Alec Readel

Alec Readel brings a versatile background in manufacturing, engineering, and advanced materials synthesis. His career began in manufacturing, where he developed expertise in design and fabrication. He then joined a graphene start-up as its first employee, where he developed industrial graphene synthesis techniques and leveraged his manufacturing background to collaborate with scientists and scale their lab processes to commercial volumes. This role also exposed Alec to the inner workings of start-up companies, including raising private investment, resource management, and strategic decision-making. Subsequently, Alec worked in industrial automation, assisting companies in automating their processes. Now self-employed, he dedicates his time to Applied 2D Materials, focusing on commercializing industry
viable 2D material applications.

Key Innovation

Applied 2D Materials develops barrier protective coatings using a licensable innovation from ORNL to synthesize hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) directly onto target substrates in an economical, scalable, and environmentally benign manner. The technology uses safe and abundant solid precursors instead of hazardous liquids or gases, enabling cost-effective, high-quality coatings. These ultra-thin coatings exhibit exceptional chemical inertness, thermal stability, and resistance to high temperatures and corrosive conditions, with conformal, non-line-of-sight coverage for complex geometries. Atmospheric pressure deposition allows scalable synthesis, while consistent hBN growth improves operational efficiency, extends equipment lifespan, and enhances system reliability in harsh environments. Bench-scale proof-of-concept has been demonstrated, and preliminary market validation across multiple sectors has shown strong interest contingent on upcoming performance tests. This technology addresses the limitations of traditional coatings, including metals, polymers, ceramics, and conversion coatings, which are prone to corrosion, degradation, cracking, or failure in extreme conditions.

Target Market

The technology is targeted toward energy, industrial, aerospace, and defense applications that operate in extreme environments such as steam, molten salts, hydrogen, and corrosive acids. Key applications include concentrating solar power plants, advanced nuclear reactors, fuel cells, and green hydrogen production. Applied 2D Materials meets the growing need for durable, high-performance coatings that reduce operational costs and support resilient, sustainable energy systems. The company seeks guidance from industry leaders to prioritize high-impact applications, partners for pilot testing or collaborative R&D, and input to define key performance metrics and regulatory pathways. By addressing the limitations of current protective coatings, this solution provides a scalable, cost-effective, and environmentally safe alternative for demanding industrial applications.

ORNL Principal Investigator

• Ivan Vlassiouk - Senior R&D Staff, Functional Hybrid Nanomaterials, Physical Sciences Directorate