News Release Archive

Achived news stories coming soon!

NCC Gets Grant to Zap Pollution
Human Powered Submarine Project

ETAC Launches New Website
ETAC Wins Governor's Award
HBC Barge Launches First Vessel

DEP Grant Awarded to Electrotechnology Applications Center at Northampton Community College

The Department of Environmental Protection has awarded more than $1.1 million dollars over a three-year period to Northampton Community College's Electrotechnology Applications Center (ETAC) to investigate a new technology that can be used to reduce air pollution and should be affordable for small and mid-size businesses to implement. According to ETAC Director Mike Vasilik, electron beam technology can be used to reduce volatile organic compounds (VOCs) created during manufacturing processes. VOCs, which lead to smog and ozone, are converted to harmless water and carbon dioxide using an electron beam.

"ETAC is always looking at more efficient and less expensive ways of helping manufacturers reduce pollutants. Current methods used in controlling these emissions are catalytic oxidation or absorption of VOCs on activated carbon. Recent advances in electron beam radiant energy allow for an alternate and reasonable technology that will be practical for small and mid-size businesses to implement,"says Vasilik.

The grant will allow ETAC to actively demonstrate electron beam VOC destruction methodologies in the curing of automotive paints and coatings mounted on a robotic arm; curing of paints and coatings on metal and tube stock; destruction of VOCs in exhaust air streams; sterilization of materials, equipment and areas; sterilization of air in VOC emission areas; vegetable oil and radiation-curable inks; screen printing on plastic containers; and to develop and test possible VOC reduction solutions for flexo and gravure printers.

Any industry that creates VOCs, from manufacturers of wood and metal products to the aerospace industry, could use the e-beam to reduce pollutants, explains Vasilik. The grant will allow ETAC to develop an electron beam device small enough to be placed in smokestacks, keeping VOCs from ever reaching the environment.

The technology will first be tested in a lab at ETAC and then demonstrated in the field. "If we are successful in using this technology here in the Lehigh Valley, it can be implemented all over the country. To the best of knowledge, no one else is using the e-beam technology in this way," says Vasilik.

Electron beam technology is used by industries in many ways, from television sets to the sterilization of meant. ETAC has already worked with local businesses to use electron beam technology to reduce emissions.

Scientists from NCC's Electrotechnology Applications Center (ETAC) have achieved national acclaim for their success in helping manufacturers from a wide variety of industries comply with environmental regulations, improve energy efficiency and increase productivity through the use of "green technologies." Last year, ETAC received the Governor's Award for Environmental Excellence for its work helping more the 300 manufacturing firms in the Lehigh Valley and across the state prevent emissions of an estimated 37,500,000 pounds of VOCs.

Human-Powered Submarine Project

ETAC also had visitors from Lafayette College. Students from the Department of Mechanical Engineering came to ETAC to work on the "Human Powered Submarine Team" project and received guidance from ETAC Process Engineer Joe Cresko. Bearing ETAC and NCC logos, the submarine will be tested for durability and performance during an international competition to be held June 23-27, 2003 at the Naval Surface Warfare Center's Carderock facility in Bethesda, Maryland. The submariine is about 9.5 x 3 feet and will be operated underwater by the teams' captain who will be inside in scuba gear. he will have to navigate a 30-foot course 100 meters below the surface.

ETAC Launches New Website
The Electrotechnology Applications Center, (ETAC), located on the campus of Northampton Community College in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, announces the launch of their new and improved website at www.etctr.com. The new site was launched on January 15, 2003.

ETAC's mission is to help manufacturers implement electric drying and curing technologies that increase production, improve energy efficiencies, and reduce environmental impact of the their manufacturing processes. Check out our site for details on how this great resource can help your company improve and grow.

ETAC Wins Governor's Award
On September 25, 2002, members of the ETAC staff and Northampton Community College traveled to Harrisburg to receive the Governor's Award for Environmental Excellence from Governor Mark Schweiker. Dr. Mike Vasilik, director of ETAC, and Dr. Art Scott, Vice President and Provost of Northampton Community College, accepted the award from DEP Secretary David Hess.

During the last 4 years, ETAC has helped more than 300 manufacturers in the Lehigh Valley and across the state prevent emissions of an estimated 37.5 million pounds of volatile organic compounds and 140,000 pounds of particulate in conjunction with DEP's efforts to improve air quality in the Commonwealth.

As a participant in Pennsylvania's Small Business Assistance Program, ETAC is one of the most successful technical assistance providers on Pennsylvania. According to State Representative Steve Samuleson, "The center has demonstrated its firm commitment to preserving our resources and protecting air quality. Northampton Community College has shown how economic development and environmental protection efforts can go hand-in-hand."

HBC Barge Launches First Vessel
In an October 8, 2002 article in the Herald-Standard, a success story was reported regarding the launch of a 195-foot long, 25-foot wide, 10 1/2 foot high, 335-ton barge into the Monongahela River in Brownsville, Pennsylvania (see picture by Dave Rafferty/Herald-Standard).

The critical technical assistance provided by the PENNTAP-ETAC Partnership in Southwest Pennsylvania is referenced as HBC "thanked several firms for technical support in dealing with DEP approval."

PENNTAP collected the technical data, and arranged for ETAC to provide the technical Best Available Technology (BAT) evaluation input needed. The outstanding efforts of the ETAC staff, combined with those of the Hillcrest Group, resulted in the submittal of a revised application for a plan approval. On August 14, 2002, the PADEP issued a Plan Approval to resume full operations, including painting. The company has received new contracts valued at upwards of $6 million. To view the full article, visit www.heraldstandard.com.