Cohort 1 (2017-2019)
Anna Douglas
Bio: Anna received her PhD in 2019 in Interdisciplinary Material Science from Vanderbilt University. As a National Science Foundation Graduate Student Fellow, she primarily focused her studies on…
Anna Douglas
SkyNano, Co-Founder & CEO
Bio:
Anna received her PhD in 2019 in Interdisciplinary Material Science from Vanderbilt University. As a National Science Foundation Graduate Student Fellow, she primarily focused her studies on clean energy technologies and the growth of high quality carbon nanotubes from ambient carbon dioxide. Prior to Vanderbilt, Anna completed a BS in mathematics and chemistry at Lee University. She interned as an undergraduate at the NASA Glenn Research Center, where she discovered her passion for nanotechnology. Anna is a graduate of the first cohort of Innovation Crossroads at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and was named a 2019 Forbes Magazine “30 Under 30” disrupter in Energy.
Project Abstract:
Carbon nanotubes have long been touted as the super material that would change the world, with applications ranging from energy, electronics, automotive, aerospace, and medical. However, they have thus far achieved limited commercial success due to their high price, which is a result of the energy intensive limited-scale manufacturing methods currently deployed, which often have environmentally harmful by-products. SkyNano has developed an electrochemical manufacturing technology to produce carbon nanotubes in a scalable ambient pressure system, and uses only inputs of CO2 and electricity, resulting in low operating expenses and no toxic by-products. This technology will enable new products and applications due to the low-cost and scalable nature of the technology. Further, SkyNano’s technology represents a significant feat in the economical viability of CO2 utilization, with the introduction of a high-value product produced from CO2 inputs. Since graduating the Innovation Crossroads program, SkyNano’s technology has been supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF), Department of Energy’s (DOE) Vehicle Technologies Office and Office of Fossil Energy, and a few initial customers.
Bio:
Anna received her PhD in 2019 in Interdisciplinary Material Science from Vanderbilt University. As a National Science Foundation Graduate Student Fellow, she primarily focused her studies on clean energy technologies and the growth of high quality carbon nanotubes from ambient carbon dioxide. Prior to Vanderbilt, Anna completed a BS in mathematics and chemistry at Lee University. She interned as an undergraduate at the NASA Glenn Research Center, where she discovered her passion for nanotechnology. Anna is a graduate of the first cohort of Innovation Crossroads at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and was named a 2019 Forbes Magazine “30 Under 30” disrupter in Energy.
Project Abstract:
Carbon nanotubes have long been touted as the super material that would change the world, with applications ranging from energy, electronics, automotive, aerospace, and medical. However, they have thus far achieved limited commercial success due to their high price, which is a result of the energy intensive limited-scale manufacturing methods currently deployed, which often have environmentally harmful by-products. SkyNano has developed an electrochemical manufacturing technology to produce carbon nanotubes in a scalable ambient pressure system, and uses only inputs of CO2 and electricity, resulting in low operating expenses and no toxic by-products. This technology will enable new products and applications due to the low-cost and scalable nature of the technology. Further, SkyNano’s technology represents a significant feat in the economical viability of CO2 utilization, with the introduction of a high-value product produced from CO2 inputs. Since graduating the Innovation Crossroads program, SkyNano’s technology has been supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF), Department of Energy’s (DOE) Vehicle Technologies Office and Office of Fossil Energy, and a few initial customers.
Matthew Ellis
Bio: Matthew received his PhD in Nuclear Engineering from Massachusetts Institute of Technology and hold a MS and BS in Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering from Pennsylvania State University. His…
Matthew Ellis
Yellowstone Energy
Bio:
Matthew received his PhD in Nuclear Engineering from Massachusetts Institute of Technology and hold a MS and BS in Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering from Pennsylvania State University. His research focused on developing and optimizing numerical methods for coupling Monte Carlo codes with finite element applications for multiphysics nuclear reactor simulations. He co-founded Yellowstone Energy in 2016 with Samuel Shaner. Yellowstone Energy focused on the development of a modular, safe, and economic advanced nuclear reactor. After much success, the team ultimately decided to wind-down the company in 2019. Matt is a graduate of the first cohort of Innovation Crossroads at Oak Ridge National Laboratory and currently serves as a Software Engineer at Cray Inc.
Project Abstract:
Yellowstone Energy’s mission was to develop an advanced modular nuclear reactor with integrated thermal energy storage that could maximize the use of existing supply chains to enable near-term deployment of a cost-effective, economic, and passively safe clean energy source. The Yellowstone Energy Molten Nitrate Salt Reactor power plant was unique among advanced reactor designs in using a molten nitrate salt coolant, the only high temperature, ambient pressure coolant commercially deployed in MW-scale thermal power systems. The team was awarded and managed three federal grants totaling $3M+, including $2.6M ARPA-E award.
Bio:
Matthew received his PhD in Nuclear Engineering from Massachusetts Institute of Technology and hold a MS and BS in Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering from Pennsylvania State University. His research focused on developing and optimizing numerical methods for coupling Monte Carlo codes with finite element applications for multiphysics nuclear reactor simulations. He co-founded Yellowstone Energy in 2016 with Samuel Shaner. Yellowstone Energy focused on the development of a modular, safe, and economic advanced nuclear reactor. After much success, the team ultimately decided to wind-down the company in 2019. Matt is a graduate of the first cohort of Innovation Crossroads at Oak Ridge National Laboratory and currently serves as a Software Engineer at Cray Inc.
Project Abstract:
Yellowstone Energy’s mission was to develop an advanced modular nuclear reactor with integrated thermal energy storage that could maximize the use of existing supply chains to enable near-term deployment of a cost-effective, economic, and passively safe clean energy source. The Yellowstone Energy Molten Nitrate Salt Reactor power plant was unique among advanced reactor designs in using a molten nitrate salt coolant, the only high temperature, ambient pressure coolant commercially deployed in MW-scale thermal power systems. The team was awarded and managed three federal grants totaling $3M+, including $2.6M ARPA-E award.
Mitchell Ishmael
Bio: Mitchell received his PhD in Materials Science and Engineering from Cornell University and holds a BS in Chemical Engineering with a Minor in Economics from Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology…
Mitchell Ishmael
Shift Thermal, Co-Founder & CTO
Bio:
Mitchell received his PhD in Materials Science and Engineering from Cornell University and holds a BS in Chemical Engineering with a Minor in Economics from Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. He has experience designing, building, and effectively using experimental systems for high-precision measurements of material properties. He has synthesized phase change materials and surface chemistries for efficient and cost-effective thermal energy storage. Mitch serves as co-founder and CTO of Shift Thermal and is graduate of the first cohort of Innovation Crossroads at Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
Project Abstract:
Shift Thermal is commercializing advanced ice thermal energy storage for HVAC, shifting our cooling to be more sustainable, cost-effective, and resilient. Shift Thermal was founded in 2017 by two engineering PhDs from Cornell University to help solve for the missing link in our sustainable energy future: energy storage. The company moved to Tennessee to join the inaugural cohort of Innovation Crossroads, a DOE-funded entrepreneurship program at Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
The Shift Thermal IHEX module is perfectly suited for both air conditioning and process cooling applications, capable of storage temperatures from 0 to -15°C (32 to 5°F). Be freezing water without it sticking to the cold surface, IHEX technology leads to a highly efficient cooling coil that generates ice slurry. The IHEX Module solves the problem of other ice thermal energy storage systems by eliminating the insulative ice layer and passively shedding slurry from the surface.
Bio:
Mitchell received his PhD in Materials Science and Engineering from Cornell University and holds a BS in Chemical Engineering with a Minor in Economics from Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. He has experience designing, building, and effectively using experimental systems for high-precision measurements of material properties. He has synthesized phase change materials and surface chemistries for efficient and cost-effective thermal energy storage. Mitch serves as co-founder and CTO of Shift Thermal and is graduate of the first cohort of Innovation Crossroads at Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
Project Abstract:
Shift Thermal is commercializing advanced ice thermal energy storage for HVAC, shifting our cooling to be more sustainable, cost-effective, and resilient. Shift Thermal was founded in 2017 by two engineering PhDs from Cornell University to help solve for the missing link in our sustainable energy future: energy storage. The company moved to Tennessee to join the inaugural cohort of Innovation Crossroads, a DOE-funded entrepreneurship program at Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
The Shift Thermal IHEX module is perfectly suited for both air conditioning and process cooling applications, capable of storage temperatures from 0 to -15°C (32 to 5°F). Be freezing water without it sticking to the cold surface, IHEX technology leads to a highly efficient cooling coil that generates ice slurry. The IHEX Module solves the problem of other ice thermal energy storage systems by eliminating the insulative ice layer and passively shedding slurry from the surface.
Samuel Shaner
Bio: Samuel received his PhD and MS in Nuclear Science and Engineering from Massachusetts Institute of Technology and hold a BS in Chemical Engineering from the University of California, Santa…
Samuel Shaner
Yellowstone Energy
Bio:
Samuel received his PhD and MS in Nuclear Science and Engineering from Massachusetts Institute of Technology and hold a BS in Chemical Engineering from the University of California, Santa Barbara. His research focused on building high performance computing packages for nuclear reactor analysis. He co-founded Yellowstone Energy in 2016 with Matthew Ellis. Yellowstone Energy focused on the development of a modular, safe, and economic advanced nuclear reactor. After much success, the team ultimately decided to wind-down the company in 2019. Sam is a graduate of the first cohort of Innovation Crossroads at Oak Ridge National Laboratory and currently serves as the Director of Engineering at C-Zero.
Project Abstract:
Yellowstone Energy’s mission was to develop an advanced modular nuclear reactor with integrated thermal energy storage that could maximize the use of existing supply chains to enable near-term deployment of a cost-effective, economic, and passively safe clean energy source. The Yellowstone Energy Molten Nitrate Salt Reactor power plant was unique among advanced reactor designs in using a molten nitrate salt coolant, the only high temperature, ambient pressure coolant commercially deployed in MW-scale thermal power systems. The team was awarded and managed three federal grants totaling $3M+, including $2.6M ARPA-E award.
