Virendra Talele
Battery Systems Mechanical Engineer, Caterpillar Research and Development Center
Virendra Talele is a Battery Systems Mechanical Engineer at the Caterpillar Research and Development Center, where he applies a deep understanding of electrochemical and thermal systems to develop and validate next-generation energy storage solutions. Prior to this, he was at the Energy and Propulsions Systems Research (EPSR) Lab at General Motors' R&D Technical Center and the Laboratory of Advance Mobility and Power (LAMP) at University of Tennessee, Knoxville, as a Research Assistant.
Virendra holds a master’s degree by research in thermal fluids from the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. His early professional foundation was established at Octillion Power Systems as a Battery Thermal Engineer, where he gained hands-on experience in battery system design, thermal management strategies, and safety analysis. Virendra's research spans a comprehensive range of advanced energy topics including electrochemistry, propulsion systems, multi-physics energy conversion, and fire safety. His work is distinguished by its integration of theoretical insights with practical industry applications, focusing on high-fidelity numerical modeling and multi-physics simulations to enhance Li-ion battery performance, safety, and reliability. He has authored approximately 20 peer-reviewed articles in leading energy journals and contributed to five book chapters, establishing himself as a key figure in battery system engineering and thermal safety. Virendra's contributions bridge the gap between fundamental research and industrial application, addressing critical challenges in energy storage, thermal runaway mitigation, and battery lifecycle optimization.