MOMENTUM • VIRGINIA TECH MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
21
Alumnus David Mackanic named to the Forbes ‘ 30 under 30 ’ list
David Mackanic was named a featured honoree for 2021 Forbes “ 30 under 30 ” in the category of Energy , recognizing young innovators who are making a big impact .
The 27-year-old entrepreneur and innovator started his professional journey as a mechanical engineering major at Virginia Tech , completing his undergraduate degree between 2011 and 2015 . While he was seeking that first degree , he also spent a lot of time engaged in undergraduate research , immersing himself in the science that would eventually inspire inventions of his own .
The labs of Michael Ellis , Robert Moore , and Scott Huxtable became Mackanic ’ s second home , and he enrolled in internships to increase his knowledge of the industry . From his sophomore year on , Mackanic dove into learning the basics of energy transfer and the properties of the materials that store energy . As a student , he helped develop polymers and nanomaterials that go to work in high-performance batteries , and learned how to change their properties to make them work even better .
What kept him diligent wasn ’ t learning the science , though , Mackanic said . He was motivated by the potential of those technologies to do something important . “ I wasn ’ t always a science kid ,” said Mackanic . “ But once I got into engineering , I felt a sense of duty to use my technical skills to make an impact in the world .”
That focus kept him moving through his senior year , with Mackanic finishing his undergraduate experience in a senior design project on the hybrid electric vehicle team . As he looked for his next step , he was drawn to the technology hub of Silicon Valley . This led him to apply to Stanford
University , pursue his doctorate , and capitalize on the innovative environment of the area .
The atmosphere was one in which Mackanic flourished . In pursuit of his Ph . D ., he continued developing new technology for batteries and found peers who also had experience in commercializing technologies . With confidence in his product development and new business insight , he launched Anthro Energy .
The company soon picked up several accolades . In 2020 , Anthro was a semi-finalist for the MIT Clean Energy Prize and won startup funds from several different innovation groups . Even in this cycle of growth , Mackanic remains focused on his foundational beliefs .
“ I want to use my time in a way that makes a difference , and my main goal is to see the technology become a reality ,” Mackanic said . “ I ’ ve seen science as a way to create meaningful change , and that ’ s something I want to pursue .”