Description

Join us at ETEC in person or virtually on Friday, August 21, 2026, for a special showcase highlighting the entrepreneurs and emerging technologies coming through Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s Innovation Crossroads program.

No registration is necessary for in-person attendance.

Register in advance for the ETEC meeting virtually:  https://tennessee.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUrd-CgrDMiHNTsDsHqH0FyubCh2ys57LzH#/registration

For more information about ETEC’s weekly meetings, click here.

Visit the Find Us page for the meeting location, address, and map.

Innovation Crossroads is a Department of Energy Lab-Embedded Entrepreneurship Program node that connects promising energy and advanced manufacturing entrepreneurs with ORNL’s world-class researchers, facilities, technical expertise, mentors, and industry networks to help move innovative technologies from the lab to the marketplace.

At ETEC, we’ll hear directly from six Innovation Crossroads entrepreneur-fellows — three from the 2025 cohort and three from the 2026 cohort. They’ll share their technologies, entrepreneurial journeys, and the work they’re doing to develop solutions with the potential to strengthen U.S. competitiveness and contribute to East Tennessee’s growing innovation ecosystem.

Since its first cohort in 2017, Innovation Crossroads has supported more than 51 startups, with more than half remaining in the region. Together, those companies have generated more than $100 million in sales revenue and attracted $326.8 million in follow-on funding.

Come meet the innovators working at the intersection of energy, advanced manufacturing, and entrepreneurship — and get a firsthand look at the technologies that could shape the future of our region and beyond.

All ETEC members and their guests are welcome to attend in person or virtually.

Cohort 2025:

Helen Banner | ALGENOVAS is developing algae-based biocomposites that transform wastewater-grown algae and regionally sourced agricultural waste into sustainable, carbon-sequestering materials. The fully biodegradable composites offer strong mechanical performance and can be tailored for different applications through fabrication and material-processing techniques. The technology provides a locally manufacturable alternative to petroleum-based plastics and traditional wood composites, with initial applications in cosmetics packaging and future opportunities in furniture and non-structural construction materials. Banner holds a Ph.D. in Bioengineering and brings a multidisciplinary background in engineering, design, advanced manufacturing, and technology development, with a focus on creating sustainable solutions to global environmental challenges. 

Brian Washington | AluminAiry is developing mechanically refuellable aluminum-air generator systems that provide reliable, low-cost energy using widely available scrap and recycled aluminum. The technology enables automated refueling, flushing, and resealing, allowing for near-continuous energy generation without the manual maintenance required by traditional aluminum-air batteries. The system produces aluminum trihydrate as a carbon-free byproduct, creating opportunities for a circular approach to energy generation and aluminum waste management. Washington holds a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, where his research focused on improving air electrode performance for aluminum-air energy systems. He is the founder and CEO of AluminAiry, which is developing applications for stationary, portable, off-grid, and backup power systems.

Viktor Zenkov | Effusio is developing IOCOOL, a patent-pending two-phase liquid cooling system designed to make cooling high-performance computing and other energy-intensive systems more efficient. The technology combines vapor compression and absorption refrigeration in a compact, water-free design that can be retrofitted into existing systems. Computational models predict energy consumption reductions of 40–70% compared to traditional cooling systems. Zenkov is a computer scientist and PhD candidate at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, with research experience spanning machine learning, microbiology, chemistry, cybersecurity, and high-performance computing. As cofounder and COO of Effusio, he brings his interdisciplinary technical background to advancing the company’s thermal management technology for data centers and other high-performance applications.

Cohort 2026:

Eric Heikkenen | NXT MFG is developing a new metal 3D printing platform that makes it faster, cheaper and easier to manufacture large, complex metal parts. This system combines lower-cost hardware with intelligent software that automates much of the manufacturing process, reducing the need for specialized expertise. The platform uses a unique wire-feed approach and real-time process monitoring to improve production efficiency and part quality. Heikkenen is a mechanical engineer who earned his PhD from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. He specializes in large-scale metal additive manufacturing and advanced welding-based deposition processes.

Erick Hoegberg | DiNeu Technologies is developing a technology that provides faster, lower-cost monitoring of alpha-emitting radioactive materials to support nuclear safety, security and isotope production. Its diamond-based sensor system can accurately identify radioactive elements and specific isotopes in liquid samples, providing near-real-time measurements for processing, disposal, quality control and nuclear security. The system has received more than $2.9 million in funding through DOE’s ARPA-E program and the Y-12 National Security Complex and has attracted interest from national laboratories, private companies, and academic researchers. By delivering faster, more affordable measurements than current methods, the company aims to improve the safe and efficient management of nuclear materials. Hoegberg earned his doctorate in nuclear engineering from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. His research focused on developing advanced radiation detection systems that advance the DOE mission across its portfolio.

Marton Krivan | Aquafer Technologies develops water treatment materials that work with existing municipal and residential treatment systems to remove per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), often called "forever chemicals." Its patent-pending approach is easier and less expensive to adopt than many newer alternatives while providing longer-lasting, broad protection against more than 1,000 PFAS compounds. The technology has been successfully tested in real-world settings and is supported by an exclusive worldwide license and National Science Foundation certification for drinking water applications. Krivan is the manufacturing lead at Aquafer Technologies and a graduate of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville in industrial engineering.

Special thanks to Navarro for sponsoring all 
ETEC Friday Morning Meetings in August.