Hardware to Save a Planet

In this episode of Hardware to Save a Planet, host Dylan Garrett sits down with Johanna Wolfson, Co-founder and General Partner at Azolla Ventures, about the critical role of catalytic capital in scaling hardware climate solutions. Johanna explains why traditional VC models often fail to support breakthrough technologies and how Azolla's mission-driven approach helps tackle high-risk projects aimed at cutting super pollutants. Whether you're a founder or climate enthusiast, this episode sheds light on financing innovation that can deliver an outsized climate impact.What you will learn:How catalytic capital differs from traditional venture funding Why 20-30% of the technologies needed to hit emission targets by 2040 will come from technologies not yet commercially availableThe investment strategy behind supporting "non-obvious" opportunities How climate tech companies should adapt to current market and political uncertaintiesWhy adaptation and resilience technologies are becoming increasingly important How philanthropic capital can be leveraged to support high-risk, high-impact solutions Why focusing on super pollutants represents a critical opportunity for near-term impact Johanna Wolfson is a Co-founder and General Partner at Azolla Ventures, a venture fund focused on investing in early-stage hardware companies with gigaton-scale emissions reduction potential by 2050. With a PhD in Physical Chemistry from MIT and experience at the Department of Energy, she specializes in eliminating barriers to commercialization for capital-intensive climate technologies. Her innovative approach to "catalytic capital" deployment enables support for high-impact climate solutions that may be too risky or long-term for traditional venture funding. As a leader in climate tech investment, Johanna sits on the boards of several companies in carbon removal, agriculture, and mining, where she helps bridge the gap between breakthrough technologies and market implementation. Her work at Azolla Ventures demonstrates how strategic investment can accelerate the development of crucial climate solutions while maintaining both environmental impact and financial viability.Episode ResourceJohanna Wolfson on LinkedInAzolla Ventures WebsiteDylan Garrett on LinkedInSynapse WebsiteHardware to Save a Planet Apple PodcastsHardware to Save a Planet SpotifyHardware to Save a Planet is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.soIf you are interested in sponsoring Hardware to Save a Planet, please see our sponsorship offer here.Previous guests include: Peter Reinhardt of Charm Industrial, Carlos Araque of Quaise, Noah McQueen of Heirloom, Areeb Malik of Glacier, Jeff Satwicz of Bigbelly, Abe Schneider of Natel Energy, Insiya Jafferjee of Shellworks, Paul Gross of Remora, Erika Boeing of Accelerate Wind and Daniel Betts of Blue Frontier.Check out our three most downloaded episodes:Going Big on Clean Energy with Small Fusion Reactors with Robin Langtry, Co-Founder and CEO of Avalanche EnergyThe Role of Energy Storage Systems in Combating Climate Change with Mike Wietecki of Powin and John Thomas of ESSMarine Electrification to Reduce Costs and Environmental Damage: A Conversation with Marcelino Alvarez, CEO of Photon MarineIf you have an interesting hardware solution to the climate crisis and would like the opportunity to share this with our audience, please complete this Guest Application form: https://fame.so/syn

In this episode of Hardware to Save a Planet, host Dylan Garrett sits down with Jason Chua, Chief Product Officer at Range Energy, about a breakthrough in sustainable trucking. Discover how Range's electrified trailer retrofit cuts emissions by up to 70%, without replacing existing trucks. Jason shares how this smart, cost-effective solution helps fleets reduce fuel costs, extend electric range, and meet climate goals today. Learn why retrofitting trailers may be the fastest path to decarbonizing the trucking industry.What you will learn:How Range's trailer electrification system achieves 70% emissions reduction Why retrofitting existing trailers is a faster path to decarbonization The technical breakthrough of trailer-based propulsion How electrified trailers can extend the range of electric trucks from 70 to 280 milesWhy the 3-5 year payback period makes the technology commercially viable todayHow Range's partnership approach with industry incumbents accelerates adoptionThe role of smart sensors and controls in making the system "plug and play" for fleetsWhy