Monolithic metal-organic frameworks for advanced gas-phase filtration
Immaterial Ltd offers proprietary monolithic metal-organic framework (m-MOF) filtration media that selectively capture gas-phase compounds traditional filters cannot remove. Applications include military and first responder gas masks, civil aviation cabin air quality, indoor air purification, and industrial filtration, with proven results in lab trials and active commercial prototyping.
Overview
Immaterial Ltd is commercializing monolithic metal-organic frameworks (m-MOFs) for gas-phase filtration across military, civil aviation, indoor air quality, and industrial applications. MOFs are fully synthetic nano-porous materials built from metal atoms linked by organic ligands to form three-dimensional crystal matrices with extremely high surface areas, enabling selective removal of specific compounds from complex gas mixtures. Immaterial's proprietary technology produces MOFs as macroscopic crystals, making them practical to integrate into filter systems for the first time. The company's materials have demonstrated the ability to remove challenging compounds that conventional filtration media cannot address, positioning m-MOFs as a next-generation solution for advanced air purification needs.
Technical specifications
Key features:
- Ultra-high surface area: MOF crystal matrices achieve surface areas up to 8 km² per gram, maximizing adsorption capacity
- Macroscopic monolithic form: Proprietary process engineering produces dense, stable MOF structures suitable for real-world filter integration rather than fine powders
- Tunable selectivity: Material composition can be designed to target specific gas-phase compounds, including small molecule toxic industrial chemicals and odour-causing volatiles
- Machine learning-assisted discovery: Computational chemistry tools accelerate the design of novel MOFs for new target compounds
- Green chemistry synthesis: Manufacturing approach emphasizes environmental responsibility and scalability
- Filter-system agnostic: Materials can be supplied directly or integrated into appropriate filter formats depending on partner requirements
Applications include:
- Military and first responder gas masks for toxic industrial compounds
- Civil aviation cabin air quality, including odour removal
- Indoor air quality systems for commercial and residential settings
- Industrial gas-phase filtration for sector-specific challenges
Technology readiness level
Immaterial's m-MOF technology has progressed through successful lab trials and is currently in the prototyping phase with commercial partners across multiple application areas. The company's work on gas mask filtration for toxic industrial compounds has been funded since 2020 and is scheduled for commercialization in 2024. Funded projects in civil aviation and indoor air quality have also passed lab validation and are advancing through prototype development. Immaterial follows a structured two-route engagement process: existing materials may be supplied directly for testing when prior characterization applies, or novel materials can be computationally designed, synthesized, and provided for evaluation when new target compounds are introduced. The company is actively scaling manufacturing capabilities to support industrial-scale pilot deployments.
About Immaterial Ltd
Immaterial Ltd is a Cambridge, UK-based advanced materials and engineering company specializing in the development and deployment of monolithic metal-organic frameworks (m-MOFs). By combining proprietary material design with novel process engineering, the company creates ultra-dense, stable MOF structures that maintain high performance for industrial applications. Their technology platform, which incorporates machine learning-assisted material discovery and green chemistry, is designed to provide modular, scalable, and energy-efficient systems for complex gas separation and storage challenges.
The company focuses on decarbonization and industrial efficiency, offering solutions for carbon capture, hydrogen storage, air purification, and water harvesting. By providing bespoke materials optimized for specific use cases, Immaterial aims to reduce the footprint and operational costs of industrial systems, making decarbonization economically viable. Immaterial serves partners and customers across various industrial sectors and is currently scaling its manufacturing capabilities to support the implementation of its industrial-scale pilot projects.
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