Our mining research has resulted in 32 prestigious R&D 100 Awards (http://www.rdmag.com/awards.aspx). These awards, presented annually by R&D Magazine, demonstrate a mark of excellence that is recognized by industry, government, and academia as proof that a new product is one of the most innovative ideas of the year. In addition, NIOSH Mining researchers have earned numerous individual awards and patents for their high level of research.

R&D 100 Awards

Coal Dust Explosibility Meter - Model 100
NIOSH, Geneva College Center for Technology Development | Environment and Safety product category. For the first ever device that provides an immediate capability for determining if coal dust concentrations in active areas of underground coal mines have been sufficiently mixed with rock dust to prevent risk of explosion; R&D Magazine; 2006

TEOM Personal Dust Monitor (PDM)
Volkwein-J; Kohler-J; Thimons-E | Environmental product category; R&D Magazine; 2004

Portable Modified Direct Method Apparatus
Garcia-F; Schatzel-SJ | Health and Safety product category; R&D Magazine; 1997

Hydrohoist
Lindahl-Philip | Mechanical Devices/Mines product category; R&D Magazine; 1995

Video Photometer
Cocanour-J; Harbuck-D | Process Technology product category; R&D Magazine; 1994

Canary Wireless Mine Messenger
Bureau of Mines | Industrial Products product category; R&D Magazine; 1993

RCTS-1 Radal Coal Thickness Sensor
Bureau of Mines | Test and Measurement product category; R&D Magazine; 1992

Graphite-From-Kish Process
Laverty-P; Nicks-L; Walters-L | Environmental Sciences product category; R&D Magazine; 1992

Ultra Lightweight Rebreather SR100
Pelczarski-G | Safety Equipment product category; R&D Magazine; 1991

Underground Flexible Drill System
Bureau of Mines | Production Tools and Equipment product category; R&D Magazine; 1991

BioFix Polymeric Beads with Biological Materials
Bennett-P; Ferguson-C; Jeffers-T | Processes and Systems product category; R&D Magazine; 1990

Cobalt from Copper Ore Recovery Process
Jeffers-TH; Seidel-DC | Processes and Systems product category; R&D Magazine; 1989

Personal Toxic Gas Alarm Model 01
Carpenter-CR | Electrical and Electronic Devices product category; R&D Magazine; 1989

Cobalt Recovery Process
Cornell-WL | Processes and Systems product category; R&D Magazine; 1987

Sulfure Concrete
McBee-WC | Materials, Finished product category; R&D Magazine; 1986

Machine Mounted Ignition Supression System
Mitchell-DW | Environment and Safety product category; R&D Magazine; 1985

Rock Dust Meter
Sapko-M; Ward-J | Environment and Safety product category; R&D Magazine; 1985

Electrolytic Method for Lead Recovery
Cole-ER; Lee-AY; Paulson-DL | Processes and Systems product category; R&D Magazine; 1984

MUCH Multiple Unit Continuous Haulage System
Mayercheck-WD; Peterson-WJ | Production Components and Equipment product category; R&D Magazine; 1984

Electroplated Nickel-Copper Alloy Coating
Falke-WL; Neumeier-LA | Metals and Alloys product category; R&D Magazine; 1983

Methanol Catalyst 9B-138
Atkinson-GB; Baglin-EG; Nicks-LJ | Chemicals and Plastics Compounds product category; R&D Magazine; 1982

Wireless Real Time Survey Tool Model 1202
Bureau of Mines | Measurement and Testing product category; R&D Magazine; 1982

Sheathed Explosive Charge
Mainiero-RJ | Safety Equipment product category; R&D Magazine; 1982

QRF Ion Exchange Process
Bureau of Mines | Processes and Systems product category; R&D Magazine; 1981

Retractable Diamond Core Bit System
Larson-WC | Production Tools and Equipment product category; R&D Magazine; 1981

Geodynamic Accumulated Strain Sensor GAS
Bureau of Mines | Sampling Systems and Monitors product category; R&D Magazine; 1981

Combined Short/Long Term Oxygen Breathing App.
Davison-EL | Environment and Safety product category; R&D Magazine; 1980

Borehole Miner
Bureau of Mines | Processing Systems product category; R&D Magazine; 1980

Cement Grouted Roof Bolt System
Simpson-RE | Environment and Safety product category; R&D Magazine; 1980

Palmes Passive NOx Sampler
Bureau of Mines | Environment and Safety product category; R&D Magazine; 1980

Trapped Miner Electromagnetic Transmitter
Durkin-J; Murphy-JM; Sacks-HK | Electrical and Electronic Parts product category; R&D Magazine; 1979

Reusable Ventilation System for Underground Mines
Davison-EL; Kissell-FN; Thimons-ED | Health and Safety product category; R&D Magazine; 1978

