In partnership with the Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management, McCormick School of Engineering, Pritzker School of Law, and Innovation and New Ventures Office, the Northwestern University MRSEC fosters a comprehensive innovation ecosystem that allows fundamental research to be transferred to the market via startup companies. Volexion is the most recent example, whose technology was borne out of IRG-1 of the Northwestern University MRSEC. In particular, Kellogg School of Management and McCormick School of Engineering students performed a market analysis and developed a business plan for a mixed-dimensional heterostructure technology based on lithium manganate nanoparticles and graphene. The students concluded that this material system would have the largest market potential as a high-performance cathode for lithium-ion batteries. With this business plan in hand, NU-MRSEC postdoc Ted Seo successfully competed in the Argonne Chain Reaction Innovations Program, where Volexion was selected following a national competition. Volexion is now working with major customers including XALT Energy, Tesla, and Exelon to bring high-performance lithium-ion batteries to the electric vehicle and renewable energy markets.
