Evan Gardner
Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer, ElectroFlow Technologies
Evan Gardner joins Breakthrough Energy’s Innovator Fellows program from ElectroFlow in Menlo Park, CA. He is an expert in designing and synthesizing materials as well as performing a variety of chemical separations. At ElectroFlow Technologies, Evan serves as chief technology officer and leverages his deep chemical intuition to guide their lithium purification process design.
ElectroFlow Technologies is developing a proprietary electrochemical process which converts low grade saltwater brines into lithium chemicals for batteries. Their approach will unlock large swaths of North American brine resources which have conventionally been neglected due to low lithium concentrations. Through the Fellows program, ElectroFlow will scale-up their technology and determine its commercial readiness across a variety of natural resources.
Evan earned his Bachelor of Arts in chemistry at Boston University and a Doctor of Philosophy in bioinorganic chemistry at Georgetown University. Shaped by his childhood spent hiking, skiing, and biking around the woodlands near Portland, Maine, Evan channels his fascination for nature and conservation into developing a real-world solution to the climate crisis.
Q&A
Who has had the greatest impact on your career path?
My family for sure. They always encourage me to be myself and to fully pursue my many interests. Their support has carried me throughout all the ups and downs of my life’s winding path.
What did you want to be when you grew up?
I wanted to be one of the pro skiers you would see on Warren Miller films who would go to the ends of the Earth to find the craziest descents. Couldn’t quite get to that point in my skiing career, so it’s a good thing being a scientist was my backup plan.
What beliefs drive you?
Leave no trace – a belief practiced by outdoor enthusiasts to minimize their impact when enjoying the wilderness. On a global scale, this belief drives me to not only leave no trace, but to leave this world a better place than how I found it.
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