Bio:
Samuel received his PhD and MS in Nuclear Science and Engineering from Massachusetts Institute of Technology and hold a BS in Chemical Engineering from the University of California, Santa Barbara. His research focused on building high performance computing packages for nuclear reactor analysis. He co-founded Yellowstone Energy in 2016 with Matthew Ellis. Yellowstone Energy focused on the development of a modular, safe, and economic advanced nuclear reactor. After much success, the team ultimately decided to wind-down the company in 2019. Sam is a graduate of the first cohort of Innovation Crossroads at Oak Ridge National Laboratory and currently serves as the Director of Engineering at C-Zero.
Project Abstract:
Yellowstone Energy’s mission was to develop an advanced modular nuclear reactor with integrated thermal energy storage that could maximize the use of existing supply chains to enable near-term deployment of a cost-effective, economic, and passively safe clean energy source. The Yellowstone Energy Molten Nitrate Salt Reactor power plant was unique among advanced reactor designs in using a molten nitrate salt coolant, the only high temperature, ambient pressure coolant commercially deployed in MW-scale thermal power systems. The team was awarded and managed three federal grants totaling $3M+, including $2.6M ARPA-E award.
Cohort 2 (2018-2020)
Don DeRosa
Bio: Don DeRosa is developing a next generation electrolyte that will significantly lower the cost and size of ultracapacitor modules. The resulting lower cost and smaller ultracapacitor modules can…
Don DeRosa
Eonix, Founder & CEO
Bio:
Don DeRosa is developing a next generation electrolyte that will significantly lower the cost and size of ultracapacitor modules. The resulting lower cost and smaller ultracapacitor modules can be used in tandem with lithium-ion batteries to dramatically improve the efficiency, range, and longevity of hybrid and electric vehicles. He received his PhD in Nanoscience from the State University of New York at Albany and is a graduate of the second cohort of Innovation Crossroads at Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
Project Abstract:
Eonix was originally spun out of the College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering (CNSE) to explore the commercialization of 21 novel ionic liquid electrolytes for ultracapacitors developed through a series of New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) grants. After receiving a National Science Foundation (NSF) i-Corps award to explore the market potential of these electrolytes, we discovered that ultracapacitor device manufacturers were hampered far more by cost rather than device performance, contrary to the claims in academia. These concerns regarding ultracapacitor device cost were echoed in the interviews we later conducted with representatives at automotive OEMs. Despite the automotive performance advantages offered by ultracapacitors and demonstrated in the Chinese hybrid bus and European start stop markets, ultracapacitors would not be adopted for hybrid and electric vehicles by domestic automotive companies without a significant reduction in cost and size. At the conclusion of i-Corps, Eonix was awarded a $250k NYSERDA grant to further study different electrolyte solutions on the benchtop and prototype scale. By leveraging the diverse characterization resources available at the CNSE, Eonix observed the impact of different electrolyte compositions on the degradation of these devices when exposed to a larger potential window. A novel salt that reduced device resistance by 40% was developed during this project. Eonix now aims to leverage this highly conductive salt to develop an electrolyte that expands the potential window of ultracapacitor devices from 2.7V to 3.5V.
Bio:
Don DeRosa is developing a next generation electrolyte that will significantly lower the cost and size of ultracapacitor modules. The resulting lower cost and smaller ultracapacitor modules can be used in tandem with lithium-ion batteries to dramatically improve the efficiency, range, and longevity of hybrid and electric vehicles. He received his PhD in Nanoscience from the State University of New York at Albany and is a graduate of the second cohort of Innovation Crossroads at Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
Project Abstract:
Eonix was originally spun out of the College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering (CNSE) to explore the commercialization of 21 novel ionic liquid electrolytes for ultracapacitors developed through a series of New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) grants. After receiving a National Science Foundation (NSF) i-Corps award to explore the market potential of these electrolytes, we discovered that ultracapacitor device manufacturers were hampered far more by cost rather than device performance, contrary to the claims in academia. These concerns regarding ultracapacitor device cost were echoed in the interviews we later conducted with representatives at automotive OEMs. Despite the automotive performance advantages offered by ultracapacitors and demonstrated in the Chinese hybrid bus and European start stop markets, ultracapacitors would not be adopted for hybrid and electric vehicles by domestic automotive companies without a significant reduction in cost and size. At the conclusion of i-Corps, Eonix was awarded a $250k NYSERDA grant to further study different electrolyte solutions on the benchtop and prototype scale. By leveraging the diverse characterization resources available at the CNSE, Eonix observed the impact of different electrolyte compositions on the degradation of these devices when exposed to a larger potential window. A novel salt that reduced device resistance by 40% was developed during this project. Eonix now aims to leverage this highly conductive salt to develop an electrolyte that expands the potential window of ultracapacitor devices from 2.7V to 3.5V.
Shane McMahon
Bio: Shane McMahon is developing thin-film semiconductor substrates that will serve as a novel platform for highly integrated and flexible electronic devices. The platform will provide the ability…
Shane McMahon
Lux Semiconductors, Co-Founder & CEO
Bio:
Shane McMahon is developing thin-film semiconductor substrates that will serve as a novel platform for highly integrated and flexible electronic devices. The platform will provide the ability to integrate core Internet of Things (IoT) functionality, including sensors, logic, memory, communication, and power. Shane holds a PhD in Nano-Engineering from the State University of New York at Albany and is a graduate of the second cohort of Innovation Crossroads at Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
Project Abstract:
Lux Semiconductors can significantly improve the performance of large area, thin-film semiconductors through a patent pending recrystallization process. By leveraging a century of innovations in bulk crystal growth and applying them to low cost thin-films for the first time, Lux will deliver an entirely new class of flexible semiconductors to serve as a next generation material platform for integrated electronics. The platform will be suitable to host a range of electronic components and fully integrated system-on-chip designs including sensors, RF, displays, lighting, processors, memory, micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS), energy harvesting, and similar ‘internet of things’ devices. The company was founded in April 2017 by Dr. Shane McMahon, CEO, and Dr. Graeme Housser, CTO. The company is co-located in Oak Ridge, TN and in Albany, NY. Lux is developing and commercializing technology spawned from Ph.D. research conducted on behalf of the founders during their tenure at the SUNY Polytechnic Institute. Lux has raised significant non-dilutive funding including, National Science Foundation SBIR Phase I and Phase II awards, a Department of Defense Air Force Research Laboratory SBIR Phase I and II awards. Lux has also received funding from NEXUS-NY, RIT Venture Creations, and the Techstars Starburst Space Accelerator.
Bio:
Shane McMahon is developing thin-film semiconductor substrates that will serve as a novel platform for highly integrated and flexible electronic devices. The platform will provide the ability to integrate core Internet of Things (IoT) functionality, including sensors, logic, memory, communication, and power. Shane holds a PhD in Nano-Engineering from the State University of New York at Albany and is a graduate of the second cohort of Innovation Crossroads at Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
Project Abstract:
Lux Semiconductors can significantly improve the performance of large area, thin-film semiconductors through a patent pending recrystallization process. By leveraging a century of innovations in bulk crystal growth and applying them to low cost thin-films for the first time, Lux will deliver an entirely new class of flexible semiconductors to serve as a next generation material platform for integrated electronics. The platform will be suitable to host a range of electronic components and fully integrated system-on-chip designs including sensors, RF, displays, lighting, processors, memory, micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS), energy harvesting, and similar ‘internet of things’ devices. The company was founded in April 2017 by Dr. Shane McMahon, CEO, and Dr. Graeme Housser, CTO. The company is co-located in Oak Ridge, TN and in Albany, NY. Lux is developing and commercializing technology spawned from Ph.D. research conducted on behalf of the founders during their tenure at the SUNY Polytechnic Institute. Lux has raised significant non-dilutive funding including, National Science Foundation SBIR Phase I and Phase II awards, a Department of Defense Air Force Research Laboratory SBIR Phase I and II awards. Lux has also received funding from NEXUS-NY, RIT Venture Creations, and the Techstars Starburst Space Accelerator.
Justin Nussbaum
Bio: Ascend Manufacturing is focused on developing a manufacturing grade additive manufacturing system, utilizing a technology he developed, called Large Area Projection Sintering (LAPS). LAPS…
Justin Nussbaum
Ascend Manufacturing, Founder & CEO
Bio:
Ascend Manufacturing is focused on developing a manufacturing grade additive manufacturing system, utilizing a technology he developed, called Large Area Projection Sintering (LAPS). LAPS offers many advantages over new and traditional additive manufacturing technologies. With LAPS, components can be economically created with drastically increased production rates, process a broader range of materials, provide superior mechanical properties, all while fully integrating quality control and assurance measures. Justin completed his PhD in Mechanical Engineering at the University of South Florida and is a graduate of the second cohort of Innovation Crossroads at Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
Project Abstract:
The manufacturing industry in the US today is a massive $2.3 trillion dollars. Manufacturing provides the backbone to our nation in which all other industries benefit from and rely on. As our manufacturing capabilities are improved, our nation can provide faster, cheaper and higher quality parts/services while achieving economic competitiveness to keep manufacturing and all of its jobs at home. One such technology which is driving this charge is additive manufacturing (aka 3D printing). Many times, additive manufacturing can decrease prototyping costs and timelines by over 90% over traditional methods. The nation is moving towards the fourth industrial revolution where agile manufacturing provides the ability to create components on-demand when they are needed, eliminating logistical nightmares behind stock piling large quantities of parts for the future and freeing up capital invested in inventory. While current additive manufacturing technologies can address this issue due to their ability to create components without molds, none have the production speed, quality, or economic price point to satisfy this need.
Ascend Manufacturing designs and fabricates novel industrial additive manufacturing equipment, born from industrial need. Their patented (one granted, five pending) technology is the first technology to truly enable the agile manufacturing industry 4.0, perfectly supplementing existing manufacturing technologies. The new technology used in these systems are being perfected by the founder through collaboration with Oak Ridge National Laboratory, the University of South Florida, and Brigham Young University. These systems are capable of producing injection molded quantities of parts overnight (up to 250,000 parts per day from each machine) without any molds, decreasing turnaround times from months to days and removing the tens to hundreds of thousands in startup costs to create that mold. Additionally, the flexible systems can process materials that are 10X cheaper than what competitors use or high-performance polymers for our aerospace and defense customers. Lastly, they are the one and only company that can fully integrate quality control and quality assurance measures where every part is “born certified” without spending any additional time or money to qualify them. The company is currently seeking additional investors to join a growing pool of investors in a $2.5M seed raise.
