Powering the Future of Energy Storage

BEACONS fast-tracks energy storage innovation to reclaim domestic authority, closing critical battery technology and manufacturing excellence gaps. Its IP-secure prototyping facilities deliver trusted results, helping companies scale faster, build resilient supply chains, and bolster national security.

Based at The University of Texas at Dallas, BEACONS works with U.S. companies to drive transformative energy storage solutions essential to defense, industry growth, and economic stability from mining to cells to systems.

Funded by the Department of Defense’s Office of Industrial Base Policy and its Manufacturing Capability Expansion and Investment Prioritization (MCEIP) office, BEACONS plays a key role in the Pathfinder program, accelerating the adoption of new technologies, onshore manufacturing capabilities, and workforce readiness to strengthen America’s energy leadership.

BEACONS Impact

Driving American Energy Authority

We work with leading organizations to enhance battery performance, manufacturing, safety, and cost efficiency.

Protecting Domestic Intellectual Power

Our IP-Secure facilities offer rapid prototyping and testing for energy storage systems, reducing time to market and ensuring intellectual property protection.

Building Prosperity

BEACONS contributes to building economic prosperity by advancing the American energy storage industry.

Training the Next Generation of US Competitive Workforce

BEACONS trains a skilled workforce to secure US energy independence through progressive hands-on training programs to equip workers with the skills needed to excel.

Securing Supply Chains Against Disruptions

We strengthen critical mineral supply chains, reducing foreign reliance to safeguard America’s energy future.

The BEACONS ESSC Ecosystem

We are building a dynamic community approach that unites energy with critical elements, accelerating battery innovation toward commercialization. The pillars of the ESSC- Energy Storage Systems Campus —innovation, infrastructure, and workforce—are essential for establishing a resilient domestic supply chain and a robust manufacturing base.

Our Mission

Headquartered at the University of Texas at Dallas, BEACONS accelerates advanced battery technologies, ensuring they scale for defense, consumer products, and grid storage. Backed by the Department of Defense, we focus on applied research and prototyping to turn innovation into impactful solutions while reshoring battery innovation to strengthen the U.S. supply chain.

Our IP-secure prototyping facilities empower companies to rapidly develop, test, and protect new technologies, reducing time-to-market and safeguarding intellectual property. From high-energy batteries for UAVs and defense systems to non-lithium grid-scale storage solutions, BEACONS drives innovation for applications that meet national security demands in a battery-driven world.

We don’t pursue research for knowledge alone—we fill critical gaps in manufacturing by helping prototypes transition into full-scale, cost-competitive production. Our partnerships with startups, corporations, national labs, universities, investors, and the Department of Defense let us work at the nexus of technology and scalable manufacturing, ensuring applied research becomes tangible solutions.

From lithium-ion to emerging chemistries, we accelerate next-generation energy storage technologies, enabling advancements in electric vehicles, cordless consumer products, and resilient grid storage. By reshoring materials, technology, and manufacturing, BEACONS, in partnership with the University of Texas at Dallas, is reducing reliance on foreign battery production, fostering a secure and competitive U.S. energy future.

Supported by the Department of Defense’s Office of Industrial Base Policy and its Manufacturing Capability Expansion and Investment Prioritization office, BEACONS is part of the SCALE program, an initiative to create sustainable technologies that strengthen national security efforts and position the U.S. as a global leader in energy innovation.

Close-up view of cylindrical battery cells, highlighting cutting-edge battery production.

Meet the Leadership Team

Dr. Tom Campbell

Co-Founder

LEAP Manufacturing

Dr. KJ Cho

BEACONS Director, Professor

Department of Materials Science & Engineering

UT Dallas

Dr. Bruce Gnade

Emeritus VP Research & Innovation

UT Dallas

Dr. Joseph J. Pancrazio

VP Research & Innovation

UT Dallas

John Stibal

J.D., Co-Founder

LEAP Manufacturing

Dr. Yue Zhou

Associate Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering

UT Dallas

Meet the BEACONS Advisory Committee

The BEACONS Advisory Committee brings together experts from academia, industry, government, and the energy sector to guide our mission of advancing innovation in energy storage. Their insights and leadership ensure BEACONS remains at the forefront of technology, manufacturing, and national security.

Below, you’ll find the distinguished members who help shape the future of energy storage through their expertise and vision.