CO2mposite: Recycling of CO2, Carbon Fiber Waste, and Biomaterials into Composite Panels for Lower Embodied Carbon Building Materials

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Program:
HESTIA
Award:
$2,000,000
Location:
Knoxville, Tennessee
Status:
ACTIVE
Project Term:
12/12/2022 - 12/11/2025

Technology Description:

SkyNano will create composite panels for the building industry via a multi-scale materials approach combining recycled carbon fibers diverted from landfills, directly utilized CO2 via electro-reduction into solid carbon nanotubes, and biomaterials such as bamboo fibers. The panels will exhibit excellent mechanical and functional properties while maintaining a carbon-negative footprint on a cradle-to-gate and cradle-to-grave basis, exceeding the performance of today’s state-of-the-art panels. The team proposes to develop and test the panel in a 1ft2 format, which is envisioned to be applicable for interior wall coverings, non-load bearing interior walls, exterior facades, and ceiling panels. The technology will increase mechanical and functional performance of materials used in built environment, introduce new materials to an industry that has used essentially the same ones for decades, and enable interior building surfaces to be CO2 negative.

Potential Impact:

HESTIA projects will facilitate the use of carbon storing materials in building construction to achieve net carbon negativity by optimizing material chemistries and matrices, manufacturing, and whole-building designs in a cost-effective manner.

Security:

HESTIA technologies will reduce the carbon footprint of the built environment.

Environment:

Building materials and designs developed under HESTIA will draw down and store CO2 from the atmosphere.

Economy:

A variety of promising carbon storing materials are being explored and commercialized for building construction. Currently these materials are generally scarcer, cost more per unit, and/or face performance challenges (e.g., flame resistance for biogenic carbon-containing materials). HESTIA seeks technologies that overcome these barriers while nullifying associated emissions and increasing the total amount of carbon stored in the finished product.

Contact

ARPA-E Program Director:
Dr. Laurent Pilon
Project Contact:
Dr. Anna Douglas
Press and General Inquiries Email:
ARPA-E-Comms@hq.doe.gov
Project Contact Email:
anna.douglas@skynanotechnologies.com

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Release Date:
06/13/2022