NAPERVILLE, Ill., May 23, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The Society of
Chemical Industry, America International Group, announced today
that the 2011 SCI Perkin Medal will be presented to Dr.
Rodney H. Banks, a research fellow
at Nalco (NYSE: NLC). He will receive the medal at a dinner in his
honor on Sept. 20, 2011, at the Hyatt
Hotel in Philadelphia.
(Photo:
http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110523/CG06524)
(Logo:
http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20101231/NALCOLOGO)
"Rod Banks is an outstanding
industrial technologist," said Stephanie
Burns, Chairperson of the SCI. "This award recognizes
his fundamental contributions to new sensor technologies that have
led to improved water and energy efficiencies for a variety of
industries."
Banks holds a Ph.D. in Inorganic/Physical Chemistry from the
University of California, Berkeley,
where he worked for Nobel laureate and fellow Perkin winner Glenn
Seaborg. In the mid-1980s, Banks and his co-workers at Nalco
identified the need for improved control of industrial water
treatment and commercial processes. He and colleague John Hoots subsequently led the invention and
commercialization of TRASAR® fluorescent tracing technology. During
the past decade, Banks invented a broad suite of technologies
incorporating chemical and mechanical sensors for intelligent
monitoring and control of industrial water and process applications
that have saved more than 300 billion gallons of fresh water at
thousands of customer locations around the world.
"Nalco is very proud for Rod to receive this prestigious
recognition for his work," said Erik
Fyrwald, Nalco Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "The
evolution of sensor technology that Rod and his team have developed
is transforming how water systems are treated, delivering enormous
water and energy savings."
The current generation, 3D TRASAR automation technology, has won
a United States Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Award for
its cooling water application. Its use is being expanded to a
variety of additional applications, including boiler water
treatment, membrane operations, papermaking and refinery process
applications.
In addition to TRASAR sensing and control, Banks has also
created various electrochemical, optical, quartz crystal
microbalance-based sensors for chemical treatment levels,
corrosion, scale and microbial fouling detection. These detect
system performance in real time and allow optimum control of
chemical treatments, increasing the longevity of mechanical assets,
improving process and worker safety, optimizing water and energy
usage and minimizing impact on the environment. He holds more than
20 patents and has published nine scientific papers.
About the SCI Perkin Medal
The annual award is recognized as the highest honor given for
outstanding work in applied chemistry in the United States.
It commemorates the discovery of the first synthetic dye (the
so-called Perkin mauve) by Sir William
Henry Perkin in 1856. This discovery was a significant step
forward in organic chemistry that led to the birth of a major
segment of the chemical industry. The SCI Perkin Medal was
first awarded to Sir William at a banquet held by the SCI in
New York in 1906. Since then, more
than 100 such awards have been given to notable scientists.
About the Society of Chemical Industry
SCI America International Group, launched in 1894, is part of
the Society of Chemical Industry's international organization. It
provides a unique networking forum for chemical industry leaders,
industrial scientists and technologists to exchange new business
ideas and best practices. It celebrates achievement to promote
public awareness of the contributions of industrial chemistry and
inspire students to enter technical careers.
SCI America section also offers its members the opportunity to
become part of an international network of industry thought leaders
and researchers. Through specialized conferences, e-events,
and publications, it helps foster best practices in fields as
diverse as fine and commodity chemicals, food, pharmaceuticals,
biotechnology, agriculture, and environmental protection.
SCI America events are managed by Chemical Heritage Foundation.
www.chemheritage.org. The award dinner will be the final event of
Innovation Day, a full day of research collaboration in the
molecular sciences held at Chemical Heritage Foundation on
Sept. 20.
About Nalco
Nalco is the world's largest sustainability services company
focused on industrial water, energy and air applications;
delivering significant environmental, social and economic
performance benefits to our customers. We help our customers reduce
energy, water and other natural resource consumption, enhance air
quality, minimize environmental releases and improve productivity
and end products while boosting the bottom line. Together our
comprehensive solutions contribute to the sustainable development
of customer operations. Nalco is a member of the Dow Jones
Sustainability World and North America Indexes. More than 12,000
Nalco employees operate in 150 countries supported by a
comprehensive network of manufacturing facilities, sales offices
and research centers to serve a broad range of end markets. In
2010, Nalco achieved sales of $4.25
billion. For more information visit www.nalco.com.
Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/Nalco_News and
www.twitter.com/NalcoCompany.
SOURCE Nalco Company