Building a Better Mousetrap Passive Hydrogen Generation from Photocatalytic nanoparticles/enzymes Martin Boelens, Ex. VP Bomax Hydrogen - January 5, 2015

Hydrogen Production by a FeMo-co System

Our Company

Bomax Hydrogen, LLC (the “Company”) is a Florida limited liability company formed on January 14, 2014 for the purpose of developing a renewable energy source from the passive generation of hydrogen utilizing photocatalytic nanoparticles/enzymes found in nature.

Industry and Business of the Company

Every aspect of our lives requires energy: from running our home and our workplace to our recreational activities, and everything in-between. Energy availability impacts jobs, transportation, the environment, the economy - our very way of life.

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The Renewable Energy Opportunity 1

Until the end of the 20th century, the U.S. produced nearly all of the energy it needed. In the 1980’s consumption of natural gas began to outpace domestic production, so the U.S. turned to Canadian imports to make up the difference. Starting in 1994, the U.S. imported more petroleum than it produced, mostly to meet transportation demands. For electricity generation, abundant coal remains the dominant, domestic primary energy resource.

Access to energy has had unparalleled consequences socially, economically and environmentally. The industrial revolution and indeed the technological revolution would not have been possible without a reliable energy supply. But the principal energy resources of the fossil fuel economy are finite, and they produce emissions that are harmful to the environment when we use these resources to provide lighting, cooking, heating and mobility. These factors will likely be among the main drivers to bring about the next energy transition.

As the world’s thirst for energy increases, further pressures are placed on the earth’s finite resources. Traditional sources of energy such as oil, coal and natural gases make up the majority of current supplies and the demands made by emerging as well as developed economies are continuing to spiral. There are a number of reasons why extracting fossil fuels poses a risk to a dependent society as a whole. Reserves, such as gas fields, are difficult to extract, which pushes up production costs; its combustible nature creates difficulties in transportation; and of course, even when supply is secured, fossil fuels continue to have a detrimental impact on our environment.

World leaders and governments have recognized the threat posed by the energy crisis and are committed to reducing carbon emissions as well as encouraging research and development into alternative energy solutions.

Greenhouse Gases and Our Carbon Footprint

For the last few decades, there has been increasing concern about the impact that greenhouse gases (GHG) have had on the environment. The scientific community may not agree about the exact cause and rate of global warming, but studies warn that if temperatures continue to rise, it will significantly damage our planet’s equilibrium. Today, we see how perilous a hostile environment can be, from the melting of polar caps - the average ice volume in the polar ice caps in June 2011 was measured at 37% lower than it was in June 1979 - to the alarming increase in the frequency of droughts and extreme weather events.

Regardless of where you stand on the issue of global warming, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) introduced The Kyoto Protocol in 1997 and protocols were entered into force on February 16, 2005. The commitment

Source: U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Information Administration “Milestones in the 1

History of Energy and its Uses.” www.eia.doe.gov/kids/milestones

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made to enforce the reduction of GHG has opened opportunities in renewable energy commercialization for processes that have low to zero carbon emissions.

As a result of the UNFCCC, there is a strong likelihood that nations will have to reduce their carbon emissions in order to combat perceived or real threats to global warming caused by auto- emissions. A recent example of such efforts occurred in November of 2014, where the United States and China entered into direct discussions leading to a commitment to reduce GHG’s in China. The greatest polluter of many of China and the world’s cities, including Los Angeles, California, USA, are carbon emissions from the automotive and trucking industries. The Bomax Hydrogen Gas Production Process produces zero carbon emissions and therefore has no carbon footprint.

Fossil Fuels

Fossil fuels are formed by decomposition of plant and animal matter, under very high levels of heat and pressure in the earth over many years. The three main fossil fuels used today for energy are coal, crude oil, and natural gas. Each are essential to the world’s supply of energy and all are major producers of greenhouse gases. It is impossible to calculate or imagine the scenario if the world’s stock of oil ran out tomorrow or the global impact this would have on society.

And yet, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA), production from known oil and gas reserves will fall by around 40-60% by 2030. This dramatic drop in production will occur at the same time that the developed world’s thirst for energy remains unabated and demand increases at geometric rates in emerging economies, such as China, India and Brazil. It has been estimated that if everyone in the world used oil at the same rate as the average Saudi, Singaporean or U.S resident, the world’s existing oil reserves would be depleted in less than 10 years (BP, Statistical Review, 2010). Scarcity has led to competition for fossil fuel resources and remains a source of international tension, and potentially one of conflict.

