Issue #32: The Future of Aviation

Oxylus Energy: Fueling the Future of Aviation and Shipping

In the sun-baked labs of Yale University, a startup is quite literally cooking up a storm in the renewable energy landscape. Oxylus Energy, spun out of a chemistry lab last year, is pioneering a novel approach to green methanol production that could revolutionize how we power our planes and ships.

Key Points:

• Developed a cobalt-based catalyst to produce green methanol without the need for costly green hydrogen

• Process occurs at room temperature and pressure, helping to keep costs down

• Recently raised $4.5 million seed round led by Toyota Ventures and Azolla Ventures

• Aims to achieve cost parity with fossil methanol using current renewable energy prices

Oxylus's approach is refreshingly simple yet profoundly impactful: use a specially designed catalyst to facilitate the production of methanol from water and carbon dioxide. It's like having a tiny, efficient factory working round the clock, but one that could power hundreds of planes and ships.

"We think it's one of the most versatile chemicals that can really decarbonize the hard-to-abate sectors of shipping, aviation and petrochemicals that are responsible for 11% of emissions right now," said co-founder and COO Harrison Meyer

The startup's potential impact is enormous. By offering a cost-effective way to produce green methanol, Oxylus could help solve one of the biggest challenges in the transition to clean energy for industries that are utterly dependent on energy-dense fossil fuels. Their technology could be particularly game-changing for airlines and shipping companies struggling to meet their net-zero carbon emissions targets by 2050.

But Oxylus's ambitions don't stop at fuel production. Their mission to achieve "cost parity with fossil methanol" speaks to a broader vision of making renewable energy economically viable on a large scale. Could this be the breakthrough that finally bridges the gap between environmental sustainability and economic feasibility in the transportation sector?

As we navigate the urgent need to decarbonize our energy systems, the question now is: Will Oxylus's innovative approach become the new standard for green fuel production? And how might this shift the balance of power in the world of renewable energy?

Vocabulary

💡Each edition we’ll bring you a new “Startup word” to help bolster your vocabulary and understanding of the subject!

Catalyst: noun /ˈkætəlɪst/

Definition: A substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction without itself undergoing any permanent chemical change.

Why It Matters: In the startup world, catalysts are not just chemical substances, but also technologies or innovations that accelerate change in an industry. They can be the key to unlocking new possibilities and driving transformative growth.

In Action: Oxylus Energy's cobalt-based catalyst is a literal and figurative catalyst for change in the green energy sector. It accelerates the production of green methanol, potentially catalyzing a shift towards more sustainable fuels in the aviation and shipping industries.

Quick Bites

🦠 Endolith Raises $5.13M for 'Olympic-caliber' Copper Microbes:

🔍 Revefi Secures $20M to Automate Data Operations:

💻 Fleet Expands from Hardware Leasing to IT Services:

Startup Shutdown Of The Day :(

Osom: When Privacy-Focused Hardware Meets Market Reality

Privacy-focused phone startup OSOM Products, which rose from the ashes of Essential in 2020, has announced its shutdown just four years after its inception.

Key Points:

• Founded in 2020 by former Essential employees

• Planned to launch a privacy-focused handset

• Pivoted to an "AI-powered camera" project in May 2024

• Unable to secure customers for its mobile phone despite concerted efforts

• Failed to raise a new funding round due to "bleak market climate for consumer electronics startups"

OSOM's journey highlights the immense challenges of launching a new phone company, especially one focused on niche markets like privacy. Despite the growing concerns about data privacy, the startup struggled to find customers for its proposed handset, underscoring the dominance of established players in the smartphone market.

The company's pivot to an AI-powered camera project and subsequent failure to raise funds also speaks to the broader challenges facing hardware startups in the current economic climate. It serves as a cautionary tale about the difficulties of disrupting established markets, even with innovative technology and a timely value proposition.

As we reflect on OSOM's closure, it's worth considering: How can hardware startups in crowded markets like smartphones differentiate themselves effectively? Is there a sustainable way to address growing privacy concerns in mobile technology without compromising on features and usability that consumers expect?