Cohort 1 (2017-2019)
Anna Douglas
Bio: Anna received her Ph.D. 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 Ph.D. 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 B.S. 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 Ph.D. 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 B.S. 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 Ph.D. in Nuclear Engineering from Massachusetts Institute of Technology and hold a M.S. and B.S. in Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering from Pennsylvania State University.…
Matthew Ellis
Yellowstone Energy
Bio:
Matthew received his Ph.D. in Nuclear Engineering from Massachusetts Institute of Technology and hold a M.S. and B.S. 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 Ph.D. in Nuclear Engineering from Massachusetts Institute of Technology and hold a M.S. and B.S. 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 Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering from Cornell University and holds a B.S. in Chemical Engineering with a Minor in Economics from Rose-Hulman Institute of…
Mitchell Ishmael
Shift Thermal, Co-Founder & CTO
Bio:
Mitchell received his Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering from Cornell University and holds a B.S. 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 Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering from Cornell University and holds a B.S. 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 Ph.D. and M.S. in Nuclear Science and Engineering from Massachusetts Institute of Technology and hold a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from the University of California, Santa…
Samuel Shaner
Yellowstone Energy
Bio:
Samuel received his Ph.D. and M.S. in Nuclear Science and Engineering from Massachusetts Institute of Technology and hold a B.S. 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 Ph.D. and M.S. in Nuclear Science and Engineering from Massachusetts Institute of Technology and hold a B.S. 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 Ph.D. 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 Ph.D. 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 Ph.D. 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 Ph.D. 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 Ph.D. 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 Ph.D. 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 Ph.D. 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 Ph.D. 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 Ph.D. 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 Ph.D. 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
Jesse Claypoole is developing a roll-to-roll, manufactured, active multispectral light field (AMLF) micro-optics architecture for applications including autonomous surgery, industrial manufacturing,…
Jesse Claypoole
MantaPoole Technologies
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 Ph.D. in Nanoscale Science at the State University of New York Polytechnic Institute and is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer 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.
We Are Looking For
- Mentoring
- Pilot / Commercial partners
- Government and private funding opportunities
- Customer identification
Critical Need for This Technology
In order for smart and autonomous machines to become commonplace in the world, they will need an affordable sensor solution that can give the correct amount and type of information to allow these machines to interact with the real world. Current commonly used approaches use standard 2D imaging sensors or expensive groups of sensors like lidar along with machine vision to interact with the real world. The problem with the current approaches is that they are either unaffordable to the average person or do not provide the correct amount and type of information for a smart machine to flexibly interact with the real world. MantaPoole Technologies is addressing this problem by developing a new kind of imaging sensor that can capture multispectral and depth information in an affordable compact single camera form factor. This capability will allow smart machines to see the “what” and the “where” in their application and better make the correct decisions based on real world variables.
Competition
- Raytrix
- Stereo Cameras
- Multispectral Cameras
Key Innovation
Our innovation is a novel optical system that allows for the capture of spectral and depth information from a single camera without reducing the image quality.
R&D Status of Product
Mantapoole Technologies is still in the R&D stage, currently building a proof-of-concept of its novel plenopics 3.0 camera technology which can capture multispectral and depth information without reducing the image quality.
Team Overview
- Jesse Claypoole, Ph.D. – Founder and Chief Executive Officer
ORNL PI
- Yarom Polsky – Energy Systems Integration Section Head, Electrification and Energy Infrastructure, Energy Science and Technology Directorate
Company Profile Information
- Total Amount Raised: 507,500
- Year Founded: 2018
- Patents: 1
- Primary Industry: Autonomous Vehicles, Industrial Manufacturing, Agricultural Automation, Robotic Automation
- Jobs Created: 1
Company Contact Information
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 Ph.D. in Nanoscale Science at the State University of New York Polytechnic Institute and is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer 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.
