### Biography of JB Straubel
#### 1. Early Life
Jeffrey Brian "JB" Straubel was born on December 20, 1975, in Des Moines, Iowa, USA. From an early age, Straubel showed an intense interest in engineering and technology. He attended Menlo-Atherton High School in Atherton, California, where he continued to foster his passion for innovation. Straubel then pursued higher education at Stanford University, where he earned a Bachelor's degree in Energy Systems Engineering and a Master's in Energy Engineering, focusing on energy conversion.
#### 2. Career
JB Straubel's career began to take shape during his time at Stanford, where he was deeply involved in the university's solar car team, working on advanced vehicle technologies. After completing his education, Straubel held various positions in the tech industry, notably working on the design and development of energy storage technologies.
In 2004, Straubel became a co-founder of Tesla, Inc., alongside
Elon-Musk,
Martin-Eberhard,
Marc-Tarpenning, and
Ian-Wright. As the Chief Technical Officer (CTO) at Tesla, Straubel was instrumental in the development of the battery technology and powertrain systems that have come to define Tesla's innovative products. He played a critical role in the engineering and refinement of the Tesla Roadster, Model S, and subsequent models.
In 2017, Straubel founded Redwood Materials, a company focused on recycling batteries and e-waste. This venture reflects his ongoing commitment to sustainability and environmental technology.
#### 3. Notable Achievements
Throughout his career, JB Straubel has been recognized for his contributions and innovations in the field of renewable energy technologies. Some of his notable achievements include:
- Spearheading the development of the battery systems and propulsion technology that powered the Tesla Roadster, the first electric vehicle to use lithium-ion battery cells.
- Playing a pivotal role in designing and scaling the production of Tesla's electric vehicles, including the widely acclaimed Tesla Model S.
- Founding Redwood Materials, which has become a leader in the recycling of lithium-ion batteries, helping to address the critical issue of battery waste.
- Being named to the MIT Technology Review’s TR35 listing for innovators under 35 in 2008.
- Inclusion in the National Academy of Engineering in 2015 for his contributions to the design and commercialization of electric vehicle powertrain systems.
#### 4. Personal Life
JB Straubel leads a relatively private personal life. He is known to have a passion for flying, aviation, and is an avid pilot. Straubel is also committed to environmental causes, dedicating much of his professional and personal efforts to technologies that advance sustainability. He is married and focuses on balancing his professional endeavors with family life and personal interests in renewable energy and conservation.
Throughout his career and personal life, JB Straubel has continued to demonstrate a profound impact on the fields of electric vehicles and renewable energy. With his ongoing work at Redwood Materials, he remains at the forefront of addressing some of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time.