NIST's ATP awards finance leading-edge research projects that are ahead of current technology developments. Additionally, these projects must demonstrate tremendous economic and commercial promise, providing a viable solution to one or several global industries. ATP awards are granted on the basis of peer-reviewed projects that best qualify in the areas of technological ideas, potential economic benefits and the likelihood of commercialization.

Facilichem, co-founded by SRI International, Spectrum Laboratories, Inc., EPRI and Edison Technology Solutions, is developing a stable liquid membrane system called FaciliMax that presents a promising means by which companies can reduce the costs of separating and purifying gases and liquids.

Facilichem's novel design approach is a major advance in the field of liquid membrane purification systems. The process involves holding the material to be purified in one chamber while a liquid separating agent is held in another for easy external access. The highly selective separating agent allows only the purified material to pass through, and the process design allows for replenishment of the liquid membrane for continuous and economical operation. Conventional approaches are limited by the short lifetime of the separating agent and do not provide the economic viability required for commercial industrial use.

"Despite thirty years of research, the challenge of membrane instability has kept the technology from widespread industrial use. Facilichem's design is a practical approach that will provide the stability and economics needed for commercial viability. The Facilichem approach also offers wide applicability to a number of industrial processes," said Abhoyjit S. Bhown, inventor of the technology and president of Facilichem, Inc. "Winning the NIST ATP award not only provides funding to continue our development, but it demonstrates the significance of our liquid membrane technology to the marketplace and potential investors."

During the next two years, Facilichem will further develop, build, scale-up and demonstrate the FaciliMax device. In addition to the co-founding companies, Facilichem will also seek and partner with companies interested in specific commercial applications.

Based in Menlo Park, Calif., Facilichem, Inc. is dedicated to developing, marketing and commercializing leading-edge purification technologies based on its FaciliMax stable liquid membrane system. The FaciliMax system can be used for economical operation of a broad range of industrial processes, including agricultural, food and biotechnology products, as well as pharmaceuticals, industrial gases, industrial waste and wastewater. Facilichem was co-founded by SRI International, EPRI, Inc., Spectrum Laboratories, Inc. and Edison Technology Solutions, Inc.

FaciliMax is a trademark of Facilichem, Inc.

SRI International: http://www.sri.com/