Connora Technologies (Recyclable Thermoset Plastics)

Thermoset plastic composites are used in a wide range of products from automobile and aerospace parts to windmill blades and sporting goods. They are known for strength, durability, and low weight; however, they are not yet recyclable. Connora Technologies has designed and manufactured Recyclamine, an amine-based hardener with cleavable properties that allow thermoset materials to become recyclable. This has the potential to revolutionize how thermosets are used going forward. Website | Video not available.

Indoor Reality (3D Mapping)

Google and others have mapped the outside world to provide improved surveying, navigation, and a host of other advantages. Indoor Reality uses a unique, proprietary approach to 3D mapping that quickly and easily maps indoor environments. This new capability will provide actionable, real-time information for construction project managers, engineers, building managers, and others. Potential early applications include construction project error detection and automated energy audits. Website │ Video

Skycool Systems

As our planet continues to heat up, access to efficient cooling is becoming a major quality of life requirement. Most current cooling solutions exacerbate global warming by using significant energy to move heat from one location to another. Photonic Radiative Cooling (PRC) is a sky-facing panel that passively emits thermal energy, allowing it to provide consistent cooling without electricity. From air conditioning to mobile refrigeration, PRC will revolutionize the way we approach cooling. Website │ Video

Spark Thermionics

Originally developed by NASA, thermionics have the potential to provide efficient, cost-effective energy conversion in high-temperature environments. Thermionic converters enable a current as electrons move across a vacuum gap from a hot plate to a cold plate. Spark Thermionics—from Stanford and now at Cyclotron Road—is enhancing thermionic emissions and developing a small, efficient, modular, and scalable thermionics device using micro-fabrication techniques. Website │ Video

XBOS

Most building automation systems slow innovation and create high costs due to their proprietary nature. This has prevented the widespread adoption of automation in small commercial buildings. Researchers at Berkeley have developed an open eXtensible Building Operating System (XBOS) to facilitate the seamless integration of hardware and software in a variety of buildings. Like open systems in computing and smartphones, XBOS will create new markets for integrated solutions. Video

Gas to Liquids Catalyst

Every year, an estimated $10 billion worth of natural gas is simply burned away through the common practice of flaring. Researchers from the University of Colorado have designed a new catalyst that makes it possible to create small, mobile gas-to-liquids systems that can reduce this economically wasteful and environmentally damaging practice. Their new approach to catalyst manufacturing also holds promise in other applications such as automotive catalytic converters. Video

Hydrogen Storage

Hydrogen vehicles pose many advantages over electric vehicles; however, challenges related to storage have slowed the widespread adoption of this useful fuel. Researchers at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory have developed a new hydrogen storage technology that outperforms competitors on safety, performance and efficiency. Promising applications for this technology include fuel cells and transportation. Video