Our Innovation Analysts recently looked into emerging technologies and up-and-coming startups working on innovative materials solutions. As there is a large number of startups working on a wide variety of solutions, we decided to share our insights with you. This time, we are taking a look at 5 promising nanocomposites startups.
Heat Map: 5 Top Nanocomposites Startups
Using our StartUs Insights Discovery Platform, covering 1.379.000+ startups & scaleups globally, we looked at innovation in the field of materials. For this research, we identified 175 relevant solutions and picked 5 to showcase below. These companies were chosen based on a data-driven startup scouting approach, taking into account factors such as location, founding year, and relevance of technology, among others. Depending on your specific criteria, the top picks might look entirely different.
The Global Startup Heat Map below highlights 5 startups & scaleups developing nanocomposite solutions. Moreover, the Heat Map reveals regions that observe a high startup activity and illustrates the geographic distribution of all 175 companies we analyzed for this specific topic.
PRO-1 NANO Solutions – Water Purification
Nanoparticles find applications in a wide variety of industries, including materials, biotechnology, and medicine. Some examples of nanocomposites applications include water filtration membranes, coatings, as well as pastes that improve magnetic, elastic, or even conductive capabilities of surfaces. Startups develop a variety of nanocomposites solutions exhibiting customizable properties.
Estonian startup PRO-1 NANO Solutions provides nanocomposites for water purification, among other applications. With the help of patented sand-based nanocomposites, the startup enables the filtration of heavy metals and radioactive elements in the water. This filtration process does not reduce the level of minerals such as potassium, calcium, and magnesium in water. The startup also provides cobalt-silver and cobalt-copper nanocomposites for other applications, including targeted drug delivery, catalysis & reforming, and antimicrobial applications.
Group14 Technologies – Silicon-Carbon Nanocomposites
Silicon, an abundant source of novel material composites, is theoretically a much better option for batteries in comparison to graphite. Silicon stores significantly higher energy, when compared to graphite, and also costs lesser. Startups leverage the advantages of silicon nanocomposites to develop high-performance battery solutions.
The US-based startup Group14 Technologies develops nanocomposite materials for application in lithium-ion batteries. With the help of its patented process, Drylorosis, the startup synthesizes a porous, hard carbon scaffold. Siligenesis, another patented process, combines the carbon scaffold and nano-sized silicon to result in high-performance silicon-based anode for batteries. This process also boosts the electrochemical performance of the anode.
Nanospan – Graphene-Based Nanocomposites
Graphene exhibits significant strength despite being one of the thinnest materials. The single layer of carbon atoms is both pliable and transparent. Graphene is also a decent conductor of both electricity and heat. Application of graphene on kevlar as reinforcement improves the strength of the body armor with minimal weight addition. Startups develop graphene-based nanocomposites to create strong materials capable of withstanding blasts and fires.
Indian startup Nanospan manufactures nanocomposites by infusing graphene and other nano-additives with a base material. The nanocomposites have high tensile strength and low density, significantly reducing the overall item weight. The startup’s graphene ballistic composite finds applications in light-weight body armor products. Further, the graphene-based nanocomposites find use in supercapacitors, lithium-ion batteries, and battery enclosures.
Greenvolt – Energy Storage
Electric vehicles (EVs) depend heavily on innovations in energy storage. The use of nanotechnology to create nanocomposites that enable efficient energy storage shows promise for the EV industry. Further, the conductivity, high tensile strength, low density, and high surface area provide the necessary environment for optimal energy storage. Startups develop various nanocomposites for battery components and improve the overall efficiency of energy storage.
The US-based startup Greenvolt is working on energy storage solutions with the help of nanocomposites. The startup uses a patented method to manufacture a novel structural material. The solution increases the surface area of the materials and manipulates the chemical reactions and interactions. The structural material also acts as a battery basis while being safer, lasting longer, and weighing less.
dimpora – Textile Nanocomposites
The use of fluorine in traditional textile garments is harmful to the environment. The chemicals used to treat the textile, to exhibit hydrophobia, wash off over the lifetime of the product, causing ecological pollution. Startups develop textile nanocomposites to help reduce the carbon footprint of the textile sector.
Swiss startup dimpora specializes in microporous membranes for the outdoor textile industry. Dimpora Eco Pur, a patented fluorine-free and microporous membrane, is waterproof, windproof, and exhibits high breathability. Additionally, the membrane is functionally stretchable for enhanced user comfort.
What About The Other 170 Solutions?
While we believe data is key to creating insights it can be easy to be overwhelmed by it. Our ambition is to create a comprehensive overview and provide actionable innovation intelligence and enable you to achieve your goals faster. The 5 nanocomposite solutions showcased above are promising examples out of 175 we analyzed for this article. To identify the most relevant solutions based on your specific criteria, get in touch.
