PITCH for SBIR/STTR — Value Proposition Canvas

This project proposes the development of a novel process for producing nanodiamonds from coal—an abundant, low-cost, and domestically available carbon source. The approach leverages thermal and chemical transformation to convert coal into high-purity nanodiamond materials with tunable surface chemistry, targeting high-value markets in quantum computing, biomedicine, and industrial coatings.

Coal precursor sourcing pipeline; ball-mill mechanochemistry rig; surface-functionalization workflow; QA/spectroscopy stack (Raman, XRD, TEM); pilot-scale reactor design package.

• Lab-scale Raman/XRD confirmation of sp³ diamond phase (n=18 batches).
• Reproducibility study: ±3% phase purity across operators.
• Cost model validated against 3 coal feedstock vendors.
• 2 peer-reviewed publications in preparation.

Our process utilizes a non-detonation, coal-based synthesis pathway not yet commercialized in the nanodiamond space. The approach is modular, energy-efficient, and adaptable to multiple end-use specifications. Preliminary lab results confirm diamond-phase formation and early-stage purification.

Primary KPPs: (1) ≥95% diamond phase purity, (2) cost ≤ $50/g at 100g/batch, (3) tunable particle size 5–100 nm. Secondary KPPs: surface functionalization yield ≥80%, batch-to-batch CV <5%.

This project advances sustainable nanomaterials, valorizes underutilized domestic resources, and supports clean-tech entrepreneurship. The team's cross-disciplinary expertise in materials science, process engineering, and commercialization strategy ensures both technical depth and market alignment.

• Domestic, low-cost nanodiamond supply chain.
• Reduced reliance on detonation-synthesis imports.
• New IP portfolio licensable to 3+ industry verticals.
• Workforce development pipeline at partner universities.

Material companies that supply nanodiamonds

Support novel method to produce nanocrystalline diamond from low-cost precursors

• Detonation synthesis (Russia/China dominant) — high purity but environmental and supply-chain risk.
• HPHT growth — capital-intensive, limited to bulk diamond, not nano.
• CVD nanodiamond — high purity, high cost (~$500/g), low throughput.
• Our advance: low-cost coal feedstock + mechanochemistry, $50/g target at scale.

Nanocrystalline diamond (NCD) manufacturers are facing high costs, low purity, and excessive waste in their production processes, leading to increased expenses for stakeholders, including tool manufacturers, electronics industries, and biomedical applications. This situation threatens the competitiveness of domestic manufacturers against global counterparts, especially given the rising costs of raw materials and energy.