Energy companies are actively seeking ways to supplement existing supplies with less conventional sources of oil and gas, such as shale gas, oil from deep water platforms like BP’s Deepwater Horizon, or the Canadian tar sands. But these come at an unprecedented cost – and not merely in economic terms. Many reserves are located in some of the world’s most pristine environments – such as tropical rainforests and the Arctic – areas that are vital for biodiversity and for preserving the ecosystem that we all depend upon. Extracting these difficult to reach sources is both dangerous and costly to businesses and communities. While estimates vary as to when fossil fuels could be exhausted, no one believes the will last indefinitely. Fracking and other methods of extracting fossil fuels are becoming technologically and financially feasible. These new opportunities will hopefully extend our time frame toward exhausting fossil fuels, but the time will arrive when there are no fossil fuels commercially or politically available.

The Bomax Hydrogen Gas Production Process uses no fossil fuels.

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Fuels such as Hydrogen Provide an Attractive, Renewable Alternative to Fossil Fuels2

Hydrogen as an industrial commodity is produced in large quantities in the United States and in many other countries. The amount of hydrogen produced is over 50 million tons per year worldwide (Raman, 2004; IEA, 2007) and over 10 million tons per year in the United States (EIA, 2008b). Most of the hydrogen is used in the chemical processing industry and in refining crude oil, and most of it is produced in large facilities closely associated with the end use. Over 95 percent of U.S. hydrogen is made from natural gas, with other sources including refinery off-gases, coal, and water electrolysis. Several hydrogen pipeline systems (Houston, Los Angeles, and Chicago) exist to move large quantities of gaseous hydrogen between nearby industrial users with over 1,200 miles of hydrogen pipelines. Some established industrial gas companies produce, store, and distribute hydrogen as either a gas or a cryogenic liquid to smaller users by truck. The demand for hydrogen for industrial use has increased consistently for several decades.

Even as the infrastructure for producing, delivering, and using large amounts of hydrogen for this industrial market is well developed, the infrastructure for producing, delivering, and dispensing hydrogen for use as a transportation fuel has yet to be developed. For illustrative purposes, if hydrogen were to be used as a transportation fuel, then the current U.S. production level of 10 million tons per year would be enough to fuel about 45 million cars (at 60 mpgge and 12,000 mi/yr). There is, however, little spare capacity in the existing system for this new market. Therefore, a new hydrogen infrastructure is needed before large numbers of FCEVs are produced. This infrastructure will need to be much different from the existing one because it has to focus on wide distribution of small amounts if distributed through retail outlets, similar to what is done for gasoline today.

Academic, industrial, and government efforts over the past 10 years to define this retail-fuel-oriented infrastructure have mapped out the needed technology improvements, established performance criteria for different parts of the infrastructure, estimated the cost of hydrogen and the infrastructure over time, and suggested possible implementation methods. The NRC report Transitions to Alternative Transportation Technologies—A Focus on Hydrogen (NRC, 2008) contains an analysis of the technical needs, costs, petroleum savings and GHG emission savings possible by moving towards a hydrogen-fuel infrastructure.

“Transitions To Alternative Vehicles and Fuels” Committee on Transitions to Alternative 2

Vehicles and Fuels; Board on Energy and Environmental Systems; Division on Engineering and Physical Sciences; National Research Council. ISBN 978-0-309-26852-3

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What Exactly is Hydrogen?

Hydrogen, chemical symbol H, is the simplest element on earth. An atom of hydrogen has only one proton and one electron. Hydrogen gas is a diatomic molecule—each molecule has two atoms of hydrogen (which is why pure hydrogen is commonly expressed as “H2”). At standard temperature and pressure, hydrogen exists as a gas. It is colorless, odorless, tasteless, and lighter than air.

Like electricity, hydrogen is an energy carrier (not an energy source), meaning it can store and deliver energy in an easily usable form. Although abundant on earth as an element, hydrogen combines readily with other elements and is almost always found as part of some other substance, such as water (H2O), or hydrocarbons like natural gas (which consists primarily of methane, with the chemical formula, CH4). Hydrogen is also found in biomass, which includes all plants and animals.

