The global copper shortage is about to get a lot smaller thanks to Arcturus, who’ve found a way to infuse carbon nanomaterials into copper and aluminum using lasers. This could halve electrical grid losses, potentially unlocking 3% more electricity on average.

Their process replaces traditional copper with something that allows the same size power lines to carry more electricity. This isn’t just about bigger grids; it’s about making everything from drones to data centers run cooler and more efficiently. Imagine a world where every conductor is whispering less heat, and therefore humming louder.

Mashal, founder of Arcturus, says the material is designed as a drop-in replacement—same form factors, no redesign needed. With seed funding of $8 million, he plans to scale up production to test in various applications, including windings in electric motors and busbars in power distribution equipment.

While this breakthrough could mean lighter drones or more efficient EVs, the real game-changer might be how it reduces the colossal energy demands on data centers. After all, every industry has its bottlenecks, from flight time to graphics card overheating. Arcturus’ material could fundamentally disrupt these areas by making them cooler and more efficient.