The DuPont Company and Dr. David Corbin donated a library of microporous materials containing over 3,000 unique zeolites, carbons, clays, catalysts, and ion-exchange resins to name a few. In addition to the microporous material, DuPont also donated over 100 unique ionic liquid and salt samples along with a variety of refrigerant samples. Many of these materials are commonly used as commercial adsorbents, catalysts, and coolants for chemical processes. Access to these materials provides the Shiflett laboratory a unique resource for a variety of chemical catalysis and separation projects.
Some current projects utilizing the microporous materials include N2, CO2, CO, and H2S separation from methane, development of ingested iron removal technology for individuals that suffer from Hemochromatosis, and a sorbent for removal of sulfite preservative from wine. Some projects using the ionic liquids include ammonia adsorption of industrial cooling cycles, and gas separation studies using phase transitions and electrical fields. Currently the coolants are being used to study clathrate formation for the desalination of seawater.
Corbin was recently appointed an adjunct senior research scientist at KU and acts as a collaborator on many of our projects. During his 35-year career with DuPont Central Research and Development, he has been named co-inventor on 60 issued US Patents, co-authored more than 130 publications. In addition, he has served 20 years on the board of editors for Microporous and Mesoporous Materials, the official journal of the International Zeolite Association. His work has been featured on the covers of Scientific American, Chemical Communications, and the Proceedings of the 12th International Zeolite Conference.
Shiflett Research Group 
You must be logged in to post a comment.