Energy Exploration Technology (EnergyX) and ProfMOF announced a partnership to promote Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) and lithium-ion production and battery storage on a massive scale.

ProfMOF is a world leader in the research and development of the MOF application. It partnered with EnergyX, which uses MOFs in their Lithium-Ion Transport and Separation Technology (LITAS) to reduce the environmental impact of lithium mining. Reducing the ecological impact of lithium mining is an essential step to make lithium more cost-effective and abundant.

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What is Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs)?

MOFs are organic-inorganic hybrid crystalline porous materials made of metal ions linked together by organic linker molecules. It gained increased attention due to its unique features, including tunable pore sizes, structures, and large specific surface areas that may be controlled. Experts have plugged MOFs as the future that would address some problematic applications and has the potential to improve the efficiency and environmental impacts of various industries.

The material is known for its properties: it has a dense and malleable material from metal nodes such as zirconium or titanium. It is linked together by organic carboxylic ligands, a remarkable surface area, and tunable pore sizes. Its crystalline structures can target and extract lithium or other salt species from brine.

The material is used in various applications such as gas adsorption and separation and hydrogen storage. Recent studies also describe MOF as battery electrode materials that may be used in lithium-ion and lithium-sulfur batteries.

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EnergyX, a global leader in scientific innovations on lithium extraction and battery storage

EnergyX is a technology company that develops scientific changes in lithium extraction and solid-state battery energy storage systems. The company aims to take the lead in the global transition to sustainable energy. It is eyeing lithium as a pivotal component to fulfill the said goal and thus seeks to improve the extraction and production of lithium with its production partners.

Lithium-ion batteries are currently used in full applications such as mobile phones, laptop computers, portable electronic devices, robots, pure electric cars, and hybrid electric cars. The battery is used for these modern devices because of its high energy density, lightweight, and low pollution properties.

ProfMOF, a global leader in MOF research and innovation

ProfMOF has nearly two decades of experience in MOF research and development, making it one of the leading MOF research and innovation labs in the world. The company was founded in the University of Oslo, and its founder, Dr. Karl Petter Lillerud, developed the most cited MOF in the world: UiO-66. The company houses an executive team that is the foremost expert in the field of Metal-Organic Framework and believes that MOFs will pave the way to a more efficient and environmentally-friendly industrial sector.

The partnership

According to EnergyX CEO Teague Egan, "MOFs have properties that we have never seen before, and EnergyX is partnering with the MOF world leaders to harness these powers. By creating more lithium and energy storage, thus reducing the intermittency of renewable power, we can have a great impact."

ProfMOF CEO Einar Eiltersen said they are glad they EnergyX share their vision. Their company has always wanted to create lasting partnerships with companies that believe that MOF technology can make a difference and revolutionize industries. He added that "this partnership will bridge academia with technology, innovation, and energy in a way that highlights the versatility of MOF technology and its potential as a world-changer."

According to Egan, the partnership showcases how global cooperation among sectors is necessary to find workable environmental-friendly solutions for future generations.

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