SAN DIEGO--()--PowerGenix, the leading manufacturer of high performance, rechargeable Nickel-Zinc (NiZn) batteries, today announced the appointment of Dr. Zhongyi Deng as chief operating officer. Dr. Deng will be based in Shenzhen, PRC where he will lead the company’s global operations and R&D center, expanding the largest NiZn patent portfolio in the world.
Dr. Deng comes to PowerGenix after a successful career at Shenzhen BAK, a supplier to many of the world’s largest electronics OEMs, where he was the vice president of technology and operations. In that role, he was responsible for developing new technology and products as well as for leading the team that built BAK’s high volume automated lithium-ion factory. Prior to BAK, Deng worked for several major corporations in the U.S. including Ferro Corporation and Moltech Corporation. He completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratories in California and earned his Ph.D. in electrochemistry from the University of Waterloo, Canada.
“PowerGenix has developed unique technology making rechargeable Nickel-Zinc batteries a reality – its recent joint venture with China City Construction Corporation makes that clear,” said Dr. Zhognyi Deng, chief operating officer of PowerGenix. “The opportunity to change an industry is a rare occurrence. I look forward to helping lead the company’s growth as the micro-hybrid and stationary storage markets rapidly expand.”
Earlier this year, PowerGenix announced a joint venture with China City Construction Corporation (CCCC), one of the largest infrastructure investment and development companies in China. The joint venture will develop, manufacture and distribute Nickel-Zinc batteries for the automotive and other markets. The partnership, which is building a new factory this year in the Anhui province, will initially focus on batteries for the micro-hybrid vehicle market. Lux Research projects the micro-hybrid vehicle market will reach 39 million vehicles sold annually by 2017.
“As one of the most well respected battery executives in China, Dr. Deng brings tremendous credentials, experience, and capabilities to PowerGenix,” said Dan Squiller, chief executive officer of PowerGenix. “With his many industry achievements and strong leadership, he’ll play a central role in overseeing our business expansion and driving the pace of innovation as we break ground on our Anhui battery factory later this year.”
About PowerGenix
PowerGenix has developed and patented a high-power and low-cost Nickel-Zinc battery for hybrid electric vehicles, industrial products, and stationary storage applications. PowerGenix Nickel-Zinc batteries outperform lead-acid and nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) batteries in a smaller and lighter form-factor, and avoid the high cost and safety issues associated with lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries – providing a highly recyclable, lead-free alternative to existing technologies in the multi-billion dollar rechargeable battery market. For more information, please visit http://www.powergenix.com.