Bio:
Ascend Manufacturing is focused on developing a manufacturing grade additive manufacturing system, utilizing a technology he developed, called Large Area Projection Sintering (LAPS). LAPS offers many advantages over new and traditional additive manufacturing technologies. With LAPS, components can be economically created with drastically increased production rates, process a broader range of materials, provide superior mechanical properties, all while fully integrating quality control and assurance measures. Justin completed his PhD in Mechanical Engineering at the University of South Florida and is a graduate of the second cohort of Innovation Crossroads at Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
Project Abstract:
The manufacturing industry in the US today is a massive $2.3 trillion dollars. Manufacturing provides the backbone to our nation in which all other industries benefit from and rely on. As our manufacturing capabilities are improved, our nation can provide faster, cheaper and higher quality parts/services while achieving economic competitiveness to keep manufacturing and all of its jobs at home. One such technology which is driving this charge is additive manufacturing (aka 3D printing). Many times, additive manufacturing can decrease prototyping costs and timelines by over 90% over traditional methods. The nation is moving towards the fourth industrial revolution where agile manufacturing provides the ability to create components on-demand when they are needed, eliminating logistical nightmares behind stock piling large quantities of parts for the future and freeing up capital invested in inventory. While current additive manufacturing technologies can address this issue due to their ability to create components without molds, none have the production speed, quality, or economic price point to satisfy this need.
Ascend Manufacturing designs and fabricates novel industrial additive manufacturing equipment, born from industrial need. Their patented (one granted, five pending) technology is the first technology to truly enable the agile manufacturing industry 4.0, perfectly supplementing existing manufacturing technologies. The new technology used in these systems are being perfected by the founder through collaboration with Oak Ridge National Laboratory, the University of South Florida, and Brigham Young University. These systems are capable of producing injection molded quantities of parts overnight (up to 250,000 parts per day from each machine) without any molds, decreasing turnaround times from months to days and removing the tens to hundreds of thousands in startup costs to create that mold. Additionally, the flexible systems can process materials that are 10X cheaper than what competitors use or high-performance polymers for our aerospace and defense customers. Lastly, they are the one and only company that can fully integrate quality control and quality assurance measures where every part is “born certified” without spending any additional time or money to qualify them. The company is currently seeking additional investors to join a growing pool of investors in a $2.5M seed raise.
Megan O'Connor
Bio: Megan O’Connor is an environmental engineer and chemist who has 7 years’ experience in developing carbon nanotube membrane separation technologies. Megan developed the unique hard-tech that…
Megan O'Connor
Nth Cycle, Co-Founder & CEO
Bio:
Megan O’Connor is an environmental engineer and chemist who has 7 years’ experience in developing carbon nanotube membrane separation technologies. Megan developed the unique hard-tech that uses electro-extraction to turn battery recycling waste streams into profitable commodities. Nth Cycle outputs are metal hydroxides that can be sold to hydrometallurgical refineries for reuse in lithium-ion cathode manufacturing lines. She holds a PhD in Civil and Environmental Engineering from Duke University and is a graduate of the second cohort of Innovation Crossroads at Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
Project Abstract:
Demand for critical minerals to power the energy transition is growing exponentially. Yet, we know mining deeper and broader, and building landfills higher and wider, works against our fight to save the planet. At Nth Cycle, they see the path forward and believe all the critical minerals needed for the energy transition are already in circulation today. The company has now developed a clean and profitable way of retrieving them.
At Nth Cycle, they are taking a different approach to expanding the supply of critical minerals for the clean energy revolution. The team leverages the power of electro-extraction: clean and modular technology for reliably recovering critical minerals from e-waste and low-grade mine tailings using electricity.
Nth Cycle works with battery recyclers and miners. Their customizable and clean electro-extraction technology installs onsite to recover critical minerals from separated e-waste, low-grade ore, and mine tailings. They are the heart of metals processing – the crucial step that profitably separates critical minerals from other elements, transforming them into production-grade feedstocks for the clean energy transition.
Bio:
Megan O’Connor is an environmental engineer and chemist who has 7 years’ experience in developing carbon nanotube membrane separation technologies. Megan developed the unique hard-tech that uses electro-extraction to turn battery recycling waste streams into profitable commodities. Nth Cycle outputs are metal hydroxides that can be sold to hydrometallurgical refineries for reuse in lithium-ion cathode manufacturing lines. She holds a PhD in Civil and Environmental Engineering from Duke University and is a graduate of the second cohort of Innovation Crossroads at Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
Project Abstract:
Demand for critical minerals to power the energy transition is growing exponentially. Yet, we know mining deeper and broader, and building landfills higher and wider, works against our fight to save the planet. At Nth Cycle, they see the path forward and believe all the critical minerals needed for the energy transition are already in circulation today. The company has now developed a clean and profitable way of retrieving them.
At Nth Cycle, they are taking a different approach to expanding the supply of critical minerals for the clean energy revolution. The team leverages the power of electro-extraction: clean and modular technology for reliably recovering critical minerals from e-waste and low-grade mine tailings using electricity.
Nth Cycle works with battery recyclers and miners. Their customizable and clean electro-extraction technology installs onsite to recover critical minerals from separated e-waste, low-grade ore, and mine tailings. They are the heart of metals processing – the crucial step that profitably separates critical minerals from other elements, transforming them into production-grade feedstocks for the clean energy transition.
Matthew Smith
Bio: Matthew Smith’s new class of high thermal conductivity plastic composite materials aim to improve heat dissipation, allowing for metal replacement and light-weighting, cost and component…
Matthew Smith
TCPoly, Co-Founder & CEO
Bio:
Matthew Smith’s new class of high thermal conductivity plastic composite materials aim to improve heat dissipation, allowing for metal replacement and light-weighting, cost and component reductions, and improved performance and reliability. These materials also exhibit the unique ability to be 3D printed, allowing thermal engineers to rapidly and inexpensively prototype multi-functional thermal solutions and enabling the design of heat transfer products that cannot be manufactured using traditional methods. He holds a PhD in materials science and engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology and is a graduate of the second cohort of Innovation Crossroads at Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
Project Abstract:
TCPoly is an advanced materials company that has developed high thermal conductivity 3D printing filaments and use their patented materials to fabricate thermally conductive tooling, heat exchangers, and other thermal management devices. TCPoly’s vision is to enable high volume 3D printing manufacturing by combining the design freedom of low-cost FDM production with their functional materials to produce new, value-add products. As 3D printing technology continues to mature, TCPoly will leverage IP in materials, thermal products, and printing hardware and software to enable companies to own the manufacturing process and farm 3D print their own functional products.
Bio:
Matthew Smith’s new class of high thermal conductivity plastic composite materials aim to improve heat dissipation, allowing for metal replacement and light-weighting, cost and component reductions, and improved performance and reliability. These materials also exhibit the unique ability to be 3D printed, allowing thermal engineers to rapidly and inexpensively prototype multi-functional thermal solutions and enabling the design of heat transfer products that cannot be manufactured using traditional methods. He holds a PhD in materials science and engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology and is a graduate of the second cohort of Innovation Crossroads at Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
Project Abstract:
TCPoly is an advanced materials company that has developed high thermal conductivity 3D printing filaments and use their patented materials to fabricate thermally conductive tooling, heat exchangers, and other thermal management devices. TCPoly’s vision is to enable high volume 3D printing manufacturing by combining the design freedom of low-cost FDM production with their functional materials to produce new, value-add products. As 3D printing technology continues to mature, TCPoly will leverage IP in materials, thermal products, and printing hardware and software to enable companies to own the manufacturing process and farm 3D print their own functional products.
Cohort 3 (2019-2021)
Jesse Claypoole
Bio: Jesse Claypoole is developing a roll-to-roll, manufactured, active multispectral light field (AMLF) micro-optics architecture for applications including autonomous surgery, industrial…
Jesse Claypoole
MantaPoole Technologies, Founder & CEO
Bio:
Jesse Claypoole is developing a roll-to-roll, manufactured, active multispectral light field (AMLF) micro-optics architecture for applications including autonomous surgery, industrial manufacturing, robotic farming, and real time robot vision. Jesse earned a PhD in Nanoscale Science at the State University of New York Polytechnic Institute and is the founder and CEO of MantaPoole Technologies.
Project Abstract:
With the development and proliferation of smart machines that can increasingly autonomously interact with the real work, it is important that these smart machines be increasingly able to make decisions based on real world variables. In order to make these decisions, these smart machines will need the correct amount and type of information and essentially the capabilities of these smart machines are limited by the capabilities of their sensors. In order to address this problem, MantaPoole Technologies is developing a next generation imaging solution that can enable machines to see the “what” and “where” of their application in a single camera form factor. This advanced capability is enabled by the novel optical system MantaPoole Technologies is developing called Plenoptics 3.0. Plenoptics 3.0 will enable the capture of both spectral and depth information without a reduction of the image quality. This advanced imaging solution will enable smart machines to tell what an object is made of, its shape, and where it is.
Bio:
Jesse Claypoole is developing a roll-to-roll, manufactured, active multispectral light field (AMLF) micro-optics architecture for applications including autonomous surgery, industrial manufacturing, robotic farming, and real time robot vision. Jesse earned a PhD in Nanoscale Science at the State University of New York Polytechnic Institute and is the founder and CEO of MantaPoole Technologies.
Project Abstract:
With the development and proliferation of smart machines that can increasingly autonomously interact with the real work, it is important that these smart machines be increasingly able to make decisions based on real world variables. In order to make these decisions, these smart machines will need the correct amount and type of information and essentially the capabilities of these smart machines are limited by the capabilities of their sensors. In order to address this problem, MantaPoole Technologies is developing a next generation imaging solution that can enable machines to see the “what” and “where” of their application in a single camera form factor. This advanced capability is enabled by the novel optical system MantaPoole Technologies is developing called Plenoptics 3.0. Plenoptics 3.0 will enable the capture of both spectral and depth information without a reduction of the image quality. This advanced imaging solution will enable smart machines to tell what an object is made of, its shape, and where it is.