refrigerated trucking represents a prime early market for trailer electrificationHow Range's solution helps fleets meet both sustainability and operational goalsThe importance of designing climate solutions that work within existing constraintsJason Chua is the Chief Product Officer at Range Energy, where he leads the development of electrification solutions to decarbonize the trucking industry. A seasoned product and strategy executive, he co-founded Universal Hydrogen and previously led hybrid-electric aircraft initiatives at United Technologies and Airbus. Jason’s work spans startups, Fortune 50s, and academia, with award-winning innovations including Google’s Project Ara. He focuses on human-centered design and brings a practical, cross-disciplinary approach to building sustainable technologies with real-world impact.Episode ResourceJason Chua on LinkedInRange Energy WebsiteDylan Garrett on LinkedInSynapse WebsiteHardware to Save a Planet Apple PodcastsHardware to Save a Planet SpotifyHardware to Save a Planet is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.soIf you are interested in sponsoring Hardware to Save a Planet, please see our sponsorship offer here.Previous guests include: Peter Reinhardt of Charm Industrial, Carlos Araque of Quaise, Noah McQueen of Heirloom, Areeb Malik of Glacier, Jeff Satwicz of Bigbelly, Abe Schneider of Natel Energy, Insiya Jafferjee of Shellworks, Paul Gross of Remora, Erika Boeing of Accelerate Wind and Daniel Betts of Blue Frontier.Check out our three most downloaded episodes:Going Big on Clean Energy with Small Fusion Reactors with Robin Langtry, Co-Founder and CEO of Avalanche EnergyThe Role of Energy Storage Systems in Combating Climate Change with Mike Wietecki of Powin and John Thomas of ESSMarine Electrification to Reduce Costs and Environmental Damage: A Conversation with Marcelino Alvarez, CEO of Photon MarineIf you have an interesting hardware solution to the climate crisis and would like the opportunity to share this with our audience, please complete this Guest Application form: https://fame.so/syn

What if highly contaminated land could be safely and efficiently restored for productive use?In this episode of Hardware to Save a Planet, host Dylan Garrett talks with Randol Aikin, founder of Remedy Scientific, about revolutionizing land remediation. With over 500,000 contaminated sites across the U.S., Aikin explains how robotics, AI, and containerized systems are accelerating the cleanup of toxic “forever chemicals.” This innovative approach not only enables faster, localized treatment but also unlocks critical land for housing and infrastructure, proving that development and environmental protection can go hand in hand.What you will learn:Why contaminated land is a critical bottleneck for housing and infrastructureHow Remedy's solution can process contaminated soil in hours instead of yearsThe science behind breaking down "forever chemicals" Why focusing on highly contaminated "hot spots" is more effective How advanced sensing technology is revolutionizing soil contamination detection The business opportunity in transforming site-specific remediation projects Why cleaning up contaminated sites could significantly reduce future PFAS exposureHow technology can resolve the false compromise between rapid development and environmental protectionRandol Aikin is a career technologist and founder of Remedy Scientific, a company pioneering scalable, tech-driven solutions for environmental contamination. With a PhD in Physics from Caltech, Randol has applied his expertise across diverse fields, from remote sensing for disaster relief to autonomous vehicles at Uber, Ike, and Apple’s special projects group. Passionate about cross-industry innovation, he focuses on using AI, sensing, and robotics to tackle land remediation, bringing a systems-thinking approach to one of the planet’s most urgent challenges.Episode ResourceRandol Aikin on LinkedInRemedy Scientific WebsiteDylan Garrett on LinkedInSynapse WebsiteHardware to Save a Planet Apple PodcastsHardware to Save a Planet SpotifyHardware to Save a Planet is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.soIf you are interested in sponsoring Hardware to Save a Planet, please see our sponsorship offer here.Previous guests include: Peter Reinhardt of Charm Industrial, Carlos Araque of Quaise, Noah McQueen of Heirloom, Areeb Malik of Glacier, Jeff Satwicz of Bigbelly, Abe Schneider of Natel Energy, Insiya Jafferjee of Shellworks, Paul Gross of Remora, Erika Boeing of Accelerate Wind and Daniel Betts of Blue Frontier.Check out our three most downloaded episodes:Going Big on Clean Energy with Small Fusion Reactors with Robin Langtry, Co-Founder and CEO of Avalanche EnergyThe Role of Energy Storage Systems in Combating Climate Change with Mike Wietecki of Powin and John Thomas of ESSMarine Electrification to Reduce Costs and Environmental Damage: A Conversation with Marcelino Alvarez, CEO of Photon MarineIf you have an interesting hardware solution to the climate crisis and would like the opportunity to share this with our audience, please complete this Guest Application form: https://fame.so/syn

