Arcturus aims to slash grid energy waste with nano-infused copper

The company’s process improves copper and aluminum by integrating carbon nanomaterials, allowing existing power line dimensions to carry significantly higher electrical loads. According to founder and CEO Amir Mashal, this technology addresses the inherent physics of metal, which loses conductivity as it heats up. By mitigating heat waste, Arcturus claims the material could unlock 3% more electricity on average, reaching up to 10% during peak congestion—effectively providing a year’s worth of U.S. demand growth without laying new lines.

Arcturus recently secured $8 million in seed funding led by Initialized Capital, with backing from Toyota Ventures, Breakthrough Energy Discovery, 1517, and Wireframe Ventures. While the startup is currently scaling production from centimeter-length proofs of concept at its Malibu facility to tens of meters, the goal is a seamless market entry. Mashal designed the material as a drop-in replacement, meaning manufacturers can adopt the enhanced metal without redesigning systems or retraining staff. Initial applications will focus on high-impact sectors like drone flight time, electric vehicle efficiency, and data center cooling before tackling the broader electrical grid.