US SiGNa alkalis target green chemicals market

03 July 2008 21:31  [Source: ICIS news]

By Doris de Guzman

NEW YORK (ICIS News)--Advanced materials company SiGNa Chemistry plans to develop its green chemistry materials in fuel cells and pollution prevention, the company’s CEO said on Thursday.

The New York-based start-up firm said its powdered nano-encapsulated alkali metals can remove pollutants from the environment as well as rapidly produce hydrogen for clean-energy applications.

“Our materials can destroy polychlorinated pollutants such as dioxins and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) as well as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), which are difficult to break down and dispose of,” said Michael Lefenfeld, SiGNa’s CEO, in an interview with ICIS.

“SiGNa’s non-pyrophoric powders can destroy these toxins either in a batch or in a continuous-flow process by converting their halogenated atoms, such as bromine, chlorine and fluorine, into harmless molecules,” he said.

For fuel cells, SiGNa’s materials can produce under 10 weight percent hydrogen without a catalyst, just by adding water, according to Lefenfeld.

“SiGNa’s powder will be a great source of emergency, single-use fuel-cell power such as battery packs for soldiers,” Lefenfeld said.

“The material is not recyclable or regenerable so it’s good as a back-up power in general,” he said.

Doris de Guzman examines alternative processing, new technology, R&D and other sustainability initiatives on the ICIS Green Chemicals blog
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By: Doris de Guzman
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