16 September/October 2025 | E-Mobility Engineering Marlen Valverde, global technical manager ePower and energy storage at H.B. Fuller, speaks to Will Gray on the importance of adhesives, sealants and coatings in EV batteries Developing a special chemistry The development of battery technology is vital for EVs to break further into the mainstream. As the chemistry and architecture of the packs evolve, however, there are increasing demands for advances, quite literally, in the glue that bonds them together – and Marlen Valverde is one of the people at the forefront of that work. “This industry is still in its infancy,” she explains. “We have created a lot of know-how around what makes a successful battery pack, but that’s still evolving, and while the materials that have been supplied until today have been successful, to varying degrees, there’s still a lot more fine-tuning that needs to happen. “The core technology itself, the cell chemistry, is still changing, and that dictates everything else, including the design and geometry. That, in turn, changes the requirements of the adhesive and sealants. So, it is all about active learning and we’re not done yet; it’s still evolving and we’re still trying to react as fast as the battery industry requires.” Valverde grew up amidst the stunning wildlife of Costa Rica, so it was inevitable that her career would be heavily focused on sustainability. However, when she first started out, the EV world was very much in its infancy. So, after earning a PhD in the US, she joined the Renewable Energy Group to work on organic chemistry synthesis for bio-fuels. “I was always interested in learning how to use chemistry as a tool to find ways to do things more efficiently and more sustainably; to reduce environmental disruption and potentiate the use of resources we have at hand,” she recalls. “At the same time, I have always had a passion for cars because my dad instilled in me a love for engines and how they work. “At that time, EVs weren’t a thing and bio-based materials were the future. That was perfect for me, as it involved using readily available materials to create better sustainability than the fossil fuels used in engines – but there was always a question mark over whether the growth of these vegetables should be dedicated to feeding humans or making fuel.” Her work there was cut short, however, owing to the fragility of the US economy, with the company unable to support her young international graduate status. She returned to Costa Rica and began working as a senior r&d scientist for H.B. Fuller, where she was given the dual role of plant chemist and head of architectural and industrial coatings. Marlen Valverde is one of the leading experts in sealants and coatings for ePower and energy storage (All images courtesy of H.B. Fuller)
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjI2Mzk4