Florida Institute of Technology

Chemical Research Funding

Dr. Feng Yang received NASA and US Navy STTR awards totaling $1.4 million to study the cost effective synthesis of flexible polyurethane foams for such applications as cryogenic insulation, fireproofing, energy absorption and other aerospace applications.  STTR (Small business Technology TRansfer) research contracts promote technology transfer and cooperative research and development between nonprofit research institutions, government agencies and small businesses. 

Dr. Andy Knight has been awarded a 5-year, $963,555 contract from the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL), Washington, DC.  Along with collaborators at the Center for Bio/Molecular Science and Engineering at NRL, Dr. Knight and his research group at FIT will study the cooperative effects of organic and inorganic coordination complexes on the catalytic degradation of organophosphorus compounds.  These compounds are of interest because of their similarities to a number of phosphorus containing chemical warfare agents such as Sarin and VX.

Drs. Mary Helen McCay (Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering) and Kurt Winkelmann received a $300,000 grant from the Florida Hydrogen Initiative to develop a curriculum to help Florida Tech students learn about hydrogen as an alternative energy source.  Dr. Winkelmann's work will focus on introducing hydrogen-themed experiments into the General Chemistry II laboratory and measure their impact on students' learning.

The National Science Foundation awarded Drs. Monica Baloga and Kurt Winkelmann a 2-year, $186,000 award to develop new research-inspired experiment modules for the general chemistry laboratory.  The modules will be based on research performed at Florida Tech in the areas of lightning, environmental remediation, nanotechnology, and composite materials.

Dr. Rudi Wehmschulte received a 3-year, $400,000 NSF grant to synthesize and study novel, highly reactive cationic aluminum and gallium compounds. These materials can be applied as catalysts for important processes, including C-H and C-F activation, arene functionalization, and carbonylation and hydrogenation. An outreach program to nearby colleges and high schools is also planned.

Dr. Virender Sharma received a 3-year, $70,000 NSF award to investigate the electrochemical synthesis of ferrate(VI) salts (Na₂FeO₄ and K₂FeO₄). This project is a collaboration with Dr. K. Bouzek of the Institute of Chemical Technology in Prague. This research program seeks to reveal the mechanism of the processes occurring at the surfaces of silicon and carbidic cast iron anode materials. One practical goal is to enhance the formation of solid ferrate(VI) in electrochemical solution mixtures. Understanding the synthesis of ferrate(VI) is important because ferrate(VI) can be used as an environmentally friendly oxidant, disinfectant, and coagulant for treatment of emerging pollutants and toxins in aquatic systems. Other potential applications include industrial "green" processes for synthesizing environmentally more benign products. This international collaboration will facilitate scientific and educational interaction between US and Czech Republic research groups.

The National Science Foundation awarded Drs. Jim Brenner (chemical engineering), Kurt Winkelmann and Joel Olson a $200,000 grant to develop a laboratory-intensive curriculum for a nanotechnology minor.  Besides enrolling in lecture and laboratory courses, students will participate in undergraduate research and a high school outreach program.

Dr. Joshua Rokach, Florida Tech Chemistry Professor and Director of the Claude Pepper Institute, has been awarded a four-year $1.3 million research grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The grant from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute will allow Dr. Rokach to continue his studies on chronic inflammatory diseases.