Commercialization
Commercialization of the research by Dr. Tour and his team of Rice University investigators spans many applications across various industries. Licensing the results of his team’s research, Dr. Tour has been involved in launching many of the companies below to commercialize technological advancements and enable their widespread benefit. Read how these companies are bringing graphene and nanotechnology to market across multiple industries to benefit society.
Rust Patrol
Rust Patrol manufactures a proprietary technology to prevent rust from forming. The product is better, faster, and longer-lasting than any other thin-film temporary coating. Dr. Tour invented the technology. Rust Patrol provides industrial, commercial, and residential applications through US-based and international distributors. Mass Management, LLC manages the company.
Established: 2014
Type: Private
Phase: Growth
https://rustpatrol.com
Dotz
DOTZ develops specialized solutions for carbon capture and monitoring and authentication technology using graphene dots. The company was founded in 2015 by Dr. Tour. DOTZ holds several patents with applications across multiple industries. Today, Dr. Tour serves as the scientific advisor to Dotz.
Established: 2015
Type: Public, Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: DTZ)
Phase: Growth
https://dotz.tech
Roswell Biotechnologies
Roswell is digitizing biology through molecular electronics to elucidate, diagnose, and treat disease. The company has developed the world’s first molecular electronics chip, the Roswell ME Chip, by integrating single molecules into standard semiconductor chip technology to deliver a powerful biosensor that converges all omics on one platform.
Established: 2015
Type: Private
Phase: Growth
https://www.linkedin.com/company/roswell-biotechnologies
Weebit Nano
Weebit Nano is a leading developer of advanced semiconductor memory technology. Their Resistive Random Access Memory (ReRAM) increases memory capacity, lower power demand, and operates at higher tolerance for extreme environments. Dr. Tour is a scientific advisor and co-founder of Weebit Nano.
Established: 2015
Type: Public, Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: WBT)
Phase: Growth
https://www.weebit-nano.com
Zeta Energy
Zeta Energy manufactures and markets a lithium-sulfur battery. Offering three times the energy density of today’s lithium-ion batteries and at less than half the price per kWh, Zeta Energy’s lithium-sulfur batteries are poised to dramatically increase energy storage systems. Zeta Energy batteries use no cobalt, graphite, nickel, or manganese and have a far lower carbon footprint.
Established: 2015
Type: Private
Phase: Growth
https://zetaenergy.com
Xerient
Xerient is focused on unmet needs in cancer treatment, particularly in pancreatic cancer. The company is developing a therapeutic technology to improve patient survival rates. In addition to Rice University, partners include MD Anderson Cancer Center, Stanford University, SIBF, Peregrine Ventures and NetTech Investment Holdings.
Established: 2018
Type: Private
Phase: Phase II clinical trials
https://xerient.net
Universal Matter
Graphene is the strongest known material by weight; it is stronger than steel yet can be stretched up to 25% of its original size. Based on work by Rice University investigators, Universal Matter is pioneering the conversion of carbon-based materials, such as coal, petroleum coke, biochar, and even mixed plastic waste into turbostatic graphene through a highly efficient flash Joule heating process. The Universal Matter manufacturing process produces almost no waste, has a low carbon footprint, and yields turbostatic graphene. The company sells ready-to-use formulations for numerous commercial applications, including concrete, asphalt, rubber, plastics, paints, coatings and other applications.
Established: 2019
Type: Private
Phase: Early growth
https://www.universalmatter.com
Flash Metals USA Inc
Flash Metals USA is the US-based subsidiary of MTM Critical Meals (MTM), is revolutionizing metal recovery across the mining value chain by changing the way metals are recovered and recycled. Through a global license, MTM is commercializing the flash Joule heating (FJH) process to recover metals from electronic waste, bauxite residue, coal fly ash and ores. The FJH process uses intense heat within materials, changing the chemical structure of metal compounds and enabling metal extraction quickly and efficiently.
Established: 2022
Type: Public via MTM Critical Metals, Australian Securities Exchange (MTM.AX)
Phase: Expansion
https://mtmcriticalmetals.com.au
Neurochords
Flash Materials
Newco 1
Gerenox
Generox is an aging-focused healthcare venture. Building on the work of Dr. Tour’s team and his collaborator, Dr. Thomas Kent, at Texas A&M University Medical School-Houston, the company is developing a new carbon nanoparticle (CNP) therapy that shows promise in the treatment of common disease mechanisms, including impairment of mitochondrial function, energy production, and free radical damage.
Established: 2022
Type: Private
Phase: Startup
https://www.gerenox.com
Neurocords
Neurocords provides medical devices, including orthopedic implants for the human body. Neurocords has licensed technology developed by Dr. Tour’s investigators at Rice University. The research discovered a way to split carbon nanotubes to make graphene nanoribbons. Potential applications include repairing damaged spinal cords and optic nerves.
Established: 2023
Type: Private
Phase: Startup
Flash Hydrogen
Flash Hydrogen is developing large-scale routes to synthesize silicon carbide and other materials, and for the recycling of battery anodes and cathodes.
Established: 2024
Type: Private
Phase: Startup
Newco 1
“Newco 1” is a new venture launched to apply the flash Joule heating process at commercial scale for soil remediation, including removing heavy metals, PFAS and other toxic organics. The process also employs flash heating for PFAS degradation on water sorbents.
Established: 2024
Type: Private
Phase: Startup
Newco 2
Newco 2
“Newco 2” is capitalizing on laser-induced graphene preparation.
Established: 2024
Type: Private
Phase: Startup