July 2011 - EcoThermics announces business expansion with new laboratory in Kansas.
Read article at CentralIllinoisNewsCenter.com (WEEK TV)
Watch Video from July 13th WEEK Evening News
Read article appearing in Peoria Journal Star July 17, 2011
May 2011 - EcoThermics CEO, Merle Rocke, attends Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione "Where Are They Now" follow-up presentation.
CEO Merle Rocke was invited by Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione to provide a follow-up presentation entitled “Where Are They Now” to an interested audience focused on cleantech investments. EcoThermics won 2nd place in the Brinks Innovation Competition in last September.
Click here to view the event website.
January 2011 - EcoThermics CEO, Merle Rocke, will attend 2011 AHR EXPO.
CEO Merle Rocke will attend AHR EXPO, January 31-February 2, 2011 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The annual expo draws over 45,000 HVACR industry professionals from around the world. This year’s event is expected to reflect the growing interest in the area of CO2 commercial refrigeration. Companies interested in pre-scheduled meetings to discuss EcoThermics CO2 compressor technology during the expo are encouraged to contact EcoThermics at 309-495-7320 or send an email to mrocke@ecothermics.com.
January 2011 - EcoThermics Featured on WHOI/WEEK Good Company.
EcoThermics Corporation was featured January 18th at 5:00 pm on WEEK/WHOI’s weekly segment entitled Good Company. Merle Rocke and Tom Dennison were interviewed for an update as one of Peoria’s most promising technology innovators.
December 2010 - EcoThermics Corporation Featured on FOX Business TV.
Fox Business television, Special Edition TV, highlighted EcoThermics Corporation on Sunday, December 12th at 3:00 pm Central time. This brief 8-minute segment on ‘Environmentally Friendly HVAC’ featured Peoria based EcoThermics Corporation and interviews with Merle Rocke, CEO, Travis Horton, CTO and Rep. Aaron Shock.
September 2010 - CEO Merle Rocke presents at ATMOsphere 2010 in Brussels, Belgium.
ATMOsphere 2010 – an international workshop on natural refrigerants - was held on 27-28 September in Brussels to help answer one simple question: HOW to bring natural refrigerants 'Faster to Market'? 180 participants, 30 moderators and 40 speakers discussed in interactive workshops what policy and industry can do to support the use of CO2, ammonia, and hydrocarbons as refrigerants in developed and developing countries.
Click here to download a copy of the presentation (10 Mb zip file).
Click here to view a copy of the ATMOsphere 2010 report - How to bring natural refrigerants faster to market.
September 2010 - EcoThermics selected as a finalist in the Brinks Innovation Competition.
Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione has announced the five finalists in the 2nd Annual Brinks Innovation Competition, held in conjunction with the Midwest Clean Tech 2010 Conference at McCormick Place in Chicago on September 14-15, 2010. To learn more about the conference, visit www.midwestcleantech2010.com.
Each of the finalists will exhibit their new technologies at the Midwest Clean Tech 2010 Conference. The winners of the Brinks Innovation Competition will be announced during the conference at an awards ceremony on September 14, 2010.
This year's entries were reviewed by a panel of eight judges, including angel investors, venture capital investors and seasoned entrepreneurs. The judges reviewed entries from entrepreneurs in Illinois, Michigan and Wisconsin, as well as India and Belgium.
“The judges noted that this year’s entrants were very strong and represented a broad spectrum of innovative clean technologies and concepts,” commented G. Peter Nichols, a shareholder at Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione and co-director of the Brinks Innovation Competition.
Allen Dines, president of the Midwest Research University Network and co-director of the Brinks Innovation Competition, noted, “With Midwest Clean Tech being held this year in conjunction with the International Manufacturing Technology Show, it is significant that several of our Brinks Innovation Competition entrants are developing very exciting advanced manufacturing solutions.”
The five finalists are:
- EcoThermics, Peoria, Illinois
- BioIonix, Inc., Madison, Wisconsin
- Fusion Coolant Systems, Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Lumec Control Products, Peoria, Illinois
- NextCAT, Detroit, Michigan
July 2010 - EcoThermics to Present in September at ATMOsphere 2010 in Brussels.
