HPC4EnergyInnovation Program Selects Big Blue Technologies and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory for $500k Collaborative Research Award

March 11, 2024

the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced it would provide $5.2 million in funding to 13 projects through its High Performance Computer for Energy Innovation (HPC4EI) program to advance performance, efficiency, and vitality of the U.S. manufacturing sector and drive economy-wide decarbonization. These short-term, collaborative projects between industry members and DOE’s National Energy Labs will apply advanced modeling, simulation, and data analysis to projects that improve manufacturing efficiency and explore new materials for clean energy applications.

This round of selections focuses on topic areas associated with HPC4EI’s HPC4Manufacturing (HPC4Mfg) and HPC4Materials (HPC4Mtls) programs, which are supported by DOE’s Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Technologies Office (AMMTO), Industrial Efficiency and Decarbonization Office (IEDO), and Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management (FECM).

EnergyWerx Voucher Program Selects Big Blue Technologies for an ISO-Compliant LifeCycle Analysis

January 22, 2024

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Technology Transitions (OTT), in collaboration with the Offices of Clean Energy Demonstrations (OCED), Fossil Energy and Carbon Management (FECM), and Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), today announced 111 entities to receive support in advancing their clean energy technologies, valued at $9.8M. The in-kind commercialization support will be provided by 33 supporting organizations in the form of DOE-funded vouchers.

Big Blue Technologies was selected by the EnergyWerx coalition, working closely with Boundless Impact Research & Analytics.

BBT Selected for $2M Award from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Vehicle Technology Office

January 8, 2024

The U.S. Department of Energy’s Vehicle Technology Office has selected Big Blue Technologies for a $2 million award under its FY-2023 Funding Opportunity Announcement. BBT will participate in Area of Interest 8 - Domestic Magnesium Production Research. With this funding, BBT aims to profile various material feedstock sources and demonstrate the full process chain from primary ore to an automotive component. Project partners include a the University of Florida (Dr. Tori Miller) and a mid-west regional high pressure die casting manufacturer.

Big Blue Technologies and West High Yield Resources (TSX:WHY.V) Present at the 80th World Magnesium Conference in Calgary, Canada

May 15, 2023

Is it commercially and environmentally viable to make magnesium metal from serpentine? This was the question posed and answered during the BBT & WHY-R’s joint presentation at the International Magnesium Association’s flagship event. (TL:DR - Yes it is!).

Announcing the Success of initial testing on BBT’s Aluminothermic Process

UPDATE: April 30, 2023:

Three successful test runs produced a total of 50 lbs of Mg metal and over 100 lbs of magnesium aluminate spinel.

ORIGINAL: March 21, 2023

Big Blue Technologies is pleased to announce the start-up operation of its innovative pilot-scale aluminothermic reduction (ATR) system for producing pure magnesium. Today represents the beginning of a testing campaign to prove the efficiency of a continuous ATR system. Samples will be sent to potential strategic partners and customers.

TMS 2023 - Magnesium Technology Keynote Sessions

March 20, 2023

The BBT team was represented at the TMS conference in San Diego this year. We were honored to be included within the Keynote Session in the Magnesium Technology division.

The presentations included:

Andrew Sherman of Terves, Inc. “Sustainable Domestic Manufacturing and Protecting IP in a Post-AIA World”

Norbert Hort of Helmoltz-Zentron Hereon, “Metastable - Stable”

Carolyn Woldring of Magsorbeo Biomedical, “Engineered Bioabsorption for Implant Applications”

Aaron Palumbo of Big Blue Technologies, “Reductant Considerations in Thermal Pathways to Primary Magnesium Metal Production.”

Special thanks to Steven Barela!

PRESS RELEASE: WEST HIGH YIELD (W.H.Y.) RESOURCES LTD. SIGNS MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING REGARDING MAGENISUM PROCESSING TECHNOLOGY LICENSE

October 25, 2022

BBT Invited to Participate in Panel Discussion at NREL’s Sixth Annual Advanced Energy and National Security Interagency Roundtable

October 20, 2022

“The Biden Administration has prioritized decarbonization of the economy in the U.S. and abroad. Leveraging the National Renewable Energy Laboratory’s world-leading research in low-carbon energy system technologies, system design, and analysis, this workshop will feature presentations from NREL staff and invited speakers addressing challenges of power sector decarbonization and research and development opportunities for U.S. global engagement. Presentations will review the state of the art of renewable technologies, highlight implementation progress in selected regions, and identify obstacles to achieving secure and resilient decarbonized systems. Discussions will focus on implications for U.S. security, diplomacy, and economic opportunities.

