Researcher gives insider's view of JVIC

The research and development happening at Jordan Valley Innovation Center is sending a ripple effect through Springfield, chemist Von Ebron says.

Ebron discussed the latest technology coming out of JVIC and the impact of having a research facility in Springfield on Tuesday at Springfield Business Journal's monthly 12 People You Need to Know event at Clarion Hotel. SBJ Editor Eric Olson interviewed Ebron in front of an intimate crowd, followed by a question-and-answer session with the audience.

Ebron moved to Springfield two years ago to become the technical lead for St. Louis-based Crosslink's JVIC projects. He currently heads up a team researching self-detoxifying polymer coating systems to protect against chemical and biological warfare agents.

Ebron explained that the coating system's initial application will be for U.S. Army protection shelters, which would be covered in a polymer that could be activated to kill deadly bacteria in the event of an attack. The Army currently detoxifies its shelters with simple soap and water or bleach, neither of which completely decontaminates the site, he said.

"It's very simple to explain, but it's taken my entire life to do it," Ebron joked.

Further applications of the coating systems could be in the medical field, such as hospital tabletops, or air filters.

Ebron and his team are in Phase Two of the government-funded project, which is set to conclude in October 2009. If his team can determine how to commercialize the coating systems by then, they could receive additional funding to continue the project, Ebron said.

Once the product reaches that final stage, Ebron said he hopes it could be manufactured locally. Connections with the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce and the business community will help make that happen, he said.

Crosslink and JVIC are on track to vastly change local culture and education, Ebron said. The center's presence helps young people understand why they're learning science and math in school.

"We're imparting science and the opportunity for people to be more integrated in that science," he said, noting that the research that led to everyday objects like cell phones and computers is similar to what's happening at JVIC.

The caliber of JVIC's research also attracts scientists from all over the world, helping to diversify Springfield, he said. Ebron's team consists of researchers from Russia, Ukraine, Korea, India and China, and Ebron himself is from the Philippines.[[In-content Ad]]