William Fitzhugh
Bio: American Nanotechnologies, Inc. (ANI) is developing material processing technology for purification of high-value nanomaterials. Such material processing technology is critical to developing…
William Fitzhugh
American Nanotechnologies, Founder & CEO
Bio:
American Nanotechnologies, Inc. (ANI) is developing material processing technology for purification of high-value nanomaterials. Such material processing technology is critical to developing viable supplies supply chains for next-gen electronics. ANI was founded by CEO Will Fitzhugh who received his PhD in Applied Physics from Harvard University.
Project Abstract:
Nanomaterials, such as carbon nanotubes, have been a major focus of R&D for next-gen electronics over the past two decades. Despite remarkable performance of such devices in laboratory settings, commercialization has been hampered by the lack of an economically viable supply chain for the underlying nanomaterials. Many of these materials can be synthesized at industrial scale but require post-synthesis purification that cannot be performed cost-effectively. American Nanotechnologies’ breakthrough processing technology will finally close this gap, allowing these remarkable devices to final transition out of the lab and into commercial adoption.
Bio:
American Nanotechnologies, Inc. (ANI) is developing material processing technology for purification of high-value nanomaterials. Such material processing technology is critical to developing viable supplies supply chains for next-gen electronics. ANI was founded by CEO Will Fitzhugh who received his PhD in Applied Physics from Harvard University.
Project Abstract:
Nanomaterials, such as carbon nanotubes, have been a major focus of R&D for next-gen electronics over the past two decades. Despite remarkable performance of such devices in laboratory settings, commercialization has been hampered by the lack of an economically viable supply chain for the underlying nanomaterials. Many of these materials can be synthesized at industrial scale but require post-synthesis purification that cannot be performed cost-effectively. American Nanotechnologies’ breakthrough processing technology will finally close this gap, allowing these remarkable devices to final transition out of the lab and into commercial adoption.
Hicham Ghossein
Bio: Endeavor Composites is designing and implementing an innovative mixer system for the hydroentanglement process that offers several advantages over the current fiber dispersion techniques. …
Hicham Ghossein
Endeavor Composites, Founder & CEO
Bio:
Endeavor Composites is designing and implementing an innovative mixer system for the hydroentanglement process that offers several advantages over the current fiber dispersion techniques. Hicham earned a PhD in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
Project Abstract:
Endeavor Composites, Inc. was founded based on technology exclusively licensed from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK) and is implementing an innovative mixer system for the hydroentanglement process that offers several advantages over the current fiber dispersion techniques. The innovation evolved around the ability to disperse long (one to one and half inch) carbon fiber (CF) to produce, in a continuous scale, defect free non-woven mats and preforms with excellent quality control (density std. deviation bellow 3%).
Bio:
Endeavor Composites is designing and implementing an innovative mixer system for the hydroentanglement process that offers several advantages over the current fiber dispersion techniques. Hicham earned a PhD in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
Project Abstract:
Endeavor Composites, Inc. was founded based on technology exclusively licensed from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK) and is implementing an innovative mixer system for the hydroentanglement process that offers several advantages over the current fiber dispersion techniques. The innovation evolved around the ability to disperse long (one to one and half inch) carbon fiber (CF) to produce, in a continuous scale, defect free non-woven mats and preforms with excellent quality control (density std. deviation bellow 3%).
Alex Lewis
Bio: Electro-Active Technologies was spun out of Oak Ridge National Laboratory in 2017 and has gone through multiple accelerators in addition to Innovation Crossroads including IndieBio, Plug and…
Alex Lewis
Electro-Active Technologies, Co-founder & CEO
Bio:
Electro-Active Technologies was spun out of Oak Ridge National Laboratory in 2017 and has gone through multiple accelerators in addition to Innovation Crossroads including IndieBio, Plug and Play, H2 Refuel, and MCorps/Scale 4 ClimateTech. The company is developing a modular system for converting food waste and electricity into low-cost, green hydrogen. Alex earned a PhD in Energy Science and Engineering from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
Project Abstract:
Electro-Active Technologies is developing a process known as microbial electrolysis, which leverages a robust microbial community that grows as a biofilm on an electrode and can actually produce electrons and protons directly from almost any organic waste stream. The protons and electrons produced by the microbes, in addition to about 1 V of additional electricity, are used to make hydrogen separately in the system with high efficiency and purity. This technology can enable companies, waste haulers and municipalities to reduce waste while producing low-cost zero emission fuel in the form of hydrogen. As a company they have received $2.1M in funds mainly from private investment and have also participated in a number of accelerators to advance the business, technical, and manufacturing readiness level of the company, scaling up more than 100-fold over the last 2 years. They are taking a stack approach to scale-up, similar to battery and fuel cell stacks, utilizing smaller units and replicating them to make larger systems, minimizing risks on the biology side. Electro-Active currently have a beta-prototype tested for the target performance and are in the planning stages on two pilots that will contain commercially sized reactor units, enabling them to move rapidly to commercial scale through unit replication and manufacturing after pilot demonstrations.
Bio:
Electro-Active Technologies was spun out of Oak Ridge National Laboratory in 2017 and has gone through multiple accelerators in addition to Innovation Crossroads including IndieBio, Plug and Play, H2 Refuel, and MCorps/Scale 4 ClimateTech. The company is developing a modular system for converting food waste and electricity into low-cost, green hydrogen. Alex earned a PhD in Energy Science and Engineering from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
Project Abstract:
Electro-Active Technologies is developing a process known as microbial electrolysis, which leverages a robust microbial community that grows as a biofilm on an electrode and can actually produce electrons and protons directly from almost any organic waste stream. The protons and electrons produced by the microbes, in addition to about 1 V of additional electricity, are used to make hydrogen separately in the system with high efficiency and purity. This technology can enable companies, waste haulers and municipalities to reduce waste while producing low-cost zero emission fuel in the form of hydrogen. As a company they have received $2.1M in funds mainly from private investment and have also participated in a number of accelerators to advance the business, technical, and manufacturing readiness level of the company, scaling up more than 100-fold over the last 2 years. They are taking a stack approach to scale-up, similar to battery and fuel cell stacks, utilizing smaller units and replicating them to make larger systems, minimizing risks on the biology side. Electro-Active currently have a beta-prototype tested for the target performance and are in the planning stages on two pilots that will contain commercially sized reactor units, enabling them to move rapidly to commercial scale through unit replication and manufacturing after pilot demonstrations.
Trevor McQueen
Bio: Neptune Fluid Flow Systems is developing an advanced thin film cryogenic sample preparation device designed to substantially improve sample preparation for the transmission electron microscopy…
Trevor McQueen
Neptune Fluid Flow Systems, Co-founder & CEO
Bio:
Neptune Fluid Flow Systems is developing an advanced thin film cryogenic sample preparation device designed to substantially improve sample preparation for the transmission electron microscopy (TEM) community. Trevor earned a PhD in chemistry from Stanford University.
Project Abstract:
As a society that believes in a better future, we constantly seek new ways and new methods to improve our healthcare and manufacturing capabilities. Over the years, the U.S. has invested trillions of dollars in areas of development such as the discovery of new drugs and therapeutics to lengthen and enrich our lives, and the synthesis and characterization of new materials to build more energy-efficient buildings and safer consumer products. To continue pushing beyond our limits to achieve greater things, we need to understand how life and materials behave at a fundamental level. We need to provide researchers the necessary analytical tools to learn about the structure of biomolecules and other soft matter materials, which make up the basis of the world around us, so that they can make life-changing discoveries in lab.
Neptune Fluid Flow Systems LLC is a scientific hardware startup founded in 2016 by Dr. Trevor McQueen to improve the sample preparation, handling, and delivery processes for scientific research. Neptune’s current mission is to assist structural biologists and material scientists by making cryo-transmission electron microscopy (cryo-TEM) a reliable, reproducible, and repeatable way to visualize and study the three-dimensional soft material structures to advance drug design and advanced manufacturing industry in the U.S.
Bio:
Neptune Fluid Flow Systems is developing an advanced thin film cryogenic sample preparation device designed to substantially improve sample preparation for the transmission electron microscopy (TEM) community. Trevor earned a PhD in chemistry from Stanford University.
Project Abstract:
As a society that believes in a better future, we constantly seek new ways and new methods to improve our healthcare and manufacturing capabilities. Over the years, the U.S. has invested trillions of dollars in areas of development such as the discovery of new drugs and therapeutics to lengthen and enrich our lives, and the synthesis and characterization of new materials to build more energy-efficient buildings and safer consumer products. To continue pushing beyond our limits to achieve greater things, we need to understand how life and materials behave at a fundamental level. We need to provide researchers the necessary analytical tools to learn about the structure of biomolecules and other soft matter materials, which make up the basis of the world around us, so that they can make life-changing discoveries in lab.
Neptune Fluid Flow Systems LLC is a scientific hardware startup founded in 2016 by Dr. Trevor McQueen to improve the sample preparation, handling, and delivery processes for scientific research. Neptune’s current mission is to assist structural biologists and material scientists by making cryo-transmission electron microscopy (cryo-TEM) a reliable, reproducible, and repeatable way to visualize and study the three-dimensional soft material structures to advance drug design and advanced manufacturing industry in the U.S.
Leila Safavi
Bio: Leila is the co-founder and CEO of Purist, a company based on a technology she co-invented during her Ph.D. studies. Purist's focus is developing a technology to be implemented in existing…
Leila Safavi
Purist, Inc., Co-founder & CEO
Bio:
Leila is the co-founder and CEO of Purist, a company based on a technology she co-invented during her Ph.D. studies. Purist's focus is developing a technology to be implemented in existing nuclear reactors to produce medical-grade radioactive ingredients. These radioactive ingredients are time-sensitive materials used daily to treat and diagnose life-threatening diseases such as cancer. Leila earned her Ph.D./M.S. in Chemical and Biochemical Engineering and B.S. in Chemistry, all from the University of California, Irvine (UC-Irvine). During her time at UC-Irvine, she became a licensed nuclear reactor operator by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission and maintained this license for over five years. In 2017, Leila co-founded Purist with her former Ph.D. advisor Dr. Mikael Nilsson and was appointed as Chief Executive Officer. In this role, she has won first place in the 2017 UC-Irvine New Venture Business Plan competition, been the recipient of the 2018 Orange County Engineering Council's Project Achievement award, and the 2018 Best Female Owned Business award from the UC-Irvine ANTrepreneur Center. In February of 2021, Leila was selected to be in the first class of 250 entrepreneurs for Forbes's NEXT 1000 list.