We Are Looking For
- Mentoring
- Pilot / Commercial partners
- Government and private funding opportunities
- Customer identification
Critical Need for This Technology
In order for smart and autonomous machines to become commonplace in the world, they will need an affordable sensor solution that can give the correct amount and type of information to allow these machines to interact with the real world. Current commonly used approaches use standard 2D imaging sensors or expensive groups of sensors like lidar along with machine vision to interact with the real world. The problem with the current approaches is that they are either unaffordable to the average person or do not provide the correct amount and type of information for a smart machine to flexibly interact with the real world. MantaPoole Technologies is addressing this problem by developing a new kind of imaging sensor that can capture multispectral and depth information in an affordable compact single camera form factor. This capability will allow smart machines to see the “what” and the “where” in their application and better make the correct decisions based on real world variables.
Competition
- Raytrix
- Stereo Cameras
- Multispectral Cameras
Key Innovation
Our innovation is a novel optical system that allows for the capture of spectral and depth information from a single camera without reducing the image quality.
R&D Status of Product
Mantapoole Technologies is still in the R&D stage, currently building a proof-of-concept of its novel plenopics 3.0 camera technology which can capture multispectral and depth information without reducing the image quality.
Team Overview
- Jesse Claypoole, Ph.D. – Founder and Chief Executive Officer
ORNL PI
- Yarom Polsky – Energy Systems Integration Section Head, Electrification and Energy Infrastructure, Energy Science and Technology Directorate
Company Profile Information
- Total Amount Raised: 507,500
- Year Founded: 2018
- Patents: 1
- Primary Industry: Autonomous Vehicles, Industrial Manufacturing, Agricultural Automation, Robotic Automation
- Jobs Created: 1
Company Contact Information
William Fitzhugh
American Nanotechnologies, Inc. (ANI) is developing material processing technology for purification of high-value nanomaterials. Such material processing technology is critical to developing viable…
William Fitzhugh
American Nanotechnologies, Inc.
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 Ph.D. 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.
We Are Looking For
- Industrial Partners
- Funding
- Customer identification
Critical Need for This Technology
Current industrial scale chemical refinement/purification methods are dominated by thermal (e.g. distillation) and physical (e.g. centrifugation) separation methods. However, many advanced materials are thermally and physically similar to the present impurities making these methods expensive and inefficient. Such materials require the development of electronic separation technology prior to any commercial adoption.
Key Innovation
High-frequency electrodynamic separators for particle sorting/phase separation based on material dielectric response.
R&D Status of Product
ANI’s technology is still in the R&D phase, undergoing developments at the prototyping level.
Team Overview
- William Fitzhugh, Ph.D. – Founder and Chief Executive Officer
- Ryan Jacobs, MSEE – Analog/Radio Frequency Engineer
ORNL PI
- Ilia Ivanov – Functional Hybrid Nanomaterials Staff, Physical Sciences Directorate
Company Profile Information
- Total Amount Raised: $576,935
- Year Founded: 2015
- Patents: 1
- Primary Industry: Chemical purification
- Jobs Created: 2
Company Contact Information
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 Ph.D. 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.
We Are Looking For
- Industrial Partners
- Funding
- Customer identification
Critical Need for This Technology
Current industrial scale chemical refinement/purification methods are dominated by thermal (e.g. distillation) and physical (e.g. centrifugation) separation methods. However, many advanced materials are thermally and physically similar to the present impurities making these methods expensive and inefficient. Such materials require the development of electronic separation technology prior to any commercial adoption.
Key Innovation
High-frequency electrodynamic separators for particle sorting/phase separation based on material dielectric response.
R&D Status of Product
ANI’s technology is still in the R&D phase, undergoing developments at the prototyping level.
Team Overview
- William Fitzhugh, Ph.D. – Founder and Chief Executive Officer
- Ryan Jacobs, MSEE – Analog/Radio Frequency Engineer
ORNL PI
- Ilia Ivanov – Functional Hybrid Nanomaterials Staff, Physical Sciences Directorate
Company Profile Information
- Total Amount Raised: $576,935
- Year Founded: 2015
- Patents: 1
- Primary Industry: Chemical purification
- Jobs Created: 2
Company Contact Information
Hicham Ghossein
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…
Hicham Ghossein
Endeavor Composites, Inc.
