Eco-friendly-Electricity Tech Startup Founder Optimistic About the Long run: ‘You’re Heading to Hear About Us!’

Most startups aspire to accomplish fantastic issues, but Particle-N, a UConn-affiliated technologies organization, has a notably inspiring mission.

The firm is planning to enter the $19 billion, worldwide valuable-metallic catalyst current market and to at the same time help the clean-energy sector in Connecticut.

“We have all ordered important metals, these as gold and platinum for our liked ones, but that is not the only software for all those metals,’’ suggests Al Kasani ’27 (ENG), the founder of Particle-N, and a serial entrepreneur. “A significant proportion of all cherished metals produced in the entire world are transformed to catalyst material for industries these as oil and fuel, hydrogen, or even automobile catalytic-converter manufacturing.’’

Particle-N is groundbreaking know-how that will noticeably lessen the volume of valuable metals necessary as catalysts and consequently slash expenditures for those people industries. By employing core-shell engineering, Particle-N coats an economical, environmentally welcoming content with cherished metals whilst accomplishing the very same sought after reactions. The procedure can lower the amount of cherished steel employed by up to 70 %.

The value of an automobile’s catalytic converter, now about $2,000, could be lower in half. The mix of less cherished metals and a lessen retail selling price would make it much less attractive to robbers.

But potentially the most impactful cost savings would be for environmentally friendly hydrogen technology, which now has a value tag involving $400,000 and $870,000. Particle-N believes it could cut 30 % from that cost.

“I get pleasure from solving challenges,” suggests Kasani, a UConn Ph.D. applicant in chemical engineering. “I also have a terrific crew with sharp minds. I have full religion in my crew. I tell individuals: ‘You’re likely to hear about us!’”

Startup Vying for Top rated UConn Enterprise Prize

On Tuesday, Particle-N and 5 other UConn-affiliated startups will compete for far more than $50,000 in prize income for the duration of the Wolff New Undertaking Competition, the University of Business’ premier entrepreneurship occasion.

“We’re assured in our technological innovation and our company product. It’s fascinating to be pitching at the Wolff competitors,’’ says Reiner Reichenberger ’24 (BUS), Particle-N co-founder and business enterprise supervisor. “We have captivated a fantastic offer of interest, primarily from the hydrogen field. Particle-N presently has prospective prospects that have expressed desire in inserting orders worthy of close to $5 million, as quickly as we have the generation ability.’’

“It’s genuinely vital that we have this core-shell engineering due to the fact the hydrogen sector is begging for alternatives to convey down prices,’” Reichenberger says. “Connecticut is 1 of the most significant hubs for the hydrogen field, and we have the likely to enable businesses in Connecticut grow.’’

Connecticut companies that could possibly profit from the technologies consist of Plug Electricity, Doosan, and Nel Hydrogen.

“When I began doing the job on industrial initiatives from Connecticut-based hydrogen businesses at UConn’s study labs, I realized the most substantial barrier to these companies is the superior price tag of valuable steel catalysts,” claims Kasani, who is effective in UConn President Radenka Maric’s lab at the Heart for Thoroughly clean Vitality Engineering (C2E2).

“Hydrogen is the future energy carrier, and Connecticut is at the forefront of its enhancement,’’ he states. “By decreasing the price of eco-friendly hydrogen production, we will develop into a significant participant in the sustainability match as hydrogen replaces oil and gasoline as the most important strength provider.’’

Particle-N staff member Michael Dunn ’24 (ENG), an undergraduate chemical and biomedical engineering student, has practical experience doing work with catalysts in the hydrogen field and previous summer months he interned at the U.S. Office of Power. There, he created a further appreciation of the problems of making clean up power. Particle-N’s engineering features a sizeable stepping-stone towards that transition, he claims.

A Very clear Path Forward

Particle-N is state-of-the-art in its organization growth. Its prototypes are complete, and the firm is receiving patent safety. It has gained numerous entrepreneurship competitions at UConn, and elsewhere, and gained countless numbers in funding. With some authorized roadblocks now resolved, the startup’s leadership is keen to transfer ahead.

This summer months, Kasani and Reichenberger participated in the Connecticut Centre for Entrepreneurship & Innovation (CCEI)’s Summer time Fellowship startup accelerator, in which they benefitted from a myriad of small business tips, including tips for more producing their company program, attracting financing, and preparing for start.

“In Rory McGloin’s lessons, I uncovered how to tell my tale in an very easily digestible way. Also, Michelle Cote, an instructor for CCEI, served us to polish our business design. And Alycia Chrosniak, Assistant Director of Brand & Undertaking Enhancement at CCEI, constantly helped us with her insights,’’ Kasani states. “Before, my tales ended up as well challenging. I acquired to articulate intricate principles in a way that would make perception for those who really don’t do the job in this marketplace.’’

“I observed extensive advancements to our do the job and the connections we produced at CCEI ended up a must have. They presented a incredibly comprehensive plan and gave us a obvious path ahead,’’ Reichenberger states.

Entrepreneur Has Already Identified Fame

Particle-N is not Kasani’s 1st invention. Previously this calendar year he acquired publicity for the creation of a new, self-cooling tenting tent. Working with a proprietary fabric, and a one gallon of drinking water, the cooling technologies can final for up to 24 hrs.

“Looking into mother nature is the essential to quite a few of our challenges,’’ he stated at the time. “Plants wick drinking water from the ground and then sweat to neat them selves, and they get their necessary power from the sun. What I did was just to obtain a material that could do the similar career.’’

The Wolff New Venture Opposition will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 17 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Faculty of Business’ GBLC, 2nd Ground, 100 Constitution Plaza, Hartford. All are welcome. You should pre-sign up.