In 2019 Purist was awarded a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant from the National Institutes of Health. The SBIR award, combined with the Oak Ridge National Laboratory's Innovation Crossroads program, has provided funding and resources to accelerate Purist's technology towards commercialization.
Project Abstract:
Medical radioisotopes are time sensitive radioactive ingredients that are used for diagnosis and treatment of life-threatening diseases such as cancer. In recent years the availability of these ingredients has become a source of concern due to dependence on a limited number of aging production facilities worldwide. To overcome this concern and meet the growing demand for medical radioisotopes, Purist is developing a technology to enable a distributed network of small-scale and underutilized nuclear reactors produce high purity radioisotopes. Purist will complement the efforts of existing production facilities to serve the current and growing demand of the medical radioisotope market, increase domestic radioisotope production capabilities, and work towards ensuring no medical procedure is compromised due to radioisotope supply constraints.
Bio:
Leila is the co-founder and CEO of Purist, a company based on a technology she co-invented during her Ph.D. studies. Purist's focus is developing a technology to be implemented in existing nuclear reactors to produce medical-grade radioactive ingredients. These radioactive ingredients are time-sensitive materials used daily to treat and diagnose life-threatening diseases such as cancer. Leila earned her Ph.D./M.S. in Chemical and Biochemical Engineering and B.S. in Chemistry, all from the University of California, Irvine (UC-Irvine). During her time at UC-Irvine, she became a licensed nuclear reactor operator by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission and maintained this license for over five years. In 2017, Leila co-founded Purist with her former Ph.D. advisor Dr. Mikael Nilsson and was appointed as Chief Executive Officer. In this role, she has won first place in the 2017 UC-Irvine New Venture Business Plan competition, been the recipient of the 2018 Orange County Engineering Council's Project Achievement award, and the 2018 Best Female Owned Business award from the UC-Irvine ANTrepreneur Center. In February of 2021, Leila was selected to be in the first class of 250 entrepreneurs for Forbes's NEXT 1000 list.
In 2019 Purist was awarded a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant from the National Institutes of Health. The SBIR award, combined with the Oak Ridge National Laboratory's Innovation Crossroads program, has provided funding and resources to accelerate Purist's technology towards commercialization.
Project Abstract:
Medical radioisotopes are time sensitive radioactive ingredients that are used for diagnosis and treatment of life-threatening diseases such as cancer. In recent years the availability of these ingredients has become a source of concern due to dependence on a limited number of aging production facilities worldwide. To overcome this concern and meet the growing demand for medical radioisotopes, Purist is developing a technology to enable a distributed network of small-scale and underutilized nuclear reactors produce high purity radioisotopes. Purist will complement the efforts of existing production facilities to serve the current and growing demand of the medical radioisotope market, increase domestic radioisotope production capabilities, and work towards ensuring no medical procedure is compromised due to radioisotope supply constraints.
Jesse Thornburg
Bio: Grid Fruit is developing and evaluating a novel technology and operating framework for monitoring and control of commercial refrigeration systems installed at food retailers. Jesse earned a…
Jesse Thornburg
Grid Fruit, Co-founder & CEO
Bio:
Grid Fruit is developing and evaluating a novel technology and operating framework for monitoring and control of commercial refrigeration systems installed at food retailers. Jesse earned a PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University.
Project Abstract:
Grid Fruit uses artificial intelligence (AI) and data to keep food fresh while reducing the energy needed for commercial refrigeration. The technology simultaneously procures savings for food retailers and provides grid services for electrical utilities.
Grid Fruit evaluates and then improves the performance of refrigeration systems in terms of energy and food quality. They plan to leverage this information for intelligent asset management including fault detection and predictive maintenance. Grid Fruit will also improve performance of refrigeration systems by providing custom operational recommendations. Finally, with better monitoring and control the technology will be able to leverage thermal storage capacity of retailer refrigeration systems as energy storage (thermal batteries) for the grid.
Bio:
Grid Fruit is developing and evaluating a novel technology and operating framework for monitoring and control of commercial refrigeration systems installed at food retailers. Jesse earned a PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University.
Project Abstract:
Grid Fruit uses artificial intelligence (AI) and data to keep food fresh while reducing the energy needed for commercial refrigeration. The technology simultaneously procures savings for food retailers and provides grid services for electrical utilities.
Grid Fruit evaluates and then improves the performance of refrigeration systems in terms of energy and food quality. They plan to leverage this information for intelligent asset management including fault detection and predictive maintenance. Grid Fruit will also improve performance of refrigeration systems by providing custom operational recommendations. Finally, with better monitoring and control the technology will be able to leverage thermal storage capacity of retailer refrigeration systems as energy storage (thermal batteries) for the grid.
Cohort 4 (2020-2022)
Renee Carder
Bio: PixelEXX Systems is reimagining tomorrow’s cameras so you can capture, analyze, and interpret the world around us in awe inspiring detail. Ninety percent of the information we process is visual…
Renee Carder
PixelEXX Systems, Co-founder & Vice President
Bio:
PixelEXX Systems is reimagining tomorrow’s cameras so you can capture, analyze, and interpret the world around us in awe inspiring detail. Ninety percent of the information we process is visual and we process it 60,000 time faster than text. Thus, it is not surprising that the review and analyses of visual data is critical to enterprises across all industries. The technology can be found in everything from self-driving cars and drones to medical imaging devices and robots. Smart cameras combined with visual technology will reduce errors, improve production efficiency, combat fraud, and enhance our daily lives. Using nano-sized pixels to collect more light, PixelEXX high performance image sensors and cameras will deliver higher resolution, better sensitivity and dynamic range, and enhanced color—all in an unprecedented form factor.
Renee is a visual neuroscientist with deep experience in designing imaging-based experiments and analyzing the subsequent data to extract complex information. She holds a PhD in Neurobiology, Anatomy and Cell Science, and Neuroscience from the University of Pittsburgh Medical School.
Project Abstract:
Photon detection is a great enabler of pure and applied science with broad reaching benefits. It is not only central to the exploration of the fundamental nature of energy, matter, space and time, but also plays an important role in applications such as light/laser detection and ranging, photography, astronomy, quantum information science, medical imaging, microscopy, and communications. Today, the performance of different classes of photon detectors varies in 1) noise characteristics which sets a floor on the minimum signal intensity that can be observed; 2) saturation characteristics which sets a ceiling on the maximum signal intensity that can be observed; and 3) geometric, absorption and signal conversion characteristics that determine the proportion of the incident signal that can be measured. The company is working with Oak Ridge National Laboratory to address these critical performance limitations using of a new class of solid-state photomultipliers that exploit optical resonances in semiconductor materials to enhance light absorption and detection. When combined with the ability to generate a large output signal via internal avalanche multiplication, such sensors would significantly improve photon detection and counting with high resolution and with single photon sensitivity. Initial applications will focus on devices used with scintillation detectors, essential instruments in a variety of fields, serving as an effective means of detecting radiation for industrial, defense, medical, and basic-research applications.
Bio:
PixelEXX Systems is reimagining tomorrow’s cameras so you can capture, analyze, and interpret the world around us in awe inspiring detail. Ninety percent of the information we process is visual and we process it 60,000 time faster than text. Thus, it is not surprising that the review and analyses of visual data is critical to enterprises across all industries. The technology can be found in everything from self-driving cars and drones to medical imaging devices and robots. Smart cameras combined with visual technology will reduce errors, improve production efficiency, combat fraud, and enhance our daily lives. Using nano-sized pixels to collect more light, PixelEXX high performance image sensors and cameras will deliver higher resolution, better sensitivity and dynamic range, and enhanced color—all in an unprecedented form factor.
Renee is a visual neuroscientist with deep experience in designing imaging-based experiments and analyzing the subsequent data to extract complex information. She holds a PhD in Neurobiology, Anatomy and Cell Science, and Neuroscience from the University of Pittsburgh Medical School.
Project Abstract:
Photon detection is a great enabler of pure and applied science with broad reaching benefits. It is not only central to the exploration of the fundamental nature of energy, matter, space and time, but also plays an important role in applications such as light/laser detection and ranging, photography, astronomy, quantum information science, medical imaging, microscopy, and communications. Today, the performance of different classes of photon detectors varies in 1) noise characteristics which sets a floor on the minimum signal intensity that can be observed; 2) saturation characteristics which sets a ceiling on the maximum signal intensity that can be observed; and 3) geometric, absorption and signal conversion characteristics that determine the proportion of the incident signal that can be measured. The company is working with Oak Ridge National Laboratory to address these critical performance limitations using of a new class of solid-state photomultipliers that exploit optical resonances in semiconductor materials to enhance light absorption and detection. When combined with the ability to generate a large output signal via internal avalanche multiplication, such sensors would significantly improve photon detection and counting with high resolution and with single photon sensitivity. Initial applications will focus on devices used with scintillation detectors, essential instruments in a variety of fields, serving as an effective means of detecting radiation for industrial, defense, medical, and basic-research applications.
Danielle Castley
Bio: Danielle Castley is developing a high-temperature, lightweight neutron-shielding technology that will help reduce costs and increase safety in the nuclear industry. This technology operates at…
Danielle Castley
Becq, Founder & CEO
Bio:
Danielle Castley is developing a high-temperature, lightweight neutron-shielding technology that will help reduce costs and increase safety in the nuclear industry. This technology operates at a higher temperature than existing polymer-based neutron-shielding products. The higher temperature resistance of 300oC instead of 180oC introduces significant opportunities for deploying neutron shielding materials in higher-temperature locations within the reactor containment and/or to improve the safety margin in applications originally designed for shielding with a lower operating temperature. Castley holds a PhD in Materials Science and Engineering from Dartmouth College and is the founder of Becq.