The Attraction of Hydrogen 3

When hydrogen is used as a fuel in fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs), the only vehicle emission is water. When hydrogen is used in an internal combustion engine, the emissions are water, some nitrogen oxides, and some trace chemicals mostly as a result of using lubricants. Although CO2 emissions are absent from vehicle emissions when hydrogen is used as an LDV (Light Duty Vehicle) fuel, varying amounts of GHGs (Greenhouse Gases) are emitted during hydrogen production. The amount depends on the primary fuel source and the technology used for hydrogen production. [The Bomax Process creates zero greenhouse gases, whereas, traditional methods produce hydrogen as a by-product of fossil fuel processes]. Most of the hydrogen on Earth is found in either water or hydrocarbons such as coal, oil, natural gas, and biomass. Because of the diverse primary sources for hydrogen, an amount of hydrogen large enough to fuel the entire LDV fleet could be made with only domestic sources. Different process technologies can be used with different primary sources to make a pathway for delivering hydrogen to consumers at different costs and with varying amounts of GHG emissions. The diversity of supply sources and production technologies is an advantage of hydrogen fuel.

“Transitions To Alternative Vehicles and Fuels” ibid.3

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What are Hydrogen Fuel Cells?

The Bomax hydrogen gas process can not only be used to fuel automotive and material handling vehicles; it can be used to generate electricity. The fuel cell is one of several conversion technologies that can be fueled by hydrogen. Basically, hydrogen fuel cells operate like electrolysis in reverse: Hydrogen gas and oxygen from the air combine in a catalyzed electrochemical reaction to produce an electric current, heat and water pure enough to drink are the only by-products of this process. Aside from being pollution-free, fuel cells are quiet, and can

achieve efficiencies that are two-to three-times greater than internal combustion engines. The scalability of both fuel cells and our Bomax Hydrogen Gas Production Units make them ideal for a wide variety of applications. For an excellent overview of hydrogen and fuel cell technology from the U.S. Department of Energy, see the following on youtube: http://youtu.be/QFQGXei47c0.

Our Bomax Business Opportunity

Hydrogen is used extensively in industry for a number of purposes that require very large quantities of hydrogen gas. These industrial uses have been developed in centers located close to fossil fuel refineries in the United States and around the world. Our opportunity is found in producing smaller quantities of hydrogen gas on-site at locations where our fuel is to be used daily. A recent Bloomberg Article quoted here, in part, 4

gives us a glimpse of some of the places hydrogen-powered fuel cells are making their way onto the American marketplace. According to the Author, what was

Once relegated to the realm of science projects, hydrogen fuel cells are starting to displace fossil fuels as a means of powering cars, homes and businesses. On June 10, [2014] in the latest addition to mainstream fuel-cell use, Hyundai Motor Co. will begin deliveries of a consumer SUV in Southern California. The technology is already producing electricity for the grid in Connecticut. AT&T Inc. is using fuel cells to power server farms, and Wal-Mart Stores Inc. uses hydrogen- powered

”Hydrogen Fuel Finally Graduating From Lab to City Streets”, By Christopher Martin - Jun 5, 4

2014, BLOOMBERG L.P.

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HGP

fork lifts. Later this summer, FedEx Corp. will begin using hydrogen cargo tractors at its Memphis air hub.

Shops Buying

For now, local pockets of hydrogen use are flourishing. Plug [Plug Power Inc. (PLUG)] fuel-cell powered forklifts for customers including Wal-Mart, the grocery chain Kroger Co. and Bayerische Motoren Werke AG. Plug also provides hydrogen-fueling systems. Once a company has a flock of its forklifts at a warehouse, it’s a short leap to installing larger fuel cells that can produce both hydrogen on site and electricity for the entire building, Marsh said.

The company is supplying the systems for FedEx’s airport tractors in Memphis, another location where stationary fuel cells might eventually become either a primary or back-up source of electricity.

AT&T is the largest non-utility fuel cell customer in the U.S.. It has 17.1 megawatts of fuel cells operating at 28 sites in California and Connecticut. The systems offer cleaner power that’s more consistent than electricity supplied by the grid, said John Schinter, the company’s assistant vice president of energy and smart buildings.

“For us, reliability is so critical and these help us ride through power disruptions,” Schinter said. “We deploy fuel cells in our high-cost markets, so these actually reduce our operating costs. We’re definitely planning to expand.”