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 Ph.D. 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%).
We Are Looking For
- Team members
- Strategic partners
- Equipment suppliers
Critical Need for This Technology
The rise of carbon fiber reinforced composites due to its high strength to weight ratio, created an abundant amount of scrap fibers and recycled fibers. A call for solution to prevent the waste of said fibers materialized through the work of Endeavor Composites, Inc. to transition it into long fiber non-woven mats.
Competition
Endeavor Composite’s primary competition is other nonwoven manufacturers. Endeavor’s advantage is our higher production rates, defects free and higher quality control, ability to use long carbon fiber (double the length from what is available in the market today), ease of addition of functionalizing fillers to answer the needs for EMI applications.
Key Innovation
Development of a state-of-the-art mixing system that can disperse long carbon fiber in aqueous media, allowing in turn to produce defect free nonwoven mats and preforms for use in fiber reinforced composites manufacturing.
R&D Status of Product
Proof of concept on lab scale for the creation of long fiber nonwoven mats and their functionalization at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville and basic mechanical performance. The next step is to scale up in a pilot line and built a broad data base for the mechanical and functional performance of the material.
Team Overview
- Hicham Ghossein, Ph.D. – Founder and Chief Executive Officer
ORNL PI
- Amit Naskar – Carbon and Composites Group Leader, Physical Sciences Directorate
Background Resources
“Innovative Method for Enhancing Carbon Fibers Dispersion in Wet-Laid Nonwovens.” Ghossein H; Hassen A; Paquit V; Love L; Vaidya U. Materials Today Communications (2018) 17 100-108. DOI: 10.1016/j.mtcomm.2018.08.001
“Processing and characterization of carbon fiber wet laid composites” Ghossein H; Vaidya U. CAMX 2016 - Composites and Advanced Materials Expo (2016)
Company Profile Information
- Total Amount Raised: $557,500
- Year Founded: 2019
- Patents: 1 PCT filed with The University of Tennessee, Knoxville and Oak Ridge National Laboratory
- Primary Industry: Fiber Reinforced Composites
- Jobs Created: 1
Company Contact Information
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 Ph.D. 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%).
We Are Looking For
- Team members
- Strategic partners
- Equipment suppliers
Critical Need for This Technology
The rise of carbon fiber reinforced composites due to its high strength to weight ratio, created an abundant amount of scrap fibers and recycled fibers. A call for solution to prevent the waste of said fibers materialized through the work of Endeavor Composites, Inc. to transition it into long fiber non-woven mats.
Competition
Endeavor Composite’s primary competition is other nonwoven manufacturers. Endeavor’s advantage is our higher production rates, defects free and higher quality control, ability to use long carbon fiber (double the length from what is available in the market today), ease of addition of functionalizing fillers to answer the needs for EMI applications.
Key Innovation
Development of a state-of-the-art mixing system that can disperse long carbon fiber in aqueous media, allowing in turn to produce defect free nonwoven mats and preforms for use in fiber reinforced composites manufacturing.
R&D Status of Product
Proof of concept on lab scale for the creation of long fiber nonwoven mats and their functionalization at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville and basic mechanical performance. The next step is to scale up in a pilot line and built a broad data base for the mechanical and functional performance of the material.
