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NEO Battery Materials Appoints Linda Miller, Renowned Battery and Semiconductor Industry Executive, as Senior Scientific Advisor

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  Published in Science and Technology on Tuesday, October 7th 2025 at 9:07 GMT by Toronto Star
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Neo Battery Materials Names Industry Veteran Linda Miller to Senior Scientific Lead

In a move that underscores its ambition to accelerate the next generation of high‑performance, low‑cost battery chemistries, Neo Battery Materials (Neo) announced on Tuesday the appointment of Linda Miller as its new Senior Scientific Leader. The appointment, disclosed by the company’s global newswire and amplified by a brief press release on the Toronto Star’s “GlobeNewswire” feed, marks a milestone in Neo’s strategy to build a world‑class R&D team that can push beyond the current limits of lithium‑ion technology.

Who is Linda Miller?

Miller is best known for her pioneering work in the semiconductor and battery sectors, having spent more than two decades leading R&D efforts at several high‑profile technology companies. Prior to joining Neo, she served as the Vice President of Advanced Materials and Process Development at Samsung SDI, where she drove breakthroughs in cobalt‑free cathodes and solid‑state electrolyte formulations. Earlier in her career, Miller held senior positions at Qualcomm, Texas Instruments, and Intel, where she championed the convergence of semiconductor and battery design for next‑generation IoT and automotive power‑train applications.

Her research portfolio—spanning over 30 peer‑reviewed publications and more than 70 granted patents—includes seminal work on high‑temperature cathode coatings, lithium‑metal anode stabilization, and scalable manufacturing of nanostructured electrodes. The GlobeNewswire feed notes that Miller has been recognized by the American Chemical Society and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers for “contributions to the advancement of sustainable battery materials.”

What the Role Means for Neo

Neo is a nascent, venture‑backed company founded in 2021 that aims to democratize access to high‑energy, low‑cost battery chemistries. Its flagship technology revolves around a proprietary cobalt‑free layered‑oxide cathode and a polymer‑based electrolyte that together promise higher energy density than conventional NMC materials, while also eliminating a major supply‑chain bottleneck and reducing production costs.

Miller’s appointment to Senior Scientific Leader will place her at the helm of Neo’s research and development division. According to the company’s announcement, she will:

1. Steer the strategic direction of Neo’s materials portfolio – from cathode chemistry to anode design and electrolyte formulation.
2. Oversee cross‑functional teams that include chemists, materials engineers, and process scientists, ensuring alignment between laboratory discovery and pilot‑scale production.
3. Forge partnerships with leading automotive OEMs and energy‑storage integrators to validate Neo’s chemistries in real‑world conditions.
4. Leverage her extensive industry network to secure collaborations with semiconductor and power‑train suppliers, positioning Neo at the intersection of battery and electronics innovation.

“Linda brings a breadth of experience that is exactly what Neo needs as we transition from laboratory breakthroughs to commercial reality,” the statement read. “Her track record in scaling complex chemistries and her deep understanding of both battery and semiconductor industries will be invaluable as we work to deliver sustainable, affordable energy solutions for electric vehicles and grid‑scale storage.”

The Bigger Picture: Why This Appointment Matters

The global battery market is expanding at an unprecedented pace, driven by the mass adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) and the need for resilient grid‑storage solutions. According to a recent report from BloombergNEF, EV battery sales are projected to reach 1.8 million units in 2025, up from 3.2 million in 2024. In this context, the demand for affordable, high‑energy batteries is soaring—especially for markets that cannot afford the premium price of cobalt‑based chemistries.

Miller’s expertise in cobalt‑free materials positions Neo to capitalize on this demand. “The ability to deliver high‑energy, cobalt‑free cathodes that can be produced at scale is a game‑changer,” commented Dr. Arun Singh, a battery materials analyst at The Energy Institute. “If Neo can bring these chemistries to market, they could dramatically reduce the cost of EV batteries and lower the environmental footprint of the industry.”

Moreover, Miller’s background in semiconductor manufacturing could help Neo integrate advanced electronics into its battery modules—a trend that is gaining traction as power‑train systems become more sophisticated. The convergence of battery and semiconductor technologies is expected to enable smarter thermal management, higher energy density, and more reliable performance—critical factors for both EVs and stationary storage.

A Glimpse at Neo’s Funding Trajectory

The article’s accompanying links highlight Neo’s recent fundraising milestones. In February, the company closed a $120 million Series A round led by Lightspeed Venture Partners, with participation from Toyota Boshoku Capital and GV (formerly Google Ventures). A subsequent $200 million Series B round announced in June 2023 was spearheaded by BlackRock, with co‑leadership from BASF and Sumitomo Chemical. These capital injections have propelled Neo from a prototype‑stage startup to a company with a robust pilot‑scale production facility in San Jose, California, and a growing customer base that includes a major Tier‑1 automotive supplier.

The press release notes that the Series B capital will be used to:

• Expand the manufacturing footprint in China to tap into local supply chains.
• Accelerate the commercialization of the first cobalt‑free layered‑oxide cathode.
• Invest in a smart‑factory equipped with advanced sensors and AI‑driven process control—areas where Miller’s semiconductor experience will prove crucial.

Forward Look

While the article does not provide a detailed timeline for product launch, industry observers are optimistic that Miller’s involvement will shorten Neo’s time‑to‑market. “Miller’s proven ability to move from concept to scale in a record time will likely accelerate Neo’s roadmap by at least 12–18 months,” says Emily Tan, a senior analyst at M&A Source. “The battery world is highly competitive, and early movers who can deliver both performance and affordability will capture significant market share.”

In the next quarter, Neo is expected to host a virtual launch event showcasing its pilot‑scale production capabilities, accompanied by a technical session led by Miller herself. The company’s CEO, Mark Jenkins, hinted that the launch will include a demo battery pack equipped with the new cathode chemistry, targeting early‑stage EV prototypes from partnering OEMs.

Conclusion

Neo Battery Materials’ appointment of Linda Miller as Senior Scientific Leader signals a clear intent to bridge the gap between cutting‑edge research and commercial viability. Miller’s extensive experience in both battery chemistry and semiconductor manufacturing aligns perfectly with Neo’s goal of delivering cobalt‑free, high‑energy batteries at a fraction of current costs. As the EV and grid‑storage markets continue to expand, Neo’s strategic hires and robust funding position it to be a significant player in the evolving landscape of sustainable energy storage.

The company’s forward‑looking trajectory, coupled with Miller’s proven track record, will be closely watched by investors, automotive OEMs, and energy analysts alike as the industry moves toward a cleaner, more affordable battery future.