Aaron Fitzgerald from Mars Materials

Energy Tech Startups

Turning CO₂ into carbon fiber sounds like science fiction, but Aaron Fitzgerald and the crew at Mars Materials are making it happen. Their process creates carbon-negative acrylonitrile, the stuff that goes into everything from sleek carbon fiber to water filters and high-tech textiles and they’re doing it with big-name partners like NREL and Shell. Aaron talks about reshoring carbon fiber production to the U.S., cutting carbon from supply chains, and what it takes to build a climate-driven company from the ground up. It’s a mix of chemistry, entrepreneurship, and a clear vision for a more sustainable future.

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Click here to view the episode transcript.
00:00 - Energy Tech Nexus
00:17 - Intro to Mars Materials
03:48 - Aaron’s Background in Energy
08:11 - Overview of Kairos Aerospace
10:46 - Understanding Acrylonitrile
14:33 - Acrylonitrile Production Process
17:29 - The Sohio Process Explained
22:04 - National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)
24:40 - Tech Transfer from National Labs
27:39 - Finding the Right Technology
29:26 - Carbon180 Overview
30:35 - Collaborating with Lawrence Livermore Lab
32:19 - EnergyTechNexus Insights
33:56 - LabStart Initiatives
35:37 - Request for Information (RFI) Explained
38:36 - Building a Business Deliberately
41:15 - Mars Materials Today and Future
48:30 - Fundraising Strategies
52:40 - What's Next for Mars Materials
54:45 - Erin's Shell Partnership Journey
57:16 - Shell's Support for Erin
1:00:11 - Wrapping Up and Final Thoughts
1:03:44 - How to Help Mars Materials
1:06:20 - Outro

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