EcoThermics CEO Merle Rocke accepted an invitation to present at ATMOsphere 2010 – an International Workshop on Natural Refrigerants - to be held September 27-28 in Brussels, Belgium. The conference aims to help answer one simple question: HOW to bring natural refrigerants 'Faster to Market'? Interactive workshops bring together all main stakeholders to discuss what policy and industry can do to support the use of natural refrigerants in developed and developing countries. For more information visit: http://www.atmosphere2010.com/index.php.
July 2010 - EcoThermics “Real World” Press Conference Introduces Innovative CO2 Technology.
EcoThermics announced a first real-world field test application with StollPak – a honey processing plant in Van Wert, Ohio. CEO of StollPak Dwight Stoller highlighted the fact that significant heat is required in the processing and packaging of honey, and due to its thick, sticky consistency, it has to be heated and maintained at temperatures high enough so that it flows out of barrels and through pipes, avoiding crystallization. Stoller commented “We recognized that today’s methods of heating water require significant energy consumption at the expense of our environment, which presents an added cost to consumers. EcoThermics technology will not only reduce our production costs, but will do so in an environmentally friendly manner which provides free cooling to our boiler room as an added benefit.”
Click here to view the Press Release.
Click here to view the actual press conference.
July 2010 - EcoThermics Corporation presents at the 2010 Herrick Conferences in Purdue on innovative CO2 systems.
Purdue Masters student Seth Holloway presented a technical paper in conjunction with EcoThermics Corporation at the International Compressor Engineering Conference at Purdue University on July 15th, 2010. The presentation entitled “Experimental Performance of a Prototype Carbon Dioxide Compressor,” provided performance data for comparison with an earlier model as well as to other CO2 compressors.
If you are interested in receiving a copy of the technical presentation, please use this form to make your request.
More information on the conference is available at:
http://www.r744.com/articles/2010-07-13-presentations-of-innovative-co2-systems-at-the-2010-herrick-conferences-in-purdue.php
June 2010 - EcoThermics Corporation announces the achievement of a critical milestone, selection of a production manufacturing partner, Mennie Machine Company located in North Central Illinois.
Click here to view the Peoria Press Release.
Click here to view the actual press conference.
Click here to view WMBD TV news coverage.
June 2010 - EcoThermics CEO Merle Rocke Presents Innovative Heat Pump Technology at TechConnect World Expo
Click here to view the Anaheim Press Release.
Click here to view Merle’s presentation.
Click here to view an overview of entire TechConnect event including trade show & presentation highlights.
Dr. Rod Hugelman, EcoThermics’ Chief Scientist discusses CO2 heat exchanger design with a supplier.
May 2010 - AHR Expo - CO2 Components Hit the Market
Commercialization of CO2 technologies is expanding rapidly, as evidenced by new product introductions at this year’s combined annual AHR Expo and ASHRAE event in Orlando, Florida.
Back when EcoThermics began development of its CO2 compressor, there were no heat exchangers available on the market designed to handle the high pressures, as great as four times that of traditional refrigerants. We knew we would need heat exchangers to do system testing and therefore designed, patented and manufactured our own prototype units for testing.
At this years show, EcoThermics CTO Dr. Travis Horton and Chief Scientist Dr. Rodney Hugelman met with engineers and fellow PhD’s from a number of heat exchanger manufacturers who now sell products designed specifically for use with CO2.
Four such companies, SWEP, Kaori, Alfa Laval and TurboTech, provided EcoThermics with sample heat exchangers for testing.
In addition to meeting with various component suppliers at the show, EcoThermics CEO Merle Rocke had follow-up meetings with over twenty different individuals or companies interested in further exploring the technology and potential developmental opportunities.
One other important takeaway from the January event was further confirmation from a number of credible sources that EcoThermics is presently the only company with a single modular compressor package encompassing premium novel efficiency options and incredibly spanning 3-7 ton size ranges depending on configuration.
