Energy Node CTO Bassem Farag on safer, smarter aerospace batteries
11/07/2025
When Bassem Farag, co-founder and CTO of Energy Node, takes the stage at the Aerospace Test & Development Show, he’ll be tackling a challenge many in the industry are grappling with – how to design batteries for electric aviation that are safe, high-performing, cost-effective, and lightweight, all at once.
“This is the four-point dilemma,” explains Farag. “You want the safest battery, but it has to be light, it has to perform at a high level, and it can’t be too expensive. Traditionally, you can’t have all four, you have to sacrifice one or two. But our technology finally solves that.”
Farag’s journey into aerospace battery innovation began with a background in electrical engineering, refined through hands-on roles at Northvolt, Volvo Cars, and Heart Aerospace. “At Heart, I was the section lead for the battery and charging of their hybrid-electric aircraft demonstrator,” he says. “We showed it off in 2024, and I was responsible for the entire battery and charging system.”
Now at Energy Node, Farag and his team have developed a novel thermal management material that passively absorbs and dissipates heat from batteries and power electronics. “Heat is the biggest issue when charging or operating batteries at high power,” he explains. “You either carry heavy cooling systems, or you scarify performance. We eliminate that need.”
The company’s proprietary phase-change material can be poured around battery cells or electronics, evenly absorbing heat spikes during demanding operations – such as aircraft take-off – and releasing the heat slowly over time. “It doesn’t use energy, has no harmful chemicals, and it’s completely scalable,” says Farag. “You just add more material if you need more cooling capacity.”
He also points to critical challenges in electric aviation infrastructure. “At most airports, charging electric aircraft is a logistical nightmare,” he says. “You’d need something like two 20-foot containers just to charge a 30-seater aircraft. Our solution makes mobile chargers smaller and more feasible.”
Farag’s session will resonate with electric aircraft developers, propulsion engineers, charging solution providers, fleet operators, and even policy makers. “We’re helping to build safer, more sustainable aircraft and infrastructure, and making sure the business case finally works,” he adds.
Session: ‘Certification, Safety, Performance & Cost – The Four-Point Dilemma of Aerospace Batteries, Finally Solved’
Date: 30 September 2025
Time: 15:20 – 15:50
Farag’s journey into aerospace battery innovation began with a background in electrical engineering, refined through hands-on roles at Northvolt, Volvo Cars, and Heart Aerospace. “At Heart, I was the section lead for the battery and charging of their hybrid-electric aircraft demonstrator,” he says. “We showed it off in 2024, and I was responsible for the entire battery and charging system.”
Now at Energy Node, Farag and his team have developed a novel thermal management material that passively absorbs and dissipates heat from batteries and power electronics. “Heat is the biggest issue when charging or operating batteries at high power,” he explains. “You either carry heavy cooling systems, or you scarify performance. We eliminate that need.”
The company’s proprietary phase-change material can be poured around battery cells or electronics, evenly absorbing heat spikes during demanding operations – such as aircraft take-off – and releasing the heat slowly over time. “It doesn’t use energy, has no harmful chemicals, and it’s completely scalable,” says Farag. “You just add more material if you need more cooling capacity.”
He also points to critical challenges in electric aviation infrastructure. “At most airports, charging electric aircraft is a logistical nightmare,” he says. “You’d need something like two 20-foot containers just to charge a 30-seater aircraft. Our solution makes mobile chargers smaller and more feasible.”
Farag’s session will resonate with electric aircraft developers, propulsion engineers, charging solution providers, fleet operators, and even policy makers. “We’re helping to build safer, more sustainable aircraft and infrastructure, and making sure the business case finally works,” he adds.
Session: ‘Certification, Safety, Performance & Cost – The Four-Point Dilemma of Aerospace Batteries, Finally Solved’
Date: 30 September 2025
Time: 15:20 – 15:50