Nanostellar

About Nanostellar

Nanostellar operates as a materials science company focused on developing nano-engineered catalysts for emissions control, primarily targeting the automotive and stationary power industries. The firm was established in 2003 by a team that includes scientists from Stanford University and NASA Ames: William Miller, a former Stanford Provost and CEO of SRI International; Kyeongjae "K.J." Cho, a Stanford scientist; and Jonathan Woo, who serves as CTO. The company's inception was driven by the commercial potential of Dr. Cho's method for studying materials at the atomic level, which was originally used by semiconductor companies like Intel and Texas Instruments.

The core of Nanostellar's business is its proprietary "Rational Catalyst Design" methodology. This process utilizes computational nanoscience and quantum mechanics simulations to model the surface chemistry of nano-materials, which significantly accelerates the development of new catalytic alloys. By replacing time-intensive laboratory experiments with computational cycles, the company can design and test new materials more rapidly. This approach enables the creation of catalysts that reduce harmful exhaust emissions, such as nitrogen oxides (NOx) and carbon monoxide, while increasing the effectiveness of the precious metals used.

Nanostellar's primary clients are automotive manufacturers and their catalyst suppliers. The company generates revenue by supplying these advanced catalyst materials for use in catalytic converters. A significant milestone was the development of its NS Gold™ catalyst, which incorporates gold alongside traditional platinum and palladium. This tri-metal formulation was developed to reduce the reliance on more expensive platinum, thereby lowering the cost of catalytic converters while improving performance in reducing noxious emissions by up to 30%. The first generation of products was commercialized in 2006, and by 2011, its gold-based catalyst was in production with a major European diesel car manufacturer. The company has also explored materials like mullite as a lower-cost alternative to platinum. Over its history, Nanostellar has secured significant venture funding from investors including 3i Group, Khosla Ventures, and the World Gold Council.