Autos Next

Proponents of hydrogen say all this activity will soon spill over to the auto market, and it’s already happening in Southern California. Hyundai will begin deliveries of its fuel-cell Tucson SUV next week. Honda Motor Co. already offers one there and Toyota Motor Corp. will follow next year.

California’s Push

Even so, California is participating in an eight-state effort to get 3.3 million zero-emission cars on the road by 2025, powered by either fuel cells or batteries. Also participating are Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island and Vermont, which together account for 25 percent of all U.S. auto sales.

Some analysts are predicting steady if modest growth. Automakers may be selling 1.76 million fuel-cell vehicles a year worldwide by 2025, according to Deloitte Tohmastsu Consulting.

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Cars that run on hydrogen can typically go more than 250 miles (400 kilometers) on a tank of the gas and then must be refilled. They differ from battery electric vehicles like Tesla’s Model S or the Nissan Motor Co. Leaf, which use lithium ion batteries to store electricity. When those batteries are drained, they must be recharged.

These are but a few of the potential uses for the Bomax Hydrogen, LLC Gas Production System. In each of the uses described in the Bloomberg Article, there is a need for a ready supply of hydrogen. In nearly every case, hydrogen is being trucked in and stored making the use of hydrogen more expensive than other alternatives. In addition, traditional methods of producing hydrogen from other fossil fuels are not only irrational (using a fuel to make a fuel or by using expensive rare materials) but they also fail to reduce greenhouse gases.

Global Opportunity

The international community recognizes the potential of hydrogen to be a key component to a clean, sustainable energy system. Until now, hydrogen has presented a number of limitations to its successful commercialization potential. As a result, governments around the world have committed to funding research into renewable energy. The auto industry has spent a billion dollars on cars they cannot sell without a solution to the production and transportation issues of hydrogen production. Energy companies are hedging their bets by working to develop alternative means of fuel production. Global food production depends on a ready source of fertilizers - most of which are made from nitrogen and hydrogen combinations.

The result is that the World needs and is working toward a renewable energy solution. Workable solutions will require the joint efforts of Governments, Universities, and private businesses. One of the largest global partnerships for renewable energy is The Partnership for Advancing the Transition to Hydrogen (PATH), a 501(c)(6) organization, which was established in 2002 in collaboration with the governments and national hydrogen associations of Canada, Japan and the United States. Its mission is to spread a consensus vision of the hydrogen economy globally and facilitate its implementation. Today, 20 associations and partnering organizations, across 5 continents belong to PATH, representing 79% of the world's GDP, 40% of the global population and a majority of the world's interest in hydrogen.

Hydrogen: A Multi-Billion Dollar Business

According to PATH, “It has been predicted that the world’s hydrogen and fuel cell market will grow to $16 billion (USD) by 2017 while others estimate that it will grow to $26 billion by 2020. Global spending on hydrogen and fuel cell innovation exceeded $5.6 billion in 2008 and is growing in manufacturing, research & development demonstrations and other market sectors. Global revenues in hydrogen and fuel cells are expected to range between $3.2 billion and $9.2 billion in 2015 and between $7.7

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billion and $38.4 billion in 2020, respectively. By 2050, one prediction suggests that the industry could grow to as high as $180 billion. Today, hydrogen and fuel cells are responsible for up to 40,000 jobs worldwide when taking into account direct and indirect jobs created by the industry. Of that total, roughly 1/3 of those positions are directly attached to the implementation of those technologies.”

Across the globe, waves of innovative hydrogen and fuel cell technologies are being introduced through advanced commercial demonstration programs. In Canada, a fleet of hydrogen fuel cell buses are operational and has helped make this modern age transportation available. Similar programs throughout Europe have brought fuel cell buses to Germany, Italy, and Spain as well as a number of other transportation projects focused on demonstrating the feasibility of hydrogen and fuel cell-powered vehicles in Europe. The Zero Regio Project (recently concluded) was a demonstration program responsible for introducing a small fleet of Fuel Cell Vehicles (“FCV”) used for personal use over the course of 95,000+ km. FCV progress has gained sufficient viability that 31 automakers are currently designing and manufacturing hydrogen fuel cell vehicles across the globe. For an interesting look at a Mercedes hydrogen fuel vehicle see the Youtube Video, http://youtu.be/Z-d5mS1anJ8, wherein two drivers take a hydrogen-powered Mercedes Benz for three-days across death valley surviving only by drinking the water the car produces as the result of burning hydrogen fuel.

