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New research lab opens in University of Houston's tech transfer facility

seeing green

A national research institute recently opened a new lab and outpost adjacent to the University of Houston's campus. Photo via UH.edu

A national organization has opened a new Houston outpost at a local university campus.

The Electrochemical Safety Research Institute, or ESRI, of UL Research Institutes opened the doors to a new laboratory in Houston in November. The new space was established to further research renewable energy technologies.

“As the world transitions from fossil fuels to sustainable energy, we are working with research teams across several organizations to lay the scientific groundwork for safe and reliable energy storage alternatives,” says Judy Jeevarajan, ESRI’s executive director, in a news release. “Since several of our research partners are based in Houston, the natural progression was to open our own laboratory in the area.”

The lab is housed in the University of Houston Technology Bridge, a startup park next to the university’s main campus. A team of ESRI’s research scientists will have access to explore the safety and performance of renewable energy technologies. Per the release, ESRI already has ongoing projects with UH within hydrogen research, solid-state batteries, and the synthesis of magnesium-ion separators.

“We are significantly expanding both our capacity and scope to better meet today’s increasingly urgent safety challenges,” says Christopher J. Cramer, ULRI’s chief research officer. “Our new Houston facility is one element of that expansion. The lab will strengthen the synergies between ESRI and our research partners in the area and accelerate scientific discoveries to help create a safer, more sustainable world.”

The facility will also act as a homebase for all Houston-area collaborations. Per the release, the new lab "will also facilitate ESRI’s research partnership with Rice University on lithium-ion cell recycling and the research institute’s work with NASA’s Johnson Space Center on thermal runaway mitigation and micro-USB lithium-ion battery safety." The organization also collaborates with Houston-based Stress Engineering Services Inc.

“We’re delighted to welcome the Electrochemical Safety Research Institute to its new home in Houston,” says Chris Taylor, executive director of the Office of Technology Transfer and Innovation at the University of Houston, in the release. “Together, we can build upon our research culture of collaboration as we pursue innovations for the greater good.”

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This article originally ran on InnovationMap.

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Katy-based US Silica agrees to go private in $1.85B acquisition by asset management firm

M&A move

U.S. Silica has agreed to go private in an all-cash acquisition by Apollo Global Management, a New York asset management firm that primarily invests in alternative assets. The deal values the industrial minerals company at about $1.85 billion.

In a Friday announcement, U.S. Silica said that shareholders would receive $15.50 in cash for each share owned as of the deal's closing. Once the deal closes, U.S. Silica's stock will no longer be listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

Founded in the late 1800s, U.S. Silica produces commercial silica used in the oil and gas industry and other industrial applications. It operates 26 mines and processing facilities and two additional exploration stage properties.

The Katy, Texas-based company is still set to operate under the U.S. Silica name and brand, and will continue to be led by its current CEO Bryan Shinn. In a prepared statement, Shinn said that partnering with Apollo will give U.S. Silica “significant resources, deep industry expertise and enhanced flexibility as a private company."

U.S. Silica said that the transaction — which has been unanimously approved by its board of directors — is expected to close in the third quarter, subject to regulatory approval and other customary conditions.

The agreement also includes a 45-day “go-shop” period that allows U.S. Silica to seek out other proposals until June 10.

Shares of U.S. Silica Holdings Inc. climbed nearly 20 percent Friday morning, shortly after the company reported net income of $13.7 million for its first quarter. The commercial silica producer posted revenue of $325.9 million in the period.

Apollo Global Management's stock was up about 0.18 percent.

From events to a new climate-focused report, here are three things to know in Houston energy transition news

take note

Editor's note: Dive headfirst into the new week with three quick things to catch up on in Houston's energy transition: a roundup of events not to miss, a new study puts a dollar sign to Texas' disasters per capita, and three organizations are teaming up for an August event.

When it comes to weather-related events, Texas is expensive

Texas — home to everything from tornadoes to hurricanes — cracks the top 10 of a new report ranking states based on impact from weather-related events.

SmartAsset's new report factored in a myriad of data from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to identify which states face the most financial risk due to various weather events. In the report, the states were ranked by the total expected annual financial losses per person. Texas ranked at No. 10. In Texas, the total expected annual loss per person is estimated as $283.15. Click here to see that figure broken down.

3 organizations in Houston receive funding for DOE-backed programming

Later this year, a Wells Fargo Foundation-backed event that's co-administered by the United States Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory will feature programming from three Houston organizations.

The Wells Fargo Innovation Incubator, a $50 million program, announced its eighth cycle of IN2 Channel Partner Strategic Awards. The program is distributing $767,000 across 15 organizations within the Channel Partner network to create impactful workshops at the upcoming Camp Cleantech event in August at CSU Spur in Denver, Colorado.

Houston-based Rice Alliance Clean Energy Accelerator, as well as Activate Global and Greentown Labs, which each have Houston locations, have been named among the awards recipients. The organizations will present workshops aimed at providing critical tools and insights for clean tech startups. Read more about the event and grants.

Events not to miss

Put these Houston-area energy-related events on your calendar.

  • Center for Houston’s Future and the Houston Energy Transition Initiative present a panel and attendee Q&A on Wednesday, May 1, from 9 to 11 a.m. at Partnership Tower 701 Avenida de las Americas, Suite 900. The program will be on the National Petroleum Council’s new report on hydrogen: “Harnessing Hydrogen: A Key Element of the U.S. Energy Future.” Register.
  • Offshore Technology Conference returns to Houston May 6 to 9. Register.
  • Greentown Houston's next Transition on Tap, a monthly networking event, is Wednesday, May 8. Register.
  • The University of Houston is hosting a professional-level course focused on hydrogen. The course is open for registration now, and the orientation event will take place on May 15. Learn more.

Texas lands in top 10 states expected to be most financially affected by weather events

new report

Texas — home to everything from tornadoes to hurricanes — cracks the top 10 of a new report ranking states based on impact from weather-related events.

SmartAsset's new report factored in a myriad of data from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to identify which states face the most financial risk due to various weather events. In the report, the states were ranked by the total expected annual financial losses per person. Texas ranked at No. 10.

"With a variety of environmental events affecting the wide stretch of the United States, each state is subject to its own risks," reads the report. "Particularly, tornadoes, wildfires, hurricanes, flooding, landslides, lightning and drought, among other events, can cause damage to buildings, agriculture and individuals alike. When considering insurance, residents and business owners in each state should account for historic and projected losses due to environmental events in their financial plans."

In Texas, the total expected annual loss per person is estimated as $283.15. The report broke down each weather event as follows:

  • Coastal flooding: $1.49
  • Drought: $3.48
  • Earthquake: $1.71
  • Heat wave: $8.16
  • Hurricane: $89.22
  • Riverine flooding: $66.05
  • Strong wind: $5.37
  • Tornado: $71.04
  • Wildfire: $8.26
  • Winter weather: $1.96
Louisiana ranked as No. 1 on the list with $555.55 per person. The state with the lowest expected loss per person from weather events was Ohio with only $63.89 estimated per person.


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