RAMACO Subsidiary Secures NETL Patent to Develop Innovative Applications for US Coal

Carbon Holdings Intellectual Properties, a subsidiary of Ramaco, has acquired groundbreaking technology developed by the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL). This innovative technology harnesses domestic coal as a feedstock to create improved batteries, enhance construction materials, and elevate the performance of a wide range of consumer products. The heart of this technology lies in the conversion of various coal types, including lignite, bituminous, and anthracite coal, as well as coal-related mining waste, into high-quality and cost-effective carbon nanosheets. These atomically thin carbon structures offer numerous benefits, such as strengthening composite materials and enhancing the efficiency of battery electrodes.

The brainchild of NETL researchers Christopher Matranga, Fan Shi, and McMahan Gray, this patented process has the potential to revolutionize various industries. Carbon nanosheets, with their remarkable properties, make them an ideal candidate for use in modern batteries and concrete composites. Concrete remains one of the most widely used construction materials globally, but it is susceptible to deterioration when water infiltrates cracks, freezes, and expands. The introduction of carbon nanosheets into concrete formulations can help fill the tiniest cracks as the material hardens, significantly enhancing durability and longevity. By preventing water from penetrating the material and causing damage, carbon nanosheets offer a viable solution to this common issue.

One of the key advantages of NETL's technology is its ability to facilitate large-scale production of carbon nanosheets by utilizing inexpensive domestic coal as a manufacturing feedstock. The process itself is relatively straightforward, involving a single-reactor approach with high product yield. This approach effectively brings down manufacturing costs, aligning them with other specialty carbon materials used to enhance high-performance concrete, such as carbon fiber. Furthermore, the technology opens the door to utilizing coal-related waste found in mine impoundments for nanosheet production, presenting opportunities to repurpose this waste for the creation of valuable products.

Christopher Matranga, one of the NETL researchers behind the technology, highlights the significance of using carbon as a manufacturing feedstock to create valuable products that drive innovation across various sectors, including batteries, building and construction materials, and certain electronic devices.

The significance of NETL's technology has already been recognized by experts in the field. In 2020, it received the prestigious R&D 100 Award, acknowledging it as one of the 100 most significant technologies introduced to the marketplace in the previous year.

This partnership between NETL and Ramaco is not a recent development. They have a longstanding collaborative relationship that has borne fruit in the form of innovative solutions. In June 2018, they signed a cooperative research and development agreement with the goal of exploring new uses for coal. Researchers from NETL have also joined forces with Ramaco to leverage coal-derived carbon nanosheets to enhance the performance of cement composites.

NETL, as a U.S. Department of Energy national laboratory, plays a crucial role in driving innovation and delivering technological solutions for an environmentally sustainable and prosperous energy future. By leveraging its world-class talent and research facilities, NETL is working to ensure affordable, abundant, and reliable energy, which, in turn, drives a robust economy and enhances national security. Simultaneously, NETL is dedicated to developing technologies that manage carbon emissions across the entire life cycle, promoting environmental sustainability for all Americans. This latest development marks a significant step towards a greener and more innovative future.