NSF Program Directors visit ERC EARTH at the University of Kansas

Representatives from the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) recently visited the NSF Engineering Research Center for Environmentally Applied Refrigerant Technology Hub (EARTH) at the University of Kansas (KU) in Lawrence. Dana Denick, program director for NSF Engineering Research Centers, and Bert Chandler, program director for NSF CBET-Catalysis, spent two days on campus gaining comprehensive insights of NSF EARTH's research accomplishments, education and workforce development programs, innovation ecosystem activities, partnerships, facilities, and the collaborative culture that drives NSF EARTH's success.

Day 1: Center Overview and Strategic Discussions

The visit began with a welcome lunch and tour of the NSF EARTH office complex, followed by an overview of the Center led by Director Mark Shiflett and NSF EARTH leadership. The afternoon featured presentations covering the four pillars: Convergent Research, Education Workforce Development, Impact & Belonging, and the Innovation Ecosystem, demonstrating the breadth of NSF EARTH's activities and impact. The NSF visitors also received presentations from all three research thrusts, showcasing multidisciplinary efforts to develop environmentally applied refrigerant technologies and solutions. The day concluded with discussions over dinner with NSF EARTH leadership. 

Day 2: Research in Action

The second day was focused on demonstrations and engagement with a variety of researchers. The NSF representatives toured multiple laboratories and met graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and faculty working across a variety of projects. Topics included ionic liquids and deep eutectic solvents for refrigerant separation, porous materials and membranes for separations, molecular modeling and simulations, lifecycle and technoeconomic analysis, cryopreservation technologies, and refrigerant flammability studies, as well as tours of the Circularity Testbed and Extractive Distillation Pilot Plant. These lab and plant tours allowed NSF to observe research facilities firsthand and interact directly with the researchers advancing EARTH's technical objectives. 

Additional meetings included discussions with Mary E. Rezac, Dean of the School of Engineering; interactions with REU students, RET teachers, and ChEER high school students; as well as a visit to KU Innovation Park to meet with Icorium™ Engineering Company, highlighting the Center's commitment to education, workforce development, and industry engagement. The visit concluded with a wrap-up session led by Director Shiflett. 

Denick and Chandler indicated they were "very impressed" with the presentations, research posters, laboratory tours, demonstrations, conversations, and extensive planning that supported their visit. The meeting served as a valuable opportunity to showcase NSF EARTH's progress, technical achievements, interdisciplinary collaboration, educational impact, industry partnerships, and shared commitment to developing sustainable refrigerant technologies, while preparing EARTH for future growth and continued success.