In this episode of Hardware to Save a Planet, host Dylan Garrett talks with Cole Ashman, CEO and founder of Pila Energy, about how his company is making home energy resilience affordable and accessible. Their innovative mesh battery system provides backup power during outages, enhances solar energy usage, and supports grid stability, all at a fraction of the cost of traditional home systems. Whether you rent or own, discover how smart, distributed batteries could reshape our homes and contribute to a cleaner, more reliable energy future.What you will learn:How distributed mesh batteries provide 10x more grid storage capacity than current solutionsWhy Hurricane Katrina inspired a mission to revolutionize home energy resilienceThe "Maslow's Hierarchy" framework for climate tech adoptionHow plug-and-play battery solutions remove traditional barriers to home energy Why distributed small batteries could be more valuable than large grid-scale storageHow mesh-connected batteries enable smart energy management The future vision of embedding battery storage in everyday appliancesWhy local climate action and community-level solutions are driving meaningful changeHow renters and apartment dwellers can finally access home energy storage benefitsThe critical balance between solving immediate user needs and broader climate impactCole Ashman is the CEO and Founder of Pila Energy, a pioneering company developing innovative mesh home battery solutions. With a background in both chemical and mechanical engineering, Cole has dedicated his career to advancing residential energy resilience, having previously held key positions at Tesla, where he worked on Powerwall, and at Span, where he developed smart electrical panels. His experience with Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans sparked a lasting commitment to improving infrastructure resilience, leading him to found Pela Energy in 2023. Under Cole's leadership, Pila Energy is revolutionizing home energy storage with its 1.6 kilowatt-hour distributed battery system, making energy resilience more accessible and affordable for homeowners and renters alike. Episode ResourceCole Ashman on LinkedInPila Energy WebsiteDylan Garrett on LinkedInSynapse WebsiteHardware to Save a Planet Apple PodcastsHardware to Save a Planet SpotifyHardware to Save a Planet is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.soIf you are interested in sponsoring Hardware to Save a Planet, please see our sponsorship offer here.Previous guests include: Peter Reinhardt of Charm Industrial, Carlos Araque of Quaise, Noah McQueen of Heirloom, Areeb Malik of Glacier, Jeff Satwicz of Bigbelly, Abe Schneider of Natel Energy, Insiya Jafferjee of Shellworks, Paul Gross of Remora, Erika Boeing of Accelerate Wind and Daniel Betts of Blue Frontier.Check out our three most downloaded episodes:Going Big on Clean Energy with Small Fusion Reactors with Robin Langtry, Co-Founder and CEO of Avalanche EnergyThe Role of Energy Storage Systems in Combating Climate Change with Mike Wietecki of Powin and John Thomas of ESSMarine Electrification to Reduce Costs and Environmental Damage: A Conversation with Marcelino Alvarez, CEO of Photon MarineIf you have an interesting hardware solution to the climate crisis and would like the opportunity to share this with our audience, please complete this Guest Application form: https://fame.so/syn