Team Overview
- Hicham Ghossein, Ph.D. – Founder and Chief Executive Officer
ORNL PI
- Amit Naskar – Carbon and Composites Group Leader, Physical Sciences Directorate
Background Resources
“Innovative Method for Enhancing Carbon Fibers Dispersion in Wet-Laid Nonwovens.” Ghossein H; Hassen A; Paquit V; Love L; Vaidya U. Materials Today Communications (2018) 17 100-108. DOI: 10.1016/j.mtcomm.2018.08.001
“Processing and characterization of carbon fiber wet laid composites” Ghossein H; Vaidya U. CAMX 2016 - Composites and Advanced Materials Expo (2016)
Company Profile Information
- Total Amount Raised: $557,500
- Year Founded: 2019
- Patents: 1 PCT filed with The University of Tennessee, Knoxville and Oak Ridge National Laboratory
- Primary Industry: Fiber Reinforced Composites
- Jobs Created: 1
Company Contact Information
Alex Lewis
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…
Alex Lewis
Electro-Active Technologies, Inc.
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 Ph.D. 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.
We Are Looking For
- Advisors with experience and expertise in organic waste management
- Advisors with experience in commercial waste to energy systems
Critical Need for This Technology
Deeper understanding of the microbial community dynamics in order to sustain high performance at scale.
Competition
Competition for food waste resources is led by anaerobic digestion, whereas we can work in partnerships with composting and animal feed operations. On the hydrogen side, competition is led by reforming of natural gas to produce hydrogen at low-cost, however this pathway is not sustainable. Renewable hydrogen produced by electrolysis is the other main competition for producing hydrogen, but is still very expensive.
Key Innovation
The development of robust, ‘electroactive’ microbial community capable of converting a wide range of organic waste sources at high rates.
R&D Status of Product
The development of robust, ‘electroactive’ microbial community capable of converting a wide range of organic waste sources at high rates.
Team Overview
- Abhijeet Borole – Co-Founder
- Alex Lewis, Ph.D. – Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer
ORNL PI
- Costas Tsouris – Distinguished Research and Development Staff, Chemical Process Scale Up, Energy Science and Technology Directorate
Company Profile Information
- Total Amount Raised: $2,307,500
- Year Founded: 2017
- Patents: 2
- Primary Industry: Renewable Hydrogen
- Jobs Created: 4
Company Contact Information
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 Ph.D. 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.
We Are Looking For
- Advisors with experience and expertise in organic waste management
- Advisors with experience in commercial waste to energy systems
Critical Need for This Technology
Deeper understanding of the microbial community dynamics in order to sustain high performance at scale.
Competition
Competition for food waste resources is led by anaerobic digestion, whereas we can work in partnerships with composting and animal feed operations. On the hydrogen side, competition is led by reforming of natural gas to produce hydrogen at low-cost, however this pathway is not sustainable. Renewable hydrogen produced by electrolysis is the other main competition for producing hydrogen, but is still very expensive.
Key Innovation
The development of robust, ‘electroactive’ microbial community capable of converting a wide range of organic waste sources at high rates.
R&D Status of Product
The development of robust, ‘electroactive’ microbial community capable of converting a wide range of organic waste sources at high rates.
Team Overview
- Abhijeet Borole – Co-Founder
- Alex Lewis, Ph.D. – Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer
ORNL PI
- Costas Tsouris – Distinguished Research and Development Staff, Chemical Process Scale Up, Energy Science and Technology Directorate
Company Profile Information
- Total Amount Raised: $2,307,500
- Year Founded: 2017
- Patents: 2
- Primary Industry: Renewable Hydrogen
- Jobs Created: 4
Company Contact Information
Trevor McQueen
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)…
Trevor McQueen
Neptune Fluid Flow Systems
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 Ph.D. 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.
We Are Looking For
- Business and Technical Mentors
- Customers
- Non-Dilutive Funding
- Commercial and Strategic Partnerships
Critical Need for This Technology
The field of cryo-TEM has exploded rapidly due to recent advances in detector technology and software algorithms, which makes near-atomic resolution achievable and simplifies many of the technical issues associated with three-dimensional reconstruction of biological soft materials in a near-native, hydrated state. Despite the tremendous amount of improvements happening on the downstream end of cryo-TEM workflow, sample preparation remains a largely unsolved problem given the issues of sample degradation and aggregation at the hydrophobic water-air interface—something that cannot be addressed by the current state-of-the-art cryo preparation system. In fact, due to reliability concerns over the current device, a large percentage of customers abandon the semi-automatic system entirely and instead prepare their samples entirely by hand!