Other Awards

Outstanding Technical Employee, Silver Award
Alcorn-LA | ; Federal Executive Board; 2008

Rookie of the Year, Gold Award
Janisko-SJ | ; Federal Executive Board; 2008

SME Distinguished Member Award
Trevits-MA | ; Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration Inc.; 2007

Syd S. Peng Ground Control in Mining Award
Mark-C | Presented annually to recognize outstanding professionals who have demonstrated insight and understanding of ground control issues by developing concepts, theories, or technologies that have been adopted by the mining community or the successful implementation of ground control design or practices; Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration Inc.; 2007

2007 Federal Engineer of the Year Award
Bauer-ER | Awarded in recognition of engineering achievements, education, continuing education, professional/technical society activities, NSPE membership, awards or honors, and civic and humanitarian activities.; National Society of Professional Engineers - Professional Engineers in Government; 2007

2007 President's Award
Mainiero-RJ | Presented to those who have contributed their time and talent to the organization - for commendable volunteer effort to the Society.; International Society of Explosives Engineers; 2007

The Calvin Kidd Fellowship Award
Alexander-DW | Awarded to a mining professional who has demonstrated dedication to student growth and advancement by promoting professional interaction and fellowhip within the community; West Virginia University College of Engineering and Mineral Resources; 2007

2007 SME-Pittsburgh Section Distinguished Member Award
Tadolini-SC | For notable and significant contributions to the technologic and professional activities of SME and the mining community; Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration Inc.; 2007

Outstanding Technical Employee, Gold Award
Hummer-JA | ; Pittsburgh Federal Executive Board; 2007

Outstanding Contribution to Science (Nonmedical), Gold Award
Homce-GT | ; Pittsburgh Federal Executive Board; 2007

SME J. W. Woomer Award (Young Engineer Award)
Beck-TW | The award recognizes engineering professionalism in young people working in the coal industry; Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration, Inc.; 2007

National Academy of Engineers Inductee
Hustrulid-WA | In recognition of his “contributions to the theory and practice of geomechanics in the design of safe and efficient underground mining systems.â€� Inducted at NAE´s annual meeting in Washington, DC. This is one of the highest honors that can be awarded to an engineer.; National Academy of Engineers; 2007

SME/PCMIA - John T. Boyd Memorial Young Engineer
Beck-TW | In recognition for engineering professionalism in young people working in the mining industry; Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration Inc./Pittsburgh Coal Mining Institute of America; 2006

Outstanding Professional Employee (Medical/Scientific field)
Iannacchione-T | ; Pittsburgh Federal Executive Board; 2006

Outstanding Team Award, Bronze Award
Glowacki-AF; Unger-RL; Carilli-AM; Caruso-D; Kwitowski-AJ; Brnich-MJ; Cole-GP; Tuchman-RJ; Calhoun-RA | In recognition of contributions to the development of the National Academy of Sciences Briefing Package. Bronze Award; Pittsburgh Federal Executive Board; 2006

Outstanding Supervisor/Manager in a Professional Series, Gold Award
Matetic-RJ | ; Pittsburgh Federal Executive Board; 2006

Outstanding Clerical Employee, Bronze Award
Sobeck-B | ; Pittsburgh Federal Executive Board; 2006

Federal Engineer of the Year Award - Civil Service Category
Whatt-J Ph.D. | For work on structural design of deep mine openings; National Society of Professional Engineers; 2005

AIHA Engineering Committee Award Best Paper Award
Goodman-G; Pollock-D | For the paper "Use of a Directional Spray System Design to Control Respirable Dust and Face Gas Concentrations Around a Continuous Mining Machine", published in JOEH (Dec.'04). Award presented May, 2005; American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA); 2005

Roadway Work Zone Safety Awareness Award - Innovations in Technology category
Schiffbauer-WH | For the Work Zone Analysis System for on-site surveillance (video, GPS) of highway construction workers. Presented at the Intertraffic North America Trade Show and Convention on September 29 in Baltimore, MD. The award recognizes outstanding efforts to help reduce roadway work zone construction accidents, injuries, and fatalities.; American Road and Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA); 2005

2005 Hispanic Achievement Award
Ulery-JP | ; Pittsburgh Federal Executive Board; 2005

SME Stefanko Best Paper Award
Zipf-RK Jr | For the paper entitled "Ground Control Design for Highwall Mining," which he presented at the 2005 SME annual meeting in Salt Lake City, UT; Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration Inc. (SME); 2005

2005 SME-Pittsburgh Section Distinguished Member Award
Brune-JF | For notable and significant contributions to the technologic and profesisonal activities of SME and the mining community; Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration, Inc.; 2005

