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Indian-American professor Manoranjan 'Mano' Misra, at University of Nevada, Reno (UNR), has been honoured by the Nevada System of Higher Education Board of Regents for his research works.
Misra, director of the UNR Renewable Energy Centre, has been conferred with the Regents' Researcher award.
Another researcher Josh Baker has been given the Regents' Rising Researcher award.
Misra, known for turning coffee grounds and chicken feathers into fuel, is originally from Orissa.
His work in the removal of arsenic from drinking water has earned him national recognition, as well as three patents. Several industries have taken licenses from the University to use his arsenic technology for water purification.
His work also includes applied nanotechnology for solar hydrogen generation, hydrogen storage, biomaterials for prosthetic implantation and sensor technology.
Misra's recent research in renewal energy, more specifically in using coffee grounds and chicken feathers to produce bio-diesel fuel, has garnered the attention of national media such as The New York Times, The Washington Post, Science Daily and Scientific American.
His patented process for mercury removal from the cyanide streams of gold mining operations is being used in Nevada and internationally.
Misra is a faculty member at the University of Navada since 1988 and has published 183 technical papers in the areas of materials, nanotechnology and environmental and mineral process engineering.
He has had 10 patents published and another 12 are pending. He has secured over USD 25 million dollars in grant funding.
Misra is also recognised for his services as a reviewer for 12 different journals, including Science and Nature.
He also is a panel reviewer for the Department of Energy- Alternative Energy, National Science Foundation and the Department of Defence, among others.