novoMOF is a technology company in the field of advanced materials with focus on synthesis and production of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs).
Our improved continuous process technology allows the production of metal-organic frameworks:
- In large quantities
- In a cost-efficient and scalable manner
- While ensuring consistent high quality
Producing any MOF at the speed, scale and quality you require.
novoMOF is a technology company in the field of advanced materials with focus on synthesis and production of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs).
Our improved continuous process technology allows the production of metal-organic frameworks:
- In large quantities
- In a cost-efficient and scalable manner
- While ensuring consistent high quality
WHAT ARE MOFS?
Simply put, metal-organic frameworks are compounds of metal ions and organic molecules that form structured frameworks. These advanced materials can be compared with sponges with unique abilities – being able to take-up, hold and release molecules from their pores. Therefore, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are the fastest growing class of materials in chemistry today. By fast, we mean more than 20 000 MOFs have been found in the last 20 years.
With a highly-ordered framework of pores, metal-organic frameworks exhibit the largest surface areas per gram known to man – one gram of MOF can have a surface area comparable to a FIFA soccer field. that is up to 7 000m2/g of MOF material. The large surface area offers more space for chemical reactions and adsorption of molecules. But this is not the only reason for the growing engagement of industries and academia towards metal-organic frameworks. The building blocks of the framework – metals and organic linkers – can be combined in almost infinite ways to create novel materials. Therefore, unique structural characteristics can be achieved by tuning the basic materials according to their specified application. As a rule of thumb, MOFs outperform other materials by a factor of 10.
Success stories of MOFs:
Battery:
Metal-organic frameworks find use in electronic devices such as batteries and powerbanks. MOFs are employed to fabricate novel electrodes and electrolyte composites. Charging times of such batteries are reduced to minutes. For instance, an iPhone could be fully charged in less than 10 minutes with a battery based on MOFs.
Automotive and toxic gas storage:
Due to their low densities while offering high surface areas, MOFs are employed for gas storage such as natural gas or toxic gases (e.g. arsine). The gas molecules are stacked inside the pores and interact with the surface of the pores. This additional adsorption effect inside the pores increases significantly the amount of gas that is stored in a gas container.
Shelf life of fruits and vegetable:
Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are used as adsorbents and release system for food preservatives. The food quality and lifetime of packaged food can be prolonged and food waste consequently reduced by MOF-based packaging solutions.
APPLICATIONS OF MOF
A WIDE VARIETY OF FUNCTIONALITIES ARE POSSIBLE
- Drug Delivery (e.g. slow release of target molecules)
- Removal of toxic and hazardous substances (e.g. chemical warfare agents)
- Heat transformation (e.g. adsorption heat pumps)
- Respiratory systems (e.g. gas masks)
- Water treatment (e.g. heavy metal removal)
Adsorption - binding of molecules on a surface - can be used to separate mixtures in liquid or gaseous media into their individual components. Metal-organic frameworks enhance the efficiency of membranes and filters by enlarging the available surface area that binds molecules. Applications can be:
- Compressed gases (e.g. natural gas, hydrogen, etc.)
- Toxic and reactive gas systems (e.g. via sub-atmospheric storage systems)
- Carbon capture and sequestration (CCS)
Several applications for gas can be improved by MOFs through their specific characteristics:
- Electronics
- Batteries (e.g. electrodes, electrolytes, etc.)
- Optoelectronic devices (e.g. solar cells)
- Additives
Metal-organic frameworks offer new possibilities to solve conductivity problems by forming electrodes and electrolyte composites. These can be applied in various applications to improve conductivity. Applications are:
- Quality control (e.g. moisture control)
- Food storage (e.g. suppression of ripening agents)
- Shelf life management (e.g. triggered release of ripening agents)
- Delievery of agrochemicals (e.g. triggered release of fertilizers etc.)
To enhance the various parts of the food industry, MOFs can be used in a wide spectrum of applications. Applications can be:
- Catalytic support and immobilization
- Encapsulation of catalytic active species
- Unprecedented selectivity and activity
By tuning the structure and the base materials, MOFs can support catalysis and improve reactivities towards a desired product. Possible applications are:
- Gas/vapor and small molecule detection
- Luminescence (e.g. scintillation)
- Medical diagnostics
- Explosive detection
The porous structures of the MOFs make it possible to separate molecules and thus offer sensoring & detection opportunities. Depending on the substance to be detected, the structure of the MOFs are fine tuned by using different base materials. Applications can be:
- Separation (e.g. hydrocarbons, CO2, O2, H2, NH3, H2S, toxics, etc.)
