MBAK Taps Nobel-Affiliated Expert for Advanced Battery Push

WILMINGTON, NC – January 14, 2026 – MBAK Energy Solutions, Inc. (OTC:MBAK) has signaled a significant strategic acceleration in the competitive energy storage sector by nominating Dr. Konda Shiva, a distinguished scientist and entrepreneur in battery technology, to its board of directors. The move is widely seen as an effort to infuse the company with top-tier scientific leadership as it navigates the complex and rapidly evolving landscape of advanced battery chemistries.

Dr. Shiva is not just another executive appointment. With a background that includes post-doctoral research alongside Nobel Laureate Professor John Goodenough—a foundational figure in the development of the lithium-ion battery—he brings a legacy of deep scientific inquiry. His portfolio, which includes eight patents and a dozen peer-reviewed publications, underscores a career dedicated to pushing the boundaries of electrical energy storage. This nomination positions MBAK to potentially fast-track its development in lithium, sodium, and solid-state batteries, the three pillars of next-generation energy solutions.

A Power Play in Scientific Expertise

The appointment aims to bridge the critical gap between laboratory discovery and commercial viability. Dr. Shiva’s experience embodies this transition. Following his academic work at the University of Texas, he moved to a practical, high-stakes environment at Nissan’s Battery Research and Development Center in Chennai, India. This dual background in both pure research and industrial application is a rare and valuable asset in the battery industry, where theoretical breakthroughs often struggle to become scalable products.

As the founder and CEO of AACCENOS Solutions Pvt. Ltd., Dr. Shiva has already demonstrated his ability to lead strategic initiatives in fast charging and energy innovation for both electric vehicles and grid-scale applications. His passion, as noted in the company's announcement, is for “translating cutting edge scientific research into commercially viable, scalable industrial solutions.” For MBAK, a company operating on the OTC market and facing giant, well-capitalized competitors, harnessing such expertise could be a game-changer. His role as an independent director suggests his primary function will be to provide unbiased, expert guidance on the company’s technological roadmap and strategic investments in R&D.

Targeting New Frontiers: The Middle East Energy Boom

The nomination also brings a sharp focus to a specific and lucrative geographic target: the Middle East. The press release explicitly highlights Dr. Shiva’s potential to leverage the region's rapidly expanding need for grid-scale electricity. This isn't speculative; it's a reflection of a massive economic and energy transition already underway.

Nations across the Middle East, particularly Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, are pouring billions into diversifying their economies away from fossil fuels. This has resulted in the development of some of the world's largest solar and wind power projects. However, the intermittent nature of these renewable sources creates a critical demand for massive energy storage solutions to ensure grid stability and provide power around the clock. Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) are the leading solution, and Dr. Shiva's expertise in grid-scale applications directly addresses this burgeoning market.

Parallel to this green energy shift is a digital boom. The Middle East is rapidly becoming a global hub for data centers, driven by cloud computing adoption and digital transformation initiatives. These facilities are incredibly power-hungry and demand a constant, reliable energy supply. Increasingly, they are also under pressure to source that power from sustainable sources. This confluence of green energy production and high-tech energy consumption creates a perfect storm of opportunity for companies specializing in advanced battery storage. Dr. Shiva's appointment is a clear signal that MBAK intends to be a player in this high-growth arena.

Navigating a Diverse and Competitive Battery Landscape

MBAK’s stated focus on a multi-chemistry portfolio of lithium, sodium, and solid-state batteries is ambitious. Dr. Shiva's guidance will be crucial in navigating this technologically diverse and intensely competitive field.

The lithium-ion battery remains the dominant technology, powering everything from smartphones to electric vehicles. However, MBAK faces formidable competition from established giants like CATL, LG Energy Solution, and Panasonic, who command a massive market share and have enormous R&D budgets. To compete, smaller players like MBAK must innovate in niche applications or develop next-generation improvements.

This is where sodium-ion and solid-state technologies become critical. Sodium-ion batteries are emerging as a strong contender for stationary grid storage, the very application booming in the Middle East. Built with abundant and inexpensive materials like sodium, they offer a cost-effective and safer alternative to lithium-ion for large-scale use. While major players like CATL are also developing sodium-ion, the technology is new enough that agile companies can still carve out a significant market share.

Meanwhile, solid-state batteries are considered the industry's holy grail. By replacing the liquid electrolyte in current batteries with a solid material, they promise a leap forward in energy density, charging speed, and safety. The race to commercialize solid-state technology is fierce, with companies like QuantumScape, Solid Power, and automotive titan Toyota investing billions. For MBAK, a successful solid-state program could provide a powerful long-term competitive advantage. Dr. Shiva's deep materials science background will be invaluable in helping the company navigate the immense technical challenges and place its bets wisely in this high-risk, high-reward segment.

By bringing Dr. Konda Shiva aboard, MBAK Energy Solutions is not just adding a name to its board; it is making a clear statement about its future. The company is betting that world-class scientific expertise, directed at the right market opportunities and technological frontiers, can propel it from a small-cap player into a significant force in the global energy transition.