DuPont Donates $8.5 Million in Intellectual Property Patents to UA

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- The global research and technology-based company E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company, Inc. has donated intellectual property patents estimated to value $8.5 million to The University of Alabama.

The technology package includes seven United States patents and their foreign equivalents along with the accompanying technical know-how. The patents are based on the imidazole and carbene chemistry developed by Dr. Anthony J. Arduengo, Saxon Professor of Chemistry at The University of Alabama, and include proprietary new chemical synthesis technology and technical applications ranging from automotive finishes to high-tech composite materials and new catalysts. This technology package places UA at center stage with these important industrial intermediates.

According to Arduengo, this chemistry has potential for meeting a variety of market applications. Chemistry covered in these patents will provide more easily synthesized intermediates for the development and production of new imidazole pharmaceutical and agricultural compounds. This technology is already leading to new ligands for polymer synthesis as well as improvements in new electroless-plating in the manufacture of printed circuit boards. This technology is also an important step toward sustainable chemical manufacturing technology.

The imidazolium salts produced using the technology covered in these patents provide access to novel solvents called ionic liquids. Ionic liquids have the potential to replace environmentally dangerous volatile organic compounds and greatly lessen the impact of other toxic materials currently used in mining and other manufacturing processes.

"All of these new technologies will allow for more environmentally-friendly chemical manufacturing processes," said Arduengo. "But most importantly, we are pleased to have the use of this technology in order to meet the University’s obligation to 'Teaching, Research and Service.' Through the continuing research and development of these technologies, The University of Alabama will be better equipped to provide a research-rich learning environment for its students. UA students will gain first-hand experience with cutting-edge chemistry and its interdisciplinary applications in biotechnology (pharmacology), agriculture, and engineering."

Dr. Robin Rogers, professor of chemistry and director of UA’s Center for Green Manufacturing in UA's College of Arts and Sciences (A&S), said that the donation from du Pont fits into a number of ongoing goals within the University, including the development of new environmentally benign technologies and strengthening of business and university collaborations within the state of Alabama.

"We are certainly excited about receiving this generous technology gift from du Pont and the future economic and educational possibilities it holds," said Rogers.

Further, the University has established the Alabama Institute for Manufacturing Excellence (AIME) in response to growing manufacturing-related technology and human resource needs nationwide. These donated technologies fit well with the mission of the Institute and will help strengthen the already existing full partnership between UA, state industry and government agencies that was instrumental in establishing AIME.

Rogers and Arduengo plan extensive further development of this technology. Not only will this technology form the basis of leading-edge educational experiences for UA students, but the application and development of this chemistry will allow the university to serve its community through the creation of 'greener,' environmentally friendly manufacturing standards. These environmentally friendly chemistries and processes will strengthen Alabama’s economic base. Furthermore, UA will serve as a training ground for other industries, and UA students will move beyond learning -- they will become experts. This partnership with du Pont is an extraordinarily positive event that will have a tremendous influence.

Dr. Robert Wells, assistant academic vice president for research at UA, said that the transfer or donation of technological properties by private organizations to higher education institutions is a growing trend that is yielding many benefits.

"As an institution that highly values research and development initiatives, we are grateful for the opportunity to capitalize on technology partnerships. While there certainly exists the opportunity to further expand upon these technologies through future marketing and license agreements, we would not accept this donation unless it held a vast potential for educational possibilities for our students and faculty," said Wells.

"Dr. Arduengo is principal inventor of this patented technology, therefore, it is a natural fit that we receive the patents in order to allow the original creator to continue the expansion of this knowledge. The University of Alabama, its students, faculty and the state of Alabama will benefit from this partnership," Wells continued.

UA is a leading partner in working with the state's chemical industries as part of an ongoing effort to develop economically sound solutions to industrial pollution. Through initiatives such as its Center for Green Manufacturing and AIME, the University is committed to the technological and economic advancement of the state and region through the discovery and creation of environmentally friendly chemical manufacturing standards – a goal that the donated du Pont technology will help realize.