Abstract

With over 22,000 employees at over 60 global locations and $6 billion of research work, Battelle is the largest private R&D organization in the USA and possibly the only one of its kind in the world. The organization was founded through the will of Gordon Battelle in 1923 and the company opened for business in 1929 with 40 employees and $2.5M (a current day value of about $50M). The businesses of Battelle are: (1) maintaining a contract research portfolio spanning consumer and industrial, energy and environment, health and pharmaceutical and national security; (2) managing the world’s leading scientific laboratories for the US Department of Energy and Homeland Security across the USA; the Laboratory portfolio includes the world’s most powerful neutron source, X-ray Source, Laser and computer and a range of scientific accomplishments from the creation of new heavy elements to 3-D printing of a 1964 Shelby Cobra sports car; and (3) investing in venture capital spin-outs and other alternative business entities including international locations to create new health, energy, environment and security technologies and companies. In this talk, the history, the current strategy, examples of current projects and products, and the factors that influence future planning will be described.

Speaker Bio

Dr Jeffrey Wadsworth

President and CEO
Battelle Memorial Institute

Dr Jeffrey Wadsworth is President and CEO of Battelle Memorial Institute, the world’s largest nonprofit R&D organization, headquartered in Columbus, Ohio. Dr Wadsworth worked at Stanford, Lockheed, and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, prior to joining Battelle in 2002 as part of the White House Transition Planning Office for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). He was then director of Oak Ridge National Laboratory and subsequently headed Battelle’s Global Laboratory Operations, directing laboratories for the U.S. Department of Energy, DHS, and others. He became Battelle’s 8th President and CEO in 2009. He earned bachelors and doctoral degrees at Sheffield University in England and has published nearly 300 scientific papers, one book, and holds four U.S. patents. He has six honorary doctorates, Fellowships in three technical societies, is a member of the National Academy of Engineering and the Chinese Academy of Engineering, and is the recipient of numerous prizes and awards. He currently is Chairman of the Trustees of The Ohio State University. He is helping to lead national efforts to enhance STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education through the launching of STEM schools and developing state and national networks of STEM schools.

Video

Photos