Discover magazine recognizes Stevens-invented plasma technology in 2001 Innovation Awards
Discover magazine recently recognized technology invented at Stevens Institute of Technology in the magazine's 12th Annual Innovation Awards, announced in its July issue. Dr. Erich Kunhardt, Institute Professor of Physics at Stevens, and the Stevens-incubated technology firm PlasmaSol Corp. are cited as finalists in the competition.
Dr. Kunhardt and PlasmaSol were named in the Environmental Innovation finalists' category. With his colleague Dr. Kurt Becker in the physics department, Dr. Kunhardt invented the technology known as "capillary discharge non-thermal plasma."
Reliant on stabilized cold plasma, which works at atmospheric pressures and temperatures, the technology has a wide range of remediative applications for the environment and industry. PlasmaSol Corp., a company founded by several Stevens alumni and launched at the Stevens Technology Ventures Incubator, is commercializing several major environmental applications for the new plasma technology. (http://www.PlasmaSol.com)
For example, in the near future automobiles may be fitted with a device that has been shown to eliminate nitrogen oxides (greenhouse gases) from exhaust streams. The device will create a zero-emissions exhaust system - an estimated $4 billion market opportunity. Other applications include large-area surface cleaning, elimination of emissions from industrial smoke stacks, and remediation of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from contaminated soil and water. To date, PlasmaSol Corp. has been awarded several large contracts, including a number from the U.S. Navy, Army and NASA.
Besides his role as an Institute Professor at Stevens, Dr. Kunhardt serves as dean of the university's newly named Arthur E. Imperatore School of Sciences and Arts (www.issa.stevens.edu). He is a co-founder of PlasmaSol Corp. and a technology adviser to the company. He and Dr. Becker hold the patent for capillary discharge non-thermal plasma with Stevens Institute of Technology. PlasmaSol Corp. is the exclusive licensee for the technology's environmental applications.
About Stevens Institute of Technology
Founded in 1870, Stevens Institute of Technology is one of the leading technological universities in the world dedicated to learning and research. Through its broad-based curricula, nurturing of creative inventiveness, and cross disciplinary research, the Institute is at the forefront of global challenges in engineering, science, and technology management. Partnerships and collaboration between, and among, business, industry, government and other universities contribute to the enriched environment of the Institute. A new model for technology commercialization in academe, known as Technogenesis®, involves external partners in launching business enterprises to create broad opportunities and shared value.
Stevens offers baccalaureates, master’s and doctoral degrees in engineering, science, computer science and management, in addition to a baccalaureate degree in the humanities and liberal arts, and in business and technology. The university has a total enrollment of 2,150 undergraduate and 3,500 graduate students, with about 250 full-time faculty. Stevens’ graduate programs have attracted international participation from China, India, Southeast Asia, Europe and Latin America. Additional information may be obtained from its web page at www.stevens.edu.
For the latest news about Stevens, please visit StevensNewsService.com.
