Midland, MI - February 17, 2006
Madan M. Bhasin, Ph.D., a Senior Scientist with Union Carbide Corp., a subsidiary of The Dow Chemical Company has been elected to the National Academy of Engineering (NAE). Bhasin currently works in Oxides & Glycols Research & Development at Dow. He was elected to the NAE for his development of efficient catalysts for the production of ethylene oxide and for contributions to the fundamental understanding of catalysts.
Election to the National Academy of Engineering is among the highest professional distinctions accorded to an engineer. According to the Academy, it honors those who have made outstanding contributions to engineering research, practice, or education, to engineering literature and to the pioneering of new and developing fields of technology, making major advancements in traditional fields of engineering, or developing/implementing innovative approaches to engineering education.
"Throughout his career, Madan has contributed significantly to the advancement of catalysis, particularly for ethylene oxide. His creativity is remarkable and has impacted diverse areas. Through effective collaboration, Madan has had a great impact at Dow and in the Chemical industry," says Kathy Johnson, Research and Development Director, Dow Oxides and Glycols.
Bhasin's Accomplishments
Bhasin is widely recognized as an innovator in the area of heterogeneous catalysis and a rare practitioner who is conversant on the theoretical, scientific and practical levels. Along with the Dow Ethylene Oxide-Ethylene Glycol research team, he contributed to major research that included the development and application of 11 generations of new epoxidation catalysts that give remarkable improvement in efficiency and production capability and also reduces the emission of greenhouse gases. Along with George Keller in the late 1970s, Bhasin co-discovered that methane can be oxidatively coupled to yield C2-hydrocarbons. His work also lead to the improved understanding of catalyst supports, particularly novel types of aluminas, which led to his development of a monolithic form of alpha-alumina for improved automotive exhaust catalysis and the first reported selective synthesis of C2 chemicals (ethanol, acetic acid and acetaldehyde) from carbon monoxide and hydrogen.
Bhasin's work is based on the fundamentals of surface science and reaction engineering, yet has had both scientific and commercial impact. Along with the Dow Ethylene Oxide-Ethylene Glycol research team, their development of advanced ethylene epoxidation catalysts has contributed to securing a leading position in this technology and in the production of ethylene oxide and ethylene glycol for Union Carbide and Dow. His publication in 1982, co-authored with Keller, on the oxidative coupling of methane opened up a new area of interest and inquiry, leading to a multitude of literature publications, citations and patents. The alpha-alumina monolith for exhaust catalysis represents a novel advance for auto emission converters that commonly employed a gamma-alumina washcoat.
Bhasin joined Union Carbide in 1963 as a Chemist at the Technical Center in South Charleston, West Virginia, progressing through various roles to the position of Corporate Fellow. He was promoted to Senior Scientist at Dow in 2001. Bhasin has received several national and international awards for his work, including the Industrial Research Institute Achievement Award in 2002, the AIChE Award in Chemical Engineering Practice in 2001, the American Chemical Society Award in Industrial Chemistry in 1999 and The Eugene Houdry Award of the North American Catalysis Society in 1995. He has also received a Citation of recognition in the Congressional Record of the U.S. Senate in the 105th Congress for his vision, creativity and breakthrough research in industrial catalysis. Bhasin is the author of numerous publications in his field and holds 21 U.S. patents. He received his bachelor's degree in chemistry from the University of Delhi, completed graduate studies at Indiana University and earned a Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry from the University of Notre Dame.
Bhasin Joins Other NAE Recipients from Dow
Bhasin joins three other NAE recipients from Dow who include William F. Banholzer, Chief Technology Officer; Lanny Robbins, retired Research Fellow; and Walter J. Schrenk, retired Senior Research Scientist.
About NAE
Founded in 1964, the National Academy of Engineering (NAE) provides engineering leadership in service to the United States. The NAE operates under the same congressional act of incorporation that established the National Academy of Sciences, signed in 1863 by President Lincoln. According to the charter, the NAE is directed -- whenever called upon by any department or agency of the government -- to investigate, examine, experiment, and report upon any subject of science or art. The NAE is a private, independent, nonprofit institution. In addition to its role as advisor to the federal government, the NAE also conducts independent studies to examine important topics in engineering and technology.
The NAE has more than 2,000 peer-elected members and foreign associates, senior professionals in business, academia, and government who are among the world's most accomplished engineers. They provide the leadership and expertise for numerous projects focused on the relationships between engineering, technology, and the quality of life. More information about NAE can be found at www.nae.edu.
About The Dow Chemical Company
Dow is a diversified chemical company that harnesses the power of science and technology to improve living daily. The Company offers a broad range of innovative products and services to customers in more than 175 countries, helping them to provide everything from fresh water, food and pharmaceuticals to paints, packaging and personal care products. Built on a commitment to its principles of sustainability, Dow has annual sales of $46 billion and employs 42,000 people worldwide. References to "Dow" or the "Company" mean The Dow Chemical Company and its consolidated subsidiaries unless otherwise expressly noted.
For Editorial Information:
Kathleen Davis
The Dow Chemical Company
(989) 636-2760
