In-Silico Heterogeneous Catalyst Design for GHG Reduction via Bulk Chemicals

Default ARPA-E Project Image

Program:
OPEN 2021
Award:
$3,579,478
Location:
Cambridge, Massachusetts
Status:
ACTIVE
Project Term:
07/01/2022 - 06/30/2025
Website:

Technology Description:

Copernic Catalysts will design novel chemical catalysts to reduce the energy use and carbon footprint of bulk chemical reactions. Bulk chemicals—such as ammonia, ethylene, and methanol—are produced at very large scales, often up to hundreds of millions of tons annually, and are responsible for nearly one gigaton of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions every year. Copernic Catalysts will focus on creating a faster trajectory for developing more energy-/carbon-efficient processes for the bulk chemicals industry, while also allowing for the development of more cost-competitive zero-carbon chemicals and fuels. This transformational work has the potential to develop processes for alternative fuels that would increase U.S. energy independence, reduce GHG emissions, and improve the efficiency of the domestic chemicals industry.

Potential Impact:

Copernic Catalysts will focus on creating a faster trajectory for developing more energy-/carbon-efficient processes for the bulk chemicals industry.

Security:

This project has the potential to develop more efficient processes for alternative fuels that would enhance energy security for the U.S. and its partners and improve the efficiency of the domestic chemicals industry.

Environment:

If successful, this catalyst discovery, optimization, and commercialization methodology can be used to develop other catalysts for producing zero-carbon bulk chemicals, addressing a total of 2.4 Gt/a of GHG emissions.

Economy:

This new methodology will create a faster trajectory for developing more efficient processes for the bulk chemicals industry and enable the development of more cost-competitive zero-carbon chemicals and fuels.

Contact

ARPA-E Program Director:
Dr. Robert Ledoux
Project Contact:
Dr. Jacob Grose
Press and General Inquiries Email:
ARPA-E-Comms@hq.doe.gov
Project Contact Email:
jacob.grose@coperniccatalysts.com

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Release Date:
02/11/2021