About Armadillo Labs
Armadillo Labs is a Houston-based R&D company building the next generation of energy materials. Founded by an engineer with a background spanning chemistry, electrical engineering, HVAC systems, and industrial automation — this isn't a research paper mill. It's a lab that builds things.
Research Areas
Seven pillars of computational materials science and engineering — from superconductor prediction to data center deployment — powered by first-principles physics and high-performance computing.
Superconducting Materials Discovery
Computational prediction of novel superconducting materials using first-principles phonon calculations and our proprietary Polyphase Coherence framework. Validated across cuprates, bismuthates, and intermetallics. Powered by the Quantum Armadillo platform.
Data Center Infrastructure
Superconducting power distribution for next-generation data centers. SC busbar, SMES energy storage, and SC-photonic integration enabling 2x GPU density and 30–40% cooling reduction.
Thermoelectric Materials & Devices
Waste heat recovery using advanced half-Heusler and chalcogenide thermoelectric materials. Computational screening for optimal ZT at industrially relevant temperature gradients.
Automation & AI Systems
Local AI infrastructure using open-source models. Industrial automation, intelligent monitoring, and computational pipeline orchestration for high-throughput materials screening.
Computational HPC Pipeline
GPU-accelerated density functional theory, electron-phonon coupling calculations, and high-throughput materials screening on AWS and NVIDIA infrastructure.
Off-Grid Energy Systems
Small-scale, modular, deployable power systems for homes, farms, and remote communities. Solar-hydrogen generation, high-efficiency electrolysis, and complete energy independence — designed to be built, not just theorized.
Water Purification
Off-grid water purification systems for areas without reliable municipal infrastructure. Electrochemical treatment, solar-powered distillation, and modular filtration — clean water without grid dependence.
The Vision
The U.S. electrical grid loses up to 30% of generated electricity during transmission and distribution. AI data centers are about to consume more power than some countries. Centralized generation creates single points of failure, and most "clean energy" solutions require massive capital and institutional backing.
We take a different approach. Better materials — superconductors that eliminate transmission loss, thermoelectrics that recapture waste heat, off-grid systems that reduce dependence on failing infrastructure. From the atomic scale to the deployed system.
The goal isn't to compete for defense contracts. It's to prove that advanced materials science can solve real energy problems at every scale — from data center power distribution to a homestead well pump.
Philosophy
Prove It on the Bench
Theory without testing is speculation. Every concept gets prototyped with real equipment before making any claims.
Open-Source by Default
Designs, methods, and computational tools are shared openly. The point is to advance energy technology, not gatekeep it.
Compute First, Synthesize Second
Screen thousands of candidates computationally before touching a crucible. Let the physics narrow the field.
Human Scale
Systems designed for real deployment — homes, workshops, small communities. Not just utility-scale infrastructure requiring millions in capital.
Team
Stephen Horton
Founder & CEO
Kellan Finney
CTO
Jeff Horton
CFO
Founded in Houston, Texas.
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