Academic Credentials
  • Ph.D., Materials Science and Engineering, Rutgers University, 2018
  • B.S., Materials Science and Engineering, University of Maryland, College Park, 2013
Licenses & Certifications
  • Professional Engineer Metallurgical, Arizona, #81093
  • Professional Engineer Metallurgical, California, #2011
  • Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator (CFEI)
Professional Honors
  • Journal of the Electrochemical Society Editor's Choice Article, 2017
  • Department of Materials Science & Engineering Outstanding Materials Student Service Award, 2013
Professional Affiliations
  • National Association of Fire Investigators
  • The Electrochemical Society

Dr. Faenza specializes in energy storage technologies and product safety assessments for multiple industries. At Exponent, he utilizes his technical expertise to lead failure analysis investigations, support design evaluations, and resolve complex technical issues involving battery safety and performance. His experience includes leading fire investigations in battery energy storage systems (BESS), electric vehicles (EV), and data centers, as well as assisting clients navigate product recalls. Dr. Faenza also provides regulatory and litigation support for product liability matters.

Over his career, Dr. Faenza has developed a specialization in abuse testing and risk assessments of lithium-ion batteries of various chemistries, sizes, and formats. With this expertise, he has led battery evaluations and product re-designs in multiple industries from consumer electronics to automotive and grid storage applications. In these efforts, he often works with his clients to provide design-focused experiments coupled with advanced analytical techniques to elucidate potential failure mechanisms and to assess and prepare against failure scenario hazards. In his work, Dr. Faenza has led complex investigations involving consumer electronic and medical device recalls, research and development programs for critical safety features, and in assessing safety hazards for electric vehicle battery pack designs. His work enables his clients to rapidly identify concerns, mitigate risks, and implement corrective actions — improving product performance and supporting successful litigation and regulatory outcomes.

Prior to joining Exponent, Dr. Faenza's graduate research focused on investigating the structural and chemical degradation mechanisms for positive electrode materials at high states of charge. He also led a thorough analysis of the surface impurity species that develop on state-of-the-art electrode materials and their impact on the material's electrochemical performance. During this time he developed material fabrication experience which is founded in hydrothermal co-precipitation synthesis, and encompasses the use of a variety of thermal and powder processing techniques. He is experienced with numerous analytical techniques including; X-ray computed tomography (CT), X-ray diffraction (XRD), microcalorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and others. Prior to graduate school, Dr. Faenza developed graphene and silicon-based electrodes and also worked on reducing the flammability of polyurethane foam at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).