A new U.S. patent from the Energy & Environmental Research Center (EERC) is taking coal into uncharted territory by transforming it from a traditional fuel source into a resource for advanced materials.
The patent outlines a method of forming graphene quantum dots (GQDs) from coal. GQDs are tiny (nanoscale), one-dimensional particles with powerful optical and electronic properties. These adaptable materials combine some of the most desirable traits of both graphene and quantum dots, making them highly tunable for specific uses. Their photoluminescence, photostability, and low toxicity make GQDs a biocompatible alternative to traditional quantum dots—ideal for applications such as bioimaging, biosensing, photovoltaics, LEDs, anti-counterfeiting, and advanced optical systems.
This innovation has its roots in North Dakota’s State Energy Research Center (SERC) exploratory research program, designed to spark creative, fundamental research at the EERC. What began as a SERC project—a small, curiosity-driven investigation into the potential of coal beyond combustion—evolved into a patented process that could redefine how we think about this familiar carbon-rich resource.
The approach begins with cleaning and upgrading the coal material. The cleaned residue is reacted with carefully selected chemical agents, either oxidizing or reducing, to produce the upgraded coal precursor. From there, graphite, graphene films, and graphene quantum dots can be formed, unlocking a pathway from a bulk natural material to nanoscale products with extraordinary versatility.
“Coal is primarily carbon, and carbon is the foundation for materials like graphene,” said Alex Azenkeng, Distinguished Scientist, Critical Materials, and inventor of this technology. “Through this process, we’re taking something abundant and reimagining its value in a completely new way.”
While the patent marks a significant milestone, it’s only the beginning. Future research could expand into scaling up production to commercial quantities, customizing GQD properties, and partnering with industry to explore applications in energy, electronics, and biomedical sciences. It also joins a growing portfolio of patents that originated from SERC projects, underscoring the program’s role in transforming fundamental research into real-world solutions.