MemPro grant will advance pollution-control research developed at UA

MemPro Ceramics Corp., headquartered in Copper Mountain, Colo., received a $500,000 National Science Foundation grant to further advance its new class of catalytic filters, which are based on pollution-control technology developed at The University of Akron. The funding will enable UA to continue to conduct tests and optimize techniques to produce ceramic nanofibers that hold particles of catalysts, which convert dangerous oxides of nitrogen, emitted from engines, into safe oxygen and nitrogen.

In February 2008, MemPro became the university's exclusive licensee of the technology, for which UA polymer science professor Dr. Darrell Reneker and chemical and biomolecular engineering professor Dr. George Chase directed initial research in 1996.

Low-cost catalytic converters possible

"The technology enables small amounts of catalysts to clean exhaust streams and could lead to low-cost catalytic converters," explains John Finley, MemPro president and CEO. Finley adds that MemPro introduced the technology to the outdoor power equipment and electric power generation industries and anticipates developing small- to large-scale catalytic filtering products, respectively, for these industries.

"MemPro has done fantastic work to transfer technology to highly viable and advantageous products that serve both industry and the environment," says Dr. George Newkome, UA vice president for research and dean of the Graduate School.

The University of Akron Research Foundation oversees technology transfer and licensing of inventions by UA faculty and students.