The College of Engineering and Computing launched a new sustainable energy technology seed grant program. The program’s purpose is to support the development, testing and construction of proof-of-concept technology for commercialization. Dr. Joseph Smith, Laufer Energy Chair and professor of chemical and biochemical engineering, and Dr. Pourya Shamsi, associate professor of electrical and computer engineering, each received $30,000 grants through the program.

Smith received funding to develop a mobile modular biorefinery that can produce high-quality, sustainable biodiesel from waste vegetable oil. The project is titled “Supercritical modular biodiesel: Sustainable, local, cost-effective energy.”

Shamsi received funding to commercialize a modular power conversion system. The project is titled “Energy-incubator: A modular power conversion system for residential communities.”

The program is made possible by a gift from Missouri S&T alumni Molly and Andy Laegeler. Molly Laegeler earned a bachelor’s degree in petroleum engineering from S&T in 2000. She is a member of the S&T Academy of Mines and Metallurgy and works as Chevron’s vice president of strategy and sustainability. Andy Laegeler earned dual degrees in chemistry and biology from S&T in 2001 and played on the S&T men’s golf team. He is a pharmacist and USA Swimming and Ironman Certified Coach in Midland, Texas.