Hazard Reduction

Replaces highly volatile organic liquid electrolytes in lithium-ion batteries with advanced polymers that enable improved safety and performance. Utilizes a new solid and nonflammable electrolyte in batteries made from crystalline resins (polyester ether ketone, polyphenylene oxide, polysulfone, etc.). Conventional batteries use electrolytes from a solvent-based lithium salt solution that are highly flammable. This new electrolyte can be integrated into existing battery designs.

Electricity-free mobile refrigeration technology using only sun and water. Refrigeration unit that is lightweight, easy to carry, and fully portable. Product requires no electricity and emits no greenhouse gas emissions. Uses PhaseTek™ technology; when the internal reservoir of the product is filled with any water source, the product undergoes evaporative cooling, reducing the internal storage space by 10-15 degrees Celsius. Refrigeration reduces spoilage, which reduces waste.

Soldering process that eliminates the use of wave oil and solvents by installing hoods over the solder pots to maintain an inert atmosphere over the molten solder. Conventionally, soldering involves synthetic oil, soldering fluxes, and solvent cleaning (uses large amounts of TCA and TCE). The No-Clean process eliminates the use of wave oil and soldering fluxes, consequently eliminating the need for solvent cleaning. This process reduces the environmental impact of manufacturing solid ceramic resistor networks by reducing the amount of raw materials consumed.

Method for electropolishing niobium surfaces with environmentally benign electrolytes. Niobium is one of the best materials for superconductor radiofrequency cavities. Conventional methods for making the interior of niobium optimally smooth are hazardous to the environment as they use concentrated sulfuric and hydrofluoric acids. Contrarily, Faraday Technologies electropolishes niobium with the repeated use of bipolar electric fields. This process uses less concentrated sulfuric acid compared to traditional methods and eliminates hydrofluoric acid.

Uses water and oxygen to remove photoresist and other organic contaminants in producing semiconductors and flat panel displays. Coldstrip™ uses a gas diffuser and an ozone generator. This process cleans more quickly than many chemical-based processes as it produces no solids in the water (eliminating the need for filtration) and does not require elevated temperatures. Traditionally, Piranha solutions (containing sulfuric acid and hydrogen peroxide) are used to produce semiconductors and flat panel displays.

Biocatalytic process for the synthesis of esters. Esters are important ingredients in cosmetics and personal care products. Traditional esters manufacturing requires strong acids and potentially hazardous solvents and produces undesirable byproducts that require energy-intensive purification. Using immobilized enzymes at mild temperatures as an alternative, Eastmen saves energy and avoids dangerous chemicals. This process produces no undesirable by-products, and the enzymes are easily removable via filtration.

Lactones, salts, crystals, and other forms of high-purity glucaric acid through fermentation using microbes from biomass. kalion Inc. uses patented microbes from biomass through synthetic biological processes to produce lactones, salts, crystals, and other forms of high-purity glucaric acid through fermentation. Glucaric acid can replace phosphates and chelating agents in detergents and waste treatment. The traditional use of phosphates and chelating agents may include eutrophication, which may interfere with the removal and treatment of toxic metals.