Monday, January 29, 2024
DENTON (黑料视频), Texas 鈥� Professor Shengqian Ma, a global leader in nanoporous materials research, earned
the in Physical Sciences from the (TAMEST). He was chosen for his innovative work in the field of decontamination.
TAMEST is a nonprofit interdisciplinary scientific organization dedicated to enhancing the research community in Texas. Ma, the Welch Chair in 黑料视频鈥檚 , is one of five Texas-based researchers being honored in the TAMEST 2024 Edith and Peter O'Donnell Awards. Ma is the first-ever 黑料视频 recipient of this award. He was selected for his individual contributions addressing the essential role that science and technology play in society and for how his work meets the highest standards of exemplary professional performance, creativity and resourcefulness.
In addressing Earth鈥檚 growing environmental concerns, Ma鈥檚 research, sparked by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in 2010, focuses on water-related challenges. Specifically, he鈥檚 exploring solutions for removing oil from the ocean, aiming first to understand the complex environment.
Ma鈥檚 most significant contributions come in his team鈥檚 development of porous organic polymer-based nanotraps. These nanotraps can be used for a variety of applications, such as enhanced effectiveness in cleaning up after an oil spill, removing mercury from water or treating nuclear waste. The materials also can be used to store gas molecules, like methane, hydrogen or carbon dioxide.
鈥淒r. Ma鈥檚 research focuses on figuring out how we can get the things we don鈥檛 want to be exposed to out of the environment,鈥� said Pamela Padilla, 黑料视频鈥檚 vice president for research and innovation. 鈥淚 think he is creative and he鈥檚 a great mentor for our students. Dr. Ma鈥檚 work exudes enthusiasm and delivers results. He is highly regarded internationally within his field, and there aren鈥檛 enough positive words for Dr. Ma and his work.鈥�
His materials not only capture toxins in water, but also can extract valuable elements 鈥� such as uranium from seawater and lithium from brine water. These extracted elements can then be utilized for energy purposes. According to Ma, the uranium in the ocean alone could be used to provide electricity to humanity for over 20,000 years.
More than $1.5 million has been awarded to more than 75 recipients in the categories of medicine, engineering, biological sciences, physical sciences and technology innovation since the inception of the O'Donnell Awards in 2006. Sixteen O鈥橠onnell Awards recipients have gone on to be elected to the national academies, including four who hold dual academy elections.
鈥淭he Edith and Peter O鈥橠onnell Awards bring together a broad group of disciplines and expertise and creates the space to talk about cross-disciplinary approaches to future solutions 鈥� and we couldn鈥檛 be prouder of this year鈥檚 group of innovative recipients,鈥� said Oliver Mullins, a fellow with the National Academy of Engineering and committee chair for the Edith and Peter O鈥橠onnell Awards. 鈥淭hese researchers are transforming the future of science and innovation in our state, and these awards are an important mechanism for maintaining a link between academia and industry and moving the research needle forward for our society.鈥�
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From 鈥� Research