Industrial Scale-Up and Commercial Readiness (TRL 8-9)

Toner made from soy and corn biomass. This toner uses polyester, polyamide, and polyurethane resins made from soy oil, protein, and carbohydrates extracted from corn. Conventional petroleum-based toners that use synthetic resins (such as styrene acrylates and styrene butadiene) are challenging to remove from papers during recycling. While toners that facilitate the de-inking process have been developed, they are much more expensive than traditional toners. Contrarily, these soy and corn-based toners have a more competitive price.

Thermal paper free of chemical color developers that releases images from a purely physical process. This product consists of three layers: a base paper, a colored paper, and an opaque paper layer. The opaque layer is comprised of polymeric particles (opaque styrene acrylic resin hollow spheres) that hide the pigmented-colored layer. When the opaque layer is exposed to heat, it becomes transparent, creating the print by revealing the colored layer underneath.

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.

Higher quality quantum dots for LED screens that use much less toxic feedstock. This technology replaces the traditional centrifugation method with filtration and uses less toxic solvents. Conventional methods of producing LED screens make substantial use of toxic solvents and are inefficient. This new technology could potentially reduce the use of toxic solvents by 150,000 liters per year in the United States. This technology is also more efficient, reducing energy usage. 

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.

Phytoglycogen sustainably extracted from kernels of sweet corn for cosmetic applications. This phytoglycogen is a highly branched polysaccharide with a unique spherical dendrimer structure that has similar effects to animal-derived glycogen. Phytoglycogen is non-toxic, hypoallergenic, and biodegradable. The product promotes collagen and hyaluronic acid production in skin cells by increasing cellular metabolism, reducing wrinkles and fine lines, and improving skin hydration.

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.