacturers who need to predict costs over the long term,’ Shalini explains.
By offering a safer, more affordable solution, TasmanIon has positioned itself as a game-changer in the battery space especially for micro-mobility solutions like e-bikes and e-scooters, as well as for stationary energy storage. ‘The pain points we are targeting are the price point and the safety,’ says Shalini. ‘These markets are constantly looking for new technologies that are cheaper and safer. If you are providing something that is safer and easier to manage [because there is no fire risk], that is easier to recycle when that battery reaches its end of life and is so much more affordable, it becomes much more accessible to communities who can not afford more expensive battery storage’
‘TasmanIon’s aluminium-ion battery technology is not only more affordable than Lithium ion but also safer and more energy-dense than other alternatives like lead-acid or nickel-cadmium batteries'
Looking Ahead: Expansion and Growth
TasmanIon’s journey is just beginning. After participating in EnergyLab’s Climate Solutions Accelerator in 2023, Shalini is now eyeing the next stage of growth and is moving the company to Australia. She plans to set up a pilot facility in NSW, a strategic move to tap into the local battery market and eventually expand to India, the US, and Europe.
TasmanIon is also actively seeking $3.5 million AUD in funding in its seed round to establish a pilot, expand its technical and commercial teams, and test its products in Australia and India.
Shalini is excited for TasmanIon’s Australia move. ‘The skillset in Australia is fantastic,’ Shalini says, ‘I’m looking for anyone in the battery industry who can help us go above and beyond.’
If you are interested in learning more about TasmanIon, head to their website or contact the team.
If you are interested in joining EnergyLab's Women in Climate and Energy Fellowship, Lab to Market Program or our Climate Solutions Accelerator be sure to head over to our programs page.
Words by Milly Young
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