Long and Medium-Term Research: Solvent Design for Separation of Biomolecules Using Supercritical Fluids This award is under the Long and Medium-Term Research at Foreign Centers of Excellence Program, which enables U.S. scientists and engineers to conduct three to twelve months of research abroad at research centers of proven excellence. The program's awards provide opportunities for joint research, and the use of unique or complementary facilities, expertise and experimental conditions abroad. This award will support an eleven-month postdoctoral research visit by Dr. David Tomasko to work with Dr. Neil R. Foster at the University of New South Wales. Separation tools suitable for use in the food, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical industries can be developed using supercritical fluids as a basis. The stringent toxicity and purity requirements in these fields require highly specific designs which must be based on exact experimental data. Solubilities of fatty acids, triglycerides, and their mixtures will be measured in pure and cosolvent modified SCF's to aid the separation design for this demanding application. The uniqueness of this application demonstrates a novel separation technique applicable in an area that is dominated by conventional technology in the United States. The award recommendation provides funds to cover international travel and a stipend for eleven months and a dependent allowance.
