Title : NSF 94-54 ENGINEERING NEWSLETTER Type : Letter NSF Org: ENG Date : March 29, 1994 File : nsf9454 March 29, 1994 Re: Environmentally Related Activities in the Division of Chemical and Transport Systems Dear Colleague: For the past two years, the Chemical and Transport Systems Division (CTS) of the National Science Foundation has cooperated with the Chemistry Division (CHE) on the "Environmentally Benign Chemical Synthesis and Processing" program (NSF 92-13)*. During this period, CTS made eight awards in FY92 and five awards in FY93. In this and the next fiscal year, CTS expects to invest in this environmental program at a similar level. CTS and CHE will continue to cooperate and provide funding for projects in this general area. The goals and operation of the program will be similar to the two previous years. As in the past, the character of the industrial partnering is left to the judgment of the researchers. Meaningful synergy of expertise between the academic and industrial sector is sought; therefore, a letter from an industrial colleague stating the nature of his or her interest in collaborating in the proposed research is required. As in FY93, proposals directed to CTS that are in concert with the original program description will be due March 31st with the tentative cover page and one-page summary due by March 10th of each year. Proposals submitted to CHE are accepted throughout the year. In this fiscal year, the CTS Division would also like to call attention to opportunities in general areas related to thermal, transport, and mechanical research issues. The base CTS program activities in these areas have research issues related to the environment and are beyond the original announcement objectives. These include the possibility of up to five grants in the following specific areas not included in the original announcement. Proposals addressing these topics have a target date of April 15th of each year and should be directed to the relevant individual programs in CTS following the normal NSF guidelines or proposals. Proposals received after April 15th will be considered with all other proposals. Pollutant mitigation, formation, prevention, and monitoring of toxic metals, chlorinated dioxins and furans, soot, etc., in incinerator effluents. Modifying or using particulate multiphase processes, such as fluidized beds, sprays and painting, and colloidal and aerosol reactors, in order to reduce the emission of hazardous contaminants. *Requests for NSF-92-13 should be sent via e:mail to pubs@nsf.gov or request by voice-mail at 703-306-1130. Page 2 Fundamental studies in interfacial science and engineering which facilitate recycling or waste reduction; and in improved materials formulation, synthesis, or processing to enhance particulate or molecular separation processes used in recycling or waste reduction. Exploratory research on alternative refrigerant fluids with both enhanced thermal performance and vapor - liquid behavior. Fluid Mechanics: mixing, turbulence, enhanced homogenization, increased transfer rates at surfaces, and deposition of coatings and films. NSF looks forward to receiving proposals that contain imaginative, novel, and somewhat risky ideas in both its initiative and base program activities. NSF is also coordinating this environmental activity with the Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Research and Development which is issuing a call for pre-proposals on "Physical/Chemical Technologies for Pollution Prevention and Waste Treatment". Special emphasis is on the development of generic, environmentally friendly, synthetic methodologies, and unit processes for synthesizing high-value chemicals. (Contact Teresa M. Harten, (513)569-7565 for more information.) In accordance with federal statutes, regulations, and NSF policies, no person on grounds of race, color, age, sex, national origin, or disability shall be excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or be subject to discrimination under any program or activity receiving financial assistance from the National Science Foundation. The Foundation has a TDD (Telephonic Device for the Deaf) capability at (703)306-0090. "Activities described in this letter are in categories 47.041, Engineering Grants and 47.049, Mathematical and Physical Sciences in the catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (FDA). General questions regarding this NSF Activity within the CTS Division, may be addressed to Dr. Robert M. Wellek via FAX (703)306-0319 or by e:mail to rwellek@nsf.gov. Questions concerning the Chemistry Division's environmental programs should be addressed to Dr. Margaret A. Cavanaugh at (703)306-1842, FAX (703)306-0534, or e:mail to mcavanau@nsf.gov. Proposals should be submitted in accordance with the Grant Proposal Guide (NSF 94-2). Sincerely yours, Robert M. Wellek Acting Division Director Chemical and Transport Systems