Competition
Our direct competitor is the cryo preparation system and its variants that are currently on the market. However, they suffer from multiple flaws related to sample degradation and aggregation on grids. Meanwhile, there are several novel laboratory-grade methods for preparing cryo-TEM grids, which are currently under technical development in either companies or academic labs; thus, none of them will be commercially available in the immediate future.
Key Innovation
An advanced thin-film cryogenic sample preparation device designed to substantially improve sample preparation for the transmission electron microscopy (TEM) community.
R&D Status of Product
Neptune Fluid Flow Systems is still in the R&D stage, testing the desirability, feasibility and viability of several methods for depositing and vitrifying soft matters onto cryo-TEM grids on a sub-one-millisecond timescale, as well as determining the best array of device features to provide to our customers. The next step is to build a functional prototype for further real-world testing, user feedback, and subsequent iterative improvement.
Team Overview
- Winnie Liang, Ph.D. – Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer
- Trevor McQueen, Ph.D. – Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer
ORNL PI
- Ilia Ivanov – Functional Hybrid Nanomaterials Staff, Physical Sciences Directorate
Company Profile Information
- Total Amount Raised: $1,185,000
- Year Founded: 2016
- Primary Industry: Cryo-Transmission Electron Microscopy (cryo-TEM)
- Jobs Created: 2
Company Contact Information
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 Ph.D. 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.
We Are Looking For
- Business and Technical Mentors
- Customers
- Non-Dilutive Funding
- Commercial and Strategic Partnerships
Critical Need for This Technology
The field of cryo-TEM has exploded rapidly due to recent advances in detector technology and software algorithms, which makes near-atomic resolution achievable and simplifies many of the technical issues associated with three-dimensional reconstruction of biological soft materials in a near-native, hydrated state. Despite the tremendous amount of improvements happening on the downstream end of cryo-TEM workflow, sample preparation remains a largely unsolved problem given the issues of sample degradation and aggregation at the hydrophobic water-air interface—something that cannot be addressed by the current state-of-the-art cryo preparation system. In fact, due to reliability concerns over the current device, a large percentage of customers abandon the semi-automatic system entirely and instead prepare their samples entirely by hand!
Competition
Our direct competitor is the cryo preparation system and its variants that are currently on the market. However, they suffer from multiple flaws related to sample degradation and aggregation on grids. Meanwhile, there are several novel laboratory-grade methods for preparing cryo-TEM grids, which are currently under technical development in either companies or academic labs; thus, none of them will be commercially available in the immediate future.
Key Innovation
An advanced thin-film cryogenic sample preparation device designed to substantially improve sample preparation for the transmission electron microscopy (TEM) community.
R&D Status of Product
Neptune Fluid Flow Systems is still in the R&D stage, testing the desirability, feasibility and viability of several methods for depositing and vitrifying soft matters onto cryo-TEM grids on a sub-one-millisecond timescale, as well as determining the best array of device features to provide to our customers. The next step is to build a functional prototype for further real-world testing, user feedback, and subsequent iterative improvement.
Team Overview
- Winnie Liang, Ph.D. – Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer
- Trevor McQueen, Ph.D. – Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer
ORNL PI
- Ilia Ivanov – Functional Hybrid Nanomaterials Staff, Physical Sciences Directorate
Company Profile Information
- Total Amount Raised: $1,185,000
- Year Founded: 2016
- Primary Industry: Cryo-Transmission Electron Microscopy (cryo-TEM)
- Jobs Created: 2
Company Contact Information
Leila Safavi
Leila is the Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer 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…
Leila Safavi
Purist, Inc.
Leila is the Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer 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.
