Renewable Alternatives LLC was founded as a result of basic
research conducted at the University of Missouri-Columbia
under the laboratories of Professor Galen Suppes. Renewable
Alternatives LLC is actively involved with the university
in the research, development and commercialization of products
that are an alternative to petroleum-based feedstock materials.
Research activities focus on the synthesis of phase change
materials, high-performance diesel fuel additives from vegetable
oils and fats, development of advanced/integrated reactor
systems, new uses for glycerin and glycerin conversion products
and regenerative fuel cell technology.
Q: When and why did you start Renewable Alternatives,
LLC?
Dr. William R. Sutterlin (WRS): When my partner, Dr. Galen
Suppes, first came to MU, he brought with him some exciting
technology related to phase change materials from fats and
oils. To further develop the technology and to begin commercializing
products we formed Renewable Alternatives, LLC during the
summer of 2003. As a private company we were able to compete
for SBIR/STTR grants from the federal government that could
help us in our commercialization efforts. So far we’ve been
fortunate to receive an $80,000 Phase I SBIR, a $296,000
Phase II SBIR, and a $100,000 Phase I STTR. These grants
have been invaluable to our company.
Q: How is business? What has Renewable Alternatives,
LLC been up to lately?
WRS: We have been working on phase-change materials through
our SBIR grants and through our Phase I STTR grant from
the NSF we have been developing a method to produce propylene
glycol from glycerin, a biodiesel production by-product.
We are still currently in our infant stages, but we hope
to start securing sales contracts very soon. We are in the
process of building up a customer base. Currently we have
a patent on the production of certain fat and oil-based
phase-change materials which can add or remove heat, and
are looking to market these materials to clothing manufacturers
as well as furniture makers, eventually. Our original intention
was to enter the HVAC market with these phase-change materials,
but we are currently concentrating on clothing and personal
comfort. Our goals are to eventually get into fuel cells
as well, and we have submitted a number of grant proposals
in this area.
Q: What resources were useful to you when starting Renewable
Alternatives, LLC?
WRS: The MoFAST resources were very helpful for our startup.
They provided valuable input and advice for SBIR/STTR proposals.
The Missouri Innovation Center (MIC) has provided invaluable
assistance with taxes and accounting. MIC has also been
helpful with identifying and meeting university regulations
in regard to faculty spin-off company formation and in obtaining
incubator office space that is close to the laboratories
of Professor Suppes.
Q: What advice do you have for others starting their
own companies?
WRS: Starting a company takes a lot of time and a lot of
work. Having a great idea is the easy part. The manufacturing
and marketing behind this idea is much more difficult. Be
prepared for frustration. If you are not well educated in
business practices, be sure to seek help. Seeking help will
save a great deal of time in the long run. Also, providing
samples or brochures of your product will help in attaining
customers. While telling them about your product is good,
giving them something to look at is even better.
Q: What roadblocks have you encountered in starting
your company here at the University of Missouri, and what
improvements have been made?
Dr. Galen Suppes (GS): I initially met some resistance
within the University when I sought permission to pursue
my own company. However, that worked out. I found that clear
advice regarding University procedures was somewhat lacking.
For instance, I was not aware of the importance of the "Potential
Conflict of Interest" form. I would strongly recommend
that anyone starting their own business here at the University
look into this form right away. Renting space for my company
here on campus has been somewhat difficult, but the College
of Engineering and MIC helped me in breaking ground. A thorough
understanding of how the Office of Technology and Special
Projects works would also be of great benefit in getting
approved in a timely manner. At this point, it is becoming
more clear that the University is supportive of faculty
entrepreneurship and see that the commercialization of technology
will create jobs for the community and the state. SBIR and
STTR grants are now seen as quality funding mechanisms,
and the University tends to be supportive of faculty spin-off
companies, especially if this allows SBIR and STTR funds
to be acquired.
Q: Tell me about your educational background.