This forum is intended to enable U.S. government agencies and technical leaders to exchange perspectives and insights to better support government policy and resource decisions.”

“Join Us as we learn with Aaron Palumbo about what it takes to tackle unreasonably big problems.” CatalyzeCU Podcast!

July 14, 2022

CatalyzeCU is the University of Colorado at Boulder’s premier startup accelerator. It combines world class mentorship, funding, and a dedicated co-working space to help the most promising ventures from across campus reach escape velocity - without taking equity. Big Blue Technologies is honored to be an alumni of this program from 2015!

Announcing the Commencement of the Construction of a 5 kg/hr Aluminothermic Pilot Facility.

June 8, 2022

The Big Blue Team is excited to announce the arrival of its custom-designed and fabricated aluminothermic magnesium metal production system housed in a new warehouse facility. A target production of 25 kg of Mg metal is estimated by the end July.

Garrison Minerals/BBT Presents at MagForum 2022

June 7, 2022

Under the auspices of Garrison Minerals, Dr. Palumbo presented at MagForum 2022 titled “Opportunities for use of MgO in magnesium metal production.”

TMS 2022 - Magnesium Technology

February 28, 2022

The BBT team was honored to be a part of the keynote session to kick-off the Magnesium Technology 2022 track. Thanks to the session chairs Steven Barela, Tori Miller, and Petra Maier for their time and effort.

BBT’s Publication Available in Magnesium Technology 2022

February 5, 2022

The manuscript titled “Historical Developments and Status of Carbothermal Reduction Technology to Produce Magnesium Metal” is now available for download.

Publication of BBT’s PCT Application

September 1, 2021

Big Blue Technologies is pleased to announce the publication of its patent on a condensation method for recovering magnesium metal.

IMA 78th World Magnesium Conference

August 26, 2021

The International Magnesium Association’s annual conference included Big Blue Technologies’ presentation titled “Techno-economics and Life Cycle Analysis of a Carbothermal Reduction Process.” Special thanks to the organizing committee!

Catalyzing Commercialization: Clean, Low-Energy Method for Primary Magnesium Metal Production

June 1, 2021

The American Institute of Chemical Engineering (AIChE) published a spotlight article on Big Blue Technologies in their monthly periodical, Chemical Engineering Progress. Our team is honored and gives special thanks to Prakash Banal and Rajesh Mehta, program directors at the National Science Foundation!

Feature on CompanyWeek: Co-founder and CEO Aaron Palumbo is scaling up a better way to make magnesium metal

May 3, 2021

Big Blue Technologies has been featured on CompanyWeek, the media voice of the modern manufacturing industry. CompanyWeek is the media voice of modern manufacturing -- a diverse sector of makers and manufacturers, designers and engineers, growers and builders, lifestyle companies and all-ambitious, growth-oriented companies.

Critical Material Institute Funds Collaborative Research Project - Big Blue Technologies Named a Major Subcontractor

May 3, 2021

The Critical Materials Institute, a research hub sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy and operated by Ames National Laboratory, has selected four research projects for its OPEN 2020 funding opportunity. Big Blue Technologies will be working with Garrison Minerals, Irish Metals LLC, Telex Metals, and Retriev Technologies on a novel extraction method to recovery cobalt, nickel, lithium, manganese, and graphite from end-of-life lithium ion batters.

ARPA-E SEED Awards: Big Blue Technologies Selected for $500k award!

April 21, 2021

BBT received this competitive award from ARPA-E’s Topics Informing New Program Area’s Supporting Entrepreneurial Energy Discoveries (SEED) Topic. SEED seeks to support entrepreneurial energy discoveries, by identifying and supporting disruptive concepts in energy-related technologies within small businesses and collaborations with universities and national labs. These projects have the potential for large-scale impact, and if successful could create new paradigms in energy technology with the potential to achieve significant reductions in U.S. energy consumption, energy-related imports, or energy-related emissions.