Project Abstract:
Becq is a radiation shielding materials company whose technology will help to reduce costs and increase safety in the nuclear industry. Becq’s core competency is currently neutron shielding technology. Innovation in the neutron shielding market has lagged in the past several decades and Becq’s technology is a breakthrough for the field. Becq’s initial product offering, NE-300, is a lightweight, high-temperature neutron shielding material. The key differentiation of NE-300 over existing materials is a temperature resistance of 300oC instead of 180oC. NE-300’s higher operating temperature introduces significant opportunities for deploying neutron shielding materials in higher-temperature locations within the reactor containment and/or to improve the safety margin in applications originally designed for shielding with a lower operating temperature. While NE-300 currently exceeds the requirements for many applications in the nuclear industry, the Innovation Crossroads program at Oak Ridge National Laboratory will allow Becq to perform the additional development necessary to validate the long-term use of this product and prepare it for commercialization.
Becq’s vision is to become first-in-sales in the $1 billion international neutron shield materials market over the next decade by becoming the dominant supplier to the commercial nuclear industry and expanding into the defense and space markets. Becq has the long-term goal of becoming the largest radiation shielding company and one of the largest materials suppliers in the world.
Bio:
Danielle Castley is developing a high-temperature, lightweight neutron-shielding technology that will help reduce costs and increase safety in the nuclear industry. This technology operates at a higher temperature than existing polymer-based neutron-shielding products. The higher temperature resistance of 300oC instead of 180oC introduces significant opportunities for deploying neutron shielding materials in higher-temperature locations within the reactor containment and/or to improve the safety margin in applications originally designed for shielding with a lower operating temperature. Castley holds a PhD in Materials Science and Engineering from Dartmouth College and is the founder of Becq.
Project Abstract:
Becq is a radiation shielding materials company whose technology will help to reduce costs and increase safety in the nuclear industry. Becq’s core competency is currently neutron shielding technology. Innovation in the neutron shielding market has lagged in the past several decades and Becq’s technology is a breakthrough for the field. Becq’s initial product offering, NE-300, is a lightweight, high-temperature neutron shielding material. The key differentiation of NE-300 over existing materials is a temperature resistance of 300oC instead of 180oC. NE-300’s higher operating temperature introduces significant opportunities for deploying neutron shielding materials in higher-temperature locations within the reactor containment and/or to improve the safety margin in applications originally designed for shielding with a lower operating temperature. While NE-300 currently exceeds the requirements for many applications in the nuclear industry, the Innovation Crossroads program at Oak Ridge National Laboratory will allow Becq to perform the additional development necessary to validate the long-term use of this product and prepare it for commercialization.
Becq’s vision is to become first-in-sales in the $1 billion international neutron shield materials market over the next decade by becoming the dominant supplier to the commercial nuclear industry and expanding into the defense and space markets. Becq has the long-term goal of becoming the largest radiation shielding company and one of the largest materials suppliers in the world.
Joe Fortenbaugh
Actinic, LLC
Bio: Joe Fortenbaugh is designing, developing, and testing formulations of thermally cured thermosets which can directly and rapidly produce cured composite thermoset materials upon photothermal…
Joe Fortenbaugh
Actinic, Co-founder and CEO
Bio:
Joe Fortenbaugh is designing, developing, and testing formulations of thermally cured thermosets which can directly and rapidly produce cured composite thermoset materials upon photothermal heating. This type of heating can be used to bring rapid, on-demand curing to a wide range of thermally cured thermoset polymers. The goal is to develop silicone and epoxy resin formulations for use in additive manufacturing using carbon fiber, ceramics, graphene, metals, and metal oxides fillers. Joe holds a PhD in Chemistry from Penn State University.
Project Abstract:
Actinic specializes in bringing new thermally cured thermosets to the 3D printing market. They take commercially available materials, reformulate them, and develop the formulations for use in 3D printing. These formulations are capable of extremely rapid heating/cooling cycles (sub microsecond), which allows for the materials to be 3D printed. Actinic is currently expanding their material portfolio and developing a custom-built 3D printing system. This would be particularly significant for the Department of Defense (DOD) and industrial applications where manufacturing at point of use will be critical for solving prototyping, supply chain, and logistical challenges.
Bio:
Joe Fortenbaugh is designing, developing, and testing formulations of thermally cured thermosets which can directly and rapidly produce cured composite thermoset materials upon photothermal heating. This type of heating can be used to bring rapid, on-demand curing to a wide range of thermally cured thermoset polymers. The goal is to develop silicone and epoxy resin formulations for use in additive manufacturing using carbon fiber, ceramics, graphene, metals, and metal oxides fillers. Joe holds a PhD in Chemistry from Penn State University.
Project Abstract:
Actinic specializes in bringing new thermally cured thermosets to the 3D printing market. They take commercially available materials, reformulate them, and develop the formulations for use in 3D printing. These formulations are capable of extremely rapid heating/cooling cycles (sub microsecond), which allows for the materials to be 3D printed. Actinic is currently expanding their material portfolio and developing a custom-built 3D printing system. This would be particularly significant for the Department of Defense (DOD) and industrial applications where manufacturing at point of use will be critical for solving prototyping, supply chain, and logistical challenges.
Thomas Foulkes
AquaQuant Laboratories Inc.
Bio: Thomas Foulkes is deploying the next generation of high-performance central processing units and graphics processing units required to feed the power demand for elastic cloud computing, big…
Thomas Foulkes
AquaQuant Laboratories, Founder & CEO
Bio:
Thomas Foulkes is deploying the next generation of high-performance central processing units and graphics processing units required to feed the power demand for elastic cloud computing, big data analytics, complex simulations, and artificial intelligence. The technology creates a higher computational density by transferring heat with direct, water immersion cooling across nanoengineered, durable, and scalable hierarchical porous coatings deposited holistically on electronics. Foulkes holds a PhD in Electrical Engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Project Abstract:
AquaQuant Laboratories Inc. is commercializing scalable nanostructured surfaces to increase the speed (Gflops) and density (Gflops/m3) of high-performance computation through two-phase, water immersion cooling.
Electronics thermal management requires both nano- and macro-scale perspectives. Thomas Foulkes has researched advanced cooling techniques and electro-thermal co-design to increase the power density of converters for electric vehicles. He founded AquaQuant Laboratories Inc. (AQL) in 2017 to tackle the electro-thermal demands of next generation data centers.
Bio:
Thomas Foulkes is deploying the next generation of high-performance central processing units and graphics processing units required to feed the power demand for elastic cloud computing, big data analytics, complex simulations, and artificial intelligence. The technology creates a higher computational density by transferring heat with direct, water immersion cooling across nanoengineered, durable, and scalable hierarchical porous coatings deposited holistically on electronics. Foulkes holds a PhD in Electrical Engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Project Abstract:
AquaQuant Laboratories Inc. is commercializing scalable nanostructured surfaces to increase the speed (Gflops) and density (Gflops/m3) of high-performance computation through two-phase, water immersion cooling.
Electronics thermal management requires both nano- and macro-scale perspectives. Thomas Foulkes has researched advanced cooling techniques and electro-thermal co-design to increase the power density of converters for electric vehicles. He founded AquaQuant Laboratories Inc. (AQL) in 2017 to tackle the electro-thermal demands of next generation data centers.
Erica Grant
Quantal Security Inc.
Bio: Erica Grant has a PhD in Quantum Computation from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville and a BS in Physics from Virginia Tech. At Virginia Tech, she was a leader in a service organization…
Erica Grant
Quantal Security, Founder & CEO
Bio:
Erica Grant has a PhD in Quantum Computation from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville and a BS in Physics from Virginia Tech. At Virginia Tech, she was a leader in a service organization dedicated to educating safety and awareness. Through that organization, she met individuals whose stories were moving. In graduate school, she became interested in the DefCon hacking conferences which published seminars on YouTube that demonstrate security weakness in nearly every field. After learning of the weaknesses in smart locks and how they can be exploited, she clearly saw how her knowledge of quantum information could be applied to securing connected devices.
Project Abstract:
Quantal Security Inc. offers a patented hardware and software smart technology that generates completely random and unpredictable digital keys to protect every door in a facility. They help secure government building, manufacturing facilities, laboratories, hotels, hospitals or any other premises which needs to be totally secure.
They can retrofit existing access control systems with proprietary hardware and software. This could mean adapting a particularly sensitive part of a building, or applying changes across an entire premise. Their hardware is innovative, and almost invisible. The sleek, modular design provides an integrated charging cable and wall mounting adhesive for easy placement in any building.
Bio:
Erica Grant has a PhD in Quantum Computation from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville and a BS in Physics from Virginia Tech. At Virginia Tech, she was a leader in a service organization dedicated to educating safety and awareness. Through that organization, she met individuals whose stories were moving. In graduate school, she became interested in the DefCon hacking conferences which published seminars on YouTube that demonstrate security weakness in nearly every field. After learning of the weaknesses in smart locks and how they can be exploited, she clearly saw how her knowledge of quantum information could be applied to securing connected devices.
Project Abstract:
Quantal Security Inc. offers a patented hardware and software smart technology that generates completely random and unpredictable digital keys to protect every door in a facility. They help secure government building, manufacturing facilities, laboratories, hotels, hospitals or any other premises which needs to be totally secure.
They can retrofit existing access control systems with proprietary hardware and software. This could mean adapting a particularly sensitive part of a building, or applying changes across an entire premise. Their hardware is innovative, and almost invisible. The sleek, modular design provides an integrated charging cable and wall mounting adhesive for easy placement in any building.
Cohort 5 (2021-2023)
Caleb Alexander
DayLyte Batteries
Bio: While completing his Chemical Engineering Degree at the University of California, Berkeley, Caleb Alexander served as the president of the AIChE chapter and started a brewing club and biodiesel…
Caleb Alexander
DayLyte Batteries, Founder & CEO
Bio:
While completing his Chemical Engineering Degree at the University of California, Berkeley, Caleb Alexander served as the president of the AIChE chapter and started a brewing club and biodiesel club to give the students more hands-on engineering experience. He also took a chemical engineering economics class, which taught him finance and game theory where he did the technical and financial analysis for his business plan for a deepsea rare earth element mining company. This business experience taught him to zoom out, look at the big picture and ask, “what problem is actually worth solving?”. As a chemical engineer, he was trained in scaling up processes to worldwide industrial scale, so he asked himself this question… and then thought very big. By combining his electrochemistry experience from his corrosion course at the University of California, Li-ion research experience at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, and PhD studies in metal-air batteries and fuel cells at the University of Texas, Austin, he looked at the periodic table and reasoned his way to the highest practical energy battery chemistry with the lowest cost. Despite his best efforts, he just could not kill it. He seeks to join Innovation Crossroads to make the Na-Air battery scalable, long-lasting, and for a clean, sustainable world.
