KAOBY

Our solution involves using forest residues to generate quantum dots of carbon, a nanomaterial that will help solve problems related to renewable energy storage, making the world more sustainable.

We will develop large-scale, standardized production of carbon quantum dots (CQDs), a nanomaterial that will help with the issue of renewable energy storage. Due to some of its properties of this nanomaterial, it can be used as additives in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) (even in other types as well), increasing the electrochemical performance. Another use that has been widely explored is the use in supercapacitors, improving their characteristics a lot.

However, for all of this to work, we need to have a large-scale, cheap and sustainable manufacturing process. This is where our part begins.

Our idea involves the use of a process called fast pyrolysis to obtain these CQDs, using a raw material that is cheap and sustainable, which in this case is forest residues, such as bark and branches. This is an easy-to-handle method, widely used to generate bio-oil for the production of biofuels, biochar that is used to improve the fertility of soils and gases that can be used to generate electricity. Bio-oil, with some chemical treatments, can be used to generate the CQDs. With some more adaptations and functionalizations, after that, we would have the material suitable for use as an additive in LIBs and in supercapacitors.

We all know and are living the consequences of climate change. Also, recently there was a social crisis due to flooding in the region where my family lives, which is in Bahia, Brazil. If we haven't seen the consequences closely, you can be sure that someone is feeling it, like the people who are watching the sea rise in the islands of Oceania, reaching the point where they will lose their homes.

The reasons for these environmental impacts are the same that led to the strong tornado in Kentucky, the great use of fossil fuels in our daily lives. About 80% of all our energy demand is supplied by fossil fuels, decreasing this more and more is an obligation for this and future generations. Otherwise, we will see more and more environmental disasters, instinctive species, pollution and, unfortunately, death. It is estimated that climate change will impact the world economy by up to $30 trillion by 2050. 

 However, a big problem is that we are not able to have a suitable renewable energy storage system to be sufficient to supply a large demand. Another situation is that, as it is logically dependent on the sun, in long periods of rain, the solar panels are unusable, without energy generation, and do not have enough storage to continue meeting the demand, and it is in these situations that we turn to use of fossil fuels. We must be capable of large storage of clean energy, thus preventing the deterioration of the environment.

Our solution can be useful for different "fronts".

Society could enjoy the full potential of renewable energies, having energy security - full use of the solar, wind or even both energy matrix, without the need to use sources that are harmful to the environment, even in unfavorable periods, due to the storage capacity of that electricity. Thus, with a reduction in the use of fossil fuels for energy production, we would also ensure a better quality of life.

In relation to the private sector, we imagine the following scenario: a large part of forest residues are generated from processes carried out by the pulp and paper industries, they are burned to generate energy, our idea would involve conversion into a product with high added value, giving more profitability. Another industry that would benefit would be working companies, who could use our solution to further improve their products.

Generation of social and environmental impact are very important within the context we see on the planet. A small step can be a big leap, we believe that increasing the capacity of the batteries/supercapacitors will be extremely beneficial in the energy transition. In the end, everything working out, we can consider a triple solution, for the pulp and paper sector, which may have a new product, for companies that develop new types of batteries/supercapacitors and also for society, which may have more access to energy renewable.

I have great contact with some research that deals with the generation of products from forest residues, such as biochemicals, bioplastics and biofuels. It is an area that grows more and more, a big factor is the need and urgency in the development of sustainable products.

We got in touch with some people who are experts in biorefinery about this idea and they all find it very interesting, but they point out that it is a big challenge. Like any idea, it must have good applicability, be cheap and scalable.

Our research also proved that the pulp and paper sector is entering the world of nanotechnology, which is in line with our proposal.

Our initial researches also show that the carbon quantum dots will have an increasing presence in the energy sector, both in storage and in the potential of electrochemical participation in some reactions, such as obtaining hydrogen, a compound that has a gigantic potential.

In addition to everything said above, we know that the presence of renewable energies will increase more and more, 

We started working with this idea at the end of the year 2021. This idea came up when I was reading some articles about nanomaterials, I wanted something that could be generated sustainably. Of course, it's also important to make an impact for society, making it better, I immediately remembered from Bill Gates' book "How to Avoid a Climate Disaster", the whole puzzle was assembled. We have the potential to generate a nanomaterial from forest residues that will help increase clean energy storage. As a result, we took part in an Innovative Ideas Contest at the Viçosa Technological Park (tecnoPARQ) and took first place. Now we are focused on starting the research and development of the solution, the great link of success being the ability to produce this nanomaterial on a large scale and in a standardized manner. We are finalizing the planning of the research schedule, at the beginning of this year we will start with the first step, which is a test of the process of obtaining the carbon quantum dots.

Our technology involves the production of a nanomaterial called quantum dots of carbon, which, due to its characteristics, have been explored for the most diverse applications, among them, in energy storage. 

This material has some very interesting electrochemical characteristics, such as good thermal and chemical stability, good electrical conductivity, high stability and in addition, it does not harm the medium, like some materials based on heavy metals. In both batteries and supercapacitors, the use of this product can greatly improve electrochemical efficiency.

In fact, in toeria, this nanomaterial can improve the conductivity of any electronic devices. The quantum dots of carbon contain some functional groups, and these groups contribute to capacitance due to their electrochemical activity, which may be due to a phenomenon called quantum capacitance. There are some studies that show the use as cathode and anode in batteries. In some batteries, this nanomaterial can be used to increase electron transfer, improving electrochemical performance.

