Alumnus James Galm commits $10 million to advance energy and electrochemistry research at Case Western Reserve University

James M. Galm, PhD—a three-time graduate of Case Western Reserve University and co-founder of LayerZero Power Systems, a global provider of power infrastructure products for data centers and other mission-critical industries—has committed $10 million to strengthen his alma mater’s leadership in energy and electrochemistry research, education and innovation.

The gift will support Case Western Reserve University’s Case School of Engineering and its new Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering Building (ISEB) through the creation of two endowed faculty positions and a new research laboratory focused on high-performance electrochemical energy technologies.

Galm (CIT ’84; GRS ’87, ’91, electrical engineering and applied physics) said his experience as a student at Case Western Reserve set the foundation for both his career and his approach to problem-solving as an engineer and entrepreneur, inspiring him to invest in the people and spaces that drive discovery.

“This university shaped my career completely,” Galm said. “The people who come out of Case Western Reserve are steeped in fundamentals. They know how to analyze problems, design creatively and solve things that really matter. I wanted to give back in a way that would help the university continue doing what it does best.”

Galm’s commitment will establish the James M. Galm, PhD, Professor in Energy and Electrochemistry through a $3 million endowment and the James M. Galm, PhD, Associate Professorship in Energy and Electrochemistry through a $2 million endowment. An additional $5 million will support the establishment, build-out and ongoing work of the James M. Galm, PhD, Energy and Electrochemistry Laboratory, which will be housed in the ISEB.

“We deeply appreciate the enthusiasm and support that Jim has shown for the ISEB and, in particular, for energy and electrochemistry research,” said Case Western Reserve University President Eric W. Kaler. “The endowed professorships will enable us to attract and retain top talent so that future generations will share the same transformational experience that Jim enjoyed as a student of Case Western Reserve.” 

Advancing electrochemistry from discovery to impact

The new laboratory in the ISEB will be led by Rohan Akolkar, the Milton and Tamar Maltz Professor of Energy Innovation in the university’s Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering. Akolkar’s work spans electrochemical energy storage, energy-efficient processing of critical minerals and advanced materials for semiconductor technologies.

“This support is going to be vital in enabling our vision,” Akolkar said. “The new lab will allow us to develop disruptive electrochemistry‑based solutions to societally important problems and create a clear path from discovery to real‑world impact.”

Galm said his interest in energy research is rooted in both his professional experience and the urgency of global challenges.

“Energy is the future of everything that we do,” he said. “Being able to store it, transport it and use it more efficiently is going to drive the next generation of innovation. And CWRU, in a very real sense, helped invent the field of electrochemistry.”

The James M. Galm, PhD, Energy and Electrochemistry Laboratory will anchor a growing electrochemistry cluster within ISEB, a state-of-the-art research facility designed to foster interdisciplinary collaboration among engineering, physics, chemistry and more. When the building opens in October, the space will house advanced analytical tools that allow researchers to study electrochemical reactions with unprecedented precision—capabilities that will accelerate discovery and support commercialization.

“Research and innovation are no longer solitary activities—they’re a team sport,” Galm said. “The ISEB creates a space where collaboration is not just allowed, but encouraged and facilitated. That’s how the best ideas emerge.”

Preparing students to lead the next generation of innovation

In addition to advancing research, the gift is designed to expand opportunities for students. The new laboratory and professorships will help attract top faculty and significantly increase the number of graduate and undergraduate students engaged in electrochemistry research, providing hands-on experience with advanced tools and techniques that are highly sought after by industry.

“I hope students come out of this with the confidence to tackle big problems,” Galm said “Some will become entrepreneurs, some will become academics and educators, and others will go on to build technologies that make a real difference.”

Galm co‑founded LayerZero Power Systems in 2001 with fellow CWRU alumnus Milind Bhanoo (CIT '88; GRS '91, systems control and engineering; MGT '92), growing the company from a garage startup into a global business. After more than two decades leading technology development as the company’s vice president and chief technical officer, Galm retired in 2025 following a strategic partnership with Advent International.

Looking ahead, Galm hopes his gift will further elevate Case Western Reserve’s national and international profile in energy research.

“It would make me very happy to see CWRU’s presence and preeminence in energy research continue to grow,” he said. “If this gift helps strengthen collaboration across disciplines and inspires others to invest in the university, that would be the best possible outcome.”