April 2010 - EcoThermics CEO Merle Rocke is invited to present at the 5th Annual TechConnect Venture Forum on June 24th in Anaheim, CA.
Last year’s event drew over 4,000 participants from 70 countries including leading corporations, research universities, start-ups, and financial investors in cleantech, nanotech, microsystems, and life sciences sectors. Attendees are actively seeking technology partnerships, including product development and distribution, financial assistance, research collaborations, and technology licensing.
For more information:
http://www.techconnectworld.com/Summit2010/program/ventures.html
March 2010 - EcoThermics was one of 44 companies selected to present at the 11th Annual InvestMidwest Venture Capital Forum.
The conference in St. Louis, MO, showcased companies from 14 Midwestern states in three presentation tracks: life sciences, technology and cleantech/alternative energy.
For more information:
http://www.investmidwestforum.com/
February 2010 - EcoThermics presents at Cleantech, San Francisco.
EcoThermics presents at Cleantech Forum XXVI in San Francisco, CA. The forum unites nearly 1,000 investors, entrepreneurs, policy makers, global corporations and industry influencers to provide insight, investment opportunities and unparalleled networking for the world's leading investors, growth companies and global corporations.
For more information:
http://cleantech.com/cleantechforum/sanfrancisco10/index.cfm
January 2010 - EcoThermics attends AHR EXPO, Orlando
AHR Expo 2010 brings together more than 1,800 exhibiting companies, dozens of industry organizations and over 25,000 visitors to learn what’s new in the HVACR industry. http://www.ahrexpo.com.
September 2009 - EcoThermics hosted an investor session to provide an update on technology, progress and corporate strategy. A roundtable discussion provided opportunity to meet and openly engage joint development partners, industry experts and key strategic advisors.
Investors... Meet Our Partners
In keeping with a cultural philosophy of openness and transparency, EcoThermics investors met September 11, 2009, in Peoria for an update on EcoThermics’ technology, progress and corporate strategy. A roundtable discussion provided an opportunity to meet and openly engage joint development partners, industry experts and key strategic advisors.
Panelists included Associate Professor of Engineering at Purdue and part-time EcoThermics CTO Dr. Travis Horton, Intellectual Property Expert and Licensing Strategist Mr. Bill Berlinger, and representatives from partner companies in five states.
While interest in CO2 as a refrigerant soars globally, challenging high pressures present technological hurdles to those interested in its development. Dr. Horton explained that many technological challenges facing the industry are overcome simply because of EcoThermics’ unique design. Mr. Berlinger added, “Problems the company is experiencing and solving today are very likely to become the friend of the company in the future.” He goes on to explain that novelty, in conjunction with strong patent protection provides barriers to entry for competitors. Mr. Berlinger, now in his 20th year at CAT, essentially created a corporate technology transaction business within Caterpillar dealing with intellectual assets. He now advises start-up companies through Peoria NEXT to attain WIN-WIN-WIN deals, which he describes as, “What is best for both parties, the third WIN being what the technology needs to thrive.”
Investors expressed appreciation for this unique opportunity to address partners and advisors on subjects of strategic importance.
May 2009 - EcoThermics CEO Merle Rocke & CFO Thomas Lewicki spend a week in Washington D.C.. Thirteen meetings with over 30 people in 5 days prove valuable.
EcoThermics on National Agenda – Washington DC
EcoThermics CEO Merle Rocke & CFO Tom Lewicki spent a week in Washington, DC with several goals in mind: (i) to secure support for Congressman Schock’s funding requests, (i) gain a first-hand under-standing of the landscape for federal funding for research and (iii) expand our network of relationships.
This very successful trip involved 13 meetings with over 30 people in five days! We received a strong letter of support from the U.S. Army as well as support from the congressmen representing the districts where several of our key partners are located (Indiana, Ohio, and Missouri) – all crucial for the funding requests.
