Back in the days of the Cold War, the U.S. government launched DARPA, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, to jump-start military technology. Now the challenges are global warming and energy independence -- and the Department of Energy is tackling the new crises the same way: The Advanced Research Projects Agency -- Energy, or ARPA -- E, is funneling hundreds of millions of stimulus dollars into what it calls "high-risk, high-payoff" green-technology projects still in their infancy.
The agency, founded in 2007 but not funded until 2009, doled out $351 million between October and March, largely to companies and laboratories tackling early-stage grid tech, solar fuels, and energy-efficient lighting. In its latest wave of funding, in April, ARPA -- E announced grants totaling $106 million to 37 ventures in disruptive biofuels, batteries, and carbon capture. While large corporations including GE and Applied Materials were among the grantees, less familiar names were also on the winners list. Here are three promising projects funded in the April round.
To read the full, original article click on this link: Making Some Eco Bets | Fast Company
Author: Camille Ricketts
