QCarbon, Inc.

from North Carolina State University
One-Liner

QCarbon Inc. develops and commercializes next-generation QCarbon materials for sustainable energy and computing.

Our breakthrough technology enables high-capacity EV batteries and ultra-efficient thermal management for GPUs and data centers.

Company Info

QCarbon Inc. is a deep-tech materials company pioneering the commercialization of QCarbon—a newly discovered phase of carbon stronger than diamond—for clean-energy and high-performance electronic systems.

Critical Market Challenges

  • Energy Storage
    Lithium-ion batteries rely on scarce, costly materials. Emerging sodium-ion batteries are more sustainable but limited by low-capacity hard-carbon anodes.
  • High-Performance Computing
    GPUs and AI processors generate extreme heat that copper/graphite cooling cannot efficiently manage, capping performance and raising energy use.

QCarbon Solutions

  • QCarbon Anode for Batteries
    >500 mAh/g capacity, 10-minute fast charging, >5,000 cycles, and superior thermal stability—unlocking low-cost, high-performance sodium-ion batteries for EVs and grid storage.
  • QCarbon Thermal Management System
    Thin films delivering 2,000–2,500 W/m·K thermal conductivity5–6× higher than copper—enabling superior GPU cooling and extended device life.

With sustainable materials, scalable manufacturing, and strong IP from North Carolina State University, QCarbon Inc. is positioned to redefine performance in both trillion-dollar markets: energy storage and high-performance computing.

Team Members

Leadership & Advisory Team

  • Prof. Nixon Patel – Founder & CEO
    Seasoned deep-tech entrepreneur with 30+ years in quantum computing, AI, and advanced materials. Founded multiple startups, filed 12+ patents, and developed India’s first commercial Quantum Memory Box.
  • Prof. Jagdish Narayan – Co-Chairperson & Scientific Co-Founder
    Distinguished Professor at North Carolina State University and inventor of QCarbon. Holds 50+ patents and has published over 1,000 papers in materials science.
  • Bill Whisenhunt – Chief Product Advisor
    Expert in semiconductor and device manufacturing, guiding prototype-to-production transition.
  • Vipul Mankad – CFO Advisor
    Former investment banker specializing in deep-tech and energy ventures, advising on financial strategy and investor relations.

This team combines world-class scientific innovation, proven entrepreneurial execution, and commercialization expertise to drive QCarbon from lab to global markets.

Go-To-Market Strategy

QCarbon Inc. pursues a two-track go-to-market strategy focused on direct commercialization and strategic partnerships across energy storage and electronics.

Energy Storage Track

  • Partner with battery OEMs and EV manufacturers to integrate QCarbon Anodes into sodium-ion and lithium-ion cells.
  • Joint validation with U.S. and India R&D centers and university partners.
  • Near-term milestone: Prototype testing and sample supply for pilot EV modules by 2026.

Electronics & GPU Track

  • Engage semiconductor and data-center companies to deploy QCarbon Thermal Management Systems.
  • Target GPU manufacturers, AI chip designers, and packaging providers for joint evaluation.

Commercialization Roadmap

  • Pilot production facility setup (2025–2026)
  • Joint validation and field testing with OEMs
  • Technology licensing, royalties, and material supply agreements

This partnership-driven approach accelerates market entry while retaining strong IP control and flexibility across both sectors.

Revenue Generation

QCarbon Inc. employs a hybrid revenue model combining licensing, material sales, and joint ventures for diversified, high-margin growth.

Revenue Streams

  • Licensing & Royalties
    Upfront technology-transfer fees and ongoing royalties from manufacturing partners in battery and semiconductor sectors.
  • High-Value Material Sales
    Direct supply of QCarbon anodes and thermal interface layers from pilot facility for prototyping and early commercial runs.
  • Co-Development & Joint Ventures
    Milestone payments, shared IP, and equity participation with large OEMs in batteries, EVs, and chips.
  • Long-Term Service Agreements
    Ongoing process support, quality assurance, and customization services post-adoption.

Low production costs (room-temperature synthesis, no rare materials) paired with premium performance enable strong margins and sustainable recurring revenue.

Benefits From Showcase

Investment Opportunity

QCarbon Inc. is seeking $5 million in Seed-to-Series A funding to accelerate commercialization of its patented QCarbon platform in EV batteries, energy storage, and GPU thermal management.

This capital will enable pilot production, third-party validation, and early commercial agreements by 2026—positioning QCarbon in two trillion-dollar markets.

Use of Proceeds

Allocation Percentage Purpose
Pilot Manufacturing 40% Establish small-scale production facility for thin films, anodes, and thermal substrates, including equipment and process automation.
Product Validation & Partnerships 25% Full-cell battery testing and GPU thermal trials with OEMs, national labs, and academic partners.
IP Expansion & Certification 15% File new patents and complete performance, safety, and environmental certifications.
Business Development & Scale-Up 20% Strengthen partnerships, supply chain, and investor relations for early adoption.
Technology Assesment

QCarbon Inc. has progressed from scientific discovery to early-stage commercialization readiness with two validated product lines built on its exclusively licensed QCarbon platform from North Carolina State University.

Core Technology

Proprietary laser-based process synthesizes QCarbon at room temperature, producing uniform thin films, strips, and coatings with exceptional hardness and thermal conductivity.

Energy Storage Product

  • QCarbon Anodes for sodium-ion batteries
  • Demonstrated >500 mAh/g reversible capacity and stable cycling
  • Next phase: Full-cell validation with partners for fast-charging and long-life performance

Thermal Management Product

  • QCarbon thin films integrated with silicon, sapphire, or AlN substrates
  • Independent testing confirms 2,000–2,500 W/m·K conductivity (5–6× copper)
  • Functions as advanced heat spreaders and interface layers for GPUs and semiconductors

Current focus: Pilot-scale fabrication and joint validation projects targeting manufacturing readiness by 2026.

Money Received

QCarbon Inc. is currently self-funded by the founders to support early R&D, proof-of-concept, and prototype development.

No external grants, angel, or venture funding received to date.

The company is now preparing for its first institutional investment round to scale pilot production and commercialization.

Additional Features
Top-Level Category