Laboratory wins four R&D 100 Awards
Four technologies developed by researchers at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and their collaborators are on R&D Magazine's list of the 100 most significant technology developments for 2000.
The R&D 100 Awards honor the most promising new products, processes, materials or software developed throughout the world. Including the four selected in June, the Laboratory has won a total of 58 R&D 100 Awards since it submitted its first entries in 1969.
Catalyst materials that convert harmful engine exhaust emissions into components of clean air— Researchers at Pacific Northwest, Ford Motor Co. and the Delphi Energy & Chassis Division of Delphi Automotive Systems developed catalyst materials that make possible a promising engine exhaust treatment. The plasma-catalysis treatment technology enabled by these materials reduces oxides of nitrogen (NOx) in exhaust from next-generation energy-efficient vehicles. NOx contributes to acid rain and is a precursor to ozone, the major component of smog.
Decision Support for Operations and Maintenance™ — A suite of analysis procedures, software and hardware that has proven to reduce life-cycle operations and maintenance costs by as much as 25 to 50 percent. These tools improve process efficiency, cut maintenance costs, extend equipment life and reduce energy consumption.
Long-range semi-passive radio frequency identification system— Radio frequency tags that can identify, locate and even determine the condition of any item to which they are attached. This technology originated at the Laboratory and now is marketed by Wave ID, a newly created company.
MilliWave Viscometer— A Pacific Northwest researcher was among the developers of a high-temperature viscosity measurement for process monitoring of hot, molten materials such as glass or metals. The technology uses millimeter-wave electromagnetic radiation to probe the movement of liquids. It allows active feedback control of these processes, helping improve product quality and manufacturing efficiency and lower costs.
For more information about these and past winners, see http://www.pnl.gov/main/welcome/awards/rd100/