Innovation Pipeline

Case Western University researchers have developed an ultralight sponge material that’s able to draw oil out of contaminated water. Composed of clay and plastic, it was originally invented by Ph.D. student Matt Gawryla as a new kitty litter.
University scientists first make an aerogel by mixing clay with a polymer and water in a blender. Once [...]

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Harvesting and storing energy is a big challenge for a supercharged tech society on the run. From cellphones and laptops to a growing number of portable music and camera devices, electricity and battery life has become essential for much of today’s business activities.
The trouble is that batteries still cannot deliver the kind of longevity needed [...]

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The efficiency and elegance of materials occurring in nature have always been an inspiration to researchers. Trying to achieve similar results via nanoengineering, scientists are now working on nanoscale particles that automatically orient themselves into unique materials with powerful properties.
It makes sense, this self-assembly approach, because it’s simply too difficult to manipulate nanoparticles with lab [...]

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When it comes to the merits of counting carbon as a remedy to improve the health of our planet, there’s plenty of room for debate and dissension. It’s also quickly becoming a major obsession and perhaps a real distraction from important policy work that needs to get done.
A recent paper in Science, “Fixing a Critical [...]

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For all the unpleasant characteristics green algae possesses, it is beloved in cleantech circles because it can manufacture biofuels.
Now, scientists at the Angstrom Laboratory at Uppsala University in Sweden have discovered green algae’s distinctive cellulose nanostructure can also provide an effective coating substrate for batteries. It provides two advantages: it’s lighter in weight and much [...]

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The U.S. stimulus package had a clear message and mandate for renewable energy. There was far less stimulus devoted to the water industry and people wondered how that would impact the business.
As it turns out, a recent water industry survey of businesses and technologists indicates there’s a rebound in water-project spending expected over the next [...]

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The U.S. water market is $95 billion ($425 billion globally). Of that $95 billion, $24 billion is spent on industrial wastewater purification and recovery.
Innovative water technology startup Crystal Clear Technologies has developed a novel approach to separate out toxic contaminants such as arsenic, copper, uranium and selenium. The technology is specifically relevant to industrial smelters, [...]

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A global water crisis is expected by 2025 unless economically viable ways of purifying water can be developed.
One of the major threats to water supplies is contamination, from saltwater from industrial waste, from pesticides.
New sensors would help. Research labs are working on sensors specially designed to deal with monitoring and purification problems.
Researchers at the University [...]

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Researchers at Duke University have come to respect the power of nano-engineered buckyballs.
In one project, the engineers found that ultrafine mesh coatings made of carbon buckyballs can hinder the ability of bacteria and other microorganisms to colonize the membranes that filter impurities from water. This is one of the major problems — and costs — [...]

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The push to reduce energy consumption is broad and deep. And for homeowners who are looking to reduce their energy costs, there are standard practices, such as turning down the thermostat, changing out light bulbs and purchasing energy-efficient appliances.
But the U.S. building sector’s energy consumption is still expected to increase by 35 percent between now [...]

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