Big Blue Technologies Awarded Phase II-B Supplement from National Science Foundation

April 8, 2021

Our team gives a special thanks to Dr. Anna Brady-Estevez, our program officer at NSF. Thank you! This award will be used to develop peripheral unit operations to ensure BBT’s carbothermal reduction process is safe, reliable, and robust.

Big Big Technologies Featured on Light Metal Age Website

March 17, 2021

Announcement of BBT’s historic achievement was showcased by Light Metal Age. Take a look!

US Patent 10,829,834 Issues: “Apparatus and Method for Recovery of Material”

October 27, 2021

U.S. patent number 10,829,834 was granted to the Regents of the University of Colorado at Boulder. This patent is exclusively licensed by Big Blue Technologies to protect some of the processing aspects of BBT’s carbothermal reduction technology.

History in the Making: Magnesium Metal from BBT’s Carbothermal Reduction Process

July 21, 2020

Big Blue Technologies is please to announce the commissioning of its pilot system in Denver, Colorado and the production of its first magnesium metal ingot. With emphasis on safe operation, the system will operate nominally at 1 kg/hr with the capability of reaching 5 kg/hr. BBT now has the means of converting ore to ingots!

NREL Industry Growth Forum - Virtual Networking

April 29-30, 2020

The IGF took place virtually this year. This was BBT’s third year participating in one of the largest and most cohesive cleantech-based networking events in the U.S. The virtual conference was a great success with keynotes, company pitches, and rapid-fire 1:1 investor networking.

A Visit to the Middle East

February 3, 2020

The BBT team took a trip to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to discuss magnesium and the need for a local metal producer. Pictured is a magnesite processing facility in Medina owned and operated by Ma’aden. Special thanks to our hosts!

Big Blue Technologies Selected to Present at Destination Startup 2020 in Westminster, CO

October 17, 2019

At Destination Startup, startups present to investors and the business community in a fast-paced, energizing format. Startups must be commercializing an innovation from, or partnering with, one of Colorado's research institutions or federal laboratories.

Startups are chosen via a competitive selection process led by serial entrepreneurs, investors and technology veterans, who hand-picked the best ideas

Big Blue Technologies named a CCIA Finalist in the category of Emerging Cleantech Company of the Year!

October 8, 2019

The Colorado Cleantech Industries Association has received its nominations and selected three finalists for the 2019 Emerging Cleantech Company of the Year. Big Blue Technologies is honored to be nominated alongside Hygge Power and Starfire Energy!

Creative Destruction Lab Accepts Big Blue Technologies into Objectives-Based Mentoring Program

September 30, 2019

"We are proud to announce that Big Blue Technologies has been accepted into the 2019/20 CDL program year."

U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Issues Patent

September 19, 2019

U.S. patent number 10,400,309 was granted to the Regents of the University of Colorado at Boulder. This patent is exclusively licensed by Big Blue Technologies to protect some of the processing aspects of BBT’s carbothermal reduction technology.

Big Blue Technologies presents at Bay Area buffs alumni event

August 20, 2019

“From Boulder to the Bay: Alumni investors connect with university startups at Silicon Valley summit”

Notice of Allowance of Claims on Exclusively Licensed Patent

July 22, 2019

The United States Patent and Trademark Office have provided a notice of the allowance of claims on a patent application related to the carbothermal reduction or magnesium oxide. Big Blue Technologies has a worldwide exclusive license on this patent from the University of Colorado at Boulder.

Issuance number to follow.

Dr. Chubukov Presents at the 76th Annual World Magnesium Conference in Budapest, Hungary

May 17, 2019

Boris was invited to present some of his work on carbothermal reduction to an international audience in Hungary at the World Magnesium Conference hosted by the International Magnesium Association.

Big Blue technologies Closes on $500k Equity Investment

May 1, 2019

In support of its magnesium metal production venture, Big Blue Technologies has received $500k in cash and facilities to support commercial development from a strategic corporate partner. This equity partner will remain undisclosed until further notice.

Big Blue Technologies Competes in the Mining Cleantech Challenge Hosted by the Colorado Cleantech Industries Association

March 21, 2019

Eleven companies were selected to present at the 2019 Mining Cleantech Challenge held in Denver, Colorado.

