MEET THE FORCES DRIVING THE FUTURE OF TECHNOlOGY

2026 TechConnect World
Critical Technology Spotlights

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Showcase Participants with Industry Area: Energy & Sustainability
BRIGHT Institute
Greensboro, NC
bright.uncg.edu/
A High Performance membrane electrolyte for Solid State Lithium-ion Batteries
The BRIGHT Institute at University of North Carolina Greensboro has developed a high-performance flexible electrolyte technology for next-generation solid-state lithium-ion batteries. The technology is validated and tested in a lithium ion battery coin cell by large scale manufacturing of membranes using roll-to roll process.
Brint Tech Corp
Lincoln, NE
www.brint.tech/
Optical Gas Detection Insight for Hydrogen and Beyond
We detect hydrogen instantly and directly with a 1000x improvement over today’s detectors. We work in harsh industrial settings, helping ensure hydrogen systems are safer, cleaner, and more efficient—enabling real-time leak detection for the clean energy transition.
Cincy Carbon
Franklin, OH
www.cincycarbon.com/
Carbon Dioxide Reduction Through Electrolysis for Green Chemistry
We produce environmentally friendly chemicals from carbon dioxide and water through an electrochemical process. In this process, CO₂ and H₂O are introduced into an electrolyzer, where they are exposed to an electric current. Powered by renewable energy, we provide a pathway for converting CO₂, a greenhouse gas, into useful chemicals.
CMBlu Energy, Inc.
Petaluma, CA
www.cmblu.com/en/home/
Organic SolidFlow battery
Organic SolidFlow battery: alternative to lithium batteries, which avoids critical minerals without the risk of thermal runaway, allowing for safer permitting and deployment. Measuring at roughly 60% water and using carbon-based molecules with easily sourced and recyclable materials, CMBlu has developed a cost-competitive solution that is safe, sustainable, and secure.
EcoPulse, Inc.
Cedar Park, TX
www.ecopulsenow.com
PFAS AI
EcoPulse PFAS AI software (patent pending) helps manufacturers rapidly analyze, quantify and reduce PFAS exposure across materials and supply chains, leveraging 4 specialized LLMs, agentic workflow and a large PFAS knowledge base. PFAS AI can largely streamline due diligence & risk review for compliance and save million$ in labor cost.
Iowa State University Research Foundation
Ames, IA
www.techtransfer.iastate.edu/
MELLT & VITELiS
Lithium is essential for batteries but difficult to extract from rocks using today’s high-temperature and acid-based methods. Our MELLT and VITELiS technologies utilize mechanical and mild thermal processes to release lithium quickly and efficiently, without the use of harsh chemicals or water, reducing costs, energy consumption, and environmental impact.
Nanoinnovation North American, LLC, Texas A&M University-Kingsville
Corpus Christi, TX
www.nanoinnovationna.com/
Transformative Energy Materials: Tunable Architectures for Scalable Storage and Hydrogen Futures
The HYDROGENISE is a decentralized hydrogen generation platform using advanced PEM electrolysis with proprietary non‑precious metal/metal oxide catalysts. It enables direct water splitting without pretreatment, achieving high Faradaic efficiency, reduced overpotential, and scalable, low‑cost hydrogen production. This innovation advances sustainable energy carriers, supporting resilient, efficient, and carbon‑reducing fuel systems.
Salubrium Aegis
Georgetown, TX
salubriumaegis.com/
Chargeable Hybrid Flexible Ballistic Protection Battery Systems for Individual Warrior Power Consolidation
A next generation flexible ballistic insert that powers warrior's electronic gear, reducing the need for additional battery packs for worn sensors, optics, technology, and interfaces. Battery pack embedded in the hybrid ballistic plate reduces warrior fatigue and capability, without adding additional weight.
West Virginia University
Morgantown, WV
www.wvu.edu
A next-generation solid-state hydrogen cell that protects itself from steam corrosion
This new technology builds a “protective armor” inside hydrogen cells. A special ceramic scaffold is evenly coated with a steam-resistant layer, keeping the core materials safe from water damage. This design greatly boosts durability and efficiency, allowing the cell to make or store clean hydrogen energy for thousands of hours.