Recovering carbon losses in CO2 electrolysis using a solid electrolyte reactor+++

Direct electrosynthesis of pure aqueous H2O2 solutions up to 20% by weight using a solid electrolyte+++

Energy-efficient indirect (bi)carbonate electroreduction in a porous solid electrolyte reactor+++

Electrochemical regeneration of high-purity CO2 from (bi)carbonates in a porous solid electrolyte reactor for efficient carbon capture+++

Electrochemical CO2 reduction to high-concentration pure formic acid solutions in an all-solid-state reactor+++

Highly active and selective oxygen reduction to H2O2 on boron-doped carbon for high production rates+++

High-purity and high-concentration liquid fuels through CO2 electroreduction+++

Electrochemical manufacturing of hydrogen peroxide with high concentration and durability+++

High-pressure electrochemical CO2 capture and reduction to formic acid+++

This publication demonstrates high-pressure CO2 reduction of dilute streams in a PSE reactor to markedly enhance formic acid selectivity. It explores simultaneous carbon capture and conversion, bypassing the need for costly traditional purification.

Houston startups win NASA funding for space tech projects+++

Three Houston startups were granted awards from NASA this month to develop new technologies for the space agency.

The companies are among nearly 300 recipients that received a total agency investment of $44.85 million through the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I grant programs, according to NASA.

Each selected company will receive $150,000 and, based on their progress, will be eligible to submit proposals for up to $850,000 in Phase II funding to develop prototypes.

The SBIR program lasts for six months and contracts small businesses. The Houston NASA 2025 SBIR awardees include:

Solidec Inc.

Principal investigator: Yang Xia
Proposal: Highly reliable and energy-efficient electrosynthesis of high-purity hydrogen peroxide from air and water in a nanobubble facilitated porous solid electrolyte reactor

Rarefied Studios LLC

Principal investigator: Kyle Higdon
Proposal: Plume impingement module for autonomous proximity operations

The STTR program contracts small businesses in partnership with a research institution and lasts for 13 months. The Houston NASA 2025 STTR awardees include:

Affekta LLC

Principal investigator: Hedinn Steingrimsson
Proposal: Verifiable success in handling unknown unknowns in space habitat simulations and a cyber-physical system

Solidec and Affekta have ties to Rice University.

Solidec extracts molecules from water and air, then transforms them into pure chemicals and fuels that are free of carbon emissions. It was co-founded by Rice professor Haotian Wang and and was an Innovation Fellow at Rice’s Liu Idea Lab for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. It was previouslt selected for Chevron Technology Ventures’ catalyst program, a Rice One Small Step grant, a U.S. Department of Energy grant, and the first cohort of the Activate Houston program.

Affekta, an AI course, AI assistance and e-learning platform, was a part of Rice’s OwlSpark in 2023.
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