Research & Development: Past, Present, & Future

Hartley Owen, MI A ’52, a world-renowned inventor of oil industry refinery process development passed away earlier this month. He was 83.

Hartley worked for Mobil Research and Development Corporation for 31 years. According to his obituary, he was recognized by Mobil as their most prolific inventor with the most patents ever assigned to one person. He also was president of the Michigan Alpha Chapter of Tau Beta Pi at Michigan State University.

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Chemical & Engineering News is reporting on the process of denitrification that if added to the handling of wastewater by treatment plants could remove nitrogen and clean air of nitrous oxide, a dangerous pollutant.

The article also highlights the potential benefits of emissions trading markets. This could generate revenue for wastewater treatment plants by selling carbon credits to companies that release carbon dioxide. Read the full article

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Solar Roadways Inc. and its co-founder have received a research contract from the Federal Highway Administration to produce “a smaller-scale project that could serve as a first step: a solar parking lot.”

The concept of intelligent pavement capable of generating electricity has been Scott Brusaw’s focus for more than five years. Read about the potential benefits and the development of the solar panels

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