WRS: I received my B.S. (double major) in Chemistry and
Criminal Justice from Troy State University in Troy, Alabama
in 1995. I received my Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry from
the University of Missouri in 2003. I have also had additional
classes in chemical engineering, chemical instrumentation
and business.
GS: I received my BS in Chemical Engineering from the Kansas
State University and received my Ph.D. Johns Hopkins University
in 1989.
Q: How about your work experience? Where have you worked?
WRS: I worked immediately after receiving my undergraduate
degree at Avanti Polar Lipids in Birmingham, Alabama as
a Production Chemist (1995-96), an Analytical Chemist (1996-97),
and as a Research and Development Chemist (1997-98). I was
a Research Associate for the U.S. Geological Survey Columbia
Environmental Research Center in Columbia, MO during the
summer of 1999, and was a Teaching Assistant at the University
of Missouri- Columbia from 1998 until June 2002. I worked
as a Senior Scientific Research Associate for CHEM CHAR
Research Inc. from June 2002 until the Summer of 2003, where
I was the primary investigator on grants from the USDA and
American Public Power Association, The Use of Fats and Oils
as Phase Change Materials.
GS: Immediately after receiving my Ph.D., I worked for
three and a half years for Dow Chemical in the Plastics
Research Division in Freeport, Texas. After working at Dow
Chemical, I worked at the University of Kansas until I came
here to the University of Missouri.
Q: What professional organizations are you affiliated
with?
WRS: I am a member of the American Chemical Society (ACS)
and the American Oil Chemical Society (AOCS).
GS: I have been involved with the American Institute of
Chemical Engineers (AIChE).
Q: What honors and rewards have your received?
WRS: I received the APPA-DEED Research Scholarship in 2003
and received an Excellence in Teaching Award as a Chemistry
Teaching Assistant in 2001.
GS: I am a registered professional engineer in the state
of Kansas. I am a C.Y. O'Connor Fellow – Division of Engineering
and Science, scholar for teaching abroad at Curtin University
(Perth, Australia), Spring 2001. I received the Excellence
in Teaching Award at the University of Kansas in 1998. I
served in a number of positions with the AIChE including
: Chair of the National Student Chapters Committee of AIChE
from 11/02 to 10/03, 2nd Vice-Chair in the National Student
Chapters Committee of AIChE from 11/00 to 10/02, Director
(elected, Fall 1997), Fuels and Petrochemicals Division,
AIChE, 3/98-12/00, Programming Vice-Chair, Fuels and Petrochemicals—16e
New Technology, AIChE, 11/97-11/98, Programming Chair, Fuels
and Petrochemicals area 16e, New Technology, AIChE, 11/98-.
I also was a member of the following committees: SAE Fuels
& Lubricants Activity Committee (S97-), AIChE Fuels
and Petrochemicals, AIChE Student Chapters, AIChE Research
& New Technology.
Q: What are your research interests?
WRS: I have a lot of interest in chemistry involving fats
and oils, and have considerable research experience in this
area.
GS: My research program focuses on fat and oil processing
with advanced applications of thermodynamics and reaction
kinetics toward the development of phase change materials,
ultra-clean diesel fuel technology, utilization of biomass
resources, and efficient destruction of chemical wastes.
My research activities focus on the synthesis of phase change
materials, high-performance diesel fuel additives from vegetable
oils and fats, use of ethanol in compression-ignition (diesel)
fuels, modeling and understanding of diesel fuel cold flow
behavior, development of advanced/integrated reactor systems,
and continuous pseudo-plug-flow reactions including near-critical
water oxidation, and regenerative fuel cell systems.
Dr. William R. Sutterlin
Contact: wrsa94@mizzou.edu
Resume
Dr. Galen Suppes
Contact: suppesg@missouri.edu,
(573) 884-0562
Personal
Web Page
Renewable Alternatives has been very active in applying
for, and successful in being awarded, both STTR and SBIR
grants. For details on their grant awards and submissions,
click here.
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