GlySure Limited, an Oxford startup company, developer of in-hospital continuous blood glucose monitoring systems, raised $10.9 million in Series C financing round. GlySure has developed a continuous intravascular glucose monitoring system using a proprietary optical fluorescence sensor to tap the $2 Billion global market for implementation of Tight Glycemic Control (TGC) in the hospital Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
Researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Joint BioEnergy Institute (JBEI) announced a major breakthrough in engineering systems of RNA molecules through computer-assisted design, which could lead to important improvements across a range of industries, including the development of cheaper advanced biofuels. Scientists will use these new “RNA machines”, to adjust genetic expression in the cells of microorganisms. This will enable scientists to develop new strains of Escherichia coli (E. coli) that are better able to digest switchgrass biomass and convert released sugars to form three types of transportation fuels – gasoline, diesel and jet fuels.
GMZ Energy, a startup developing direct heat-to-electricity conversion technology based on an advanced nanotechnology process, has secured secured $14 million in Series C financing. GMZ Energy is developing its first product for the $8 billion residential, commercial and industrial solar thermal water market. The product would integrate its thermoelectric material directly into conventional solar hot water collectors, enabling the production of electricity in addition to heat and hot water.
Thermoelectric materials and technology have powered spacecraft for decades. Currently, thermoelectric generators (TEGs) are about 5% efficient. However, advancements in thin-film and quantum well technologies could increase efficiency up to 15% in the future. The process, known as the Seebeck effect, was discovered in 1821 by Thomas Johann Seebeck. A related phenomenon observed in all thermoelectric materials is known as the Peltier effect. The Peltier effect can be utilized for solid-state heating or cooling with no moving parts.
Aaron Bent, CEO of GMZ Energy says:
“Thermoelectric materials have typically been used for niche heating and cooling applications, but we have developed a way to enhance the material’s performance to enable more applications.”
Earlier this year, in February 2011, Ames Laboratory, a government-owned, contractor-operated research facility of the U.S. Department of Energy run by Iowa State University, had announced a breakthrough – 25% improvement in the ability of a key material to convert heat into electrical energy. Ames Laboratory researchers found that adding just one percent of the rare-earth elements cerium or ytterbium to a TAGS material was sufficient to boost its performance.
CellEra, the Israeli developer of Platinum Free Fuel Cell technology has secured a $9.2M investment round. CellEra has developed a Platinum-Free Membrane Fuel Cell (PFM-FC) technology based on low-temperature Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells (PEM-FC). PFM-FC allows the displacement of platinum catalysts in the fuel cell’s electrodes with transition metal catalysts, the replacement of graphite or stainless steel with lightweight aluminum hardware, and the implementation of simplified design, thermal management, and manufacturing methods. The technology shifts the fuel cell cost paradigm for 1 kW – 100 kW fuel cell power applications.
Agilyx Corporation, an alternative energy company converting difficult-to-recycle waste plastics into high value synthetic oil, has raises $25 Million. In 2010, Agilyx opened a demonstration facility in Tigard, Oregon, capable of processing and converting 10 tons of plastic waste into approximately 55 barrels of oil (~2,300 gallons) per day. The resulting synthetic oil – a drop-in replacement for fossil crude – is currently shipped to a refinery in the Pacific Northwest.
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