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NASA to fly payload with SpinLaunch’s mass accelerator to test low-cost, high-cadence kinetic launch system

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After full review, NASA and SpinLaunch will publish all non-proprietary launch environment information from the test flight. There is high demand for Low Earth Orbit (LEO) constellations of inexpensive small satellites for disaster monitoring, weather, national security, and global communications.

Low Cost 259
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Fraunhofer researchers develop new low-cost dry-film electrode production process

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Better and more cost-efficient production methods for energy storage are increasingly in demand, especially in Germany: All major automobile manufacturers have launched ambitious electric vehicle programs that will ensure a sharp rise in demand for batteries. So far, German companies have been purchasing the cells for this purpose in Asia.

Low Cost 339
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SwRI, UTSA researchers show biochar is low-cost, effective method to treat fracking water

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Using biochar could help oil and gas companies save money and responsibly treat flowback water for reuse. It is made from materials such as wood chips, paper, leaves, soybean oil, corn oil and other forms of agricultural waste heated to high temperatures in an oxygen-deprived environment.

Water 257
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Transform Materials plasma process converts abundant natural gas into high-value hydrogen and acetylene

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But methane is extremely inert in an oxygen-free environment and resists chemical reactions. For passenger cars, Transform Materials’ technology enables the build-out of crucial hydrogen infrastructure and produces hydrogen using approximately 40% less energy input than conventional methods of production, the company says.

Convert 395
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NEO Battery Materials to expand into US with subsidiary; silicon anodes and battery materials

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NEO Battery Materials, a low-cost silicon anode materials developer that enables longer-running, rapid-charging lithium-ion batteries ( earlier post ), is under the process to establish NBM America, a US subsidiary, in February. Ohio has been recognized as a strategic hub for the growing US battery supply chain. billion investment).

Ohio 186
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Biofeedstock company Proterro hits milestones with bioreactor for sucrose produced via cyanobacteria; commissioning pilot plant

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a biofeedstock company that makes sucrose instead of extracting it from crops or deconstructing cellulosic materials, said it has met key new development milestones. Using CO~2, sunlight and water, Proterro lowers the cost of sugar production to around $0.05/lb Proterro, Inc., —Kef Kasdin.

Companies 210
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SDSU-led project to design bacteria that extract rare earth elements in DARPA EMBER project

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—principal investigator Marina Kalyuzhnaya To do this, the researchers will tap into the natural propensity of methane-consuming bacteria living in extreme conditions to capture REEs from the environment. The researchers have teamed up with a startup company, Phoenix Tailings, to test and refine the recovery process.

Design 225