Purpose

The vision of ProCatal Technologies is to develop an artificial metabolism (AM) platform that can be configured to produce any desired organic molecule from simple and abundant precursors using passive energy sources. One possible configuration would allow conversion of atmospheric carbon dioxide into practical compounds using solar radiation as an energy source (Figure 1.), but any number of other configurations are possible. Any carbon based compound could be used as a precursor, and any energy source—passive or otherwise—could drive the process. Different configurations will allow for the production of virtually any organic compound from the simplest precursors. This technology is an example of ex nihilo manufacturing that could be used to produce food, medications, textiles, building materials, or fuel.