Through established relationships with universities, research institutions, government agencies and start-up companies, we strive to identify technologies and business opportunities on the leading edge of innovation that have the potential of serving significant and unmet market needs.
Once a technology has been identified, we fund the research and development activities relating to the technology with the intention of ultimately, if warranted, licensing, commercializing and marketing the subject technology, either through internal resources, collaborative agreements or otherwise.
Unique to our business model is the use of established research infrastructure owned by the various organizations we deal with, saving us significant capital which would otherwise be required for such things as land and building acquisition, equipment and furniture purchases, and other incidental start up costs. As a result, we are able to conduct leading edge research in development.
Among our current research and development activities is the development of a patent-pending technology that could adapt existing home and office glass windows into ones capable of generating electricity from solar energy without losing significant transparency or requiring major changes in manufacturing infrastructure. We are also developing a system to harness the kinetic energy of vehicles in motion as part of a broader effort to enhance the sustainability and energy efficiency of transportation infrastructures and systems.
Our Team: Board of Directors
Mr. Nicholas S. Cucinelli - President & CEO
Mr. Nicholas S. Cucinelli brings extensive experience in renewable energy entrepreneurship, clean energy technologies, sustainable finance, and enterprise leadership. Mr. Cucinelli’s most recent tenure was with Energy Conversion Devices (ENER), a billion dollar leader in the synthesis of new materials, and the development of advanced production technology and innovative alternative energy products and solutions in the solar electric power generation segment.
Mr. Cucinelli also acted as Advanced Biofuels Consultant to the Future Fuels Team at BP plc, one of the world’s largest private sector energy corporations and one of the six “supermajors,” and launched DuraPower LLC, working to integrate a portable military solid-oxide fuel cell technology into a mainstream consumer product.
Mr. Nicholas S. Cucinelli has a Bachelor of Science (with high honors) from the U.S. Coast Guard academy and holds two advanced degrees through the University of Michigan’s Erb Institute for Global Sustainable Enterprise: a Master's degree in Business Administration (MBA) from the Ross School of Business, and a Master of Science degree in Natural Resources and Environment. Prior to entering the renewable energy field, Mr. Cucinelli meritoriously served 16 years in the United States Coast Guard and Coast Guard Reserve, eventually reaching the rank of Lieutenant Commander.
Dr. Alastair K. Livesey, PhD - Director
Alastair K. Livesey, PhD, is a respected scientist and former business leader with Royal Dutch Shell plc and Energy Conversion Devices, Inc. (ENER), and a highly experienced expert in the renewable, alternative, and conventional energy fields. In addition to his specific technical expertise in solar photovoltaics and related sustainable energy systems, Dr. Livesey brings extensive experience in materials science, protein crystallography, molecular biology, x-rays, neutron/EXAFS scattering for material property identification, hydrogen storage, fuel cells, and NiMH rechargeable batteries. Dr. Livesey also has experience in geological seismic interpretation, engine and vehicle testing, and alternative and conventional hydrocarbon-based fuels.
Dr. Livesey is currently a consultant in the renewable energy field and the former Executive Manager of New Business Development and Strategic Planning at Energy Conversion Devices, Inc. During his tenure at ECD, Dr. Livesey conducted financial evaluations and prioritization of solar research and development projects, conducted strategic studies of photovoltaic manufacturing expansion options, designed budgetary controls for multiple
$60 million-plus capital building projects, and participated in efforts to raise $350 million by public stock offering. Dr. Livesey also served as Director of Business Development and Architecture Design for the developmental Cognitive Computer program and as Director of the Hydrogen Energy Systems business unit during his six years with the company.
Dr. Alastair K. Livesey holds a PhD in Experimental Physics (Amorphous Materials, Physics, Metallurgy, and Materials Science) from the Cavendish Laboratory of Physics at Cambridge University, an MA degree in Science, and a BA degree in Crystallography, Physics, Chemistry, and Math.
Dr. Thomas N. Gladwin, PhD, MBA - Director
Professor Thomas N. Gladwin, PhD, MBA, is the Max McGraw Professor of Sustainable Enterprise and Co-Director of the Erb Institute for Global Sustainable Enterprise at The University of Michigan, jointly appointed in the University’s Stephen M.Ross School of Business and the School of Natural Resources and Environment. He co-directs the University’s “Sustainable Mobility and Accessibility Research & Transformation” [SMART] Project, and also serves as a Core Faculty Member in the HRH The Prince of Wales's Business & the Environment Programme, directing its Senior Executives' Seminars in the US.
Complementing his role in guiding Octillion, Dr. Gladwin serves on the Board of The Sustainable Energy Institute, a Washington DC-based organization committed to improving worldwide understanding of future energy supply and demand options and their implications, with a focus on technological solutions to a cleaner energy future. He also currently serves on the Board of Directors or Councils of SustainAbility Ltd., The Southeast Michigan Sustainable Business Forum, and Trillium Asset Management, the oldest and largest independent investment management firm dedicated solely to socially responsible investing.
Dr. Gladwin holds both an MBA (with distinction) and a PhD in International Business & Natural Resource Policy from the University of Michigan, and has published extensively—more than 140 publications and eight books—on corporate strategy, environmental sustainability, and economic globalization.
Mr. Harmel S. Rayat - Director
Mr. Rayat brings over 20 years of experience in the venture capital and corporate finance industry to Octillion Corp., and is credited with founding numerous companies based on novel, emerging technologies with broad commercial applications.
A well-established venture capitalist, Mr. Harmel S. Rayat's wide investment portfolio ranges from commercial real estate to cutting-edge technology-centric companies, including a Princeton, NJ-based biopharmaceutical company developing entirely new classes of novel compounds for the treatment of cancer, a Boston, MA-based biotechnology company working towards a first-of-its-kind bioartificial liver device intended for the treatment of liver failure and a renewable fuels company developing leading edge technologies for the production of biofuels derived directly from the photosynthesis of green microalgae.
Mr. Rayat serves as President of Montgomery Asset Management Corporation, a privately held firm providing financial consulting services to emerging growth corporations, and has served in numerous capacities on Octillion Corp.’s Board of Directors.
