Northwestern University engineering professor David Dunand knew he had something special.
After nearly eight years of basic, National Science Foundation-funded research into a hydrogen-on-demand solution, Dunand and his lab team successfully discovered a new method to safely and efficiently store and release hydrogen by using a blend of low-cost metallic powders. The technology promises to replace the pressurized tanks currently dominating the hydrogen market, which are prone to environmentally harmful leaks and explosion.
But Dunand also knew the significant challenges of moving a lab breakthrough into the marketplace from his previous experience co-founding NanoAl, a startup producing high-performance aluminum alloys that Aluminum Dynamics acquired in 2022.
Fortunately, Dunand and other sustainability-minded researchers at Northwestern have a new campus ally in the Trienens-Q Accelerator.
After nearly eight years of basic, National Science Foundation-funded research into a hydrogen-on-demand solution, David Dunand and his lab team successfully discovered a new method to safely and efficiently store and release hydrogen by using a blend of low-cost metallic powders.”
David Dunand, Professor of Materials Science and Engineering
A joint effort between Northwestern’s Paula M. Trienens Institute for Sustainability and Energy and the Querrey InQbation Lab, the University’s upstart initiative to translate research-driven innovation, the Trienens-Q Accelerator launched in early 2024 to develop promising Northwestern-founded cleantech innovations for the marketplace.
In addition to Dunand’s hydrogen-on-demand technology, the Accelerator’s inaugural class included:
A dynamic representation of Northwestern’s commitment to leading in decarbonization, renewable energy, and sustainability, the Trienens-Q Accelerator has already played a meaningful role in advancing these four compelling projects and fueling their commercialization journey.
Funding of up to $120,000 has empowered research teams to create minimum viable prototypes, from scaling up innovations with the use of commercially available materials to demonstrating key performance metrics. Meanwhile, entrepreneurship training and business development resources from the Querry InQbation Lab and INVO, including Kellogg MBA candidates providing initial market assessments through the Kellogg-Q Residency program, have helped researchers sharpen the business case for their respective technologies.
In addition, an external panel of industry advisors has provided each project team guidance on barriers to entry, business models, and value propositions for its target market. The feedback is helping researchers map the best pathways toward commercial impact.
By baking business acumen into promising cleantech projects, the Trienens-Q Accelerator is helping researchers build a persuasive case for partnership or investment, propelling cleantech discoveries to market, and driving a more sustainable world.