Outstanding Contribution to Science (non-medical), Silver Award
Homce-GT | Analysis of electrical accidents and development of an overhead power line contact alarm for mobile equipment; Pittsburgh Federal Executive Board; 2004

SAE Digital Human Modeling Award
Ambrose-D | For the paper: Estimating Low Back Loads of Underground Coal Mine Roof Bolter Operators Using Digital Human Simulations; SAE; 2004

Applied Rock Mechanics Research Award
Tesarik-DR; Seymour-B; Yanske-T | For the paper Post-Failure of Two Mine Pillars Confined with Backfill published in the Int. J. of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences; American Rock Mechanics Association; 2004

SME Rock Mechanics Award
Mark-C Ph.D. | In recognition of contributions to protect miners from the hazards of ground falls, the development of technology considered industry standards (including the ALPS and ARMPS methods for sizing pillars to prevent mine collapses), and the Coal Mine Roof Rating to evaluate geologic conditions before mining takes place.; Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration Inc.; 2004

SME Stefanko Best Paper Award
Mark-C Ph.D.; Chase-FE; Pappas-DM | For the paper: Reducing the Risk of Ground Falls During Pillar Recovery; Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration Inc.; 2004

J. W. Woomer Young Engineer Award
Robertson-SB | In recognition of her engineering professionalism in the coal industry; Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration Inc., Coal and Energy Division; 2004

John T. Boyd Memorial Young Engineer Award
Krog-RB | In recognition of engineering professionalism; Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration Inc., Pittsburgh Section; 2004

Telly Award, bronze
Cullen-ET | For the video You Are My Sunshine, Best entry, Broadcast Media category; Creative Group; 2003

SAE Digital Human Modeling Award
Ambrose-D | For the paper: Machine Injury Prediction by Simulation using Human Models; SAE; 2003

SAE Digital Human Modeling Award
Bartels-J | For the paper: Verification of a Roof Bolter Simulation Model; SAE; 2003

Outstanding Professional Employee, Bronze Award
Sammarco-J | In recognition of contributions to research establishing a formal safety framework for computerized mining systems; Federal Executive Board; 2003

Outstanding Professional Employee, Bronze Award
Ambrose-D | In recognition of contributions to the field of ergonomics and machine safety; Federal Executive Board; 2002

H.L. Boling Award
Spokane Research Laboratory | Consistently going above and beyond the call of duty. This annual award honors those nominated by safety people from all over the country for the highest commitment to the safety and health of miners.; International Society of Mine Safety Professionals; 2002

SME Stefanko Best Paper Award
Schiffbauer-WH | For the paper: An Active Proximity Warning System for Surface and Underground Mining Applications; Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration Inc.; 2002

Outstanding Team Award, Bronze Award
MERITS Team (Brnich-M; Mallett-L; Cole-G; Fries-E; Glowacki-A; Jobes-C; Kwitowski-A; Rethi-L; Unger-R; Vaught-C; Reinke-D) | ; Pittsburgh Federal Executive Board; 2001

Best publication in AIHA/AOEH journal - 2000
Cecal- AB; Timko-RJ; Thimons-ED | For the paper "Methods to Lower the Dust Exposure of Bag Machine Operators and Bag Stackers". Award presented at the AIHA Conference in New Orleans, June 2001; Michigan Industrial Hygiene Society; 2001

SAE Digital Human Modeling Award
Bartels-J | For the paper: Verification and validation of roof bolter simulation models for studying events between a machine and its operator; SAE; 2001

CDC Engineer of the Year Award - Civil Service Category
Dubaniewicz-T | For research on laser safety in potentially flammable environments; National Society of Professional Engineers and US Public Health Service; 2001

Outstanding Contribution to Science (nonmedical)
Dubaniewicz-T | For research on laser safety in potentially flammable environments; Pittsburgh Federal Executive Board; 2001

Engineering Literary Award - Engineering Publications category
Dubaniewicz-T | Journal article on ignition of methane-air mixtures by laser heated small targets; US Public Health Service; 2000

SAE Digital Human Modeling Award
Ambrose-D | For the paper: A Simulation Approach Analyzing Random Motion Events Between a machine and its Operator; SAE; 2000

Highest Degree of Safety Award
Cullen-ET | Outstanding contributions to the reduction in injuries and Illnesses in the mining industry; International Society of Mine Safety Professionals; 2000

SME Stefanko Best Paper Award
Goodman-GVR; Listak-JM | For the paper "Variations in Dust Levels with Continuous Miner Position"; Coal Division, Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration Inc.; 1999

Government Civil Engineer of the Year
Iannacchione-AT Ph.D. | For significant contributions to the practice of Civil Engineering in the public sector; American Society of Civil Engineers; 1999

