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…
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…
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.