WEST LAFAYETTE — Researchers at Purdue University have discovered several technologies that support environmental protection, and some have been commercialized by startup companies. These technologies and companies include:

* Biowall. A Purdue technology draws air from the building through plants placed in a wall. The plants remove hazardous chemicals and the filtered air is recirculated through the building.

* A microgrid system to improve energy utilization at manufacturing facilities. A Purdue technology uses a smart microgrid system as part of a load management option to improve energy utilization.

* A process to use packing peanuts for energy storage applications. A Purdue technology heats packing peanuts, mixes them with a variety of elements to create a hybrid material whose high-surface area, texture and architecture could be used as energy storage for supercapacitors, lithium-ion batteries or sodium-ion batteries.

* A system that generates electricity from solar energy and heat. A Purdue technology generates electricity from solar energy and heat at a high efficiency up to 51 percent.

* Spero Energy Inc., which licenses a Purdue technology that could make biofuel production more efficient and creates high-value, renewable chemicals used in the flavor and fragrance industry.

For more information about licensable Purdue technologies, contact innovation@prf.org