1. Hello From Alvin

Dear Reader,

I’m excited to welcome you to the inaugural edition of Nanotube News! As our community continues to grow, we want to keep you informed about the latest advancements in the world of carbon nanotubes (CNTs). At TrimTabs, we are passionate about driving innovation in the development of CNT-based solutions that can transform industries, and we want you to be part of that!

This newsletter is designed to bring you a mix of research and industry insights, company updates, and a bit of a laugh. In this month's edition of Nanotube News, you can explore our latest insights into carbon nitride nanotubes (CN-CNTs) and their role in shaping the future of high-performance batteries and energy storage. Read about the major breakthroughs we’ve seen this month, like CNTs enhancing the Habitable Worlds Observatory’s search for life beyond Earth and new CNT-based AI chips revolutionising energy efficiency in computing. You’ll also find out what I’ve been reading (The Singularity Is Nearer by Ray Kurzweil) and have a laugh at a CNT-themed joke.

I hope you enjoy this first edition and that it sparks your imagination about what could be possible with CNTs. Let’s get into it!

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Warmly,

Alvin

Dr. Alvin Orbaek White, Founder and CEO of TrimTabs

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2. Company Updates

This month, we have some exciting news to share with you all!

- Last month, we were invited to pitch to Green Angel Ventures. Green Angel Ventures is the UK’s largest climate investment syndicate, and getting a chance to pitch is a very competitive process, so we were thrilled to have this opportunity and even more thrilled that it went well! Check out some photos below of Alvin pitching at the event on September 19th.

- We're also excited to share Alvin's TEDx talk from his time in Dubai this summer. Click the link below to see Alvin share his big-picture vision of how plastic waste can be transformed into the material of the future.

Alvin's TEDx talk!

- Our enthusiasm for the role of CNTs in advancing battery technology saw TrimTabs join the UK Cross-Sector Battery Systems community last month. The Cross-Sector Battery Systems Innovation Network is a collaborative community of technology developers and end-users that aims to promote innovation and adoption of battery technology, supporting the Net Zero agenda. We hope being involved in this community will enable us to play our part in driving forward battery innovation.

- And last but by no means least, we have a new team member to introduce! This month, Dave McCurdy joined TrimTabs to head up business development in the USA and Europe. Dave brings an impressive 30+ years of corporate experience to our team, including 14 years as a VP at DuPont. We can’t wait to see what we can learn from Dave’s expertise.

3. Research and Market News

‍This month, we’ve been thrilled to see CNTs at the centre of some huge research and industry advancements; from NASA’s Habitable Worlds Observatory to their role in the future of green energy, we're proud to see CNTs at the beating heart of some major innovations. Check out the full stories in the news section of our website by clicking the links!

- Carbon Nanotubes: A Key Component in Discovering Life on Other Planets

CNTs are helping scientists search for life beyond Earth. Their ability to block over 99% of light makes them ideal for improving telescope sensitivity by blocking out light from stars. CNTs are proving essential in the Habitable Worlds Observatory’s mission to detect life-supporting conditions on exoplanets.

- Scientists Develop Carbon Nanotube AI Chip

Chinese scientists have developed an AI chip using CNTs that is 1,700 times more energy-efficient than traditional silicon chips. This breakthrough could significantly reduce power consumption in AI models, advancing progress toward artificial general intelligence (AGI) and more efficient computing systems.

- How Carbon Nanotubes Affect Changes in Energy Production and Consumption Trends

We are seeing a shift toward renewable energy, with solar power making up the majority of new electricity capacity this year and projected to grow further. As reliance on clean energy rises, CNTs could improve battery storage and solar cell efficiency, accelerating the transition to a more sustainable energy future.

- Ultralight Carbon Fibre Structural Battery

Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology have developed the first all-carbon fibre-based structural battery, which can store energy while also bearing mechanical loads. This could reduce the weight of electric vehicles and devices, improving energy efficiency, range, and battery life, and CNT-based structural batteries could provide even more power and strength in the future.