We Are Looking For
- Team members
- Mentoring
- Strategic partnerships
- Funding
Critical Need for This Technology
The global supply of reactor produced radioisotopes depends on a limited number of production facilities worldwide. The majority of these facilities are not in the United States, causing concern for the healthcare industry and R&D communities that rely on these radioactive ingredients. As a result, there is a pressing need for the development of radioisotope production technologies to increase our domestic capabilities, while ensuring the radioisotope supply will meet the current and growing demand.
Competition
The increasing demand and growth of the radioisotope market has provided new opportunities to develop solutions in this space, Purist is aware of a number of companies working within this industry space. Purist’s approach to radioisotope production is unique in a sense that it is developing a technology that can be adopted by an existing network of underutilized nuclear reactor infrastructure, to locally produce and distribute radioisotopes on demand to the healthcare and R&D communities.
Key Innovation
Purist’s goal is to leverage small scale, underutilized nuclear reactors for radioisotope production. The proposed technology takes advantage of concentrating the radioisotope product during the irradiation process to produce a high purity radioactive product.
R&D Status of Product
Purist’s technology is still in the R&D phase. Proof-of-concept studies using this technology has shown promising potential for production of radioisotopes with increased purity, compared to typical methods used in these same small-scale nuclear research reactors. The next stage of development includes target development, irradiation studies of targets using Purist’s technology, as well as prototype and system enhancements to maximize the high purity radioisotope production potential.
Team Overview
- Leila Safavi, Ph.D. – Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer
- Mikael Nilsson, Ph.D. – Co-Founder
ORNL PI
- Mike Zach – Material Processing Researcher, Dispensing and Technical Services, Isotope Science and Engineering Directorate Directorate
Company Profile Information
- Total Amount Raised: $883,185
- Year Founded: 2017
- Patents: 1
- Primary Industry: Isotopes
- Jobs Created: 3
Company Contact Information
Leila is the Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer 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.
We Are Looking For
- Team members
- Mentoring
- Strategic partnerships
- Funding
Critical Need for This Technology
The global supply of reactor produced radioisotopes depends on a limited number of production facilities worldwide. The majority of these facilities are not in the United States, causing concern for the healthcare industry and R&D communities that rely on these radioactive ingredients. As a result, there is a pressing need for the development of radioisotope production technologies to increase our domestic capabilities, while ensuring the radioisotope supply will meet the current and growing demand.
Competition
The increasing demand and growth of the radioisotope market has provided new opportunities to develop solutions in this space, Purist is aware of a number of companies working within this industry space. Purist’s approach to radioisotope production is unique in a sense that it is developing a technology that can be adopted by an existing network of underutilized nuclear reactor infrastructure, to locally produce and distribute radioisotopes on demand to the healthcare and R&D communities.
Key Innovation
Purist’s goal is to leverage small scale, underutilized nuclear reactors for radioisotope production. The proposed technology takes advantage of concentrating the radioisotope product during the irradiation process to produce a high purity radioactive product.
R&D Status of Product
Purist’s technology is still in the R&D phase. Proof-of-concept studies using this technology has shown promising potential for production of radioisotopes with increased purity, compared to typical methods used in these same small-scale nuclear research reactors. The next stage of development includes target development, irradiation studies of targets using Purist’s technology, as well as prototype and system enhancements to maximize the high purity radioisotope production potential.
Team Overview
- Leila Safavi, Ph.D. – Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer
- Mikael Nilsson, Ph.D. – Co-Founder
ORNL PI
- Mike Zach – Material Processing Researcher, Dispensing and Technical Services, Isotope Science and Engineering Directorate Directorate
Company Profile Information
- Total Amount Raised: $883,185
- Year Founded: 2017
- Patents: 1
- Primary Industry: Isotopes
- Jobs Created: 3
Company Contact Information
Jesse Thornburg
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…
Jesse Thornburg
Grid Fruit
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.
