We’re creating the future of solar.

We're a diverse team of scientists, engineers, and industry experts, united in our mission to revolutionize solar technology. Driven by a passion to impact the climate positively, we're here to transform how the world harnesses solar energy.

Meet the Team

  • Co-Founder - Business Development

    Shiv, MS/MBA at MIT, is a passionate advocate for climate solutions. His experiences at the Department of Energy, ExxonMobil, Verizon, and MUUS Climate Partners, combined with academic pursuits in corporate sustainability, have equipped him with a nuanced understanding of deeptech commercialization in the climate space. Shiv is the public face of the company, forging key relationships for capital, customer acquisition, and talent recruitment. This year, Shiv was listed on the Forbes 30 under 30 list.

  • Device Engineer


    Matt joins Active Surfaces from Triton Systems, Inc., where he sharpened his project engineering skills across a spectrum of deep tech fields, including fast-paced SBIR research programs. A seasoned alumnus of the University of Pittsburgh with both a B.S. and a PhD in Materials Science, Matt specializes in the development of PbS quantum dot solar cells, focusing on enhancing charge transport characteristics.

  • Co-Founder - Chief Technology Officer

    An MIT PhD in Solar R&D and Printed Electronics, Dr. Swartwout brings over a decade of experience in energy innovation to Active Surfaces. As a Tata Center Fellow, Dr. Swartwout recognized the potential of flexible solar panels in powering remote areas, which led him to co-develop MIT's GridEdge program. Dr. Swartwout brings his deep technical expertise to Active Surfaces, inventing 3 of the patents in Active Surface’s IP portfolio.

  • Spectroscopist

    Elyse joins Active Surfaces from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, where she was instrumental in establishing a cryo-magnetic lab space for quantum materials and devices. Holding a B.S. in Engineering Physics from Carleton University and a PhD in Electrical Engineering from Stanford University, her expertise centers on studying interfacial optical phenomena in 2D devices. At Active Surfaces, Elyse applies her deep knowledge of advanced materials and optical engineering to enhance the performance and integration of solar technologies.

  • Chief Manufacturing Scientist

    Prior to Active Surfaces, Jeremiah was a Research Scientist at MIT’s ONE Lab with research focusing on the development of scalable printing processes, materials and equipment for manufacturing of organic thin film flexible solar. Prior, he spent several years in industry leading technical teams involved in developing and scaling organic photovoltaics (OPV) at companies like Konarka (USA), Sunew (Brazil), and Armor (France). Jeremiah received his PhD in Chemistry and Materials Science from the University of Connecticut. With over 20+ yrs of experience scaling up R2R printed electronics products, he is a roll-to-roll manufacturing scale-up veteran.

  • R&D Lab Manager

    Jay is an MIT 2022 grad with a BS in Chemical Engineering. He has carried out extensive research in perovskite manufacturing and process design through his prior laboratory work.

Our Alumni (Former Interns)

  • Device Engineer


    Austin brings his passion for innovative solar technology to Active Surfaces, specializing in the development of protective barriers and encapsulation for perovskite-based solar cells. With a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Tulsa and a PhD from Rice University, his research has been pivotal in advancing solar and photoelectrochemical cell technologies.

  • Business Development Intern

    Mohamed brings a wealth of experience from the Oil & Gas, Petrochemical, Refining, and Nuclear industries to Active Surfaces. His expertise In the energy sector extends to managing complex studies across a variety of subjects, including process safety, start-up, and operational excellence, business strategy, and commercial partnerships. Fluent in Arabic, English, and professionally proficient in Spanish, Mohamed's diverse skill set and language proficiency greatly enhance our team's capabilities in developing energy solutions for a sustainable future.

  • Business Development Intern - Summer 2023


    Tom, an MBA 2024 at MIT Sloan, joined Active Surfaces In the summer to bolster our business strategy with his deep expertise in scaling tech ventures. As Co-President of the Sloan Entrepreneurship Club, Tom brought a strong entrepreneurial spirit to our team. His prior experience at MIT's Office of Innovation exposed him to the critical elements of innovation infrastructure and venture creation pathways. Notably, he played a significant role in Proto Ventures, MIT's venture studio, and served as co-Managing Director of the MIT Global Startup Workshop in 2020.

  • Business Development Intern - Summer 2023

    Jeanne, MBA 2024 at MIT Sloan, aspires to make a positive impact by helping accelerate the use of renewable energy. Prior to joining Active Surfaces, Jeanne worked for a top tier management consulting firm, where she consulted industrial and retail companies on B2B pricing and supplier contract negotiation. Jeanne is originally from France but also lived in Vietnam and Canada and recently moved with her family to the United States.

  • Business Development and Strategy Intern

    Khalid, MBA 2024 at MIT Sloan, brings a rich blend of strategy, commercialization, and financial expertise to Active Surfaces. His journey through high-impact roles at prestigious institutions like X, the moonshot factory, UBS, and Macquarie Group has equipped him with a deep understanding of innovation in technology and finance.