Multi-functional Sorbent Technology (MUST)
Established in 1963, the R&D 100 Awards is the only S&T (science and technology) awards competition that recognizes new commercial products, technologies and materials for their technological significance that are available for sale or license. The R&D 100 Awards have long been a benchmark of excellence for industry sectors as diverse as telecommunications, high-energy physics, software, manufacturing, and biotechnology. This 2021 R&D 100 winner is listed below, along with its respective category.
Category: Mechanical/Materials
Developers: Department of Energy, National Energy Technology Laboratory NETL
Co-Developers: Somerset International Inc., The Dow Chemical Company
United States
Product Description:Multi-functional Sorbent Technology (MUST) is a game-changing suite of sorbents that removes cationic (positively charge) and oxygen-containing anionic (negatively charged) heavy metals from aqueous and nonaqueous sources. Such versatility and low cost make MUST highly effective to clean contaminated waterways and remove metals from electronic and pharmaceutical production processes.
Developers: Department of Energy, National Energy Technology Laboratory NETL
Co-Developers: Somerset International Inc., The Dow Chemical Company
United States
Product Description:Multi-functional Sorbent Technology (MUST) is a game-changing suite of sorbents that removes cationic (positively charge) and oxygen-containing anionic (negatively charged) heavy metals from aqueous and nonaqueous sources. Such versatility and low cost make MUST highly effective to clean contaminated waterways and remove metals from electronic and pharmaceutical production processes.
Easy transition of MUST synthesis from a lab-scale rotary-evaporator (50 g MUST/batch) (left) to 15 kg MUST/batch quantities in a pan dryer (right). MUST is actively being tested by the Dow Chemical Company. Somerset International will conduct tests to remove selenium and other heavy metals from organics-based or coal-based acid mine drainage to avoid contamination of freshwater and saltwater ecosystems, plus potable water systems.