Project Abstract:
DayLyte Batteries is commercializing a Metal-air (M-Air) battery to increase battery energy density, cut its weight in half and slash its costs with abundant materials to release renewable energy on demand, double the range and cut the costs of electric vehicles while enabling drone delivery and electric air taxis to take our packages, and us, wherever we’d like. Working with the scientists and facilities at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), DayLyte intends to complete a prototype, start long term life testing, and learn the challenges that arise during scale up with roll-to-roll processing.
Bio:
While completing his Chemical Engineering Degree at the University of California, Berkeley, Caleb Alexander served as the president of the AIChE chapter and started a brewing club and biodiesel club to give the students more hands-on engineering experience. He also took a chemical engineering economics class, which taught him finance and game theory where he did the technical and financial analysis for his business plan for a deepsea rare earth element mining company. This business experience taught him to zoom out, look at the big picture and ask, “what problem is actually worth solving?”. As a chemical engineer, he was trained in scaling up processes to worldwide industrial scale, so he asked himself this question… and then thought very big. By combining his electrochemistry experience from his corrosion course at the University of California, Li-ion research experience at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, and PhD studies in metal-air batteries and fuel cells at the University of Texas, Austin, he looked at the periodic table and reasoned his way to the highest practical energy battery chemistry with the lowest cost. Despite his best efforts, he just could not kill it. He seeks to join Innovation Crossroads to make the Na-Air battery scalable, long-lasting, and for a clean, sustainable world.
Project Abstract:
DayLyte Batteries is commercializing a Metal-air (M-Air) battery to increase battery energy density, cut its weight in half and slash its costs with abundant materials to release renewable energy on demand, double the range and cut the costs of electric vehicles while enabling drone delivery and electric air taxis to take our packages, and us, wherever we’d like. Working with the scientists and facilities at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), DayLyte intends to complete a prototype, start long term life testing, and learn the challenges that arise during scale up with roll-to-roll processing.
Sam Evans
Unbound Water Technologies
Bio: Sam Evans received a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from the University of South Carolina in 2015, an Master of Science degree in Chemistry from Georgia Tech in 2017, and a PhD in…
Sam Evans
Unbound Water Technologies, Founder & CEO
Bio:
Sam Evans received a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from the University of South Carolina in 2015, an Master of Science degree in Chemistry from Georgia Tech in 2017, and a PhD in Energy Science and Engineering in August 2020 from the Bredesen Center for Graduate Education at the University of Tennessee (UTK), an Oak Ridge National Lab (ORNL) and UTK graduate program partnership. Sam performed research at ORNL over the course of his PhD, which included the development of magnetic adsorbents for water remediation and additional projects involving water treatment, lithium-ion removal, and desalination. Sam has also worked with various start-up, mid-level, and multinational corporations to develop materials, processes, and IP within the energy and water business landscape. Engagement with ORNL and the Department of Energy’s research programs and collaborations with cutting edge industry partners has prepared Sam for a fast-paced high-technology entrepreneurial path. Sam’s research has resulted in 10 publications (4 first-authored), multiple invention disclosures, and a submitted patent on water remediation systems and materials. His portfolio of work spans a breadth of topics and expertise, making Sam an adaptable expert that can flourish at ORNL in Innovation Crossroads.
Project Abstract:
At Unbound Water Technologies, we believe in the interconnectedness of the world and its resources, especially water. We exist to sustainably remove toxic pollutants and materials from a variety of concentrated waste sources that end up in our waterways. Our company is working to develop and commercialize materials for water remediation and treatment.
Bio:
Sam Evans received a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from the University of South Carolina in 2015, an Master of Science degree in Chemistry from Georgia Tech in 2017, and a PhD in Energy Science and Engineering in August 2020 from the Bredesen Center for Graduate Education at the University of Tennessee (UTK), an Oak Ridge National Lab (ORNL) and UTK graduate program partnership. Sam performed research at ORNL over the course of his PhD, which included the development of magnetic adsorbents for water remediation and additional projects involving water treatment, lithium-ion removal, and desalination. Sam has also worked with various start-up, mid-level, and multinational corporations to develop materials, processes, and IP within the energy and water business landscape. Engagement with ORNL and the Department of Energy’s research programs and collaborations with cutting edge industry partners has prepared Sam for a fast-paced high-technology entrepreneurial path. Sam’s research has resulted in 10 publications (4 first-authored), multiple invention disclosures, and a submitted patent on water remediation systems and materials. His portfolio of work spans a breadth of topics and expertise, making Sam an adaptable expert that can flourish at ORNL in Innovation Crossroads.
Project Abstract:
At Unbound Water Technologies, we believe in the interconnectedness of the world and its resources, especially water. We exist to sustainably remove toxic pollutants and materials from a variety of concentrated waste sources that end up in our waterways. Our company is working to develop and commercialize materials for water remediation and treatment.
Tommy Gibbons
Hempitecture
Bio: Tommy Gibbons comes to Hempitecture with experience in corporate finance and growing early stage companies. He complements his business experience with a green building background that includes…
Tommy Gibbons
Hempitecture, Co-founder & COO
Bio:
Tommy Gibbons comes to Hempitecture with experience in corporate finance and growing early stage companies. He complements his business experience with a green building background that includes a certification as a LEED Green Associate, a designation as a 2021 Building Technologies Office IMPEL+ innovator, and training from France’s l’École Nationale du Chanvre (National School of Hemp Construction). He was also a founding board member and treasurer of the United States Hemp Building Association, a 501c6 trade association for the hemp building industry. Before founding Hempitecture based in Ketchum, Idaho, Tommy worked at Piper Computers in San Francisco and Goldman Sachs in New York City. He graduated from Princeton University with a degree from the Woodrow Wilson School of Public Policy in 2013.
At Hempitecture, he oversees the company’s operations and new product development which most notably includes Hempitecture’s HempWool insulation. HempWool is a non-toxic, high-performing, carbon-negative insulation material with the ability to drastically reduce a building’s embodied carbon footprint while increasing the occupant’s health and comfort. In 2021, Hempitecture plans to conduct research and testing on new, proprietary blends of its insulation material to improve its insulation value and fire resistance. Hempitecture also plans to onshore insulation manufacturing using industrial hemp waste from American farmers. Beyond insulation, Hempitecture hopes to develop other hemp-based building products that will help fulfill the Public Benefit Corporation’s mission to “create healthy, energy efficient habitats that positively impact inhabitants as well as environment through the sequestration of Carbon Dioxide”. In 2020, Tommy was named to the Forbes 30 Under 30 list for manufacturing and industry with his co-founder.
Project Abstract:
Hempitecture is redefining what we consider sustainable building materials. Using one of the most efficient and least resource intensive plants, our hemp building products can offset atmospheric carbon dioxide on a large scale.
Hempitecture is working at the Maximum Building Energy Efficiency Research Laboratory (MAXLAB) within the Building Technologies Research Center to continue the company’s product roadmap of hemp-based alternatives to conventional building products including drywall, vapor barriers, and external insulation. After a successful initial launch of the hemp fiber insulation material HempWool®, Hempitecture is researching how to bring a domestically manufactured product to market at a cost competitive for consumers.
Bio:
Tommy Gibbons comes to Hempitecture with experience in corporate finance and growing early stage companies. He complements his business experience with a green building background that includes a certification as a LEED Green Associate, a designation as a 2021 Building Technologies Office IMPEL+ innovator, and training from France’s l’École Nationale du Chanvre (National School of Hemp Construction). He was also a founding board member and treasurer of the United States Hemp Building Association, a 501c6 trade association for the hemp building industry. Before founding Hempitecture based in Ketchum, Idaho, Tommy worked at Piper Computers in San Francisco and Goldman Sachs in New York City. He graduated from Princeton University with a degree from the Woodrow Wilson School of Public Policy in 2013.
At Hempitecture, he oversees the company’s operations and new product development which most notably includes Hempitecture’s HempWool insulation. HempWool is a non-toxic, high-performing, carbon-negative insulation material with the ability to drastically reduce a building’s embodied carbon footprint while increasing the occupant’s health and comfort. In 2021, Hempitecture plans to conduct research and testing on new, proprietary blends of its insulation material to improve its insulation value and fire resistance. Hempitecture also plans to onshore insulation manufacturing using industrial hemp waste from American farmers. Beyond insulation, Hempitecture hopes to develop other hemp-based building products that will help fulfill the Public Benefit Corporation’s mission to “create healthy, energy efficient habitats that positively impact inhabitants as well as environment through the sequestration of Carbon Dioxide”. In 2020, Tommy was named to the Forbes 30 Under 30 list for manufacturing and industry with his co-founder.
Project Abstract:
Hempitecture is redefining what we consider sustainable building materials. Using one of the most efficient and least resource intensive plants, our hemp building products can offset atmospheric carbon dioxide on a large scale.
Hempitecture is working at the Maximum Building Energy Efficiency Research Laboratory (MAXLAB) within the Building Technologies Research Center to continue the company’s product roadmap of hemp-based alternatives to conventional building products including drywall, vapor barriers, and external insulation. After a successful initial launch of the hemp fiber insulation material HempWool®, Hempitecture is researching how to bring a domestically manufactured product to market at a cost competitive for consumers.
