April 14, 2025 | Phoenix, AZ
The Southwest Sustainability Innovation Engine (SWSIE), led by Arizona State University, has awarded $1.5 million in Innovation Grants to eight startups across Arizona, Nevada, and Utah. These grants aim to accelerate the commercialization of technologies addressing critical issues such as water scarcity, energy efficiency, and carbon emissions in the arid Southwest.
Innovative Solutions for Regional Challenges
These startups are developing practical technologies to address local needs:
- Purity ReSource (Arizona): Developing membrane technology to recycle semiconductor manufacturing water, reducing both hazardous waste and water consumption.
- Beyond Silicon (Arizona): Creating advanced perovskite-silicon solar cells that reach 38% efficiency, exceeding traditional silicon panels' 27% limit.
- Crystal Sonic (Arizona): Using acoustic energy to separate semiconductor components for reuse, minimizing manufacturing waste.
- WAVR Technologies (Nevada): Creating water harvesting systems that work in dry conditions to provide sustainable water sources.
- GlycoSurf (Utah): Making eco-friendly, sugar-based chemicals for better mineral extraction and industrial waste recovery.
- Solid Carbon (Arizona): Creating concrete additives from organic waste to reduce construction's carbon footprint.
- Carbon Utility (Arizona): Building modular systems to capture CO₂ from the air and convert it into useful fuels and products.
- Aeonix (Utah): Developing high-capacity, anode-free lithium batteries for aviation and other uses.
(Source: ASU News)
Building a Sustainable Innovation Ecosystem
SWSIE was established in 2024 through a $15 million grant from the National Science Foundation under the CHIPS and Science Act. Its mission is to transform the Southwest into a hub for sustainability-focused innovation. The initiative brings together academic institutions, industry partners, and communities to tackle environmental challenges specific to the region.
Beyond financial support, SWSIE provides workforce development resources, including specialized training in sustainability and entrepreneurship. The organization will host its Innovation Summit on May 21–22 in Las Vegas, creating opportunities for startups to network with investors and industry leaders.