Can this supermaterial help us reach net zero?

A startup is turning greenhouse gases into a versatile material for EV batteries, planes, and more

Spotted: The US is on a mission to slash its net greenhouse gas emissions to at least 50 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030, with a view to reach net zero by 2050. However, for the country to meet this target, all sectors must undergo transformative changes quickly. Enter Californian tech startup Lyten, whose supermaterial solution may hold the key to rapid decarbonisation across industries like automotive, aviation, defence, manufacturing, and more.

The company’s groundbreaking solution is a 3D graphene material that boasts a unique blend of resistive, capacitive, inductive, and structural properties – coupled with remarkable energy-absorbing capabilities.

The material is made by transforming greenhouse gases into solid carbon and hydrogen gas. While the captured hydrogen gas is repurposed as clean fuel, the carbon is permanently sequestered, emerging as the 3D graphene.

What sets Lyten’s supermaterial apart is its tunability, allowing precise engineering to optimise its thermal and electric properties or tailor strength, stiffness, weight reduction, and more. This versatility is the key to unlocking a myriad of applications, from crafting lightweight batteries for the transportation sector to forging cutting-edge polymer composites that slash plastic usage by half.

The company is currently working with a number of European companies with the aim of tuning its 3D graphene for decarbonisation. In 2023, Lyten announced a $200 million (around €184 million) series B funding round, led by Prime Movers Labs.  

Springwise has previously spotted other innovations creating something new from greenhouse gases, from building blocks made out of CO2 to a carbon-capture solvent.

Written By: Georgia King