(19)

(11)

EP 1 789 171 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 30.05.2007 Bulletin 2007/22 (21) Application number: 05798327.2 (22) Date of filing: 19.09.2005

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  B01J 8/02(2006.01) B01D 53/22(2006.01) C01B 3/50(2006.01) (86) International application number: PCT/US2005/033289 (87) International publication number: WO 2006/034100 (30.03.2006 Gazette 2006/13)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC NL PL PT RO SE SI SK TR (30) Priority: 21.09.2004 US 611683 P (71) Applicant: WORCESTER POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE Worcester, MA 01609-2280 (US)

(72) Inventors: WELLINGTON, Scott Lee Bellaire, Texas 77401 (US) MATZAKOS, Andreas Nicholas Missouri City, Texas 77459 (US) MARDILOVICH, Ivan Petrovich Worcester, Massachusetts 01609 (US) MA, Yi Hua Worcester, Massachusetts 01609 (US) ENGWALL, Erik Edwin Worcester, Massachusetts 01609 (US) (74) Representative: Kirkham, Nicholas Andrew et al Graham Watt & Co LLP St Botolph's House 7-9 St Botolph's Road Sevenoaks Kent TN13 3AJ Sevenoaks Kent TN13 3AJ (GB)