Where did the idea behind BatterIT come from? 

The idea came from a curiosity we had had for some time: why aren't salt batteries already used in vehicles? I had read about their potential — they are safe, recyclable, made from readily accessible materials — and I couldn't understand why they were used so little, especially in a crucial sector such as transport. The spark came during one of our many car journeys with Andrea Miotto. Chatting about this and that, we found ourselves imagining a hybrid system that could combine the best of combustion and electric power... but with a truly sustainable battery. That chat then became an obsession, which prompted us to research, discuss, reflect on possible applications and finally propose the idea to Red Bull Basement.

If you had to explain how BatterIT works in simple terms, what would be its most immediate applications in everyday life? 

The project was born with a very practical goal: to replace lithium batteries with a more sustainable, safe and recyclable technology, without disrupting the architecture of existing vehicles. BatterIT is a system designed to bring molten salt batteries into the real world of hybrid mobility, starting with heavy-duty vehicles such as tractors, agricultural vehicles and construction machinery. At the heart of the idea is the development of an electronic management system — a Battery Management System (BMS), often referred to as the “brain” of the battery — capable of integrating and optimising the use of molten salt batteries in the actual operation of a hybrid engine. The aim is to capitalise on their strengths: they are non-flammable, non-toxic, recyclable and made from materials that are abundant in nature. Although we do not yet see them in action in vehicles today, tomorrow we may find them quietly at work in fields, ports or heavy-duty vehicles, making a concrete contribution to more sustainable mobility.

How did your PhD programme and the environment at the University of Trieste contribute to the growth of the project? 

Although my PhD is not strictly focused on batteries, my studies and research have been fundamental in developing a critical and rigorous approach to problems, qualities that are essential for tackling new challenges. During a PhD, you are often confronted with open questions for which there is no definitive answer. This pushes you to develop a strategy to arrive at a solution, to explore problems in a more structured way and to analyse them from different perspectives. In this sense, the PhD programme was a valuable training ground that allowed me to acquire cross-disciplinary skills, useful not only for academic research but also for the management and development of a project such as BatterIT.

During your participation in Red Bull Basement, was there a moment that made you realise that BatterIT was not just a brilliant idea, but something truly concrete and useful?

Rather than a specific moment, there were several episodes that made us believe even more in the ambition of the project. During the Red Bull Basement mentorship phase, we met with experts from the world of start-ups and innovation, professionals with concrete experience in the development of new technologies. What struck us was the interest and enthusiasm that our proposal aroused every time we talked about it.

This kind of feedback helped us understand that we weren't just working on an interesting idea, but on something that could really find a place in the real world if developed with the right approach.

In September, you will take part in the event “Batteries between innovation, safety and sustainability” organised at the University. If you could convey a key message to your audience, what would it be?

Events like this are crucial for us because they help raise awareness of the many challenges and opportunities related to the world of batteries. If there is one message we hope to convey, it is that the transition to more sustainable mobility and energy is not only based on the electrification of vehicles, but also on more informed choices regarding materials, production chains and the safety of these technologies. It is important to focus on accessible, circular and safe solutions to build a truly sustainable future.