ARPA-E Challenge: Macroscopic Composites with Nanoscale Order

The Advanced Research Project Agency – Energy (ARPA-E) advances high-impact energy technologies through sponsored activities such as the REACT program, short for “Rare Earth Alternatives in Critical Technologies.” REACT projects are developing cost-effective alternatives to rare earths, the naturally occurring minerals with unique magnetic properties that are used in electric vehicle (EV) motors and wind generators. The REACT projects will identify low-cost and abundant replacement materials for rare earths while encouraging existing technologies to use them more efficiently. These alternatives would facilitate the widespread use of EVs and wind power, drastically reducing the amount of greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere. To further this objective, ARPA-E (“SEEKER”) is looking for ideas for materials and processes that could make macroscopic materials with well-defined nanoscale order. 

This is an Ideation Challenge with a guaranteed award for at least one submitted solution.

Control of structure, shape, and key properties on the nanoscale is a promising pathway to dramatically improved material properties. However, nanoscale control is still extremely difficult to realize in macroscopic materials. Ideas are solicited for approaches to make macroscopic materials (volume of 1 cm³ or larger) with low porosity (density >90% of theoretical maximum), and controlled nanoscale order. A method to induce anisotropy of key properties (e.g. magnetization, thermal conductivity or electrical conductivity) is also desirable. 

The desired outcome of this Challenge is that a general strategy is identified that permits production of macroscopic materials with features that are defined on the nanoscale. 

This is an Ideation Challenge, which has the following unique features:

• There is a guaranteed award.  The awards will be paid to the best submission(s) as solely determined by the Seeker. The total payout will be $10,000, with at least one award being no smaller than $5,000 and no award being smaller than $2,000. Seeker may also issue “Honorable Mention” recognitions for notable submissions that are not selected for monetary awards. 
• Solvers selected for awards (monetary) or “honorable mention” (no monetary award) UNDERSTAND AND AGREE THAT proposed SOLUTIONs seleceted for award or honorable mention will BE PUBLISHED ON SEEKER’S WEB SITE FOR UNLIMITED USE BY ANYONE AND IN ANY MANNER, AND SUCH SOLVERS WAIVE ANY AND All intellectual property rights IN THEIR PROPOSED SOLUTIONS.  In other words, your submission will be put into the public domain to promote further research in this area.
• NOTE: Seeker, on its website, will credit each selected Solver (awarded cash or Honorable Mention) for its selected submission  (name and contact email); however, each selected Solver will be given the option to opt out of having their name and contact info used on the Seeker’s website; however, you cannot opt out of having your submission published, if selected for a monetary or non-monetary award. 

After the Challenge deadline, the Seeker will complete the review process and make a decision with regards to the Winning Solution(s). All Solvers that submitted a proposal will be notified on the status of their submissions; however, no detailed evaluation of individual submissions will be provided.