We Are Looking For
- Pilot partnerships, e.g., with food retail stores, military bases, and distribution grids
- Development and deployment partnerships
- Industry mentors
Critical Need for This Technology
In supermarkets, 50-60% of the electrical energy goes to refrigeration. Oak Ridge National Laboratory estimates that up to a fifth of this refrigeration energy is wasted with the legacy control systems and operational norms. At the same time, data is collected from across the system and hardly used except when emergency maintenance or replacement is needed. Grid Fruit uses this data to reduce the waste and improve the bottom line for food retailers that currently run at very low profit margins of 1-2%.
Competition
Most direct competitors sell bulky hardware solutions, typically thermal batteries that store energy as ice during daily periods of non-peak demand to then melt and reduce the need for compressor operations during peak power demand hours. Grid Fruit’s software solution is cheaper and easier to install, plus the technology is more flexible to address needs beyond energy reduction. Finally, where competitors provide the same services indefinitely Grid Fruit uses artificial intelligence to tailor services to the individual refrigeration systems and iteratively improve them as more data is collected over time.
Key Innovation
Grid Fruit uses AI digital controls in a breakthrough application, feeding a machine learning algorithm with data from real-time sensing. This technology provides holistic energy management for commercial refrigeration without compromising food freshness.
R&D Status of Product
Grid Fruit is developing the initial product from data they’ve collected in a pilot project since 2017. Grid Fruit has set up a testbed of open top (display) and closed commercial refrigerators, all instrumented throughout with sensors that collect further environmental data.
Team Overview
- Jesse Thornburg, Ph.D. – Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer
- Javad Mohammadi, Ph.D. – Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer
- Carolyn Goodman – Director of Engineering
ORNL PI
- Olufemi Omitaomu – Senior R&D Staff, Computational Sciences and Engineering Division, Computing and Computational Sciences Directorate
Company Profile Information
- Total Amount Raised: $2,125,976
- Year Founded: 2018
- Patents: 2 provisional patents filed with Carnegie Mellon University
- Primary Industry: Data Science
- Jobs Created: 3
Company Contact Information
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.
We Are Looking For
- Pilot partnerships, e.g., with food retail stores, military bases, and distribution grids
- Development and deployment partnerships
- Industry mentors
Critical Need for This Technology
In supermarkets, 50-60% of the electrical energy goes to refrigeration. Oak Ridge National Laboratory estimates that up to a fifth of this refrigeration energy is wasted with the legacy control systems and operational norms. At the same time, data is collected from across the system and hardly used except when emergency maintenance or replacement is needed. Grid Fruit uses this data to reduce the waste and improve the bottom line for food retailers that currently run at very low profit margins of 1-2%.
Competition
Most direct competitors sell bulky hardware solutions, typically thermal batteries that store energy as ice during daily periods of non-peak demand to then melt and reduce the need for compressor operations during peak power demand hours. Grid Fruit’s software solution is cheaper and easier to install, plus the technology is more flexible to address needs beyond energy reduction. Finally, where competitors provide the same services indefinitely Grid Fruit uses artificial intelligence to tailor services to the individual refrigeration systems and iteratively improve them as more data is collected over time.
Key Innovation
Grid Fruit uses AI digital controls in a breakthrough application, feeding a machine learning algorithm with data from real-time sensing. This technology provides holistic energy management for commercial refrigeration without compromising food freshness.
R&D Status of Product
Grid Fruit is developing the initial product from data they’ve collected in a pilot project since 2017. Grid Fruit has set up a testbed of open top (display) and closed commercial refrigerators, all instrumented throughout with sensors that collect further environmental data.
Team Overview
- Jesse Thornburg, Ph.D. – Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer
- Javad Mohammadi, Ph.D. – Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer
- Carolyn Goodman – Director of Engineering
ORNL PI
- Olufemi Omitaomu – Senior R&D Staff, Computational Sciences and Engineering Division, Computing and Computational Sciences Directorate
Company Profile Information
- Total Amount Raised: $2,125,976
- Year Founded: 2018
- Patents: 2 provisional patents filed with Carnegie Mellon University
- Primary Industry: Data Science
- Jobs Created: 3