Since its formation in 2005, Sol-gel Solutions LLC is a company that has been shooting for the stars. Spun off from a UF-licensed technology by founder Dr. David Mazyck, Sol-gel Solutions began working with NASA to create a better way to purify air and water for long-duration space flight through the use of Silica-Titania Composites.
Throughout its development, Sol-gel began to focus on the removal of pollutants like mercury from the water and air at coal-fired power plants and chlor-alkali production facilities, which produce chlorine for water treatment facilities.
However, through the company’s association with NASA Mazyck made many contacts in the aviation industry, and Sol-gel shifted its focus once again to increasing indoor air quality, especially for commercial aircraft.
Sol-gel’s silica-titania composites rely on a process called photocatalysis – basically, using wavelengths of light to accelerate a reaction – to break down harmful compounds into environmentally benign byproducts like water or carbon dioxide. Currently, this process uses only titania (titanium dioxide) and UV light to attract contaminants produce reactions to remove them from air. Sol-gel uses a very porous glass-like material impregnated with titania, which increases the efficiency of the purification process by up to 80-90 percent.
Sol-gel is working with a number of airline manufacturers and an international train manufacturer to integrate its systems to purify cabin air. Currently, aircraft typically re-circulate about 50 percent of cabin air and use the plane’s turbines to pull air from the environment. Using Sol-gel’s composites, aircraft will be able to use 100 percent recycled air, increasing the purity of air, but also providing fuel savings since the turbines are no longer diverting air into the cabin.
According to Mazyck, Sol-gel is in the right place at the right time in many ways. He said the biggest challenge for any environmental technology company is outlasting the process of governmental regulation. Currently there is a lot of movement in the air purification field, and Mazyck believes the field is moving ahead of the government to achieve savings and improve performance. Additionally, on March 16 the EPA announced its first regulations for mercury and other pollutants at coal-fired power plants – a 21 year process.
Since the time seems to be just right for Sol-Gel Solutions, Mazyck is hoping the Cade Prize will allow the company to increase its staff size and bring some expertise to its marketing and education efforts. Through the company’s NASA contacts, many companies have helped fund Sol-gel, but Mazyck feels the company is commercially ready and it’s time to focus on getting the word out about Sol-gel Solutions.
To find out more about the Cade Prize, visit CadeMuseum.org and keep an eye on the blog for more on the Cade Prize Sweet 16.
