Nanotech business presents new breakthrough
Jason Seyler
Issue date: 10/22/09 Section: News
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Rod Komlenic presented a new line of water and air filtration breakthroughs using nanotechnology developed in Ahlstrom's Mount Holly Springs, Pennsylvania, location.
As the need for products that improve life conditions has increased, nanotechnology has been in the forefront in developing cost-efficient products that are smaller, safer and more productive.
"Without clean water, life would not be able to exist," said Komlenic in his introduction to over 100 students and faculty Monday night. "Some people believe that water will be the new oil of the 21st century."
Komlenic, who has worked for Ahlstrom since the mid-1980s, has been involved in their latest product, Disruptor, for 10 years.
Disruptor is an award-winning product designed to improve water quality using nonwoven media capable of competing with other methods, while not affecting flow rates and lowering energy consumption, said Komlenic.
"Disruptor is the first nonwoven media of its kind that can compete with polymeric membranes and carbon blocks," said Komlenic. "It is the smallest nanofiber of its kind on the market today."
Some applications for this technology include water bottles for hiking and camping, with smaller bottles for $16 and a $100 filtration system that will turn muddy stream water into drinking water.
Disruptor also has capabilities to prove functional in municipal water use as well as air filtration.
Invented by Fred Tepper and Leo Kaledin and then purchased by Ahlstrom, Disruptor has changed the world of water and air filtration.
While relating to all fields of study, Komlenic discussed how he has used John Boyd's OODA loop throughout his life, and he outlined each of the steps which include observe, orient, decide and act.
Komlenic also talked about innovation and creation as he encouraged students to go outside the usual boundaries and take risks when developing their own ideas and inventions.
"The more diverse background of knowledge you have in different fields, the better off you'll be," said Komlenic who admitted to not being the best student in college. "It's really important that, while your getting your education, to start thinking about how you're going to use it."
Since its formation in 2005, the Lock Haven University nanotechnology program has graduated 30 students who are either working in the field or pursuing graduate degrees.
The program features an associate of applied science degree and a minor degree along with a partnership program with Penn State University.
"I hope in the future to continue to attract the interests of more students, from the other science programs as well as other fields, in the possibilities of nanotechnology," said Dr.Anura Goonewardene, chair of the physics department and head of the Lock Haven University nanotechnology program.
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