Conclusion: Six lessons from six technologies

The technologies we’ve delved into over the past six months are in many ways very different, yet some recurrent themes emerged as we put together the technology briefings.

First, there is noticeable overlap in the useful properties and characteristics of these technologies. Porosity and large surface area are key features of biochar, MOFs, and aerogels, while tuneability is a selling point for both MOFs and perovskites. Aerogels and mycelium are both virtuously insulating, while biochar, radiative cooling films, mycelium-based composites, and aerogels have all been made from waste materials.

Perhaps more usefully, however, there were also symmetries in some of the challenges innovators in these areas are facing.

Below we’ve attempted to articulate six broadly applicable lessons from our conversations with experts in these fields.

1. Technologies that do sustainable things need to themselves be sustainable

One of the things that struck the Springwise team is that there was no complacency among the innovators we spoke to about the potential negative environmental impact of these technologies – even if they inherently help us to tackle sustainability issues.

Whether it’s developing recycling methods for aerogels, avoiding the use of ‘forever chemicals’ in radiative cooling paints, or finding lead alternatives in perovskite manufacturing, a lot of work (by both startups and academics) is going into ensuring that these supposedly sustainable technologies are made and handled in a sustainable way.

2. Continuous manufacturing trumps batch-based processes

Mycelium products, aerogels, and MOFs are very different materials, but they share at least one thing in common: innovators are attempting to create them in continuous processes rather than discrete batches.

Batch-based manufacturing typically comes with challenges related to scalability, product consistency, and cost. And just as the pharmaceutical industry has become more interested in continuous manufacturing in recent years, innovators working with these technologies are betting that the path to commercialisation lies in continuous production systems designed to overcome the bottlenecks of batch processing.

3. Machine learning can help us to optimise R&D

The technologies we’ve explored this year all involve some kind of optimisation task that requires balancing different trade-offs to achieve the best outcome. This might be matching a fungal strain to a substrate material or optimising reaction conditions in biochar production.

Thankfully, this type of problem is well-suited to machine learning, which could help us to dramatically speed up R&D cycles. In MOFs research, for example, there are existing databases that AI could be applied to in order to predict MOF structures and synthesis conditions.

4. New technologies require new logistics

Solutions based on circular principles are dependent not only on breakthroughs in chemistry, materials science, or applied biology, but also on logistics networks. A case in point is biochar, where production and distribution must be carefully balanced.

Biochar producers need to tap into waste streams that are both regular and consistent to secure their feedstock. At the same time, they also need consistent demand for their end-product from customers who can be reached economically. Because of this, the optimal siting of biochar production facilities – between feedstock providers and customers – is a delicate balancing act, but one that is vital for minimising costs and transport emissions.

This kind of challenge is not unique to biochar, however. For example, mycelium innovators that work with waste streams face similar challenges with securing feedstocks that have at least a baseline level of consistency, for example.

5. Using existing infrastructure is preferable where possible

Many innovations aspire to be ‘drop-in’ solutions, and this is no less true for the technologies we looked into.

In perovskites, the most mature short-term use case, tandem solar cells, involves applying perovskite materials to standard silicon panels within established processes and using standard equipment. In mycelium, meanwhile, there are opportunities to repurpose bioreactors and other infrastructure originally built for different use cases. Startups are also integrating biochar-based additives into construction materials directly at existing concrete plants or even building sites.