Two ISU researchers have recently been announced as recipients of the R&D 100 Award for creating a coating that helps turbine blades stay cool in jet engines.

Next October, Brian Gleeson, professor of materials science and engineering, and Daniel Sordelet, scientist for the Ames Laboratory of U.S. Department of Energy, are planning to attend a formal banquet on Navy Pier in Chicago to receive the award for their work.

“It is an honor to win such a prestigious award,” said Gleeson.

Gleeson said they spent four years researching and studying coating compositions. The project was funded by the Office of Naval Research.

They started out trying to understand different compositions of existing coatings, and their research evolved into creating something new, he said.

It resulted in a new platinum-modified nickel and aluminum alloy coating that helps turbine blades better withstand the heat of jet engines.

R&D 100 Awards are given out annually by R&D Magazine to distinguish the top 100 innovative products.

“The award provides a mark of excellence known to industry, government and academia as proof that the product is one of the most innovative ideas of the year,” according to the R&D Magazine Web site.

Tim Studt, editor in chief of R&D Magazine, said these awards are a “big deal.” The Chicago Tribune called the awards the “Oscars of Invention” with people from all over the world, including Hungary, Germany and Poland, planning on attending this year’s award banquet, he said.

This will be the 27th R&D 100 Award given to ISU researchers and the 43rd consecutive year the awards have been presented.

Studt said most of the people given R&D 100 Awards come from private industry, but people from academic institutions and government are still well represented.

Ames Laboratory played a part in helping the two scientists receive the award by putting together the application and testimonial of benefits for the new product and gave it to R&D Magazine to review. A panel at R&D looked over all of the applications submitted, then selected the most deserving to receive awards, Studt said.

Gleeson praised Iowa State and Ames Lab for their role with the award.

“I give credit to the Ames Lab and Iowa State. It is a good place to do research,” he said.