A Year in Review: Battelle Solvers Had Big Victories

Battelle Solvers had a remarkable year in 2024—from telecommunications advancements to national security contracts, tackling “forever chemicals” and leading exciting new demonstration projects for the Department of Energy. It is a year worthy of a retrospective.  

“Since 1929, Battelle has been using science to help society, and this past year was another example of that outstanding, continuing effort by the people who make us unique,” said Battelle President and CEO Lou Von Thaer. “We’re here to make things better and I’m proud of our organization. It’s gratifying to lead this group of people who do fantastic science safely and systematically.”

Following are some highlights of this past year’s accomplishments.

RavenStar™

Battelle has developed a new telecommunications technology that is intended to revolutionize the front end of telecom infrastructure in the next few years.

Battelle RavenStar™ antenna technology successfully demonstrated ultra-wideband capabilities at the Virginia Tech Applied Research Corporation’s (VT-ARC) 5G/XG field test site near Blacksburg, Virginia. The first-ever broadband massive MIMO (multiple-input and multiple-output), digitally steered radio unit supports multiple protocols simultaneously from a single array, including 4G and 5G. The demonstration system, which was developed by Battelle following years of research and prototyping in the United States, is the first radio unit to be able to cover 600Mhz to 7Ghz with a single aperture.

In December, Battelle won a grant from the United States Department of Commerce's National Telecommunications and Information Administration. Battelle is one of seven awardees of the Public Wireless Supply Chain Innovation Fund designed to support the development of open and interoperable networks.   

PFAS Program

The PFAS Annihilator® technology—the first-to-market total solution to remove and destroy toxic per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)—is being used to permanently destroy aqueous film-forming foams (AFFFs) collected through various state AFFF takeback programs. The innovative technology not only eradicates the contaminants completely but does so without generating harmful PFAS byproducts or transferring the PFAS elsewhere in the process.

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine and Ohio EPA Director Anne Vogel joined Battelle President and CEO, Lou Von Thaer and Revive Environmental President and CEO David Trueba to announce the launch of the Ohio AFFF Takeback Program at an event near Wright State University. The Takeback program is designed to assist municipal fire departments in safely disposing of AFFFs as Ohio phases out these PFAS-containing firefighting foams.

Large Infrastructure Programs

Battelle was chosen as the prime contractor for two important U.S. Department of Energy programs. Project Cypress, a partnership led by Battelle with leading clean technology developers Climeworks and Heirloom, was awarded a contract from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)’s Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations (OCED) to establish one of the nation’s first Direct Air Capture (DAC) Hubs in Louisiana following negotiations that began last August.

Also working with OCED, the Appalachian Regional Clean Hydrogen Hub (ARCH2) will receive federal money dollars to spearhead the development of a clean hydrogen hub in Appalachia. The DOE selected ARCH2 as one of seven hubs from across the nation to enter award negotiations for the DOE’s Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs Program (H2Hubs). The H2Hubs are a long-term initiative to create regional clusters of clean hydrogen producers, consumers, and connective infrastructure that will form the foundation of a national clean hydrogen network.

Important DoD work

Battelle and subcontractor CMC Pharmaceuticals were awarded a contract by the Department of Defense to develop a nerve agent countermeasure. The deal aims to ensure that U.S. military personnel have a stronger chance of surviving and recovering from nerve agent exposure.

Military Friendly Employer Recognition

Battelle was recognized as a Military Friendly® Employer for 2025, earning a prestigious gold award rating. “We understand the immense value veterans bring to our operations, having benefited from their contributions throughout our nearly 100-year history,” said Von Thaer. “Veterans and active military members play an essential role in our mission to harness science for the betterment of society, and we are honored to receive this accolade.”

The gold award signifies Battelle’s comprehensive approach to supporting military employees, highlighting our commitment to attracting, hiring, and nurturing their development. Military Friendly establishes the benchmark for an organization's dedication to delivering significant benefits for the military community, with over 2,800 organizations vying for this recognition each year.

Specialty Vehicles

Battelle delivered four upgraded Ford Expeditions to the United States Department of State (DoS) for testing, evaluation, and certification. In collaboration with Ford Motor Company, the vehicles are upgraded Expeditions with armor and technology to meet specific protection mission requirements while leaving the original showroom appearance.

Battelle is also producing 229 up-armored Toyota Land Cruiser 200s for DoS. Additionally, Battelle was selected by SOCOM to continue providing Non-Standard Commercial Vehicles (NSCVs) under a new contract.

Our Small Business Supplier of the Year

Supply chain issues are well-known and have affected the American manufacturing sector. But when Battelle’s Armored Commercial Vehicles line needs specialty parts, American Power Systems (APS) comes through and was named Battelle’s Small Business Supplier of the Year.

MMPDS Handbook Milestone

Battelle passed the milestone of having two approved volumes of the Metallic Materials Properties Development and Standardization (MMPDS) Handbook. Also known as the MMPDS Handbook, the industry standard is a manual Battelle has been producing for nearly 70 years. The newest edition, MMPDS-2024, was released for purchase on July 1st, expanded to two volumes for the first time.

Honor Flight Columbus

For the third time in as many years, Battelle was the sole sponsor of an Honor Flight Columbus mission. An Honor Flight provides an all-expenses paid trip to Washington D.C. for veterans to visit memorials. Food and guardians are provided. Our latest Honor Flight journey was as rewarding as it was emotional.

History Website Update

This was the 95th anniversary of Battelle’s opening and we updated the website that illustrates our history. The website allows visitors to explore Battelle’s rich history starting with the Foundational Age—the story of Gordon Battelle and the part of his Will that changed the future.

Traumatic Brain Injury Research

Battelle won a contract through the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency’s Cornerstone program to create a preventative medical intervention to stop traumatic brain injury (TBI), a significant concern for U.S. warfighters in training accidents or combat environments. A vehicle crash, proximity to an explosion or another event resulting in a jolt to the head could result in a mild to severe TBI. These injuries can result in long-term effects, including memory problems, sleep disorders, slower thinking, irritability and depression. Exposure to repeated head trauma, which is common in military environments, increases the risk of neurodegenerative diseases.