In this episode of Hardware to Save a Planet, host Dylan Garrett talks with Nehali Jain, Chief of Staff at Antora, a company on a mission to decarbonize heavy industry with thermal batteries. They explore how renewable electricity can be stored as heat in carbon blocks reaching 2,400°C—cheaper and more scalable than fossil fuels. Learn how this breakthrough tackles industrial emissions, supports grid reliability, and offers a practical path to gigaton-scale CO2 reduction through modular, cost-effective energy storage.What you will learn:How thermal batteries can store renewable energy at temperatures up to 2,400°C Why industrial heat storage is an overlooked solution for decarbonizing heavy industries The economics of thermal energy storage vs. traditional fossil fuel How modular design principles enable rapid scaling and cost reduction Thermal battery deployment to achieve gigaton-scale carbon emissions reduction Why the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy storage is becoming increasingly market-driven rather than policy-dependentNehali Jain is the Chief of Staff at Antora Energy, where she leads fundraising and strategic growth initiatives. With a background in chemical engineering and experience at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, she has shaped climate strategy across multiple ventures, including Form Energy, Burdox, and Prawn in carbon removal. Her expertise in energy storage and industrial decarbonization, combined with her experience across climate tech startups and investment with Mission One Capital, offers a valuable perspective on scaling solutions to reduce industrial emissions, which comprise approximately 25% of global carbon emissions. Under her leadership, Antora is working toward a gigaton-scale carbon impact by deploying its modular thermal storage systems.Episode ResourceNehali Jain on LinkedInAntora WebsiteDylan Garrett on LinkedInSynapse WebsiteHardware to Save a Planet Apple PodcastsHardware to Save a Planet SpotifyHardware to Save a Planet is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.soIf you are interested in sponsoring Hardware to Save a Planet, please see our sponsorship offer here.Previous guests include: Peter Reinhardt of Charm Industrial, Carlos Araque of Quaise, Noah McQueen of Heirloom, Areeb Malik of Glacier, Jeff Satwicz of Bigbelly, Abe Schneider of Natel Energy, Insiya Jafferjee of Shellworks, Paul Gross of Remora, Erika Boeing of Accelerate Wind and Daniel Betts of Blue Frontier.Check out our three most downloaded episodes:Going Big on Clean Energy with Small Fusion Reactors with Robin Langtry, Co-Founder and CEO of Avalanche EnergyThe Role of Energy Storage Systems in Combating Climate Change with Mike Wietecki of Powin and John Thomas of ESSMarine Electrification to Reduce Costs and Environmental Damage: A Conversation with Marcelino Alvarez, CEO of Photon MarineIf you have an interesting hardware solution to the climate crisis and would like the opportunity to share this with our audience, please complete this Guest Application form: https://fame.so/syn

In this episode of Hardware to Save a Planet, host Dylan Garrett talks with Scott Mercer, Founder and CEO of Focused Energy,  about the future of nuclear fusion. They explore how laser-driven fusion, inspired by breakthroughs at Lawrence Livermore Labs, could offer limitless clean power by the 2030s. From physics to commercialization, Mercer shares how Focused Energy plans to bring fusion to the grid—and why this could be a game-changer for climate tech and global energy.What you will learn:How fusion energy worksThe laser-driven process that compresses deuterium-tritium fuelFocused Energy's approach, which builds upon the successful ignition achieved at Lawrence Livermore National Labs in 2022The key engineering challengesHow fusion energy could transform global energy systems and address climate changeScott Mercer is the CEO of Focused Energy, a pioneering company developing commercial nuclear fusion technology for energy generation. With a remarkable background in clean technology, he previously founded and led Volta, an EV charging company, for 13 years before its acquisition by Shell. Under his leadership, Focused Energy has raised over $175 million and is advancing laser-driven fusion technology similar to what achieved ignition at Lawrence Livermore National Labs. Scott brings unique expertise in scaling complex infrastructure projects and transitioning scientific breakthroughs into commercial applications. His vision for fusion energy as the ultimate solution for clean, abundant power generation, combined with his experience in building successful clean technology companies, positions him as a leading voice in the future of sustainable energy infrastructure.Episode ResourcesScott Mercer on LinkedInFocused Energy WebsiteDylan Garrett on LinkedInSynapse WebsiteHardware to Save a Planet Apple PodcastsHardware to Save a Planet SpotifyHardware to Save a Planet is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.soIf you are interested in