As a child, Theresa Hoffmann aspired to become an astronaut. ‘My fascination for space has always been strong, and I was consistently intrigued by materials applicable in extraterrestrial environments. The motto at my university was “steel is the future.” I believed: that can’t be the only option; there must be innovative materials to explore,’ Hoffmann, co-founder of Nanoplume, shares.
She has since merged her passion for space with her commitment to circular materials in order to make ‘space-age insulation accessible for everyone.’ To achieve this, the team – which includes co-founders Tara Love and Tafadzwa Motsi – has developed a bio-based aerogel that can rival existing insulating materials.
Aerogels have been utilized for the last 80 years, serving in specialized applications, including ‘insulating the Mars rover,’ as Hoffmann points out. These materials possess extremely low densities and thermal conductivities due to their highly porous structure, making them exceptional insulators. Hoffmann clarifies that ‘there are fundamental issues with conventional silica-based aerogels,’ such as high prices, limited scalability, and fragility.
Nanoplume – located in Cambridge, UK – is utilizing abundant resources like cellulose, in conjunction with other sugars and natural minerals, to create a more resilient material that maintains thermal efficiency. ‘By opting for a bio-based aerogel, we can implement a different approach that is much more cost-effective as well as energy- and time-efficient,’ states Hoffmann.
‘We are currently refining the formulation, yet we’ve already achieved the super-insulating category in terms of thermal conductivity.’ The material is entirely non-toxic and even safe for consumption, as Hoffmann showcased during the RSC’s emerging technologies competition earlier this year, where Nanoplume secured the victory in the energy category. However, Hofmann mentions that only extreme temperatures and humidity can decompose the material, ‘ensuring it will not break down in the intended operating conditions.’ Nanoplume is presently in the R&D phase, having conducted initial trials with manufacturers to produce multiple panels of the material.
Heating and cooling represent nearly half of the global energy use, resulting in over 40% of global energy-related CO2 emissions. ‘The overall thermal insulation industry is projected to expand into a $100 billion (£74 billion) sector by 2030, leading us to explore various market segments,’ Hoffmann explains.
Nanoplume’s primary focus is on cold-chain packaging, which is used for shipping perishable items like pharmaceuticals and food. The team is currently collaborating with a shipping company to incorporate the material into shipping boxes, serving as the first comprehensive system test.
The team’s long-term objective is also to address the built environment, aiming to replace conventional insulation in walls, roofs, and floors for both new and existing structures. ‘To meet specific energy standards, particularly in the UK as part of future home guidelines, one would need to enlarge wall cavities if continuing with traditional materials,’ Hoffmann explains. ‘We’re introducing a much thinner and lighter material so you could maintain the current wall cavity while utilizing a higher-performing option like ours.’
‘[This material] serves as both a mitigation technology, enhancing energy efficiency, and an adaptation method, preparing society for rising temperatures,’ Hoffmann remarks.
In the future, Hoffmann indicates that the aerogel may be employed in countless other applications, leveraging the material’s highly porous characteristics in feminine hygiene products and for mitigating oil spills.
**Nanoplume:**
Founded: 2024
Location: Cambridge, UK
Employees: 4
Origin: Startup from Carbon 13 sustainable venture builder
Financials: $1 million (£740,000) in pre-seed funding