In Asia, personal transportation is a staple of hydrogen and fuel cell development. With the support of the Prime Minister of Malaysia, The Universiti Teknologi Malaysia recently launched a fuel cell motorbike demonstration. In China, 90 fuel cell passenger vehicles, 6 fuel cell buses, and 100 fuel cell sightseeing trolley cars were showcased at the Expo 2010 Shanghai event. Currently over 15 countries around the world have fuel cell buses in use for public transportation. In our home State of Florida, Orlando deploys 12-hydrogen buses out of the Orlando Regional Airport.

No system for delivering hydrogen to the automotive market currently exists. The Bomax Hydrogen’s Gas Production System is perfectly designed for on-site production exactly where the user needs it.

The Bomax Hydrogen Gas Production Process:

A Step Above Revolutionary!

Dr. Maxwell, our founder, has developed and patented a photocatalytic system of hydrogen generation that uses biomolecules to generate clean, renewable hydrogen without the limitations of other hydrogen production methods by mimicking a component found in nature coupled to a inexpensive light harvesting material . We use no fossil fuels. 5

See Dr. Maxwell’s CV Exhibit “A”5

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Some of the advantages of the Bomax Hydrogen system compared to existing hydrogen gas generation methods are:

• Our system operates at ambient pressure and temperatures, unlike steam reforming that requires 700 – 1100 °C (1292 – 2012 °F).

• Unlike steam reforming, which releases CO2 into the atmosphere, this photo-catalytic hydrogen generating method’s only product is hydrogen and water, resulting in a zero carbon footprint.

• The system utilizes an existing catalytic enzyme found commonly in soil bacteria. Looking to Nature’s blueprint for energy transduction represents a logical and sustainable strategy. Dr. Maxwell has pioneered just such an approach.

• The system is aqueous based providing a ready source of hydrogen ions for hydrogen gas generation. Our nanoparticles are relatively inexpensive to make and are reliably photo-active. They are stable for long periods of time.

• The hydrogen produced is pure and does not require filtration systems to clean it; no filtration is required to prevent spoiling a catalyst in a fuel cell.

• The system is responsive to the visible light portion of the electromagnetic spectrum, unlike systems using titanium oxide, which splits water and works best under ultraviolet illumination.

• This system is a “green” method for providing alternative energy. • The system does requires maintenance of anaerobic conditions. So, it is even usable

in space.

Dr. Maxwell’s work involves what is generically called bioinorganic chemistry. In part, “Bioinorganic chemistry” is a field that examines the role of enzymes in biological systems. Enzymes are found in nature and many enzymes are proteins. One way to understand the importance of enzymes is in this simple truth: every plant, animal, human being and microorganism on earth produces them.  Their purpose is to catalyze a biochemical reaction. That means they speed up a reaction, by lowering the ‘activation energy,’ which is the minimum amount of energy a chemical reaction must have to occur. Many of these enzymes contain metals, which are crucial for the catalysis. One example of a metalloprotein is the all-important nitrogenase protein that functions to introduce nitrogen into the biosphere.

In Dr. Maxwell’s study of metalloproteins, her focus was on the iron-molybdenum cofactor in nitrogenase. “Metalloproteins” are a generic term for a protein that contains a metal ion cofactor. It is estimated that approximately half of all proteins contain a metal. A “Cofactor” can be considered a "helper molecule" that assists in biochemical transformations. Cofactors can be divided into two broad groups: organic cofactors and inorganic cofactors, such as those that contain the metal ions Mg2+, Cu+, Mn2+, or iron-sulfur clusters. It is within an iron-sulfur cluster, iron-molybdenum cofactor, that Dr. Maxwell utilized one of nature’s production methods of hydrogen; oddly enough, a process found as a by-product of another needed element to sustain life in all living things - nitrogen. The process by which bacteria introduce nitrogen into the biosphere utilizes

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nitrogenase. Nitrogen is a key component of all proteins.