We met with Congressman Schock, who helped focus our efforts and fine-tune our message. Meetings with senior staff from the offices of Senator Durbin and Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood have proven very helpful in connecting us to appropriate personnel in Defense and Energy. Their advice has been invaluable.
What We Learned
The tone in Washington under the new administration is that they are serious about the following national goals: energy conservation and independence, safeguarding the environment, U.S. jobs, healthcare and education. We heard from influential people several times that to successfully secure research grant funds, we need to show that our technology presents an innovative solution that improves energy efficiency and conservation, leverages close relationships with U.S. partners, enhances U.S. technology and manufacturing competitiveness and finally, creates U.S. jobs.
Upon return, we set out to review state and federal funding opportunities with both Stimulus and regular appropriations, focused with Defense and Energy.
What We’re Doing
We have prepared an application package for a Department of Energy grant to demonstrate the ability of our technology to efficiently capture and conserve industrial waste heat and provide usable thermal and mechanical energy for multiple applications - in a real-life demonstration at a honey processing plant in Ohio. Our grant proposal includes our U.S. partners and would advance our heat pump technology further down the road to commercial use. And, our focus on energy conservation with a natural refrigerant, leveraging our partners for U.S. technology and manufacturing competitiveness, and creating U.S. jobs puts us right in the sweet spot on the national scene!
March 2009 - Global industry leaders meet in Peoria.
EcoThermics was host, March 17-18th 2009, to four progressive, forward-looking HVACR companies, which have partnered with us to speed development of innovative CO2 technologies. Orchestrated by Director of Product Development, Roy Bullivant, the dynamic 2-day session assembled partners from four different states, the EcoThermics leadership team, members of the Technical and Business Advisory Board and expert strategic consultants to hammer out plans to significantly accelerate time to market. Facing governmental pressures to eliminate synthetic refrigerants and mandates to reduce energy consumption, the Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (HVACR) industry is looking at some tough decisions and challenges ahead. To our knowledge, we are the only U.S. company currently working on a CO2 heat pump. What this means for EcoThermics, our shareholders and our partners, is an extraordinary opportunity to be first to market in the U.S. with a natural refrigerant solution.
March 2009 - EcoThermics was one of 44 companies selected to present at the 10th Annual InvestMidwest Venture Capital Forum.
The conference, in Kansas City, showcased companies from 14 Midwestern States in three presentation tracks: life sciences, technology and cleantech/alternative energy.
October 2008 - EcoThermics press conference held at the Peoria NEXT Innovation center.
During the press conference, EcoThermics announced that it is ready to begin field testing units and is looking for local businesses and residents that are willin to become beta sites for the field testing. Speakers at the conference included - Congressman Ray LaHood, US House of Representatives, Glen Barton , Retired Chairman and CEO of Caterpillar, Jim McConoughey , President/CEO The Heartland Partnership.
July 2008 - Five members of the EcoThermics management team participated in the bi-annual International HVAC, Refrigeration and Compressor Conference at Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana.
This event was again hosted by our SBIR partner, Dr. Eckhard Groll of Herrick Labs at Purdue. With a conference schedule dominated by CO2 technologies, it is clear that the future of CO2 is now!
March 2008 - EcoThermics Corporation moved into its new office and laboratory within the new Peoria NEXT Innovation Center, 801 W. Main, Peoria, Illinois 61606.
January 2008 - EcoThermics Management Team meets with investors and EcoThermics Business and Technology Advisory Board members after EcoThermics was formed.
This presentation was held at the Peoria NEXT Innovation Center in Peoria, Illinois – the new location of the EcoThermics Corporate Office and Research Laboratory.
November 2007 - WhiteMoss, Inc. and EcoThermics are highlighted in the November ITDA eNewsletter.
The U.S. Army selected White Moss to develop a "clean-sheet" design for a scalable environmental control unit using CO2 as a refrigerant; in 2006 this project was completed successfully. WhiteMoss went on to design a unique hydronic heat exchanger and heat pump system that will deliver thermal energy via hot and cold liquid circuits. WhiteMoss receives ITDA commercialization award to support development of a pre-production prototype.