Novel Applications for High-Purity Granular Carbon

OVERVIEW

Solid carbon materials are produced and consumed across numerous industries at a global scale. From graphite to amorphous carbon to diamond, solid carbons come in many forms, each with its own set of physical properties. Along with the purity and form factor, these attributes determine the uses and value proposition for each particular solid carbon.

The Seeker is interested in new applications for a solid carbon product with the following characteristics: (1) granular form, with particle sizes less than 400 micrometers, (2) high carbon purity, and (3) a microcrystalline (turbostratic) microstructure. This material is henceforth referred to as high-purity, granular carbon.

The goal of this Challenge is to develop robust, scalable applications for high-purity, granular carbon.

This is a Prize Challenge which requires a written proposal to be submitted and there will be a guaranteed award for at least one submitted solution. The total payout will be up to $30,000, with at least one award being no smaller than $5,000 and no award being smaller than $2,500. By submitting a proposal, the Solver grants the Seeker a right to use any information included in their proposal.

Submissions to this Challenge must be received by 11:59 PM (US Eastern Time) on November 19, 2023.

Login or register your interest to start solving!

Find out more about participation in Wazoku Crowd Challenges.

THE CHALLENGE

Solid carbon materials are produced and consumed across numerous industries at a global scale. From graphite to amorphous carbon to diamond, solid carbons come in many forms, each with its own set of physical properties. Along with the purity and form factor, these attributes determine the uses and value proposition for each particular solid carbon.

The Seeker is specifically interested in a solid carbon product with the following characteristics:

1. Granular form with particle sizes less than 400 micrometers.
2. High carbon purity with ≥95 weight% carbon, ≤3 weight% sulfur, ≤3 weight% ash, ≤300 ppm total metals content.
3. A microcrystalline (turbostratic) microstructure.

This material will be referred to as high-purity, granular carbon (HPGC).

Some applications for HPGC already exist:

• Combustion for power (and/or heat) generation, which today is by far the largest use of solid carbon globally. The Seeker is not interested in this application or its modifications.
• Carbon source for iron and steelmaking.

The goal of this Challenge is to develop new—technically feasible, robust, and scalable—applications for HPGC.

SOLUTION REQUIREMENTS & ACCEPTANCE CRITERIA

The Seeker poses no restrictions to the nature of the proposed application and is willing to consider using HPGC in existing industries where carbon solids of this nature are not currently used or in nascent or novel industries. However, the proposed application should meet the following major Solution Requirements:

1. The proposed application should be potentially scalable to a thousand tons of HPGC or more per year within approximately 7 years.
2. The proposed application should yield an HPGC price of at least $200/ton.
3. The environmental footprint, especially greenhouse gas (GHG) intensity, associated with the application should be considered.
4. Post-processing of HPGC is permissible; however, the cost of this post-processing must be taken into account.

Special consideration will be given to solutions attempting to address either or both of the following requirements in addition to the above major ones:

1. The proposed application will yield a price of HPGC exceeding $500/ton.
2. Applications that have low, neutral, or even net negative overall GHG intensity with respect to incumbent materials/processes.

Solutions with Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) 2-4 are invited.

This is a Prize Challenge, which has the following features:

1. The best solutions for this Prize Challenge have the opportunity to win the award of up to $30,000 for meeting all solution requirements, as solely determined by the Seeker.
2. Awards will be contingent upon the theoretical evaluation of the proposal by the Seeker.
3. By submitting a proposal, the Solver grants the Seeker a right to use any information included in their proposal. There will be a guaranteed award for at least one submitted solution, with at least one award being no smaller than $5,000 and no award being smaller than $2,500.
4. The Seeker may also issue “Honourable Mention” recognitions for notable submissions that are not selected for monetary awards.

YOUR SUBMISSION

Please login and register your interest, to complete the submission form.

The submitted proposals must be written in English and should include:

1. An Abstract and optional Conclusion of the proposed solution.

1. A Detailed Description of the proposed application that meets the above Solution Requirements.
2. A rationale as to why the Solver believes that the proposed application will achieve the objectives of the Challenge. This rationale should address each of the Solution Requirements as described in the Challenge and be supported with relevant examples or precedents.
3. Any appropriate supporting data, drawings, etc.
4. The Seeker may wish to partner with the Solver at the conclusion of the Challenge. Please describe your expertise and include a statement indicating your interest in this opportunity.

Wazoku encourages the use by Solvers of AI approaches to help develop their submissions, though any produced solely with generative AI are not of interest.

Find out more about participation in Wazoku Crowd Challenges.

Submissions to this Challenge must be received by 11:59 PM (US Eastern Time) on November 19, 2023.

Late submissions will not be considered.

Your submission will be evaluated by the evaluation team first reviewing the information and content you have submitted at the submission form, with attachments used as additional context to your form submission. Submissions relying solely on attachments will receive less attention from the evaluation team.

After the Challenge submission due date, the Seeker will complete the review process and make a decision with regards to the winning solution(s) according to the timeline in the Challenge header. All Solvers who submit a proposal will be notified about the status of their submissions.

What is the Wazoku Crowd?

Imagine a world where any problem you have can be looked at by millions of expert, motivated eyes. The Wazoku Crowd makes this possible. With twenty years of experience in crowdsourcing, the Wazoku Crowd is the gold standard for open talent and external innovation solutions. Commercial, governmental and humanitarian organizations engage with the Wazoku Crowd to solve problems that can impact humankind in areas ranging from the environment to medical advancements.