Graduation Year

2025

Date of Submission

4-2025

Document Type

Campus Only Senior Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts

Department

Biology

Reader 1

Loren Martin

Reader 2

Anna Wenzel

Abstract

QuantumShield Technologies (QST) aims to identify the optimal U.S. location for its first large‑scale sodium‑ion battery manufacturing facility. Ten critical factors were selected based on literature reviews and stakeholder interviews including: raw materials and supply chain proximity, market proximity, labor and workforce, utilities and infrastructure, economic and policy incentives, regulatory and environmental constraints, safety and security, energy and sustainability metrics, competitor landscape, and land cost. Comprehensive secondary data was obtained from various authoritative sources and industry reports, then standardized using Z‑score transformations with directional adjustments. Stakeholders ranked each criterion by strategic importance, and these rankings were converted into quantitative weights that were applied to all fifty states. Michigan achieved the highest score which was driven by its established automotive manufacturing infrastructure and existing sodium‑ion battery presence. South Dakota ranked second because of its competitive labor costs, low land prices, and affordable utility rates. Tennessee placed third and benefited from robust economic and policy incentives and strategic market access within the “Battery Belt.” These findings guide QST’s site selection strategy and recommend follow‑up analyses to refine the final facility location.

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This thesis is restricted to the Claremont Colleges current faculty, students, and staff.

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