Energy I-Corps Cohort 19 Welcomes Dozens of New Scientists

National Lab researchers from across the country recently gathered in Golden, Colorado for the kickoff of Energy-I Corps' 19th cohort. A key initiative of the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Technology Transitions, the immersive two-month entrepreneurial training program aims to accelerate the commercialization for innovative energy technologies currently in the lab.

During opening week, 14 research teams from eight National Labs dove straight into the curriculum with a series of workshops designed to challenge their research assumptions. Each team hit the ground running by attending back-to-back workshops from an instructor team of entrepreneurs, chief technology officers, and National Science Foundation’s I-Corps™ experts.

Teams completed at least five initial stakeholder discovery interviews and analyzed these industry findings with the help of one-on-one instructor support. In addition to individual coaching, teams delivered three presentations, receiving valuable feedback from both peers and coaches across the National Lab complex. 

The week also featured the first in-person industry night since 2019, where researchers connected directly with local startups and industry partners. These foundational activities set the stage for the teams to refine their research and engagement strategies moving forward.

Over the next two months, working with industry mentors external to the DOE complex, the teams will define value propositions, conduct at least 75 discovery interviews, and explore viable pathways to bring their products to the market. Each bi-annual Energy I-Corps cohort includes a wide range of research fields. Cohort 19 includes carbon management, advanced materials, artificial intelligence, and more.

Since 2015, Energy I-Corps has supported the journey to a clean energy future by training more than 510 National Lab researchers. With the support of more than 245 industry mentors, alumni teams determined the commercial impact of their technologies through more than 16,000 discovery interviews. The technologies of the past 18 Energy I-Corps cohorts have:

• Attracted more than $192 million in post-program funding
• Executed 85 licenses
• Launched 25 new businesses.

Cohort 19’s opening week in Colorado began on Sept. 16, 2024, and the full program will conclude in late November. The cohort of 14 teams is funded by 12 DOE program offices and the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA). 

The Energy I-Corps cohort 19 teams are:

Xhangī from Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL): Xhangī aims to produce clean baseload geothermal energy by 2037 using caged geothermal systems technology. At a potential cost of less than eight cents per kilowatt-hour, this energy source could become the most desirable and accessible option in the market. This project is funded by the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy’s (EERE) Geothermal Technologies Office.

NERO from Sandia National Laboratories (SNL): NERO uses text analytics rooted in psychological literature to identify lying or obfuscation in scientific literature. The outcome of this work can be used to evaluate the proliferation risk of weapons of mass destruction in publications originating from sensitive countries. This project is funded by NNSA.

SprayCell from Argonne National Laboratory (ANL): Building on existing ANL research, SprayCell technology works to apply a thin layer of materials needed for lithium metal batteries on a large scale. This project is funded by EERE’s Vehicle Technologies Office.

OptimalEnergy from SNL: OptimalEnergy uses artificial intelligence and smart data to better control energy distribution. Their system solves power demand issues associated with traditional distributed energy management systems (DERMS). This project is co-funded by the Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response, EERE’s Wind Energy Technologies Office (WETO), and the Office of Electricity.

Green Capture from Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL): Green Capture removes carbon dioxide from fossil fuel-based power plant emissions using a membrane-based, environmentally sustainable absorption process. This project is funded by the Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management (FECM).

Step 1 from SNL: The Step 1 tool helps industries determine if solar-thermal systems are suitable for their energy needs. It provides customized design recommendations and cost estimates, making it easier for industries to switch to renewable energy. This project is funded by EERE’s Solar Energy Technologies Office.

NextGen Hydrothermal Liquefaction (HTL) from Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL): HTL of wet waste is a cost-effective way to produce liquid fuels for various uses. NextGEN HTL aims to accelerate commercialization by making the process cleaner, more reliable, and better for the environment. This project is funded by EERE’s Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO).

SHIELDS from Idaho National Laboratory (INL): Software for Hazard Identification and Evaluation of Digital Systems (SHIELDS) is a tool used to design and assess digital instrumentation and control (DI&C) systems. SHIELDS provides valuable insights for I&C designers, helping them create safer and more cost-effective systems. This project is funded by the Office of Nuclear Energy.

SCANIT from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL): The Scaling Carbon Assessment with Neutron Imaging Technology (SCANIT) team aims to create a portable, affordable scanner that measures soil carbon without damaging it. This tool can accurately assess soil carbon levels and help promote carbon offset practices that boost soil carbon storage. This project is funded by FECM.

Cellulose 2.0 from INL: Cellulose 2.0 is insulation made from everyday waste that would normally go to landfills. By repurposing materials like plastics, wood, carpet, and textiles, Cellulose 2.0 helps reduce waste and lower the carbon footprint in construction. This project is funded by EERE’s BETO.

LignoCat from LBNL: LignoCat transforms a tough plant material called lignin into valuable chemicals called guaiacols. With high conversion rates of over 80%, they are making biorefineries more sustainable and economically viable, encouraging more use of plant materials like wood and agricultural waste. This project is funded by EERE’s BETO.

Windpowercast from NREL: Windpowercast uses detailed weather data to predict how much electricity wind farms will generate. Better predictions can encourage more use of wind power, even when the wind isn't constant. This project is funded by EERE’s WETO.

HFLW (High Filler, Low Water) Concrete from ORNL: HFLW concrete is an innovative and sustainable building material designed to meet modern construction needs. This eco-friendly solution not only reduces water consumption but also minimizes the carbon footprint associated with traditional concrete. This project is funded by EERE’s Industrial Efficiency and Decarbonization Office.

P-SOEC (Proton Conducting Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cells) from INL: P-SOEC is reducing hydrogen production costs with their advanced solid oxide electrolysis technology. The technology is based on protonic ceramic conductors, which possess high-proton conductivity and low-activation energy, allowing for operation at intermediate temperatures (450-600°C). This team is funded by EERE’s Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies Office.

Cohort 19 is supported by 12 DOE program offices and the National Nuclear Security Administration: 

• EERE – Bioenergy Technologies Office 
• EERE – Geothermal Technologies Office
• EERE – Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies Office
• EERE – Industrial Efficiency and Decarbonization Office
• EERE – Solar Energy Technologies Office
• EERE – Vehicles Technology Office 
• EERE – Water Power Technologies Office
• EERE – Wind Energy Technologies Office
• Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response
• Office of Electricity
• Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management
• Office of Nuclear Energy.