Nitrogenase (enzyme of nitrogen fixation)

The fixation of atmospheric nitrogen is a very energy-intensive process, as it involves breaking the very stable triple bond between nitrogen atoms. The enzyme nitrogenase is one of the few enzymes that can catalyze the process. The enzyme occurs in certain bacteria. There are three components to its action: an iron-molybdenum cofactor at the active site, and two more iron-sulfur clusters that serve to transport the electrons needed to reduce the nitrogen. In the commonly known root nodules of legumes, the energy is provided by a symbiotic relationship between the bacteria and a host legume plant. The relationship is symbiotic because the plant supplies the energy by photosynthesis and benefits by obtaining the fixed nitrogen.

Biological nitrogen fixation occurs in free-living cyanobacteria, which are famous for releasing the oxygen that made the Earth a hospitable planet. Additionally, other free-living prokaryotes along with bacteria on the root nodules of plants produce ammonia from molecular nitrogen. The reaction, which is the source of the bulk of nitrogen for life on earth, is catalyzed by the nitrogenase enzyme complex that contains as stated Fe, S and Mo atoms, using an additional Fe protein and the energy derived from hydrolysis of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) into adenosine diphosphate and inorganic phosphate (−20.5 kJ/mol).

Interestingly, aside from providing nitrogen to Earth’s life forms, nitrogenase also catalyzes the production of hydrogen gas, this as a by-product to the production of ammonia. In the absence of all other substrates, nitrogenase will catalyze the production of hydrogen gas exclusively. With the help of a few metabolic tricks, large amounts of a free-living bacterial strain can be produced in the laboratory resulting in a large amount of extracted natural catalyst.

This is significant because the enzymatic reaction found in nature (nitrogenase) is superior to the man-made attempt at manufacturing nitrogen fertilizer chemically. With man, the process requires extreme pressures and temperatures and thus huge amounts of energy. The man-made process designed for the reduction of dinitrogen in the making of ammonia is made possible by a process called the Haber-Bosch process, in which nitrogen is fixed by reacting N2 and H2 over an iron(II, III) oxide (Fe3O4) catalyst at about 500 °C and 200 atmospheres pressure.

The key breakthrough that permitted Dr. Maxwell to have such phenomenal success occurred relatively recently. In 1992 two scientists discovered the structure of nitrogenase from within Azotobacter vinelandii, which is an organism that can grow without external sources of fixed nitrogen; or in other words a bacteria that produces bio-available nitrogen from the air.

Azotobacter vinelandii is a genetically tractable system that is used to study nitrogen

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fixation, which are easily cultured and grown. This bacteria (Azotobacter vinelandii) is a free-living “N2 fixer”, which is known to produce many phytohormones (chemicals that regulate plant growth) and vitamins in the soil. The enzyme possesses molybdenum iron-sulfido cluster cofactors (FeMoCo) as active sites, each bearing 2 pseudo-cubic iron-sulfido structures.

The reduction of nitrogen takes place at the enzyme's core, a multicomponent complex called FeMo-co made up of iron, molybdenum and sulfur. FeMo-co is built by an "assembly line" of proteins outside of the enzyme. Dr. Maxwell uses the Azotobacter vinelandii to produce her system of hydrogen generation. Assembly of the FeMo-co and other complexes require a high degree of sophistication and is arguably one of the more complex processes in bioinorganic chemistry. Dr. Maxwell is one of a dozen or so scientists with this skill set.

One of our advantages over other nitrogenase processes is that the Bomax process avoids the use of adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) found in many of the organic approaches such as biomass or algae-based methods of producing hydrogen that consume ATP as the sacrificial donor in their process. ATP is very expensive to make (commanding $100s per gram!!). There are ways to regenerate ATP from adenosine diphosphate (ADP), but it is still expensive and adenosine diphosphate must be recycled adding to the cost and making onsite production less attractive.

Dr. Maxwell’s process for hydrogen production mimics the biological approach, but is actually an inorganic chemical approach. The electron donor/sacrificial agent in the Bomax process is sodium dithionite (Na2S2O4), which is an inexpensive alternative to adenosine triphosphate (ATP).

Key Results of Dr. Maxwell’s Research in Hydrogen Production

Using a 2 micromolar solution in the lab, Dr. Maxwell passively generated hydrogen in multiple repetitions for periods in excess of 100 hours. A 200 micromolar solution also demonstrated electron transfer, so there is considerable potential for optimizing the process for longer periods (potentially 60-90 days or more). With optimization our research shows that a 20 micromolar will produce 1,200 kg of hydrogen (over 13 million liters) every 24 hours.

