Paul Edmiston Wins 2011 Breakthrough Award from Popular Mechanics

One of 11 innovators to be honored in New York City on Oct. 10

WOOSTER, Ohio, Oct. 4, 2011 – Paul Edmiston, professor of chemistry at The College of Wooster, has won a 2011 Breakthrough Award from Popular Mechanics, for his development of a nano-engineered glass that removes oil and other organic contaminants from water. Edmiston, who co-founded ABS Materials to develop and commercialize his discovery and serves as the company’s chief science officer, will be honored at an award ceremony in New York City on Monday, Oct. 10.

Edmiston is one of 11 innovators to receive a 2011 Breakthrough Award. Other winners include individuals or teams from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, DARPA, and Bell Labs. Director James Cameron will receive the Breakthrough Leadership Award.

According to a release from Popular Mechanics, the awards recognize “innovators and products that dramatically advance the fields of technology, medicine, space exploration, automotive design, environmental engineering, and more.”

The initial discovery of the material that became Osorb was serendipitous. One of Edmiston’s student research assistants observed an unexpected reaction during an experiment and brought it to his attention. Out of that observation, and more than two years of subsequent research by Edmiston and his students, ABS Materials was born in 2009. Today, the company employs more than 30 people, including a half dozen Wooster graduates.

The College of Wooster is an independent liberal arts college, nationally recognized for excellence in teaching and a curriculum built around mentored undergraduate research. Every Wooster senior works one-on-one with a faculty adviser to create an original research project, written work, performance or art exhibit. Founded in 1866, the college enrolls approximately 2,000 students.