Deep Tech Briefing #16: 🚀 Mistral AI’s Funding Surge;🔋Autonomous EV Charging Robots; 🛰️ Breakthrough of Satellite Manufacturing; ⚙️ 100X Improved Performance For CPU; and more
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In today’s edition
Eco-Friendly Critical Mineral Extraction
AI Funding Surge: Mistral’s $640M
Autonomous EV Charging Robots Unveiled
100X CPU Performance Boost by PPU
Satellite Manufacturing Revolutionized
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🔸Silicon Membranes: Pioneering Cost-Effective, Eco-Friendly Reclamation of Critical Minerals from Mining Waste
The rising demand for critical materials essential to clean energy technologies—such as electric motors, wind turbines, and batteries—calls for innovative solutions in their efficient extraction and recycling. SiTration, a company rooted in MIT research, is answering this call with a revolutionary silicon membrane technology. Recently, SiTration secured $11.8 million in seed capital to scale its operations and deploy pilot systems with commercial partners.
At the heart of SiTration’s innovation are porous silicon membranes. These membranes, derived from silicon wafers akin to those in the semiconductor and solar industries, undergo a precise chemical treatment that etches microscopic pores into them. This process not only enhances the membranes’ durability and selectivity but also equips them to withstand harsh conditions while accurately extracting target materials from complex feed streams.
The functionality of these porous silicon membranes hinges on selective permeability. This means that only specific ions or molecules can pass through the membrane, effectively isolating desired metals from mixtures. This method eschews the use of harsh chemicals and significantly reduces energy consumption, presenting a stark contrast to traditional hydrometallurgical processes that are both chemically intensive and energy-demanding.
One of the standout features of SiTration's technology is its scalability. The membranes can be produced through a streamlined and cost-effective process, facilitating their deployment in large-scale industrial applications.
Dr. Brendan Smith, co-founder of SiTration, highlights this point, stating, "Techno-economic analyses indicate that the silicon membrane technology is capable of processing the full output of a large mining site using an amount of silicon equivalent to a mid-sized solar farm."
The global market for critical materials has experienced both turbulence and dynamism. According with IEA In 2023, despite robust demand growth driven by clean energy applications, the market size for energy transition minerals contracted by 10% to $325 billion. This contraction stemmed from significant price declines in key materials like lithium, nickel, cobalt, and graphite. However, projections for 2024 are optimistic, with total material revenues expected to rise by 8%, reaching $75 billion.
SiTration’s technology could be a game-changer in this recovery, offering a cost-effective and environmentally friendly solution to the critical materials supply chain. For example, in collaboration with Rio Tinto, SiTration is using its membrane technology to recover valuable metals from wastewater, turning waste streams into revenue sources.
Moreover, we must also consider the geopolitical dynamics and supply chain challenges that heavily influence the critical minerals market. Companies and countries must navigate these complexities to ensure a stable and secure supply. Regulatory frameworks, such as the US Inflation Reduction Act, which sets guidelines for sourcing critical minerals for electric vehicles, add another layer of complexity to the market.
🔸 Breaking the AI Frontier: Mistral AI’s $640M Funding Surge and Its Implications
The world of artificial intelligence (AI) is a fast-paced and competitive landscape, where new contenders continually rise to challenge the established giants. One such emerging force is Mistral AI, a Paris-based startup that's made waves by securing a staggering $640 million in a Series B funding round. This remarkable financial boost has propelled its valuation to a notable $6 billion, signaling a growing investor appetite for AI technologies and underscoring the fierce race to develop leading-edge AI models.
Mistral AI is not just another startup in the AI arena. Founded by veterans from Meta and Google DeepMind, the company has swiftly progressed in crafting foundational AI models. These models are designed to stand toe-to-toe with the likes of OpenAI’s GPT-4, Anthropic’s Claude 3, and Meta’s Llama 3. Mistral AI offers both open-source models, such as Mistral 7B, and proprietary models like Mistral Large. The open-source models,