Rice University Graduate Student Launches Company to Revolutionize Graphene Production

Strategic Insights -

Alex Lathem, a Rice University graduate student, has launched Pattern Materials, a company aiming to make graphene production faster, cheaper, and more scalable. Lathem's proprietary laser-induced graphene and flash graphene technologies, developed in the lab of Rice's James Tour, create graphene and carbon nanotube-like patterns in a single, rapid step. The company has already shown success, taking fourth place and $134,500 in prize money at the Rice Business Plan Competition and third place at Energy Venture Day. Pattern Materials is working towards vertical integration, with plans to be based in Houston and collaborate with sensor manufacturers to create pilot programs.

Key Takeaways:

  • Pattern Materials was founded in January by Alex Lathem, a Rice University graduate student, to commercialize proprietary laser-induced graphene and flash graphene technologies.
  • The company aims to make graphene production faster, cheaper, and more scalable, potentially enhancing the performance of sensors and other electronic devices.
  • Pattern Materials took fourth place and $134,500 in prize money at the Rice Business Plan Competition and third place at Energy Venture Day.
  • The technology was developed in the lab of James Tour, a professor of materials science and nanoengineering at Rice University.
  • Lilie, Rice University's Liu Idea Lab for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, provided support and resources for Pattern Materials' development.
  • The company plans to work with sensor manufacturers to create pilot programs and replace sensitive material in sensors with graphene.
  • Pattern Materials aims to be based in Houston and work towards vertical integration, with a focus on domestic usage and sensor manufacturing.

Statistics:

  • $134,500: The amount of prize money Pattern Materials won at the Rice Business Plan Competition.
  • 4th place: Pattern Materials' ranking at the Rice Business Plan Competition.
  • 3rd place: Pattern Materials' ranking at Energy Venture Day.
  • 30 years: The amount of time James Tour has been innovating with graphene.

Sources:

  • "Rice University Graduate Student Launches Company to Revolutionize Graphene Production" (Source: The State of Texas)
  • James Tour, "Graphene: The Miracle Material" (Source: Rice University)
  • The Liu Idea Lab for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (Lilie) (Source: Rice University)
  • The Rice Business Plan Competition (Source: Rice University)
  • Energy Venture Day (Source: CERAWeek)