I am mentoring an entrepreneurial team out of Canada that is working to find commercial applications for carbon fiber that can be made from waste oil. They are part of a program run by Avatar that brings in employees from the energy industry and teaches them entrepreneurial approaches, design thinking, business model innovation, etc...
https://www.compositesworld.com/new...ilsands-bitumen-into-high-value-carbon-fibers
In selecting market applications it turns out that the carbon fiber that is produced is not quite as strong as traditional CF but it can be MUCH cheaper (like 1/6th the cost). Sadly, I need to guide them towards larger markets -- like building materials / products -- but in the back of my mind I am thinking of cheap and good enough carbon fiber tubes and sheets for MPR/HPR rockets...
https://www.compositesworld.com/new...ilsands-bitumen-into-high-value-carbon-fibers
In selecting market applications it turns out that the carbon fiber that is produced is not quite as strong as traditional CF but it can be MUCH cheaper (like 1/6th the cost). Sadly, I need to guide them towards larger markets -- like building materials / products -- but in the back of my mind I am thinking of cheap and good enough carbon fiber tubes and sheets for MPR/HPR rockets...