image: Carbon nanotubes, pictured above, are valued for their strength, conductivity and lightweight properties and have versatile applications in electronics, automotive and aerospace.
Credit: Credit: Carlos Jones/ORNL, U.S. Dept. of Energy
The U.S. Air Force awarded startup SkyNano, led by Innovation Crossroads alumna Anna Douglas, a $1.25 million contract to advance its CO2-to-carbon nanotube technology as part of a project to develop low-cost, battery-grade graphite. SkyNano’s partners include American Energy Technologies Company and Eonix, led by Innovation Crossroads alumnus Don DeRosa.
SkyNano and Eonix were recruited to Knoxville through Innovation Crossroads, a Lab-Embedded Entrepreneurship Program node at Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
“In addition to accessing world-class technical resources, Innovation Crossroads Fellows are connected with a peer network of early career energy and manufacturing entrepreneurs,” said ORNL’s Dan Miller. “Both SkyNano and Eonix chose to stay and grow their companies here — a testament to East Tennessee’s thriving innovation ecosystem.”
“This project not only represents an important step toward building a secure, domestic supply chain for lithium-ion battery materials, but also continued collaboration and growth among Innovation Crossroads Fellows,” Douglas said.