Our idea is to develop a process that is industrializable and in a standardized way, allowing the broad use of these compounds for the energy storage sector. The process we want to use is called fast pyrolysis, where an oxidation-reduction takes place in which a part of the raw material (forest residues) is reduced to carbon, however, the other part is oxidized and hydrolyzed. We believe that through this process, we will have the most adaptable quantum points of carbon for use in energy storage, perhaps requiring some adaptations.

We want to reach as much as possible, however, understanding the reality and the impact of climate change due to the use of fossil fuels, there is no way not to start with needy communities that suffer from a lack of energy and even more, clean energy. It is a difficult estimate to provide, but we want to look for somewhere in the northeast of Brazil, especially in the interior of this region, where there are poor communities and without full access to energy, in addition, it is a place that has a lot of use of wind energy and also solar energy.

Certainly, our next objective is the full development of our large-scale generation process of these quantum dots of carbon, after that, we want to insert this technology for validation with companies that have solar energy generation plants. With validation, our central point would be an experiment with small communities in the Brazilian northeast, as it is a place with little access to energy by the poorest population and also has some potential for solar generation.

However, as mentioned before, our first step is the development of the process itself, which is what we will start this year. It is even interesting that we are going to use this nanomaterial to be an additive in batteries, improving efficiency, the quantum dots of carbon can also be used in other fields, such as medicine, so mastering the large-scale and standardized process is very important.

Decreasing dependence on fossil fuels is our big goal, starting from small communities to big cities. It will be a process where a lot of study and planning will be necessary, but with the right help we believe it is possible.

Another important point is to generate this nanomaterial on a sustainable basis, so we opted for a raw material that is renewable, such as bark, branches and roots, generally discarded by many industries, and for a process by which all products will have a use , in addition to the carbon quantum dots.

Finally, I emphasize that our major immediate objective is the full development of this product generation process.

Our idea is very new, less than 3 months old, so it's kind of hard to talk about indicators to analyze our progress. I can say that we are all improving ourselves in relation to sustainable entrepreneurship, reading books and taking some courses.

In relation to our idea, the main indicators and returns that we use are the feedbacks we have with some people connected to the technology park in viçosa, the city where we are allocated. As we participated in a competition promoted by them and won, we created a relationship where they help us a lot and will continue to help us. We also spoke with some experts in the field of forest resources technology and also with some experts in batteries, so that they can help us in the development of the solution.

Our next step is to be a startup "incubated" to the hub of our university/region, which is already underway. With this happening, we will have access to more learning in relation to business management and we will increase our contacts with potential investors.

In our objective of generating social impact and improving our reality for future generations, we are aligned in progressing with objectives:

- 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
- 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
- 11: Sustainable cities and Communities
- 13: Climate Action

With the development of our solution, we believe we can impact all these sustainable goals. Once we manage to make an effort to help with the seventh objective, we end up impacting others as well.

The main barrier is certainly related to financial support. Our team is made up of undergraduate students, and in addition, our families do not yet have the financial resources to support. Despite this, we are participating in some events and challenges that may have a financial return (even so, our focus is on learning), a successful case was our award in a contest for innovative ideas held by Technological Park of Viçosa, affiliated our university. In Brazil, it is also a challenge to raise funds for projects like this, especially with the current government making a cut in scientific research.

An alternative that we are considering is to link our solution to the research project of one of our members, it would be carried out in the laboratory where he is doing an internship, so we could, at the very least, have the kick-off. But surely, at some point, we would need an investment to continue the idea.

The technical challenge also exists, of course. But the laboratory in question has a lot of experience in research on forest resources, being a reference in Brazil. The network is also something to work on.

Above all, we have a lot of dedication and determination.

Our team gained a great background by participating in an event promoted by the Technological Park of Viçosa - tecnoPARQ, there we had several workshops on management, entrepreneurship and innovation.

Speaking specifically of the members, I can say that we have all the capacity to make our idea real. I (Lorhan), I am an undergraduate student in Forestry Engineering, I really like scientific research and innovation, before interning in the wood technology laboratory, I had the joy to be awarded at the XXX Brazilian Congress of Virology and also participated in three scientific articles. Currently, in the wood technology laboratory, I participated in a book chapter that addresses the issue of generating new bioproducts from lignocellulosic biomass, and it is precisely in this field that we will work.

Another member of our team, Igor, is studying Accounting, has experience in dealing with finances due to his internship in a university body that works, in general, with project management. He also participated in "Junior Enterprises", which further expands his repertoire in dealing with business. In addition, he also has a certificate in the environment, having a knowledge of topics that involve sustainability.

Our other member is Mateus, who has a great knowledge in business, as his family has a small family production in the area of agriculture. He is also certified in "agroenvironment", which is excellent, helping to understand a lot of points related to the environment.

We are all guided by the same objective, which is to change the reality we have of extreme use of fossil fuels in energy generation, we believe that we have a solution that can help and we will work hard to make it a reality.

The only organization that is with us at this moment is the Technological Park of Viçosa - tecnoPARQ. It was at their event that we won an award for our solution.

With them we have support regarding training for our team, we learn topics related to management, organization and entrepreneurship. The next step is to enter an even deeper immersion program, where we expect to strengthen ties even more and learn much more. They give us the possibility to meet many qualified people, we are sure that we have a lot to enjoy from this relationship.