Read Associates
transforming material & social cultures
transforming material & social cultures
As Innovation Architect at Read Associates, John leads hypercapacitor technology development achieving electronic energy densities approaching petrochemical fuels—validated through international research partnerships spanning the Americas and Europe.
Proven Technology Transfer Leadership: My work bridges premier research institutions across North America through active partnerships with Argonne National Laboratory (USA) and CNyN – Centro de Nanociencia y Nanotecnología (Mexico). This US-Mexico collaboration, conducted in both English and Spanish, demonstrates practical experience navigating IP protection and commercialization strategies across the USMCA framework.
Global Research Perspective: My international scientific collaboration extends from anthropological fieldwork in Latin America to extensive engagement with European research environments. Through close exposure to big science initiatives, John appreciates the complexity of translating breakthrough physics into industrial applications.
Technical Innovation Portfolio: • Co-inventor of the Thermionic Wave Generator (TWG) for direct thermal-to-electric conversion • Developer of rugged, gel-free, lithium-free solid-state storage systems operating -40°C to 200°C • Pioneer in YSZ thin-film nanostructured batteries with >1M cycles (validated Journal of Power Sources 2022, Journal of Energy Storage 2024) • Architect of nano-fibrillated cellulose composites integrating structural and energy storage functions
Strategic Business Leadership: Experience as Executive Editor at McGraw-Hill and IDG Books to energy systems inventor reflects unique perspective on technology commercialization. Dual fluency in technical depth and market dynamics enables translation of laboratory breakthroughs to scalable industrial solutions.
Current Focus: Leading collaborative research to advance beyond proof-of-concept. Systemic hypercapacitor technology enables: • Medical implants with decades-long power without replacement • Electronics that never need recharging • Electric aircraft capable of intercontinental flight • Distributed grid-scale storage without degradation
Vision for Partnership: We seek visionary partners who understand that energy storage encompasses more than batteries— this vision reimagines human infrastructure. Combination of technical innovation, proven international collaboration, and cultural fluency accelerates technology deployment from design to laboratory to worldwide implementation.
Read Associates Series LLC | March 2024 – Present | North America • Lead full-time development of hypercapacitor technology with energy densities approaching petrochemical fuels • Direct US-Mexico research partnership between Argonne National Laboratory and CNyN • Manage international IP strategy and technology transfer protocols across USMCA framework • Develop nano-fibrillated cellulose composite materials for self-powered sustainable habitats • Target applications span micro (medical implants) to macro (electric aviation) scales • Published 3 peer-reviewed papers with international co-authors validating breakthrough performance
Space Charge LLC | 2015 – Present | California, USA • Founded company to commercialize 6 US patents in energy storage and thermal-to-electric conversion • Built international research consortium with Argonne National Laboratory (USA) and CNyN (Mexico) • Developed nano-battery prototypes for on-chip power (PoaC) in AI applications • Led technology from concept through prototype validation and commercialization strategy • Transitioned from CEO to advisory role to focus full-time on Read Associates ventures
IDG Books Worldwide / McGraw-Hill / Sybex | 1995 – 2005 | San Francisco Bay Area • Directed IP acquisition in networking, systems architecture, and security technologies • Established Microsoft Certified Solutions Provider (MCSP) partnership • Built official relationships with Cisco, Netscape/Mozilla, and other Fortune 500 tech companies • Managed multiple publishing imprints with full P&L responsibility exceeding $200M annually • Identified and commercialized emerging technologies before market recognition • Received commendation from Microsoft Learning for strategic alliance development
San Francisco State University / Sonoma State University | 1985 – 1995 | California • Developed interdisciplinary curricula bridging sciences and humanities • Taught paleontology, molecular biology, experimental education, and anthropology • Conducted field research in evolutionary biology and systems thinking • California Community Colleges Teaching Credential • US Department of Education Certified Program Planning Specialist
Institute for Transcultural Studies, Milan (now University of Milan) | 1972 – 1985 • Conducted ethnographic fieldwork with Carib communities (Central America) and Sibundoy peoples (Colombian Amazon) • Studied technology adoption patterns in indigenous communities • Applied anthropological insights to appropriate technology development • Published findings on cultural dynamics in technology transfer
San Francisco State University | 1978 – 1985 • Paleontology, Molecular Biology, Experimental Education • Field research in evolutionary biology and systems thinking • Laboratory training in biochemistry and cellular biology
San Francisco State University | 1970 – 1974 • B.A. Interdisciplinary Studies (Economics, Social Sciences, Systems Theory) • B.A. Anthropology (Social and Physical) • Macro/microeconomics, ethnographic methods, archaeological field work • Cum Laude graduate
US Department of Education: Program Planning Specialist • California Community Colleges: Teaching Credential (Lifetime) • Microsoft Certified Solutions Provider (MCSP) • Episcopal Diocese of California: Licensed Eucharistic Minister • Institute for Transcultural Studies, Milan: Cultural Advisor
Energy & Materials Science: Energy Storage • Hypercapacitors • Solid-State Batteries • Thermal Energy Storage • Nanotechnology • Materials Science • Thin-Film Deposition • Cellulose Composites • Theoretical Chemistry
Business & Strategy: Technology Development & Commercialization • Strategic Planning • Intellectual Property Management • Partnership Development • P&L Management • Team Leadership • Market Analysis • Product Development
International Collaboration: US-Mexico Technology Transfer • Cross-Border IP Management • International Research Consortia • Multicultural Team Leadership • Grant Writing • Scientific Publishing
Languages & Communication: English (Native) • Spanish (Professional Fluency) • Italian (elementary) • French (elementary) • Technical Writing • Public Speaking • Executive Presentations and
Domain Applications: Medical Implants • Distributed Grid-Scale Storage • Electric Aviation/Transportation • Robotics • Sustainable Construction • On-Chip Power • Autonomous Systems
Unique Value Proposition: • Breakthrough hypercapacitor technology with validated performance exceeding current batteries • Proven US-Mexico technology transfer experience directly relevant to USMCA operations • Rare combination of deep technical expertise and executive business experience • Cultural fluency and language skills for authentic international engagement • Track record of identifying and commercializing transformative technologies • Active partnerships with premier research institutions (Argonne, CNyN)
Aligned Investor Priorities: • Sustainable energy storage for grid modernization and electrification • Cross-border collaboration expertise for North American integration • Innovation leadership bridging laboratory research to industrial scale • Global perspective with practical implementation experience • Strong IP portfolio with clear commercialization pathway
Cross-Domain Innovation Architect Daniel brings a rare synthesis of:
Intellectual Property Development
Industry Thought Leadership
Dan’s unique perspective encompasses:
Advanced Energy Systems
Materials Science & Fabrication
Systems Analysis & Integration
“Daniel Sweeney represents a rare convergence of visionary thinking and practical expertise. His six patents in energy storage, combined with decades of analyzing technology adoption patterns, position him uniquely to guide breakthrough innovations from laboratory to market. His deep understanding of materials science, coupled with his systems-level perspective on energy infrastructure, makes him an invaluable architect for technologies that will fundamentally reshape how humanity generates, stores, and uses energy.
In the development of next-generation hypercapacitor technology, Dan’s ability to see beyond immediate technical challenges to envision transformative applications across entire industries – from transportation to grid resilience – provides the strategic vision necessary to not just create a product, but to catalyze a revolution in material culture.”
