Leah Ellis, a former battery researcher for Tesla, took an unconventional path after earning her doctorate. Instead of pursuing a lucrative job in the battery materials industry, she applied for and received a prestigious Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship. With this opportunity, Ellis chose to work with renowned material sciences professor Yet-Ming Chiang at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
Ellis and Chiang are now working on a groundbreaking project to develop a climate-conscious method of producing cement using electrochemistry instead of fossil fuel-powered heat. This idea originated from Chiang’s recognition of the abundant intermittent energy generated by renewable sources. Instead of storing this excess energy in batteries, they decided to utilize it for a more sustainable purpose. Cement production is notoriously carbon-intensive, responsible for approximately 8% of global carbon dioxide emissions. By using electrochemistry to power the cement-making process, Ellis and Chiang aim to significantly reduce the environmental impact of this industry.
Their collaboration led to the establishment of Sublime Systems, a company focused on refining and scaling up the electrochemical process for cement production. Sublime has secured $50 million in funding from clean-tech investors, including LowerCarbon Capital and the Siam Cement Group. They have also received grants from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) program.
Ellis describes their work as developing the “electric vehicle of cement making.” Just as electric vehicles replace combustion engines with electric motors, Sublime Systems aims to replace the fossil fuel-powered process of cement production with an electron-driven process. This transformation occurs at an ambient temperature, unlike the traditional cement-making process which requires extremely high temperatures.
Despite initially having little knowledge of cement, Ellis quickly immersed herself in the topic. She conducted extensive research, collaborated with other experts, and continually refined their concept. Throughout the journey, she has been driven by her curiosity and passion for creating meaningful change through chemistry.
Bringing together the fields of battery science and cement production is a groundbreaking move. This interdisciplinary approach harnesses the power of electrochemistry to drive various reactions and create more energy-efficient processes. The efficiency and effectiveness of electrochemistry make it an ideal solution for reducing reliance on fossil fuels and mitigating the environmental impact of industries like cement production.
The cement industry, as a whole, is highly motivated to transition towards greener practices. Regions with carbon pricing incentives, such as Europe, are particularly keen on adopting sustainable cement technologies. Investors recognize the potential of companies like Sublime Systems to provide fossil-free cement alternatives, especially as other cement producers struggle to meet emissions targets and comply with carbon tariffs.
While some cement producers consider carbon capture technologies, Ellis and Chiang’s electrochemical approach offers a more cost-effective and efficient solution. In the long run, they believe that energy-efficient processes like theirs will prevail and lead to complete decarbonization of cement production.
Together, Ellis and Chiang aim to revolutionize the cement industry and contribute to a more sustainable future. Their innovative approach not only addresses the carbon footprint of cement production but also demonstrates the power of chemistry to create positive change in the world.
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