Our Approach
Inflection Power exists to move energy technologies across the hardest gap in the field — the one between a working result in the lab and a capability that performs in the real world. We're a small business structured to compete for and execute SBIR/STTR work, partnering with researchers, program offices, and industry to test, validate, integrate, and transition next-generation energy systems. The name says it: we focus on the inflection point where a promising technology bends from research curiosity into deployed capability.
Focus Areas
The technology domains where we concentrate our work — each chosen for its potential to deliver both commercial value and mission impact.
Advanced Battery Technologies
Testing, validation, integration, and commercialization of next-generation battery chemistries and energy storage systems.
Solid State Transformers
Research and testing of solid-state transformer technologies for modern power conversion and grid applications.
Lab to Market
Accelerating the transition of promising technologies from laboratory development to real-world deployment.
Dual-Use Energy Technologies
Developing solutions with both commercial and defense applications.
Capabilities
What we do to move technologies forward, from first evaluation to fielded system.
Testing & Validation
Rigorous evaluation of next-generation battery chemistries and energy storage systems — characterizing performance, safety, and reliability against the standards that real-world deployment demands.
Solid State Transformer Research
Research and testing of solid-state transformer technologies for advanced power conversion, enabling more efficient, compact, and resilient energy systems.
Integration & Systems Evaluation
Moving technologies from isolated components to working systems — assessing how new energy solutions perform when integrated into the platforms and environments they're built for.
Commercialization & Transition
Bridging the lab-to-market gap with clear-eyed transition planning that turns promising research into fielded, deployable capability for commercial and defense users.
What Sets Us Apart
A few reasons program offices and partners choose to work with us.
Built for the gap
We focus specifically on lab-to-market transition — the stage where strong research most often stalls.
Dual-use by design
We develop with both commercial and defense applications in view, maximizing the return on every technology we advance.
Agile and mission-driven
A small-business structure lets us move quickly, partner flexibly, and stay focused on outcomes that matter to the programs we serve.
Our Team
The people behind Inflection Power, and the experience they bring to every project.
Alex Smith - Chief Technical Officer
Engineering leader with 20+ years of experience in vehicle electrification. Innovative
creator of hardtech products that push the boundaries on what’s possible. Leader of small and big teams; focused on lean design, lean operations, and efficient organizational process. Seasoned in securing funding and growing VC-backed companies.
Mike Ferry - Director of Research
With over 20 years of experience in clean energy and climate research, Mike leads the Energy Storage Group’s efforts in developing and deploying cutting-edge energy storage technologies. His work focuses on bridging the gap between research and real-world applications, collaborating with industry partners, graduate students, and researchers. Before joining UC San Diego, Mike helped launch the Clean Vehicle Rebate Project (CVRP)—the largest zero-emission vehicle incentive program in the U.S. He holds a Master’s degree from the Energy and Resources Group at UC Berkeley.
Sasha Doppelt - Project Manager
A Project Management Professional (PMP) with 15 years of experience, Sasha specializes in bringing teams together to deliver high-impact projects on time and within budget. She has worked across diverse industries, from education to healthcare, developing strong stakeholder relationships and adapting to dynamic environments. Passionate about climate change mitigation, Sasha plays a key role in advancing sustainability initiatives at the Energy Storage Group.
David Gonsoulin - Research & Development Engineer
David is an electrical engineer with expertise in battery systems design, testing, and integration. His work spans energy storage research, autonomous vehicle technologies, and Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) applications. At UC San Diego, he leads advancements in battery management systems (BMS), ensuring reliability and performance through high-power testing and validation. David holds a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Florida State University, specializing in power system control and energy management.
Alex Hashimoto - Research & Development Engineer
Alex brings a diverse engineering background to the Energy Storage Group, with experience at General Motors, NASA, and the Monterey Bay Aquarium. As a battery test engineer at GM, he helped reduce warranty failures from 25% to 1.6%, ensuring battery safety and reliability. Later, at NASA’s SOFIA program, he played a key role in airworthiness operations. Now, Alex applies his expertise in energy systems, safety, and testing to drive innovation in UC San Diego’s Energy Storage and Systems labs.