sponsoring Hardware to Save a Planet, please see our sponsorship offer here.Previous guests include: Peter Reinhardt of Charm Industrial, Carlos Araque of Quaise, Noah McQueen of Heirloom, Areeb Malik of Glacier, Jeff Satwicz of Bigbelly, Abe Schneider of Natel Energy, Insiya Jafferjee of Shellworks, Paul Gross of Remora, Erika Boeing of Accelerate Wind and Daniel Betts of Blue Frontier.Check out our three most downloaded episodes:Going Big on Clean Energy with Small Fusion Reactors with Robin Langtry, Co-Founder and CEO of Avalanche EnergyThe Role of Energy Storage Systems in Combating Climate Change with Mike Wietecki of Powin and John Thomas of ESSMarine Electrification to Reduce Costs and Environmental Damage: A Conversation with Marcelino Alvarez, CEO of Photon MarineIf you have an interesting hardware solution to the climate crisis and would like the opportunity to share this with our audience, please complete this Guest Application form: https://fame.so/syn

In this episode of Hardware to Save a Planet, host Dylan Garrett talks with Greg Williams, VP of Product at Sublime Systems, about their groundbreaking low-carbon cement. They discuss how Sublime’s electrochemical process eliminates fossil fuel kilns and limestone-derived emissions, tackling 8% of global CO2 output. Greg shares insights on scaling their technology, industry partnerships, and the path to making sustainable cement the new standard.What you’ll learn:Greg's Journey to Decarbonizing CementThe Basics of the Cement vs. Concrete DebateWhy Cement Production is So Emissions-HeavyHow Sublime's Solution Decarbonizes Cement ProductionMore about the Scaling Journey From Pilot Plant to Commercial ProductionThe Value of Strategic Partnerships: Collaborating with Industry LeadersThe Book & Claim Model and How Microsoft is Supporting Green CementGreg Williams is the VP of Product at Sublime Systems and an accomplished product leader with over 15 years of experience driving hardware and software innovation across startups and public companies. Now focused on climate solutions, he brings a multidisciplinary approach to problem-solving, rapid learning, and clear communication. Greg excels at identifying market opportunities, as demonstrated in his leadership at a robotics AI startup, where he spearheaded a strategic pivot that led to a successful acquisition. Passionate about mentoring and impact-driven innovation, he is dedicated to developing technologies that address the climate crisis.Episode ResourceGreg Williams on LinkedInSublime Systems WebsiteSublime Systems Project ImageDylan Garrett on LinkedInSynapse WebsiteHardware to Save a Planet Apple PodcastsHardware to Save a Planet SpotifyHardware to Save a Planet is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.soIf you are interested in sponsoring Hardware to Save a Planet, please see our sponsorship offer here.Previous guests include: Peter Reinhardt of Charm Industrial, Carlos Araque of Quaise, Noah McQueen of Heirloom, Areeb Malik of Glacier, Jeff Satwicz of Bigbelly, Abe Schneider of Natel Energy, Insiya Jafferjee of Shellworks, Paul Gross of Remora, Erika Boeing of Accelerate Wind and Daniel Betts of Blue Frontier.Check out our three most downloaded episodes:Going Big on Clean Energy with Small Fusion Reactors with Robin Langtry, Co-Founder and CEO of Avalanche EnergyThe Role of Energy Storage Systems in Combating Climate Change with Mike Wietecki of Powin and John Thomas of ESSMarine Electrification to Reduce Costs and Environmental Damage: A Conversation with Marcelino Alvarez, CEO of Photon MarineIf you have an interesting hardware solution to the climate crisis and would like the opportunity to share this with our audience, please complete this Guest Application form: https://fame.so/syn

In this episode of Hardware to Save a Planet, host Dylan Garrett talks with Luke Iseman, founder of Make Sunsets, about tackling climate change through stratospheric aerosol injection. They explore the challenges of scaling hardware solutions, the urgency of immediate climate action, and the ethical debates around geoengineering. Luke shares his vision for using sulfur dioxide balloons to cool the planet, sparking a thought-provoking discussion on innovation and sustainability.Luke Iseman founded Make Sunsets, a pioneering company dedicated to combating climate change through stratospheric aerosol injection. With a background as a hardware startup veteran and former director of hardware at Y Combinator, Luke has a wealth of experience in launching innovative