Influit has developed the world’s first non-consumable, non-flammable, and non-combustible rechargeable electric fuel called nanoelectrofuel (NEF). NEF is engineered with domestically sourced, abundant raw materials, changing the way the world thinks about energy storage and distribution, electric mobility, and safety.
The initial research was conducted by the company’s founders while at Argonne National Laboratory and Illinois Institute of Technology more than 10 years ago. John Katsoudas is a physicist, Elena Timofeeva is a chemist and fuel cell expert, and Carol Segre is a physicist with 35+ years in fuel cell, catalysis, and battery research.
How it works
Influit uses a functionalization method to suspend solid battery materials in an aqueous solution, keeping them suspended. This allows for the creation of composite materials with the properties of solids that behave like liquids, creating a new way to transport energy electrically, thermally, and radiologically.
For electrical energy transport, NEF is not a new chemistry, but a new way of storing and distributing electrical energy. Influit has drop-in replacement battery form factors (imagine a 6T size for the military, but NEF inside) and a refuelling/recharging unit to create a closed-loop, energy distribution ecosystem.
The closed-cycle energy storage ecosystem is enabled by mobile flow battery pods that can be connected to, and accumulate energy from, either distributed or centralized intermittent sources of renewable energy. Once charged, the rechargeable liquid can be pumped or transported away from the pods to electric vehicles or other devices separated from the energy generation sites, while discharged liquids are returned to the pods for charging.
NEF is:
- Non-combustible
- Non-flammable
- Conformable
- Has end-of-useful life recycling and disposal options
- Comprised of US-abundant raw materials or “earth-friendly” raw materials
Influit been awarded $14M in federal and defence research contracts over the last six years with current engagements with AFWERX, DARPA, and NASA. The company designs and engineers NEF systems for aero, terrestrial, and underwater platforms, and maintains commercial development engagement, producing an electric platform for select floor cleaning equipment, and ongoing defence engagements for the electrification of various military platforms.
Filed Under: Technology News