Dr. Chubukov's Original Research Manuscript Accepted in Powder Technology!

March 1, 2019

Big Blue Technologies’ Chief Technology Officer and co-founder, Boris Chubukov, recently had his research paper accepted in the journal Powder Technology. The paper describes an operating method to deposit magnesium metal onto a moving bed of inert particles as a demonstrated continuous process for carbothermal reduction. All of this work was performed during his Ph.D. thesis research at the University of Colorado in Boulder.

Congratulations, Boris!

Innosphere Accepts Big Blue Technologies as a Client Company

February 27, 2019

Innosphere is Colorado’s leading technology incubator accelerating the success of high-impact science and technology startups and scaleups. Innosphere’s programs focus on ensuring companies are investor-ready, connecting entrepreneurs with experienced advisors and early hires, making introductions to corporate and strategic partners to drive customer traction, exit planning, and accelerating top line revenue growth.

Big Blue Technologies is honored to be a part of the first 2019 cohort.

Magnesium Bars Produced Using Silicothermic and Carbothermic Processing Techniques

December 11, 2018

Big Blue Technologies has demonstrated magnesium metal production capabilities using both carbothermic and silicothermic pathways on its prototype system.

With equipment located at the University of Colorado at Boulder, and under a sponsored project agreement, Big Blue Technologies was able to showcase their expertise and processing flexibility for various thermal production routes.

Big Blue Technologies Among 24 Colorado Start-ups Awarded State Grant

November 26, 2018

Big Blue Technologies is proud to announce it has been awarded $250k from the State of Colorado’s Office of Economic Development (OEDIT) through the Advanced Industries Accelerator Grant Program! BBT was one of 22 teams that gave a 5-minute finalist pitch in front of the entire AI review committee.

We would like to thank the committee, OEDIT, Katie Woslager and Rama Haris for their support and hard work!

$50k NSF STTR Supplementary Grant Awarded to BBT

August 30, 2018

The National Science Foundation has awarded BBT a supplementary Phase II grant in the amount of $50k. The total awarded represents the maximum allowed of $750k.

Dr. Palumbo Presents at the 75th Annual World Magnesium Conference in New Orleans

May 18, 2018

Aaron was selected to present a summary of research and development conducted at the University of Colorado at Boulder under an ARPA-E grant to explore the development of a carbothermal reduction process, including a novel condensation technique.

CU-Boulder and Big Blue Technologies Execute Worldwide Exclusive License Agreement on Two Patent Applications

April 20, 2018

Two patent applications on carbothermal reduction methods to produce magnesium metal have been exclusively licensed from CU-Boulder. The technology was developed under a $3.6M ARPA-E grant awarded to Prof. Alan Weimer’s lab. Big Blue Technologies is excited to move forward with commercial deployment of these technologies knowing that CU-Boulder will be a valuable, active research partner.

News Feature in The Chemical Engineer

December 6, 2017

Big Blue Technologies is pleased to announce a news release in The Chemical Engineer, a prestigious media outlet hosted by the Institution of Chemical Engineering.

To read the original article, please click the link below:

Big Blue Technologies Awarded Competitive grant from the national science foundation

September 20, 2017

“The National Science Foundation supports small businesses with the most innovative, cutting-edge ideas that have the potential to become great commercial successes and make huge societal impacts,” said Barry Johnson, Director of Division of Industrial Innovation and Partnerships at NSF. “We hope that this seed funding will spark solutions to some of the most important challenges of our time across all areas of science and technology.”

Big Blue Technologies Wins National Impact Award from the Cleantech Open Accelerator Program

February 17, 2017

“All three Rocky Mountain Cleantech Open Regional Finalist teams received recognition at the Cleantech Open Global Forum as part of Cleantech Week on Thursday, February 9th. Crystal Clear Technologies, led by Ron Epperson, was named the winner of the Water track. Urbix Resources (Adam Small) and Big Blue Technologies (Aaron Palumbo) also earned awards for 'Best Business Model' and 'Most Impact', respectively. All three teams were competing with the top emerging environmental and energy technology firms throughout the nation for the National Grand Prize worth $100,000 in investment and in-kind services.”