Exploring Accessible Organics
We research the potential for easily accessible organic materials as clean, secure, affordable alternatives for fast-charging energy storage applications of all sizes.
US-Based & Sourced
We’re based in West Michigan at the heart of a growing energy, research and advanced manufacturing ecosystem, sourcing all our materials from US suppliers and manufacturers.
Unlimited & Unbound
While we’ve uncovered and are exploring the potential of an entirely new class of molecules, we pledge no allegiance to any specific battery chemistry, only to the sustainable energy future we’re working toward.
Our Firm’s History
Jolt Energy was founded in 2014 by Dr. Thomas Guarr and Jack Johnson. Dr. Guarr is a Ph.D. chemist with over 30 years of experience designing robust organic materials for real-world applications—including self-dimming rearview mirrors for 10 million vehicles annually and electrochromic windows on Boeing 787 Dreamliners. Johnson is a mechanical engineer and former CEO of Volta Power Systems, where he scaled lithium-ion solutions for mobile energy, alongside overseeing gigafactory projections at Johnson Controls and holding multiple patents in battery systems.
Initially focused on shunts to prevent lithium-ion overcharging, the duo pivoted in 2019 upon discovering a pathway to groundbreaking organic battery technology, driven by the rising demand for low-cost, high-power, long-duration energy storage.
Headquartered at the MSU Bioeconomy Institute in West Michigan, Jolt has secured multiple seed rounds and a $4 million Series A in 2025 to fuel R&D breakthroughs. The team has patented a novel class of organic molecules, developing over 50 compounds that excel in fast charging, safety, and extreme conditions.
As Jolt explores diverse applications, the company is actively seeking strategic partners to co-develop commercialization pathways for these innovative materials across energy sectors.
Timeline
2015 – 16
Launch
- Initial concept
- Lab data
- IP Licensing
2017 – 2018
Technical Progress
- Lab space acquired
- Material screening
- Modeling
- Flow battery prototype
- Orcelle Award
2019
Business Development
- CRI Program
- I Corps
- Material testing
- Building team
2020 – 23
Material Testing & Development
- NREL GCxN testing
- Synthesis
- Durability testing
- Solubility
- Performance validation
2024 – 26
Commercialization
- Material synthesis
- Intermediate scale, multi-cell testing
- Durability validation
- Cost-to-scale analysis
Looking Ahead
The future of reliable, sustainable energy storage is full of potential. With the methods, technologies and chemistries currently available, the scientific community has made exceptional progress toward clean, reliable, affordable energy generation and storage. But our work isn’t done.
It’s our job to continue pushing the boundaries established by the researchers who came before us. With increasing extreme weather occurrences and shifting international relations, creating a future built on greater energy security is critical to the safety, comfort and wellbeing of communities across the US and around the globe.
Leadership Team
Thomas (Tom) Guarr
CTO & Cofounder
Tom has over 20 years of experience designing organic materials robust enough to meet the high demands of real-world applications. He earned his PhD in Chemistry from the University of Rochester, followed by postdoctoral studies at the California Institute of Technology.
He helped develop the chemistry that now forms the basis for millions of self-dimming rearview mirrors sold each year, as well as the electrochromic windows on all Boeing 787 Dreamliners. He currently holds over 75 US patents and co-founded Jolt Energy with a desire to revolutionize the field of electrical energy storage.
Before founding Jolt in 2014, Tom spent decades refining his research and development skills across states and organizations. He started his career as an associate professor at the University of Kentucky, establishing a research program and teaching graduate and undergraduate classes. Tom then spent nearly 18 years as the VP of Chemistry Research for Gentex, leading the company’s R&D. Presently, he’s spent nearly 14 years as the Director for both Research & Development and the Organic Energy Storage Laboratory at the Michigan State University Bioeconomy Institute.
Jack (JL) Johnson
CEO & Cofounder
Jack found his calling early in his 20+ year engineering career, specializing in lithium ion technology and nearly every process surrounding it. As a seasoned expert, he’s helped build US-based lithium ion infrastructure from the ground up. For the last decade he’s expanded his knowledge and expertise further into advanced energy through the potential of organics.