- Purification
- Impurity and odor removal
- Filtering (e.g. molecular sieves)
The highly porous structure of metal-organic frameworks make them well suited for various gas treatments. This includes e.g.:
- Additives
- Personal protection
- Chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) defense
MOFs can be used to upgrade textiles. Such upgraded textiles reduce odor or protect the wearer against harmful substances.
- Drug Delivery (e.g. slow release of target molecules)
- Removal of toxic and hazardous substances (e.g. chemical warfare agents)
- Heat transformation (e.g. adsorption heat pumps)
- Respiratory systems (e.g. gas masks)
- Water treatment (e.g. heavy metal removal)
Adsorption - binding of molecules on a surface - can be used to separate mixtures in liquid or gaseous media into their individual components. Metal-organic frameworks enhance the efficiency of membranes and filters by enlarging the available surface area that binds molecules. Applications can be:
- Compressed gases (e.g. natural gas, hydrogen, etc.)
- Toxic and reactive gas systems (e.g. via sub-atmospheric storage systems)
- Carbon capture and sequestration (CCS)
Several applications for gas can be improved by MOFs through their specific characteristics:
- Electronics
- Batteries (e.g. electrodes, electrolytes, etc.)
- Optoelectronic devices (e.g. solar cells)
- Additives
Metal-organic frameworks offer new possibilities to solve conductivity problems by forming electrodes and electrolyte composites. These can be applied in various applications to improve conductivity. Applications are:
- Quality control (e.g. moisture control)
- Food storage (e.g. suppression of ripening agents)
- Shelf life management (e.g. triggered release of ripening agents)
- Delievery of agrochemicals (e.g. triggered release of fertilizers etc.)
To enhance the various parts of the food industry, MOFs can be used in a wide spectrum of applications. Applications can be:
- Catalytic support and immobilization
- Encapsulation of catalytic active species
- Unprecedented selectivity and activity
By tuning the structure and the base materials, MOFs can support catalysis and improve reactivities towards a desired product. Possible applications are:
- Gas/vapor and small molecule detection
- Luminescence (e.g. scintillation)
- Medical diagnostics
- Explosive detection
The porous structures of the MOFs make it possible to separate molecules and thus offer sensoring & detection opportunities. Depending on the substance to be detected, the structure of the MOFs are fine tuned by using different base materials. Applications can be:
- Separation (e.g. hydrocarbons, CO2, O2, H2, NH3, H2S, toxics, etc.)
- Purification
- Impurity and odor removal
- Filtering (e.g. molecular sieves)
The highly porous structure of metal-organic frameworks make them well suited for various gas treatments. This includes e.g.:
- Additives
- Personal protection
- Chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) defense
MOFs can be used to upgrade textiles. Such upgraded textiles reduce odor or protect the wearer against harmful substances.
OUR SERVICES
SELECTION
Based on your MOF application and our knowledge on functionalities, we identify together the metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) needed.
EXPAND INNOVATION
CAPABILITIES.
SYNTHESIS
We synthesize any custom metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) that were selected or are specifically requested. You can test them for your application.
SAVE TIME AND RESOURCES.
PRODUCTION
We scale our production of your metal-organic framework according to your needs from grams to kilograms. You can leverage your application.
FOCUS ON MARKET ENTRY OF
YOUR PRODUCT.
WHAT OUR CUSTOMERS SAY
“NovoMOF supplied materials in support of our ongoing development efforts. The service was excellent and gave good value for money and on top of that the materials were very competitive in our benchmark!”
Senior R&D Scientist at the Dow Chemical Company
“Questions on metal-organic frameworks? NovoMOF AG has the answers! Efficient, friendly and very competitive! “
Chief Scientific Officer at Econimo-Drive AG
“We are pleased with novoMOF’s products and services. They’ve been quite helpful in regards to questions about specifications and pricing among other things.”
Marketing Supervisor at an international chemical corporation
“Great value in the people and expertise provided by novoMOF AG on the research of MOF as adsorbent material for water purification.”
Senior Scientist and Head of Analytical Chemistry Group at De Nora Industries S.A.
COMPANY
Founded in February 2017 at the Paul Scherrer Institut, the largest research institute for natural and engineering sciences within Switzerland, we have access to latest technology and highly qualified personnel. The team from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich (ETH Zurich), the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI), École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) and Fachhochschule Nordwestschweiz (FHNW) has profound synthetic and technology expertise on metal-organic frameworks and is supported by a distinguished set of scientific advisors and board members.
Daniel Steitz
CEO & Co-founder
MSc ETH in Chemical and
Bioengineering
Dr. Gerald Bauer
CTO
Ph.D. EPFL in Chemistry
MSc in Technical Chemistry
Niklas Bauer
Marketing Manager
BSc in Betriebsökonomie
MSc in International Management
Are you ready to start your MOF journey?