Innovation Crossroads Wins U.S. Air Force Contract

Carbon nanotubes are sitting on a grey plate on a countertop

Carbon nanotubes, pictured above, are valued for their strength, conductivity and lightweight properties and have versatile applications in electronics, automotive and aerospace. Credit: Carlos Jones/ORNL, U.S. Dept. of Energy

The U.S. Air Force awarded startup SkyNano, led by Innovation Crossroads alumna Anna Douglas, a $1.25 million contract to advance its CO2-to-carbon nanotube technology as part of a project to develop low-cost, battery-grade graphite. SkyNano's partners include American Energy Technologies Company and Eonix , led by Innovation Crossroads alumnus Don DeRosa.

SkyNano and Eonix were recruited to Knoxville through Innovation Crossroads, a Lab-Embedded Entrepreneurship Program node at Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

From left, DOE's Christopher Saldaña and ORNL's Susan Hubbard listen to SkyNano's Anna Douglas during the ribbon-cutting event for SkyNano's facility in March 2024. Credit: Carlos Jones/ORNL, U.S. Dept. of Energy

"In addition to accessing world-class technical resources, Innovation Crossroads Fellows are connected with a peer network of early career energy and manufacturing entrepreneurs," said ORNL's Dan Miller. "Both SkyNano and Eonix chose to stay and grow their companies here - a testament to East Tennessee's thriving innovation ecosystem."

"This project not only represents an important step toward building a secure, domestic supply chain for lithium-ion battery materials, but also continued collaboration and growth among Innovation Crossroads Fellows," Douglas said.

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