Dr. Rudolf W. Gunnerman, a Reno inventor, scientist and entrepreneur, has raised the amount of an award established to recognize advancements in the fields of science and technology in Nevada from $5,000 to $25,000, Desert Research Institute President Stephen G. Wells announced.
The new award amount will apply to the 2001 recipient of the Rudolf W. Gunnerman Silver State Award for Excellence in Science and Technology, who will receive the award this fall. DRI coordinates the Gunnerman Award program which includes a selection process involving private and government economic development leaders.
"This is an important award that highlights and recognizes the level of stellar talent in the science and technology sector of Nevada," said Dr. Wells. "The increase in the award's prize money will significantly raise the Gunnerman Award's visibility in Nevada."
The first annual Gunnerman Award was presented in February to Dr. William A. Zamboni, a professor of surgery at the University of Nevada School of Medicine in Las Vegas, for his medical and research advances in using high oxygen environments to reattach limbs.
"I am a firm believer in creating incentives for researchers and others to apply their intellects and talents to solving problems within society," Gunnerman said. "I am pleased to be able to increase the amount of this award to encourage scientific enterprise and discovery in Nevada." Gunnerman established the award last year to recognize Nevadans whose achievements clearly satisfied a societal need either through fundamental science or its application. Award criteria require that the preponderance of the work or accomplishment cited in the nomination occurs in Nevada.
Gunnerman, who holds seven U.S. patents and over 70 international patents in the area of energy-related sciences, has devoted a significant portion of his life to studying the effects of air pollution and technological solutions to air pollution. He is founder and chairman of Clean Fuels Technology, Inc., a Reno company engaged in the development and commercialization of A-55 Clean Fuels, which are low-polluting fuel emulsions of water and oil for use in power generation and transportation. Gunnerman also formed SulphCo, Inc., last year to develop and commercialize a process for removing nearly all of the sulfur from petroleum products and reduce vehicle and power plant emissions.