Shuchi “SK” Khurana
Addiguru
Bio: Shuchi “SK” Khurana has twenty years of work experience in predictive analysis and commercialization of new products and technologies. SK’s technical expertise is in computational weld modeling…
Shuchi “SK” Khurana
Addiguru, Founder & CEO
Bio:
Shuchi “SK” Khurana has twenty years of work experience in predictive analysis and commercialization of new products and technologies. SK’s technical expertise is in computational weld modeling, material science and predicting material properties, and microstructure based on thermal signals. He has published more than 10 research papers in peer-reviewed journals on prediction of microstructure and engineering simulation. SK is also an innovator and has more than 5 granted patents to his name, including a patent on cloud-based simulation software for material joining. SK has the expertise in managing and developing all aspects of a software product. Prior to founding Addiguru, SK worked at Intralox where he led the development and launch of a predictive software product for industrial use. SK has a lot of experience in developing novel technologies and commercializing them. Previously, SK co-founded and ran a startup company for which they raised $4 MM in venture funding. SK earned his Bachelor of Technology in Materials and Metallurgical Engineering degree from Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kanpur and holds two masters’ degrees – Master of Science and Master of Business Administration, both from Ohio State University.
Project Abstract:
Addiguru provides real time monitoring technology for additive manufacturing (3D-Printing) processes. Part defects formed during the build process can be difficult or costly to detect and repair after a part is already finished. Addiguru’s layer-wise monitoring technology detects anomalies and defects during the build process and provides notifications to the users. Currently, Addiguru uses optical images with image processing and artificial intelligence to determine issues within a couple of seconds of completion of a layer.
The goal of Innovation Crossroads project is to further develop this real-time monitoring technology by using novel techniques. Addiguru has licensed a patent from NASA to use a combination of Infra-Red (IR) and Near Infra-Red (NIR) cameras to enhance the accuracy of the defects detected. Innovation Crossroads will provide an ideal platform for Addiguru to add this novel technology to its portfolio to benefit the industry.
Bio:
Shuchi “SK” Khurana has twenty years of work experience in predictive analysis and commercialization of new products and technologies. SK’s technical expertise is in computational weld modeling, material science and predicting material properties, and microstructure based on thermal signals. He has published more than 10 research papers in peer-reviewed journals on prediction of microstructure and engineering simulation. SK is also an innovator and has more than 5 granted patents to his name, including a patent on cloud-based simulation software for material joining. SK has the expertise in managing and developing all aspects of a software product. Prior to founding Addiguru, SK worked at Intralox where he led the development and launch of a predictive software product for industrial use. SK has a lot of experience in developing novel technologies and commercializing them. Previously, SK co-founded and ran a startup company for which they raised $4 MM in venture funding. SK earned his Bachelor of Technology in Materials and Metallurgical Engineering degree from Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kanpur and holds two masters’ degrees – Master of Science and Master of Business Administration, both from Ohio State University.
Project Abstract:
Addiguru provides real time monitoring technology for additive manufacturing (3D-Printing) processes. Part defects formed during the build process can be difficult or costly to detect and repair after a part is already finished. Addiguru’s layer-wise monitoring technology detects anomalies and defects during the build process and provides notifications to the users. Currently, Addiguru uses optical images with image processing and artificial intelligence to determine issues within a couple of seconds of completion of a layer.
The goal of Innovation Crossroads project is to further develop this real-time monitoring technology by using novel techniques. Addiguru has licensed a patent from NASA to use a combination of Infra-Red (IR) and Near Infra-Red (NIR) cameras to enhance the accuracy of the defects detected. Innovation Crossroads will provide an ideal platform for Addiguru to add this novel technology to its portfolio to benefit the industry.
Forrest Shriver
Sentinel Devices LLC
Bio: Forrest Shriver is the Chief Executive Officer of Sentinel Devices LLC and a 4th-year PhD candidate in the Nuclear Engineering program at the University of Florida (UF), scheduled to graduate…
Forrest Shriver
Sentinel Devices, Founder & CEO
Bio:
Forrest Shriver is the Chief Executive Officer of Sentinel Devices LLC and a 4th-year PhD candidate in the Nuclear Engineering program at the University of Florida (UF), scheduled to graduate in May 2021. His dissertation is on the application of deep learning models to reactor modeling and simulation tasks, specifically on how to use these models to perform high fidelity parameter prediction based off of simulated data and specific data needs and pitfalls that arise when doing so.
He graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Physics from the University of Texas, Rio Grande Valley and also has a Master’s degree in Nuclear Engineering from UF. Over his undergraduate and graduate research career he has worked on various projects ranging from design implementation on Field Programmable Gate Arrays to developing CUDA kernels investigating complex computational behavior and has learned a variety of computer languages and programming models to accomplish these tasks. His interest in making technology more secure, as well as his passion for optimization, inspired him to co-found Sentinel Devices LLC to bring the power of machine learning to the “edge” of the industrial internet of things. In his private life he enjoys reading science fiction and cooking.
Project Abstract:
Industrial control systems are an important part of the critical infrastructure supporting our daily life, with many digital controllers operating entirely on a trust-based system to enable communication. This means that cyberattacks against these systems can have tremendous negative economic and social impact. Sentinel Devices LLC is developing the next generation of industrial cybersecurity by bringing autonomous cyberattack detection to the industrial edge. Central to our approach is a move away from traditional network-based approaches where always-online communication is needed to remain effective. Instead, our technology detects cyberattacks and anomalies completely autonomously in a localized fashion, enabling true location-specific, targeted understanding of threats as they occur. Our product is critical to ensuring that industrial control systems stay secure in an increasingly hostile digital world.
Bio:
Forrest Shriver is the Chief Executive Officer of Sentinel Devices LLC and a 4th-year PhD candidate in the Nuclear Engineering program at the University of Florida (UF), scheduled to graduate in May 2021. His dissertation is on the application of deep learning models to reactor modeling and simulation tasks, specifically on how to use these models to perform high fidelity parameter prediction based off of simulated data and specific data needs and pitfalls that arise when doing so.
He graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Physics from the University of Texas, Rio Grande Valley and also has a Master’s degree in Nuclear Engineering from UF. Over his undergraduate and graduate research career he has worked on various projects ranging from design implementation on Field Programmable Gate Arrays to developing CUDA kernels investigating complex computational behavior and has learned a variety of computer languages and programming models to accomplish these tasks. His interest in making technology more secure, as well as his passion for optimization, inspired him to co-found Sentinel Devices LLC to bring the power of machine learning to the “edge” of the industrial internet of things. In his private life he enjoys reading science fiction and cooking.
Project Abstract:
Industrial control systems are an important part of the critical infrastructure supporting our daily life, with many digital controllers operating entirely on a trust-based system to enable communication. This means that cyberattacks against these systems can have tremendous negative economic and social impact. Sentinel Devices LLC is developing the next generation of industrial cybersecurity by bringing autonomous cyberattack detection to the industrial edge. Central to our approach is a move away from traditional network-based approaches where always-online communication is needed to remain effective. Instead, our technology detects cyberattacks and anomalies completely autonomously in a localized fashion, enabling true location-specific, targeted understanding of threats as they occur. Our product is critical to ensuring that industrial control systems stay secure in an increasingly hostile digital world.
Philip Stuckey
FC Renew, LLC
Bio: Philip Stuckey has over sixteen years of hydrogen fuel cell experience directly related to research, development, and intellectual property. Philip received a Bachelor of Science degree in…
Philip Stuckey
FC Renew, Founder & CEO
Bio:
Philip Stuckey has over sixteen years of hydrogen fuel cell experience directly related to research, development, and intellectual property. Philip received a Bachelor of Science degree in Materials Science and Engineering from North Carolina State University and a Master of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Hawaii at Mānoa. He completed his PhD in Chemical Engineering from Case Western Reserve University, while conducting most of his doctoral research at Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
For the last 7 years, Philip has served as a Patent Examiner reviewing fuel cell and battery applications for the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and his career achievements at the USPTO have designated him as a Patent Agent. Prior to joining the USPTO, Philip researched the electrochemical kinetic processes at proton exchange membrane fuel cell electrodes at Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s Fuels, Engines, and Emissions Research Laboratory. He developed a novel technique to measure the kinetics and the amount of the oxide layer on the catalyst of an operating fuel cell in-situ. He also executed a project involving the growth of carbon nanotubes that created ultrahydrophobic materials for diffusion media and electrocatalyst support materials. Stuckey’s R&D provided an innovative solution for water management issues inherent to operating fuel cells.
Project Abstract:
Broad adoption of zero-emission, green hydrogen fuel cell technology in heavy-duty trucks is limited by the lifetime durability of approximately 5,000 hours of service which equates to about 150,000 miles on the road. Our electrode technology will renew the electrocatalyst in a fuel assembly to meet and exceed durability needs to achieve 30,000+ hours durability or over 1.2 million miles traveled on the road, thus enabling heavy-duty trucks and other applications to use a green, zero-emission hydrogen fuel cells without the need for costly fuel cell stack replacements.
Bio:
Philip Stuckey has over sixteen years of hydrogen fuel cell experience directly related to research, development, and intellectual property. Philip received a Bachelor of Science degree in Materials Science and Engineering from North Carolina State University and a Master of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Hawaii at Mānoa. He completed his PhD in Chemical Engineering from Case Western Reserve University, while conducting most of his doctoral research at Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
For the last 7 years, Philip has served as a Patent Examiner reviewing fuel cell and battery applications for the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and his career achievements at the USPTO have designated him as a Patent Agent. Prior to joining the USPTO, Philip researched the electrochemical kinetic processes at proton exchange membrane fuel cell electrodes at Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s Fuels, Engines, and Emissions Research Laboratory. He developed a novel technique to measure the kinetics and the amount of the oxide layer on the catalyst of an operating fuel cell in-situ. He also executed a project involving the growth of carbon nanotubes that created ultrahydrophobic materials for diffusion media and electrocatalyst support materials. Stuckey’s R&D provided an innovative solution for water management issues inherent to operating fuel cells.
Project Abstract:
Broad adoption of zero-emission, green hydrogen fuel cell technology in heavy-duty trucks is limited by the lifetime durability of approximately 5,000 hours of service which equates to about 150,000 miles on the road. Our electrode technology will renew the electrocatalyst in a fuel assembly to meet and exceed durability needs to achieve 30,000+ hours durability or over 1.2 million miles traveled on the road, thus enabling heavy-duty trucks and other applications to use a green, zero-emission hydrogen fuel cells without the need for costly fuel cell stack replacements.