Four universities will help establish center funded by largest research grant received by UNC System

During a press conference held last month, University of North Carolina (UNC) officials announced the receipt of an $18 million grant from the National Science Foundation to establish a new Science and Technology Center (STC). It is the largest research grant the UNC System has ever received, and North Carolina A&T State University will be a part of the endeavor.

A&T, UNC-Chapel Hill, North Carolina State University (NCSU) and the University of Texas-Austin, have been selected to participate in a project that will help to make industry more environment friendly.

Dr. Earnestine Psalmonds, vice chancellor for research at A&T, said the university is pleased to participate and contribute the use of its faculty toward this effort. "A&T already has a strong program in energy and environmental research, combining the expertise of faculty in the Waste Management Institute, Center for Environmental Remediation and Pollution Prevention, and others from chemical engineering," Psalmonds added.

A&T Chancellor James C. Renick has expressed elation about the university’s role in the project. "We want to be an increasing part of this economic engine, and this program combines economic development with environmental protection," Renick said. "The challenge is to find ways to preserve the environment while maintaining a healthy economy."

Under the auspices of the National Science Foundation, the three UNC schools will establish the Science and Technology Center for Environmentally Responsible Carbon Dioxide Processes. Dr. Joseph M. DeSimone, William R. Kenan Jr. Distinguished Professor at UNC-CH (chemistry) and NCSU (chemical engineering), will direct the center. Dr. Ruben G. Carbonell, KoSa professor and chair of chemical engineering at NCSU, will serve as co-director.

"We understand that this cooperative research agreement will be the largest ever received by any set of investigators in the 16-campus UNC System," DeSimone said. "An estimated $18 million will come from the National Science Foundation over a five-year period to support the $24 million center faculty."

According to DeSimone, the new STC will be the leading facility in the world dedicated to discovering enviromentally friendly processes using alternative solvents. It will build on the pioneering research already done by the center.

"Our goal is to lead the environmental revolution in significantly reducing the amount of organic and water wastes generated in the manufacture of polymers and chemicals, in painting, cleaning and coating operations and in producing textiles and paper products," DeSimone said.

Psalmonds said that the Center will greatly enhance A&T’s capabilities and enable it to contribute further to knowledge and economic development for the state of North Carolina and the nation.

"The algorithm used to design this center allows this team to conduct research and at the same time engage in workforce preparation for workforce diversity and economic development," Psalmonds added.

A&T professors who will participate in the project are Dr. Vinayak Kabadi, Dr. Shamsuddin Ilias, Dr. Kenneth Roberts, and Dr. Yusef Adewuyi.