While he’s held different engineering positions throughout his career, Jack truly hit his stride during his time at Johnson Controls. During his 15-year tenure, Jack led the development of the world’s first large-format, high-volume lithium ion battery production facility in Holland, MI.
Jack co-founded Jolt Energy in 2014 to focus on improved lithium ion cell safety and operational control, eventually transitioning to exploring the potential of organics in energy storage applications. He also co-founded Volta Power Systems the same year to produce safe, powerful and simple lithium-ion energy storage solutions for small to midsize businesses in the RV, marine and specialty vehicle markets. In his time at Volta, Jack took on the role of COO, CEO, and CTO to accommodate evolving needs. He earned his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and BST in Automotive Technology from Pittsburg State University.
Research Team
Sharmilla Samaroo
Lab Director & Researcher
Sharmila joined Jolt after earning her Ph.D. in chemical engineering at Michigan State University. Prior to her current role, Sharmila served as a visiting scientist.
She also holds a bachelor’s from the University of Michigan in chemical engineering. Her previous work experience includes process engineering at an oil and gas refinery and R&D projects exploring energy storage technologies. Sharmila is excited about leveraging the unique combination of chemistry and engineering that is essential in achieving these sustainable, energy storage solutions.
Paulina Librizzi, PhD
Senior Research Scientist
Paulina is an accomplished scientist specializing in using Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) testing to measure battery performance. She brings over a decade of expertise to our cutting-edge battery materials technology research.
She earned her PhD in Materials Science from the University of Cambridge, her Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) in Chemical Engineering from the City College of New York: Macaulay Honors scholar.
Andrii Varenikov
Senior Research Chemist
Andrii joined Jolt to advance long-term performance of the company’s energy storage compounds.
Varenikov earned his Ph.D. in organic chemistry from the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology and holds his master’s and bachelor’s degrees in organic chemistry from Karazin Kharkiv National University in Ukraine. Before joining the Jolt team, Varenikov conducted research on the development of organic molecules for redox flow batteries at the University of Utah. Varenikov’s proficiency in structure-property optimization and ability to leverage data enhances Jolt’s capacity to innovate grid-scale organic energy solutions.
Madison Shaffer
Research Scientist II
Madison first fell in love with chemistry during her high school chemistry class, wanting to figure out how to make it part of her everyday life. This led her to enroll at Alma College, graduating from there with her BS in Chemistry.
After graduating, Shaffer began working as a research chemist at the MSU Bioeconomy Institute’s Organic Energy Storage Lab where she was introduced to the Jolt Energy team. During her time at the lab, Shaffer worked with the summer interns in addition to her regular laboratory duties. She supported students on their individual research projects, working with them to refine their skills in synthesis, instrumental analysis and general laboratory processes.
At Jolt, Shaffer works on optimizing pyridinium molecular designs. In particular, she’s interested in renewable energy sources and how pyridiniums can improve redox flow batteries for energy storage applications.
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Zachary Lincoln, Ph.D.
Senior Research Chemist
Zachary Lincoln joined Jolt after earning his Ph.D. in chemistry at the University of Notre Dame, where he conducted research on catalyst development and synthesis for earth-abundant olefin and hetero-ene metatheses.
He earned his B. S. from Alma College in chemistry, and his previous work includes research and development of organic compounds for energy storage applications. Zach is excited about supporting the research and development efforts of Jolt and contributing to the innovation of energy storage technology.
Justin Essing
Research Assistant
Justin has been interested in natural sciences since high school. He found his passion for chemistry when he attended Kalamazoo College, where he earned his BA in chemistry, a ACS certified field.
As part of his studies, Essing conducted research in a physical chemistry lab under the supervision of Dr. Cecilia Vollbrecht. He worked on optimizing a chemical reaction to yield highly reflective surfaces for use in optical cavities. This research was subsequently written into a senior thesis and presented at multiple conferences across West Michigan.
After graduating, Essing reached out to Jolt Energy seeking first-hand experience in green energy research.
Our Partnerships
