David Usher and Charlie Usher, Chairman and President of Marine Pollution Control Corporation (MPC), announced the following staff promotions:

 

Dr. Manik S. Sardessai has been promoted to Senior Vice President.  Dr. Sardessai, who earned his Ph.D. in Chemistry from Wayne State University, has worked for MPC since 1995in a variety of positions and will continue in his leadership role for technical and regulatory matters.  He has distinguished himself internationally as an authority on the handling of hazardous materials.

 

Walter J. Putman, Jr., has been promoted to Vice President and General Manager.  Putman, who has a Master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix, will continue to administer numerous areas, including pricing, contracts and information technology.  He has been with the company for 16 years, including an assignment as manager of MPC’s former Flint, MI, branch.  

 

Catherine Gibbons has been promoted to Director of Environmental Affairs.  Gibbons has a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineeringfrom Wayne State University and is a Certified Hazardous Materials Manager.  She has been with MPC since 2008 and will expand her leadership role within MPC’s Compliance group as well as continue oversight of one of MPC’s largest accounts.

 

Timothy P. Schallhorn has been promoted to Senior Project Manager.  Schallhorn holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Earth Science and Oceanography from Central Michigan University.  Schallhorn joined MPC in 2007 and has played a key role in managing projects for MPC clients in Western and Northern Michigan.  In his new position he will assume increasing responsibility for developing an MPC presence in the region.   

 

 

 

 

The world runs on energy- the change from animal to wind power has changed the face of the Earth forever. Life as we know it today is impossible without the use of energy. From transport to communication, from agriculture to medicine, from cradle to grave, modern man is totally dependent on energy to provide the goods and services he needs. As a result, energy resources are now more important than ever before.

Fossil fuels, which have been instrumental in taking mankind from an agrarian society to a modern technological and information-based society of the 21st century, are depleting. This has brought into light the need for newer energy sources.  The world is conscious of the need to find new and renewable sources of energy, but finding the right solution is not easy- everything comes at a price. With the present state of scientific development, almost every source of alternate energy has one or more negatives that balance out the positives.

 

 

In a development arising from nanotechnology research, scientists in Madison have created a spongelike material that could provide a novel and sustainable way to clean up oil spills.

 

It's known as an aerogel, but it could just as well be called a "smart sponge."

 

To demonstrate how it works, researchers add a small amount of red dye to diesel, making the fuel stand out in a glass of water. The aerogel is dipped in the glass and within minutes, the sponge has soaked up the diesel. The aerogel is now red, and the glass of water is clear.

 

 

 

FERNDALE — Extremely cold temperatures helped the Ferndale Fire Department in their efforts to contain a chemical spill at Gage Products, 625 Wanda, at around 10 p.m. Tuesday night.

 

Fire Chief Kevin Sullivan said that 390 gallons of ethanol from a 500 gallon tote were spilled on the property and into the sewer. This also caused steam to billow into the air. A Gage crew placed “pigs,” a tubular absorbent device, to prevent any further drainage.

 

“An emergency cleanup crew has been dispatched to clean catch basins and sewer,” Sullivan said. “Everything is under control at this time. I have notified Michigan DEQ (Department of Environmental Quality) and other parties required by law.