Developing premium carbon products, like those used in electronic equipment and instrumentation, is the primary goal of a new consortium that has the backing of $3.75 million from the U.S. Department of Energy over the next five years.
The Consortium for Premium Carbon Products from Coal will explore methods of producing graphite, an important component in electronic equipment, instrumentation and electrodes. Other areas under consideration include the manufacture of carbon micro beads for use in batteries.
A government, industry and university initiative, the consortium is a joint project of Penn State's Energy Institute in the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences and the Department of Chemical Engineering at West Virginia University.
Another focus of the consortium is development of non-fuel uses for anthracite coal, an abundant resource in Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Anthracite is considered an underused coal in the United States.
The consortium will explore the complete spectrum of research and development, from inception in the research laboratory through commercialization by the private sector of advanced carbon products from coal.
The group currently has 36 industrial members and six university participants. The industry members agree to supply 50 percent cost-sharing on the projects and retain ownership of the research.
In addition to the $3.75 million supplied by the Department of Energy, there is the potential for another $3 million in matching funds. The program's start-up funding in 1998 was $557,872, intended to secure the support and involvement of the private sector. Total funding for the project is expected to top $7.3 million over the next five years.