From ARPA-E Innovation to Startup: The Origin of Carbon Plus Technology

The technology behind Carbon Plus Inc. was born out of a pioneering research project funded by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Advanced Research Projects Agency–Energy (ARPA-E). The original project, titled Electrothermal Conversion of Methane into Hydrogen and High-Value Carbon Fibers, with a total funding of $2,250,000, set out to transform methane, one of the most abundant and underutilized hydrocarbons, into two critical products: clean hydrogen fuel and low-cost carbon fibers.

The project developed an electrothermal conversion process that directly converts methane into hydrogen while simultaneously producing high-strength carbon fibers. Unlike conventional carbon fiber production, which relies heavily on costly polyacrylonitrile (PAN) precursors and energy-intensive furnaces, this method leveraged an electric shock-based process to achieve dramatic reductions in both cost and energy use.

The project demonstrated that this approach could cut carbon fiber production costs by more than half, while reducing energy consumption and emissions compared to existing methods. The dual benefit of generating clean hydrogen alongside advanced carbon materials also positioned the technology as a potential game-changer for decarbonization across multiple sectors, from mobility to infrastructure and energy storage.

After the initial ARPA-E project concluded, the team’s success led to additional ARPA-E Plus-Up funding of $750,000, which provided critical support for scaling the technology and laying the foundation for commercialization through Carbon Plus Inc.

Today, Carbon Plus is carrying this innovation forward, developing low-cost, multifunctional carbon fibers and carbon/carbon composites for a wide range of industries. What began as a bold research experiment under ARPA-E has evolved into a startup mission: enabling Carbon Fiber for broader industry adoption.

Read more about the original ARPA-E project here: Electrothermal Conversion of Methane into Hydrogen and High-Value Carbon Fibers

Carbon Plus Selected for UC Berkeley’s Cleantech to Market (C2M) Program

Carbon Plus Inc. is proud to announce its participation in the 2025 Cleantech to Market (C2M) program at UC Berkeley. C2M is a nationally recognized accelerator that pairs emerging cleantech startups with teams of MBA students, PhD scientists, and industry mentors to refine commercialization strategies and accelerate the path from lab to market.

The C2M cohort is highly selective, bringing together companies tackling some of the toughest challenges in energy, climate, and sustainability. Carbon Plus was chosen for its breakthrough in low-cost, methane-derived carbon fiber, which could reshape industries far beyond aerospace by making carbon fiber affordable for automotive, infrastructure, and clean energy applications.

Our technology slashes the cost of high-performance carbon fiber by 50–80%, reduces energy usage by nearly 80%, and opens the door to a wider range of industries, from fuel cells and additive manufacturing to automotive and mobility.

Through the C2M program, Carbon Plus will:

• Engage with industry experts and customers to validate market needs.

• Refine go-to-market strategies and identify beachhead markets.

• Explore strategic partnerships with companies across the automotive, energy, and advanced manufacturing sectors.

“C2M gives us a unique opportunity to sharpen our commercialization plan with direct input from industry and investors,” said Canhui Wang, CEO of Carbon Plus. “Our mission is to make advanced carbon fiber both affordable and sustainable, enabling adotpion far beyond aerospace, and this program is a key step toward scaling that vision.”

Participation in C2M builds on Carbon Plus’s strong momentum following recent ARPA-E funding, state support, and industry interest from leading corporations across automotive, materials, and energy.

We’re excited to work with the C2M team to accelerate the deployment of next-generation carbon fiber and composites, enabling lighter, stronger, and more sustainable products for industries worldwide.

Carbon Plus Inc. with partner universities receive $750,000 ARPA-E plus up funding

Carbon Plus Inc., partners with prestigious academic institutions - Johns Hopkins University, Georgia Institute of Technology, and the University of Maryland - has been awarded a substantial plus up funding of $750,000 from the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E). This injection of funds is earmarked for the commercialization of a revolutionary low-cost, eco-friendly, and energy-efficient carbon fiber.

The generous grant from ARPA-E, a renowned agency known for supporting advanced energy research, underscores the potential of this project to make a substantial impact in the carbon fiber industry. The funding will accelerate the development and commercialization of this cutting-edge technology, bringing it closer to widespread industrial application. Carbon Plus Inc. and its university partners are poised to lead the way for more sustainable and efficient manufacturing processes for carbon fibers. This project not only promises to deliver a lower cost product but also demonstrates a commitment to innovation, collaboration, and environmental stewardship.