Vivek Murthi, PhD, MBA
About Vivek Murthi, PhD, MBA
Vivek Murthi, PhD, MBA, is the Director of Propulsion Research at Nikola Motor Company, with extensive experience in electrochemistry and energy conversion technologies.
Director, Propulsion Research at Nikola Motor Company
Vivek Murthi currently serves as the Director of Propulsion Research at Nikola Motor Company. Since 2021, he has been working in Phoenix, Arizona, where he leads research in advanced concepts in next-generation battery materials and Fuel Cell Membrane Electrode Assembly (MEA) for heavy-duty trucks. In this role, he manages and directs research initiatives focused on improving propulsion technologies.
Previous Roles at Nikola Motor Company
Before his current role, Vivek Murthi has held various positions within Nikola Motor Company. From 2020 to 2021, he was the Director of MEA Development, working specifically on the development of Membrane Electrode Assemblies. He started at Nikola in 2018 as the Head of MEA Development, a role he held until 2020. Throughout his tenure, he has been instrumental in advancing MEA technologies in the Phoenix, Arizona area.
Experience at De Nora Tech, Inc.
From 2013 to 2018, Vivek Murthi worked at De Nora Tech, Inc. in Cleveland/Akron, Ohio. He began as a Lab Services Supervisor, overseeing laboratory operations for four years. This was followed by a one-year tenure as a Technical Applications Specialist in Business Development, where he applied his technical expertise to foster business development initiatives.
Academic Background and Research
Vivek Murthi holds an MBA from Indiana University - Kelley School of Business, earned between 2018 and 2022. He also has a PhD in Chemistry from Northeastern University, awarded in 2005 after six years of study. His academic journey began with a BSc in Chemistry from the University of Madras and an MSc from the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras. His extensive academic background supports his research interests in electrochemistry, solid-state chemistry, and spectroscopy.
Early Career and Research Positions
Vivek Murthi’s early career includes a variety of research roles. Notably, he was a Guest Researcher at NIST from 2007 to 2008. He also served as a Research Associate at University of Maryland, College Park, Northeastern University, and Case Western Reserve University. His early contributions to the field started as a Graduate Research Assistant at Brookhaven National Laboratory from 2000 to 2002, focusing on electrochemical research.
Specialization in Electrochemistry and Energy Technologies
With over 15 years of experience, Vivek Murthi specializes in working with electro-active materials that have applications in fuel cells, electrolysis, cathodic protection, electro-chlorination, disinfection, and batteries. His expertise encompasses surface analysis, material testing, electrochemical techniques, thin films, high surface area electrocatalysts, and surface science instrumentation. His work spans fundamental research to the development and improvement of advanced energy conversion and storage technologies.