Investing in Innovation: How Battelle Uses Science for Public Good

Scientific innovation plays a critical role in addressing global challenges, from environmental contamination to the development of safer, more sustainable materials. But bridging the gap between research and real-world application remains a challenge for many organizations.

Battelle, a global leader in applied science and technology, is uniquely positioned to meet this challenge. With nearly a century of experience, Battelle conducts research, develops transformative technologies, and provides consulting and analytical services across industries. As a philanthropic trust, it reinvests its profits into internal research, STEM education, philanthropy, and scientific advancements—allowing it to focus on mission-driven impact rather than shareholder returns.

One area in which Battelle has made significant strides is sustainable chemistry and the management of emerging contaminants like PFAS. Leading this effort is Shalene Thomas, Battelle’s Emerging Contaminants Program Manager. With more than 27 years of experience in environmental consulting—including 18 years specializing in PFAS strategic management—she provides thought leadership and drives technology investments to address complex chemical challenges.

This year, Battelle is hosting the 2025 Change Chemistry Innovators Roundtable, a key industry event that brings together leaders from research, industry, and policy to collaborate on advancing sustainable chemistry solutions. As a Change Chemistry member, Battelle is committed to fostering cross-sector partnerships that drive meaningful transformation.

We spoke with Shalene to explore how Battelle is leveraging its expertise to advance sustainable chemistry, tackle PFAS challenges, and support industry-wide innovation through initiatives like the Innovators Roundtable.

Change Chemistry: Battelle seems to play a major role in science and technology across a range of industries, yet many people outside those fields have never heard of it. Why is that, and what sets Battelle apart from other research organizations?

Shalene: Battelle is a philanthropic trust built on a singular mission: to advance science and technology innovations for societal benefit. We are the largest independent non-profit organization globally to operate this way. We do work for clients and earn revenue, but any profit doesn’t go to shareholders—it goes back into additional and new research, STEM education, and other philanthropic activities. Our mission makes a big difference in how I feel about my work. I came into this field to help the environment, but knowing that the extra profits support science and education is critical for many of us at Battelle.

Battelle has three primary components: research and development, analytical laboratory services, and consulting. The backbone of our organization is R&D—we develop technology, but we often don’t own it. Instead, we create it, sell it to someone who commercializes it, and move on to the next innovation.

A fun fact: One of the early innovations that Battelle founded was the Xerox machine. Battelle helped to invent the UPC barcode that’s used on everything. We also invented the technology that supported cruise control. These are breakthroughs that have had decades of usefulness worldwide. But we do them quietly, spin them out for someone else to commercialize, and move on to the next problem. That’s what makes Battelle such a unique organization.

Change Chemistry: Battelle is known for its expertise in tackling complex chemical challenges. How is the organization applying that expertise to PFAS mitigation, both in reducing existing contamination and preventing future pollution?

Shalene: We’re investing in a lot of areas, all at different stages of research and development. One example is a project we presented at the 2024 Innovation Roundtable called GreenLoop, which addresses the challenges of textile waste, including PFAS in textiles. Many textiles contain PFAS, especially if they need to be waterproof. Part of the GreenLoop technology looks at how we remove PFAS so that we’re not just regenerating the same problem as we try to improve circularity. It’s a better, more sustainable way to break textiles down into elemental parts that can then feed back into the supply chain for reuse.

We have a great team of material scientists and AI experts developing databases that catalog material and chemical properties. This allows us to quickly identify safer alternatives for problematic chemicals like PFAS. If a company needs a chemical with specific functional properties, they can input those needs, and AI can generate a short list of viable alternatives. This is much more efficient than trial-and-error R&D and helps industries struggling to find replacements for essential-use chemicals.

Another exciting area is measurement tools. Regulations are requiring companies to understand what’s in their products, but traditional lab analysis can take weeks and cost a lot. We’re working on faster, cheaper screening tools that can provide quick answers without needing full-scale laboratory testing.

Change Chemistry: How has the demand for PFAS-related research and solutions evolved in response to regulatory, industry, and public pressures?

Shalene: Initially, regulations focused on cleanup criteria—how do we get PFAS out of the environment? As awareness grew, the focus shifted upstream to preventing PFAS in products in the first place.

Regulations in the U.S. tend to be reactive rather than proactive. Now, litigation has become a major driver. Companies are being sued over product claims, environmental releases, and natural resource damages, so they’re feeling pressure beyond just regulatory compliance.

Change Chemistry: Do you feel hopeful about where this work is heading?

Shalene: Absolutely. One of the things that excites me about Battelle is its ability to pivot quickly. Unlike in publicly traded companies, if we see a need, we can invest in it immediately.

One example is the PFAS Annihilator, a first-to-market destruction technology that fully breaks down PFAS instead of just removing them. It was developed and spun off to a company called Revive Environmental which is already securing contracts with states for the safe destruction of firefighting foam contaminated with PFAS.

Change Chemistry: Battelle has been a Change Chemistry member for about a year. What drove that decision?

Shalene: I saw Change Chemistry as a perfect alignment with Battelle’s mission. They bring together manufacturers, retailers, and other stakeholders to drive systemic change.

One major challenge in sustainable chemistry is what I call the “valley of death”—the gap between academic research and full commercialization. Battelle is uniquely positioned to bridge that gap, supporting innovators with the technical resources they need to advance their technologies.

We’ve built relationships with several innovators since joining, many of whom are working to gain traction in their industries. On the other end of the spectrum, we’ve also spoken with national retailers who are not only selling products but also developing their own, meaning they need to deeply understand regulatory and sustainability requirements.

Change Chemistry: Why did Battelle decide to host this year’s Innovators Roundtable, and what makes this event significant for your organization and its future direction?

Shalene: We wanted to showcase how we can support the full spectrum of industry needs and strengthen our connections across sectors. Many people either haven’t heard of us or don’t fully understand what we do, so hosting this event is an opportunity to change that perception and demonstrate how we bridge the gap between research and real-world application.

The Innovators Roundtable brings together key stakeholders who are shaping the future of sustainable chemistry, and we see this as a platform to share our expertise and learn from others. We’ve traditionally worked closely with federal agencies like the Department of Defense, EPA, and CDC, but as we expand our philanthropic and commercial work, this event allows us to connect with a broader range of partners driving sustainable solutions in industry and state-level initiatives.

Beyond the broader strategic goals, I’m excited about showcasing Battelle’s capabilities in ways many people haven’t seen before. When I first joined, I was amazed at our laboratory and supporting facilities, which do things no one else in the world can do in terms of analysis and fabrication. We won’t be able to do full tours of all of our facilities on campus during the event, but we are designing exhibits that highlight some of the groundbreaking research and technology that sets Battelle apart. This is a chance to give attendees a closer look at how we apply science to solve real-world problems.