Research Note: Battelle Memorial Institute
Battelle Memorial Institute was founded in 1929 in Columbus, Ohio, following the wishes of industrialist Gordon Battelle and his mother Annie Maude Norton Battelle, who left the family fortune to establish the organization. Initially focused on metals and materials science research, the institute was created as a charitable trust and nonprofit corporation under Ohio law, with tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
Throughout its history, Battelle has been responsible for numerous groundbreaking innovations, including the development of xerographic copying technology, the first nuclear fuel rods, the Universal Product Code (UPC), and cruise control for automobiles. The institute faced legal challenges between 1969-1975 regarding its philanthropic commitments, resulting in an $80 million settlement that funded several Columbus civic projects, including the creation of Battelle Hall at the Columbus Convention Center and the preservation of the Ohio Theatre.
Today, Battelle operates as an international science and technology enterprise with approximately 3,200 employees and manages an additional 29,500 employees across ten U.S. Department of Energy National Laboratories. The organization continues its mission in various fields including national security, healthcare, environment, and STEM education. Recent notable projects include developing COVID-19 rapid testing in partnership with Ohio State University and creating a system for decontaminating N95 masks during the pandemic. With annual revenue of $6.2 billion, Battelle remains one of the world's largest private research and development organizations.
Battelle's key research priorities include:
Agribusiness: Cannabis research, formulation, environmental studies
Environment & Ecology: Air, water and soil analysis, scientific data research
Health: Genomics, medical devices, neurotechnology, public health
Materials Science: Chemistry, coatings, nanoparticles, corrosion studies
National Security: Aviation, cyber, chemical/biological defense systems
Research Infrastructure: Lab operations, chemical facilities, ecological networks
STEM Education: Various educational initiatives and grant programs
The institute maintains multiple facilities across the U.S. and manages several national laboratories focusing on research ranging from renewable energy to biodefense. They've consistently prioritized projects with significant public impact, as demonstrated by their recent work on COVID-19 testing and PPE decontamination.