4. October Food for Thought: The Future of Carbon Nitride Nanotubes (CN-CNTs)

‍At TrimTabs, we're always looking ahead, and this month, we've been thinking about the exciting potential of CN-CNTs as the next evolution in nanotube technology. Here’s why…

- Technological Superiority: ‍

         - Higher Capacity: Nitrogen doping increases the number of active sites for lithium-ion storage, significantly improving batteries' energy density.

         - Greater Stability: CN-CNTs exhibit superior resistance to chemical and thermal stress, offering longer-lasting performance.

         - Enhanced Conductivity: With increased surface area and porosity, CN-CNTs enable faster electron transport and ion diffusion, promising quicker charging times for batteries.‍

- Streamlined Manufacturing: One of the most exciting aspects of CN-CNTs is how easy they are to produce. Using nearly identical processes to those used for traditional CNTs, CN-CNTs can be adopted seamlessly into existing production lines. We’ve developed a simple one-step production process that reduces costs and complexity, making these advanced materials both innovative and practical.

So, with the global demand for high-performance batteries soaring – from electric vehicles to renewable energy storage – CN-CNTs could offer a competitive edge. Their superior charge capacity, durability, and ease of manufacturing position them as the go-to material for next-gen energy solutions.

‍5. TrimTabs Recommends: Our Guide to Events, Books, Films, and Podcasts

‍This month, we have a personal recommendation from our CEO and founder, Dr. Alvin Orbaek White, who has been reading The Singularity Is Nearer by Ray Kurzweil. Find out what he thinks below…

“I recently read Ray Kurzweil's book, The Singularity Is Nearer. This book is positioned at an exciting time, just after GPT 3.5 was released to the public and when the world was caught on a wave of artificial intelligence – something that Kurzweil has been predicting would occur for at least 25 years. He also predicted the development of nanotechnology to the extent that it will become the material of interaction between computers and human life. I was intrigued to find that CNTs are mentioned in 14 different instances, compared to graphene, which is mentioned only in 10 instances. There are zero mentions of graphite and only three references to nanoparticles. I think this underpins the fact that of all the nanomaterials present, CNTs are the key materials of our future. Depending on what side of the line you stand on, you might be excited or apprehensive, but regardless, so far, all of his predictions have come true, and if his predictions continue to come true, then it is obvious that CNTs are going to form a very strong part of that future”.

‍6. This Month in Science: October Nanotechnology Milestones

‍Each month, we recognise a significant milestone, special event, or breakthrough discovery in the world of nanotechnology.

This month, we are celebrating National Nanotechnology Day, which is observed annually on October 9th. The date itself is symbolic, referencing the nanometer scale (10^-9 meters or a billionth of a meter!). This day aims to raise awareness of the ways in which nanotechnology enriches our daily lives, from medicine to environmental sustainability.

To find out more about National Nanotechnology Day, check out the National Nanotechnology Initiative’s dedicated resources.‍

7. Audience Insight

‍We are always keen to hear what our audience thinks, and this month, we asked you what emerging application of CNTs you were most excited about.

Our audience was most excited about printable conductive inks.

The idea is that nanotubes could be used to print high performance circuit boards or 3D printed wires. This will open up new possibilities for more efficient, lightweight, and versatile electronic components based on CNTs' exceptional electrical conductivity, flexibility, and durability.

8. Stories From Our Community

‍We love hearing from our community! Whether you're working on groundbreaking CNT research, developing new applications, or have exciting updates from the field, we want to know! Send your stories, updates, or news to hello@trimtabs.co, and we'll feature them in an upcoming newsletter. Let’s build the CNT community together!

That’s all for this month. Is there anything we missed? Anything you would like to see included or share with our community? We value your input and look forward to hearing your thoughts. Simply send us an email to get in touch.

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