Sustainable Materials
Materials used in the built environment are among the most energy-intensive to produce, contributing significantly to carbon emissions and resource consumption. From construction to infrastructure, the energy required to manufacture, transport, and assemble these materials creates a substantial environmental impact.
帝王会所鈥檚 Institute for Sustainable Energy and the Environment (ISEE) focuses on developing sustainable alternatives that reduce the energy intensity and carbon footprint of the materials that we use. Our research focuses on innovative, low-energy materials, circular economy approaches like recycling and reuse and optimizing production techniques to make material manufacturing and use more sustainable.
Engineered Composites
Engineered composites, widely utilized in both building/construction and defense applications, offer exceptional strength, durability, and lightweight properties, but their production is often energy-intensive. Manufacturing materials like carbon fiber and advanced polymer matrices requires substantial energy input.
At ISEE, we are leading efforts to develop sustainable composites and manufacturing techniques that maintain high performance while significantly reducing energy demands and environmental impact. By repurposing industry waste streams, ISEE is pioneering the creation of thermoplastic, thermoset and carbon foam composites. These materials are produced using both traditional and additive manufacturing methods, serving the needs of the building, tooling and defense sectors.
Ultra-Conductors
Ultra-conductive materials are at the forefront of advancing electrical efficiency, offering significantly higher conductivity than traditional materials like copper or aluminum. These cutting-edge materials enable faster power transmission, reduced energy loss, and improved performance in critical applications such as energy grids, electronics, and aerospace.
At ISEE, our research focuses on incorporating trace amounts of engineered carbon into copper and aluminum to produce ultra-conductive properties with minimal increase in cost.
Carbon Allotropes
Carbon allotropes, including graphite, graphene, and carbon foam, play a critical role in advancing energy storage technologies. Their unique properties, such as high surface area, excellent conductivity, and chemical stability, make them ideal for use in batteries, super-capacitors, fuel cells, and in extreme environments.
ISEE is developing innovative continuous manufacturing techniques which convert renewable resources and legacy mining wastes into high-value carbon allotrope products.