hardware solutions across various sectors, including precision agriculture and affordable housing. His current venture aims to cool the Earth by releasing sulfur dioxide into the stratosphere, a process inspired by natural volcanic eruptions that have historically led to global cooling.Luke's work is particularly relevant in the context of the need for urgent climate action and he seeks to respond rapidly to the escalating effects of climate change. Notably, he has successfully engaged over 700 customers, generating significant interest in his cooling credits, which offer a tangible way for individuals and organizations to contribute to climate solutions.Episode ResourcesLuke Iseman on LinkedInMake Sunsets WebsiteDylan Garrett on LinkedInSynapse WebsiteHardware to Save a Planet Apple PodcastsHardware to Save a Planet SpotifyHardware to Save a Planet is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.soIf you are interested in sponsoring Hardware to Save a Planet, please see our sponsorship offer here.Previous guests include: Peter Reinhardt of Charm Industrial, Carlos Araque of Quaise, Noah McQueen of Heirloom, Areeb Malik of Glacier, Jeff Satwicz of Bigbelly, Abe Schneider of Natel Energy, Insiya Jafferjee of Shellworks, Paul Gross of Remora, Erika Boeing of Accelerate Wind and Daniel Betts of Blue Frontier.Check out our three most downloaded episodes:Going Big on Clean Energy with Small Fusion Reactors with Robin Langtry, Co-Founder and CEO of Avalanche EnergyThe Role of Energy Storage Systems in Combating Climate Change with Mike Wietecki of Powin and John Thomas of ESSMarine Electrification to Reduce Costs and Environmental Damage: A Conversation with Marcelino Alvarez, CEO of Photon MarineIf you have an interesting hardware solution to the climate crisis and would like the opportunity to share this with our audience, please complete this Guest Application form: https://fame.so/syn

Curtis VanWalleghem, Co-Founder and CEO of Hydrostor, shares his journey from management consulting to pioneering compressed air energy storage. He explains how this innovative approach can stabilize renewable energy grids, providing a cost-effective alternative to lithium-ion batteries. The conversation covers engineering breakthroughs, site requirements, and operational strategies for autonomous energy plants. Curtis also discusses the future of energy storage and the vital policies needed to support renewable integration, offering a hopeful perspective on climate change activism.

In this episode of Hardware to Save a Planet, host Dylan Garrett interviews Allan Adams, founder and CEO of Aquatic Labs, about revolutionizing ocean measurement technology. Allan shares his journey from theoretical physics professor to climate tech innovator, inspired by the urgent need to protect marine ecosystems. They discuss Aquatic Labs’ innovative alkalinity sensor, which offers scalable, real-time measurement of seawater chemistry to help address challenges in ocean-based carbon dioxide removal (CDR). The episode highlights the potential for better ocean data to transform carbon markets, advance climate solutions, and foster sustainable innovation in oceanography by combining cutting-edge technology with entrepreneurial vision.Episode ResourceAllan Adams on LinkedInAquatic Labs WebsiteAquatic Labs CareersAllan’s Medium PostDylan Garrett on LinkedInSynapse WebsiteHardware to Save a Planet Apple PodcastsHardware to Save a Planet SpotifyHardware to Save a Planet is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.soIf you are interested in sponsoring Hardware to Save a Planet, please see our sponsorship offer here.Previous guests include: Peter Reinhardt of Charm Industrial, Carlos Araque of Quaise, Noah McQueen of Heirloom, Areeb Malik of Glacier, Jeff Satwicz of Bigbelly, Abe Schneider of Natel Energy, Insiya Jafferjee of Shellworks, Paul Gross of Remora, Erika Boeing of Accelerate Wind and Daniel Betts of Blue Frontier.Check out our three most downloaded episodes:Going Big on Clean Energy with Small Fusion Reactors with Robin Langtry, Co-Founder and CEO of Avalanche EnergyThe Role of Energy Storage Systems in Combating Climate Change with Mike Wietecki of Powin and John Thomas of ESSMarine Electrification to Reduce Costs and Environmental Damage: A Conversation with Marcelino Alvarez, CEO of Photon MarineIf you have an interesting hardware solution to the climate crisis and would like the opportunity to share this with our audience, please complete this Guest Application form: https://fame.so/syn