About Us
OverviewJack b. Howard
Jack passed away July 7, 2008 after a year-long battle with
a malignant brain tumor..
Jack was the leading light on all things related to combustion. His work spanned
40+ years touching issues of major importance at the time—and shown to
be of continued relevance today: coal conversion in the ‘60s, “new
energy technology” in the ‘70s and ‘80s, environmentally
driven fundamental research on the formation of soot and its precursors during
combustion and pyrolysis of hydrocarbons, also the ‘80s, and finally
to his discovery of fullerenes and nanotubes in flames in the ‘90s. All
of this work came together in his founding of Nano-C in 2001. Throughout his
career, he pushed the boundaries of what was known in combustion and of what
was thought to be possible for its clean and efficient use. In short, he was,
as we describe on our web-site, the Master of the Flame.
Dr. Howard was Professor Emeritus of Chemical Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, having joined MIT in 1965. He was holder of the Hoyt C. Hottel Chair and became Professor Emeritus in 2002. His research was in areas of high temperature chemistry including combustion, formation of fullerenes, nanotubes, and other carbon nanostructures in flames, pyrolysis, waste destruction, and environmental emissions control. Dr. Howard authored over 200 papers and one book, and held fifteen patents, licensed to Nano-C. He received honorary doctorate degrees from the University of Haute Alsace (Mulhouse, France) and Colorado School of Mines. He was also a recipient of the Silver Medal and Lewis Gold Medal of the Combustion Institute, the Hosler Distinguished Alumnus Medal of Pennsylvania State University, the Engineering Hall of Distinction Award of the University of Kentucky, the Henry H. Storch Award of the American Chemical Society, the Wilhelm Lectureship of Princeton University, and the Oblad Distinguished Lectureship of the University of Utah. He earned a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree at the University of Kentucky, and a doctorate at the Pennsylvania State University.
To those who knew him, he kindled in them their own flames, their own passions,
and encouraged each to find their own way. We have benefited from knowing him
and carry with us at least a little bit of his light. He will be missed by
all.