ThermoAura Inc.

ThermoAura Inc. operates within the advanced materials and nanotechnology sector, focusing on the commercialization of a proprietary manufacturing technology for thermoelectric materials. Founded in June 2011 by Dr. Rutvik Mehta, a graduate of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), along with RPI professors Dr. Ganpati Ramanath and Dr. Theodorian Borca-Tasciuc, the company emerged from technology developed in the university's labs. The founders' academic and research backgrounds at RPI were integral to the company's inception and technological foundation.

The company's core business revolves around the design, production, and sale of high-performance nanocrystalline powders, wafers, and ingot products to manufacturers of thermoelectric devices. These materials are engineered to convert heat into electricity (waste heat harvesting) or electricity into cooling (solid-state refrigeration). ThermoAura's manufacturing process, reportedly utilizing a sophisticated microwave technology, allows for the production of a bismuth telluride alloy that is said to be 25% more efficient and 40% less costly to manufacture than competing materials. The firm's target markets include the automotive, medical, and energy industries, supplying the foundational materials for devices like solid-state coolers for computer chips or car seats that can both heat and cool.

ThermoAura's primary product is a nano-enhanced thermoelectric material, which is sold as a black powder or in wafer form. This material functions on a solid-state principle, meaning it operates without moving parts or emissions. A key selling point is the company's ability to produce this advanced material at a commercial scale. Initially renting space at the University at Albany's East Campus, the company opened a 4,800-square-foot manufacturing facility in Colonie, NY, capable of producing 10 tons of material annually. The company has secured funding through various channels, including grants from the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), as well as seed funding from investment groups like the Eastern New York Angels.

Keywords: thermoelectric materials, nanotechnology, advanced materials, nanocrystalline powders, waste heat recovery, solid-state cooling, bismuth telluride, materials manufacturing, energy conversion, RPI spinoff, Ganpati Ramanath, Rutvik Mehta, Theodorian Borca-Tasciuc, thermoelectric device components, cleantech materials, energy harvesting, nanotech manufacturing, solid-state refrigeration, advanced manufacturing, sustainable energy components