From battery breakthroughs to future fuels, ONAMI’s portfolio companies include leading technologies with significant potential. Some already have successful products in the marketplace. Others are advancing their inventions in the lab. Still others are actively seeking investors and/or commercial partners.
If you’re an inventor, you might find technologies like yours. If you’re an investor, you can be assured these companies have been thoroughly vetted by the ONAMI Team. Contact us if you have questions.
Project Title: Methods for the Thin-Foil Membrane Separation of Hydrogen
Principal Investigator: Brian Paul, Oregon State University
Company Contact: Greg Haugen, CFO, Element One
Project Description: Element 1, located in Bend, Oregon, and Dr. Brian Paul of Oregon State University and the Microroducts Breakthrough Institute (now the Advanced Technology and Manufacturing Institute) worked to develop a novel means for producing ultra-pure hydrogen gas for use in several industrial applications. The project was aimed at developing a fabrication method for applying an ultra-thin palladium-alloy foil to a supporting substrate (microscreen).
Company Update: Since completing the ONAMI Gap project, Element 1 (e1) has become a leader in scalable, reliable, and affordable hydrogen generation. e1 has developed innovative products that provide flexibility allowing for easy integration into customers solutions. The company collaborates with strategic partners to aggregate technology and expertise resulting in state-of-the-art chemical process systems to support alternative and clean energy. Novel technology is licensed to e1 partners, enabling application of technologies across a wide range of products, markets, and applications.
Company updates:
The company now occupies over 14,000 sq. feet of manufacturing, development and office space in Bend, Oregon.
Company Website: e1na.com
Project Title: Improved Redox Flow Battery Power Density
Principal Investigator: Tony Chen, Portland State University
Company Contact: Craig Evans, CEO, Energy Storage Systems, Inc.
Project Description: Energy Storage Systems, Inc. (ESS), identified they could "crack the code" for clean, resilient, low-cost storage. ESS understood that long-duration batteries utilizing a non-toxic, non-hazardous, and completely recyclable iron-based electrolyte can provides over 20,000 cycles of power with little or no maintenance. This ONAMI ‘GAP Grant’ was instrumental for ESS to finalize components’ selection and scale up this innovative cell design to a 1kW demonstration unit in order to validate the target performance and reliability at the system level. This validation was a critical milestone to enable ESS to secure investor financing so commercialization of the 50kW system (300 kWh+ range) may proceed.
Company Updates:
The company has since relocated from the Portland State Business Accelerator to new headquarters with over 50,000 sq. feet of developent, manufacturing and office space in Wilsonville, Oregon. See also. ESS News and Events.
Company Website: essinc.com
Project Title: Development of fuel injection device for heavy fuels
Principal Investigator: Todd Miller, Oregon State University
Company Contact: Joe Gibbs, Business Development Manager, NW UAV, Incorporated
Project Description: NWUAV and OSU's Microproducts Breakthrough Institute (now the Advanced Technology and Manufacturing Institute) are working to develop a novel fuel injector capable of atomizing heavy fuels (JP-5) for use in spark ignition engines. Using microchannel structures designed and developed at the MBI, the team will work to enable use of these fuels for unmanned aircraft engines (produced by NWUAV) and with the engines designed and manufactured by NWUAV. The NWUAV/OSU team has developed critical operating specifications for their fuel injection device, allowing it to function at temperatures and altitudes consistent with typical use cases in the field. The team believes the fuel injection device to be developed will also function well for use of heavy fuels for other applications including motor vehicles and tools, a true breakthrough in the use of heavy fuels in spark ignition engines.
Company Update: NWUAV has become the largest UAV propulsion system manufacturer in the U.S., and continues to prove its reputation for reliable, cost effective and innovative UAV engines and support systems since 2005. With meticulous engineering, testing, and manufacturing, the company maintains its recognition as America's leader in unmanned aircraft propulsion systems. NWUAV is growing at a rapid rate and is now AS9100 | ISO9001 certified. The company's headquarters remain in McMinnville, Oregon.
Project Title: Self-Refueling Compressed Natural Gas Vehicle
Principal Investigator: Dr. Chris Hagen, Oregon State University
Company Contact: Rita Hansen, Onboard Dynamics
Project Description: With funding from ONAMI, the US Department of Energy (ARPA-E), Oregon BEST and other supporters, Onboard Dynamics, Inc. and Dr. Chris Hagen of Oregon State University are working to develop a novel on-vehicle, engine-compressor system capable of filling a 10 gallon gasoline equivalent (GGE) gge (at 250 bar) natural gas tank to 3600psi in under 60 minutes. This solution will advance the adoption of natural gas light-duty fleet vehicles in the U.S. by providing a low-cost solution for refueling. Moreover, increased use of natural gas vehicles will displace the use of imported oil and, as a cleaner burning fuel, also reduce transportation-related energy emissions.
