Taking Charge
by Stephen McKean, BA '98
In a global economy in which the mantra is becoming "green, green, green," Dan Squiller, BS '79 and MA '81, knows that even the little things count. Squiller, CEO of PowerGenix Inc. in San Diego, and his fellow employees were recently awarded a "Best of What's New" award from Popular Science magazine for developing a rechargeable battery that supplies as much power as disposable ones.
The new product, NiZN (named after its nickel-zinc chemistry), has been hailed as both a technological and an ecological breakthrough. "Finally," Popular Science wrote, "an eco-battery with oomph."
For those of us who do not hold degrees in electrical engineering (as Squiller does), the science may seem difficult to grasp. The upshot, though, is that the new AA battery Squiller's company has developed provides 1.6 volts of power compared to the 1.2 volts of other rechargeable batteries — a 30 percent increase in power production compared to other disposables. "And," as Squiller says of the nontoxic, certified recyclable NiZN, "it's green to boot."
Having spent 10 years developing the battery, his company is very proud of its product. "It is probably the most environmentally friendly battery you can buy," he says.
It also represents the first breakthrough in battery technology in 20 years. “Rechargeable AA batteries are more environmental friendly as less waste is generated when compared to disposable batteries,” says Gerardine Botte, professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering and director of the university’s newly formed center for electrochemical engineering research. “The NiZn chemistry has been a challenge for many years for the production of rechargeable batteries. The problem had been that the Zn used in the battery deteriorated during cycling, reducing the cycle life of the battery. PowerGenix’s patented system seems to have solved this problem.”
Squiller's path to PowerGenix was somewhat circuitous and has a lot to do with his years at Ohio University, he says. While completing his degree in electrical engineering during his senior year, Squiller took an elective course in philosophy that was pivotal in shaping the arc of his career.
Deciding during his final exam in electrical engineering that he didn't want to be purely an engineer, he embarked on a master's program that was heavy on the liberal arts. He designed the program within the College of Communication with the help of Professor Emeritus of Interpersonal Communication Ray Wagner. "I was able to get a real good exposure to liberal arts and what I would call the soft disciplines as opposed to the hard disciplines of science and math," Squiller says. "The university really helped me form a broad view of the world."
Long before becoming CEO of PowerGenix in 2003, Squiller had worked in everything from engineering to sales and marketing. Previously, Squiller was president of Invensys Power Components, a global manufacturer of semiconductors and power supplies. Squiller says with a laugh, though, that his best career decision was one he made at his first job in a human resources department, when he found an exceptional hire for an engineering position — himself. Such was the beginning of a long and resourceful career.
It is from this varied background that Squiller is able to share his experiences and insights with current Ohio University students as an annual lecturer for the Robe Leadership Institute of the Russ College of Engineering and Technology. Squiller has also been involved in the Select Leadership Development Program through the College of Business. "It's a little bit selfish (on my part)," he says. "To be with students in that kind of environment is really stimulating to me."
Squiller lives in San Diego with his wife of 26 years, Robin, a software engineer. They have two college-age daughters, Brooke and Paige.