Dual Success with Innovation Boosters

Researchers in the Advanced Materials and Processes (AMP) group of the UMTEC Institute for Environmental and Process Engineering at OST are making significant advances in the technical innovation of Power-to-X and carbon capture utilisation and storage (CCUS) processes. This fall, their dedication has been recognized with not one, but two prestigious Innovation Booster prizes. 

Aluminum granules as renewable metal fuels

In September, an Energy Lab Booster prize of 20,000 CHF was awarded to the ReMeF-tuning project led by OST spinoff apricot 366, with AMP as the research partner. The project focuses on developing safe and reactive aluminium granules suitable for use as renewable metal fuels. This topic has a long history at OST, researchers at the SPF Institute for Solar Technology developed the first concept and then designed prototypes operating with aluminium fuel. This journey ultimately led to the creation of Apricot366. AMP has contributed to this journey with R&D input on material and process development. In this booster, the role of AMP is to evaluate different granule production methods to obtain reactive aluminium fuels and propel apricot366's initiative to market readiness.

CO₂ is converted into solid carbon

In November, the Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) Booster, amounting to 24,000 CHF, was awarded to the ChemCarb project led by researchers in AMP. This project explores a novel process to convert CO₂ directly into solid carbon using liquid metals. This reaction offers numerous advantages in the CCUS landscape. Solid carbon can be safely stored domestically, whereas transporting CO₂ to permanent storage locations poses significant challenges. Additionally, the low temperature and pressure requirements for this reaction enable cost-effective and energy-efficient carbon removal. This concept is particularly relevant for countries like Switzerland, which are landlocked and far from geological storage locations. With the CDRs booster, AMP aims to validate the feasibility of scaling up the process. The close collaboration with the implementation partner PPIH and researchers at the WERZ Institute in OST will play a crucial role in this validation.

More than financial support

The Innovation Boosters are competitive awards given by the Swiss Innovation Agency. For UMTEC, the boosters offer more than just financial support and recognition. They include a package of workshops, networking events, and coaching sessions, fostering an open and collaborative dialogue so essential for the success of innovative ideas. We extend our gratitude to Innosuisse for the opportunity to participate in such programs which will bring these ideas one step further in the transition from lab to market.