Company Updates:
Company Website: onboarddynamics.com
Project Title: Development of Processes for Rechargeable Battery Recycling
Principal Investigator: Todd Miller, Oregon State University
Company Contact: Dr. Steve Sloop, OnTo Technologies
Project Description: OnTo Technology, working with the Microproducts Breakthrough Institute at Oregon State University, is working to develop a means to recycle material from commonly used Lithium Cobalt Oxide rechargeable batteries. To our knowledge this is the first aeffort to produce battery grade material from end-of-life cells. This Gap funding project seeks to produce lithium-ion batteries manufactured with OnTo’s refurbished positive electrode material. Funds from this collaboration were used to extract materials from spent LCO batteries, fabricate new batteries, and perform functional and safety testing. See also OnTos' News webpage.
Company Website: onto-technology.com
Project Title: Quantum Dot Based Materials for High Brightness LEDs
Principal Investigator: Zhiqiang (Tony) Chen, Portland State University
Company Contact: Ron Nelson, Chief Executive Officer, Pacific Light Technologies
Project Description: Pacific Light Technologies (PLT) is a materials company focused on delivering engineered nanomaterials targeting the LED lighting market in order to enable more efficient lighting. PLT is using facilities, equipment and expertise from Portland State University to develop high-performance, low-cost lighting solutions by replacing the traditional inefficient phosphors of today with their engineered materials. PLT will develop and produce the nanomaterials, formulate them into a matrix, and sell them to the LED module manufacturers for use in their luminaires.
Company Update:
Project Title: Development of High Performance Anti-Reflective Coatings
Principal Investigator: Kenneth Williams, Oregon State University
Company Contact: Dr. Chih-hung Chang, CSD Nano, Inc.
Project Description: CSD Nano, Inc. is a solution deposition company focused on addressing anti-reflective coating (ARC) needs within the rapidly growing solar cell cover glass industry. Funds from this collaboration will be used to assist CSD, with support from Oregon State University researchers, with delivery of several coated substrates to a market leader in solar cell manufacturing, with whom CSD has developed a strategic relationship after demonstrating greatly improved anti-reflective properties in test samples.
Company Updates:
Company Website: pellucere.com, more-sun.com
Project Title: Materials and Process Development for Power Electronics Packaging
Principal Investigator: David C. Johnson, Oregon State University
Company Contact: Jerry Wiant, VP Operations, Perpetua Power Source Technologies
Project Description: A collaborative project combining world-class thermoelectric technology resources from the University of Oregon, Oregon State University, and Perpetua Power Source Technologies. The team will blend research and development efforts to produce increased thermoelectric energy properties that can improve commercial opportunities for powering remote wireless sensors in the agriculture and environmental monitoring markets using renewable energy solutions. Perpetua has received many awards and presents company news here: Perpetua News.
Company Website: perpetuapower.com
Propelling our world through clearer waters
At Photon, we’re building the world’s most powerful and intelligent electric outboard motor system, tailored to commercial boat fleets.
Some of the company's latest news:
To learn more about Photon Marine, contact the company here - https://www.photonmarine.com/about
Project Title: Laboratory Commissioning for Battery Testing Services
Company Contact: Doug Morris, Polaris Battery Labs
Principal Investigator: Erin Flynn, Portland State University
Project Description: Polaris Battery Labs, working with Portland State University and the Oregon Institute of Technology, is working to expedite the advance of new battery technologies and establish processing services for companies looking to bring advanced battery cells to market. The intent of this project is to perform initial trials on the core electrode, cell assembly, and testing processes. This will demonstrate that the lab has the basic equipment on board, installed, and proven to be functional with documented capabilities for Polaris' customers.
Company update: Polaris Battery Labs now provides services in the development of next generation Lithium-ion battery technologies to Startups, OEMs. and research laboratories. The company provides consultation in all areas of cell design, technological development, and business development. Polaris recognizes three main phases on the path to bringing a next-generation technology to market: Early Cell design, Pre-production cell design, and Product development
Company website: polarisbatterylabs.com
Project Title: Microfiber Xylose Isomerization for Ethanol Production
Principal Investigator: Vince Remcho, Oregon State University
Company Contact: Mr. Chris Beatty, Trillium FiberFuels, Inc.
Project Description: Trillium FiberFuels and Oregon State University are developing a microfiber isomerization reactor and system which enables xylose fermentation to ethanol. Trillium's unique approach to generating ethanol seeks to use agricultural residues, such as wheat or grass straw, as the source for this valuable fuel, avoiding use of the edible portion of these plants which have other commercial uses. The reactor and system seek to increase cellulosic ethanol yield by 30-40% over existing methods, thereby dramatically reducing cellulosic ethanol production costs. Trillium Fiberfuels has also been awarded a Phase I SBIR Grant from the U.S. Department of Energy for their work in this area.