Engineer of the Year
Iannacchione-AT Ph.D. | For outstanding contributions and displayed professionalism in the Engineering discipline; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Public Health Service; 1998

Colliery Manager's Award for Best Peer-Reviewed Paper in S.A. Mine Ventilation Journal
Rider-J; Taylor-C; Thimons-E | For the paper "Measuring Low Level Methane Concentrations with an Air Bag Sampling System"; Mine Ventilation Society of South Africa; 1998

FEB Award
Sammarco-J | Chairman's Award for improving government operations. Silver Award; Federal Executive Board; 1997

Patents

Systems and Methods for Automated Quantitative Analysis of Digitized Spectra
Tuchman-DP; Lemmon-DH; Smith-BC | U.S. Patent No. 7,206,701 (granted April 17, 2007)

Method and Apparatus for Load Rate Monitoring
Howie-WL; Owens-JK | U.S. Patent No. 6,957,166 (granted Oct. 18, 2005)

Non-directional Magnet Field-Based Proximity receiver with Multiple Warning and Machine Shutdown Capability
Schiffbauer-WH | U.S. Patent #6,810,353 B2 (granted Oct 26, 2004)

Lighted Line
Conti-RS; Chasko-LL | U.S. Patent #6,742,909 (granted June 1, 2004)

Ore Pass Inspection System
Miller-AL; Maricich-P; Dorrington-C; Schmitz-P; Garvey-T | CDC No. I-023-98/0 (United Kingdom - granted Oct. 2003)

Apparatus and Method for Generating Power Onboard a Hoist Conveyance
Beus-MJ; Sunderman-CB; Rains-RL; Lazenga-N | U.S. Patent # 6626267 (granted Sept. 2003)

Alarm System for Detecting Hazards Due to Power Transmission Lines
Sacks-HK; Yenchek-MR; Homce-GT; Cawley-JC | U.S Patent #6,600,426 (granted July 29, 2003)

Method and Apparatus for Safety Testing Optical Systems for Hazardous Locations
Dubaniewicz-TH; Green-GM | U.S Patent #6,667,801 (granted December 23, 2003)

Intrinsically-Safe Roof Hazard Alert Module
Mayercheck-WD; Brautigam-AL | U.S. Patent #6,469,619 (granted Oct. 22, 2002); Australia Patent #747632 (granted Aug. 29, 2002); UK Patent #GB0027883.8 (granted June 3, 2003)

Dust Detector Tube
Volkwein-JC; Page-SJ; Dobroski-HH | U.S. Patent #6,401,520 EP 0 993 599 B1 (granted June, 2002), Australia Patent #738972 (granted January 16, 2002)

Support Apparatus with Stress Measuring Capability
Martin-LA; Curtin-RP | U.S. Patent #6311564 (granted Nov. 2001); Australia Patent #738265 (granted Jan. 2002); UK Patent #GB2350200 (granted Jan. 2002)

Method for Characterization of Rock Strata in Drilling Operations
Utt-WK | Patent# 09/613/963, 2001 Apr

Methods and Apparatuses for Detecting a Temperature Increase in an Electrical Insulator
Hudson-AJ | U.S. Patent #6,189,479 (granted Feb. 20, 2001)

Mobile Machine Hazardous Working Zone Warning System
Schiffbauer-WH; Ganoe-CW | U.S Patent #5,939,986 (granted Aug 17, 1999)

Portable Tester for Determining Gas Content Within a Core Sample
Garcia-F; Schatzel-SJ | U.S. Patent #5,741,959 (granted April 21, 1998)

Method & Apparatus for Monitoring the Thickness of a Coal Rib During Rib Formation
Mowrey-GL | U.S. Patent #5,500,649 (granted March 19, 1996)

Inflatable Partition for Fighting Mine Fires
Conti-RS; Lazzara-CP | U.S. Patent #5,469,920 (granted Nov. 28, 1995)

Inflatable Partition for High-Expansion Foam Generators
Conti-RS; Lazzara-CP | U.S. Patent #5,469,920 (granted November 28, 1995)

Method & Apparatus for In Situ Biological Conversion of Coal to Methane
Volkwein-JC | U.S. Patent #5,424,195 (granted June 13, 1995)

High Pressure-Resistant Nonincendive Emulsion Explosive
Ruhe-TC; Rao-P | U.S. Patent #5,366,571 (granted November 22, 1994)

Thrust Bolting: Roof Bolt Support Apparatus
Tadolini-SC; Dolinar-DR | U.S. Patent #5,127,769 (granted July 7, 1992)

Non-Incendive Rock-Breaking Explosive Charge
Mainiero-RJ | U.S. Patent 4,537,133 (granted August 27, 1985)