Crain’s recognized Gayden among select standout professionals who are developing new strategies to improve environmental sustainability, educate, future leaders and create innovative products and services for automotive and other industries in Michigan and around the globe.

Intecells is a battery manufacturing startup focused on disruptive innovation by leveraging atmospheric cold plasma technology to dramatically reduce the cost of high-performance electrodes for battery cell production. Its one-of-a-kind plasma-based dry coating technology can ultimately create batteries with 3D topologies and exceptional performance suitable for any application – from automotive to consumer electronics.

“It is incredibly rewarding to be recognized by Crain’s as an innovation leader in the field,” said Gayden. “We are truly forging a path forward by integrating our technological advancements into today’s battery production factories.”

Gayden possesses deep interdisciplinary expertise across many fields, including lithium-ion battery development, cell-fabrication technology, energy storage, lightweight-materials development, vehicle manufacturing, surface engineering, tribology, and corrosion science. A long-time inventor and innovation strategist, Dr. Gayden worked on GM’s first foray into battery technology in the U.S. and Asia beginning in 2007. She holds 11 patents from her early and extensive automotive battery manufacturing process work.

Today, Intecells is not only developing the better battery, it is providing a new process for manufacturers to make their batteries better. The patented manufacturing processes Gayden has developed are now being used by significant entities looking to save money and cause less environmental damage when producing their battery products. Intecells’ turnkey systems also allows manufacturers to downsize their operational footprint and overall costs while realizing at least 3x more capacity and output.

She has participated in Congressman Haley Steven’s industry roundtable for competitiveness, offering strategies for developing and promoting Michigan technology on a statewide, national and global basis. Gaydon has also served on the Advisory Board of the Michigan Small Business Development Council whose Uplift Michigan program focuses on ensuring equitable access for diverse entrepreneurs across the state. Last year, Shawn’s technological advancements also earned her recognition at the 2022 NATTBatt International Conference, which named Intecells as a “Top Ten New Battery Company.