Electrochemical Catalyst for Conversion of CO 2 to Ethanol ORNL UT-B ID: 201403439 Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) is seeking a commercialization partner for a novel electrochemical catalyst for the conversion of CO 2 to ethanol in a single pot reaction, at room temperature and pressure. This promising technology was selected as a participant in the ORNL Technology Innovation Program (TIP). TIP is a royalty-funded technology maturation program designed to accelerate the commercial adoption of high potential ORNL technologies. And the ORNL Science and Technology Partnerships Office is now accepting licensing applications through November 1, 2017. Prospective licensees are invited to attend the ORNL TIP Showcase On October 3, 2017, which will feature technical presentations and laboratory tours. Carbon dioxide is a waste product of combustion of fossil fuels and can be used in the production of biofuels and other energy sources. The inventors have developed a nanostructured catalyst for the direct electrochemical conversion of CO 2 to ethanol with high Faradaic efficiency (63% at 1.2 V vs RHE) and high selectivity (84%). This process can be carried out in water at room temperature and pressure. Since the process is electrochemically reversible and operates at ambient temperature, the system may be turned on and off on demand, making the invention an ideal way to utilize excess variable electricity from alternative environmentally friendly energy sources (i.e. wind power, hydroelectric, or solar). The ORNL technology allows energy production companies to generate an additional revenue stream through the production of cheap ethanol. The production method also allows these companies to use their energy surpluses more efficiently. Additionally, this technology would aid in slowing the rise of CO 2 in our atmosphere. The conversion of surplus energy into ethanol means that the energy return on the ethanol product is greater than the energy return on traditional ethanol products. Applications: • CO 2 conversion to ethanol for spirit manufactures, • CO 2 conversion to ethanol for ethanol producers, • CO 2 for use with oil and gas dealing with CO 2 waste streams, • CO 2 conversion to ethanol for industrial applications. Advantages: • Reduces dependency on feedstock-based ethanol, • Recycles CO 2 , • Waste-product of fossil-fuels transformed into energy source, • Further decreases dependency on fossil-fuels. Technology Innovation Program: This technology was originally developed using federal funds and selected for further development under the laboratory's Technology Innovation Program (TIP). TIP supports technology development using royalties from existing technology licenses to accelerate the market readiness of high potential technologies. If your organization is interested in exploiting/utilizing this technology, we encourage you to do so via a licensing agreement. ORNL is accepting licensing applications for review from all interested parties, and license applications will be evaluated based on prospective partners' ability and commitment to successfully commercialize the technology. If a license agreement is executed, the ORNL researchers developing the technology will be eligible to compete for additional TIP funding to assist in the transfer of the technology to the licensee. Timeline: October 3, 2017 - TIP Showcase at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Interested Parties can come to ORNL for a conference wherein presentations will be given by inventors highlighting these licensing opportunities, laboratory visits will be possible demonstrating the technologies, and breakout sessions time will be available with commercialization/licensing associates. December 1, 2017 - Deadline for receipt of licensing applications. December 15, 2017 - Notice of selection of candidates invited to license. January 30, 2018 - Final Negotiations of Licensing Agreements. Intellectual Property: US Non-Provisional Filing Serial No.: 15/143,651 "Electrochemical Catalyst for Conversion of CO 2 to Ethanol. Filed 15/02/2016. Oak Ridge National Laboratory: Oak Ridge National Laboratory is the largest US Department of Energy science and energy laboratory, conducting basic and applied research to deliver transformative solutions to compelling problems in energy and security. Oak Ridge National Laboratory is managed by UT-Battelle, LLC, for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) under its Prime Contract No. DE-AC05-00OR22725. Additional Information: Technology Overview: https://www.ornl.gov/news/nano-spike-catalysts-convert-carbon-dioxide-directly-ethanol . Publication: Yang Song, Rui Peng, Dale Hensley, Peter Bonnesen, Liangbo Liang, Zili Wu, Harry Meyer III, Miaofang Chi, Cheng Ma, Bobby Sumpter and Adam Rondinone "High-Selectivity Electrochemical Conversion of CO 2 to Ethanol using a Copper Nanoparticle/N-Doped Graphene Electrode." Chemistry Select, 28 September 2016. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/slct.201601169/full . Additional background on the Technology Innovation Program and technical business opportunities may be found on the Oak Ridge National Laboratory website: https://www.ornl.gov/partnerships/technology-innovation-program . National Laboratory Licensing Guide : https://www.ornl.gov/partnerships/licensing-guidelines . ORNL License Application: https://www.ornl.gov/sites/default/files/license_application_0.pdf . Please contact Eugene Cochran, Sr. Commercialization Manager, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, 865-576-2830,
[email protected] with any questions on the opportunity or to obtain a license application. Please contact Adam Rondinone, CNMS Scientist, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, 865-574-5035,
[email protected] with any technology questions about the catalyst.