For a more in depth discussion regarding the science behind our process, see Appendix “A” “Summary of Photo-activated Nanoparticles Natural product System for Hydrogen Generation.

Our clean, renewable, passive, fossil-fuel free, approach to hydrogen production at normal temperatures and pressures using inexpensive materials within the visible light spectrum, creates the perfect opportunity for on-site production of hydrogen.

Because our system is scalable, inexpensive, operates at ambient temperatures and pressures, and passively generates hydrogen in a closed environment, we believe our

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system can safely be used in both residential and commercial environments.

In homes, our system can be used to power all the electric and heating requirements of the home when coupled with a fuel cell, as well as, provide the fuel needs of the family hydrogen-fueled vehicle by connecting it to a fuel dispenser.

Commercially, we can provide enough on-site hydrogen to meet the daily hydrogen needs of a hydrogen fueling station for America’s hydrogen highways, for commercial buses and heavy duty trucking fleets such as waste management, fleet deliveries, or school Districts. Our on-site production facilities are also excellent partners of the material handling vehicles used in many of our nation’s largest warehouses like Amazon, Fed-X, and others who desperately need quiet, nonpolluting material handlers and forklifts to operate within their enclosed facilities. Back-up power generation and even primary power generation can be fueled by our system.

We are also extremely encouraged by the thought of reaching areas off the electrical grid and third-world peoples who need electric power and water (a by-product of our hydrogen electric usage). By mounting our system on trucks coupled with fuel cells and storage tanks, Bomax can reach places where electricity and clean water supplies are up until now hard to supply and expensive to maintain. Our system should be a welcome solution to any island nation or remote facility.

In the lab, Dr. Maxwell’s system generated hydrogen using as little as a 2 micro-molar solution to as high a concentration as a 200 micro-molar solution . At the time of her 6

research, which earned her a Ph.D in Chemistry from the University of Central Florida, the goal was to scientifically demonstrate the effectiveness of the process and prove that hydrogen production from natural, inorganic processes was indeed possible. Dr. Maxwell succeeded in her efforts. Bomax Hydrogen, LLC was formed to commercialize these efforts. Our goal today is to optimize Dr. Maxwell’s research, so that hydrogen gas can be produced on-site in commercially acceptable prices and quantities.

The chart below is designed to demonstrate the versatility of the Bomax Hydrogen Gas Production method of hydrogen gas production; while remaining fossil-fuel free and environmentally safe. In the chart, we use for illustration purposes a 20 micromolar solution. Research will be needed to determine the most effective concentration levels. Our goal is to produce the most hydrogen gas possible per minute using the least amount of water possible. The rationale behind this is one of practicality. If we intend to produce hydrogen on site, especially for residential use to supply electricity or fuel a family car, or commercially to produce fuel for a hydrogen's station or business that uses hydrogen, space will always be an issue. Water takes up space and is relatively heavy. The less water we need the more places we can install our Bomax Hydrogen Gas production units. See the Chart on the next page for water to micromoles of Fe/Mo-co per cubic liters of of water

“micromolar” is used for illustrative purposes, recognizing that some may object as this is not 6

technically a “pure solution”.

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Bomax Hydrogen Gas Process Optimization Strategy

Dr. Maxwell’s research in passive hydrogen generation from photocatalytic nanoparticles/enzymes places clean, renewable hydrogen generation years ahead of current methods of hydrogen production. Most, if not all, of the customary objections to hydrogen as a viable alternative fuel source are not found in her process. Yet, we have not produced hydrogen outside of the University Laboratory setting on a commercial basis.

The Company sees two primary challenges to commercial production using Dr.Maxwell’s methods:

(a) Hydrogen Gas Production Units: Hydrogen was produced in a university laboratory environment that was among other things, oxygen free, available to a visible light source, capable of temperature controls, held water, and in small

Solution uM Moles H2/mole of

Soup/minute (50%)

Liters H2/day Kg of H2/day

Volume of WATER neededin m3

Moles of FeMoco

Application and Scalability

20 100 13,440,000 1200 198.4 4000 Fuel 800 cars; 600 forklifts, or 20 buses

50 6,720,000 600 99.2 2000 Supply fuel for a large hydrogen fuel station on highways

Solution uM Moles H2/mole of

Soup/minute (50%)

Liters H2/day Kg of H2/day

Volume of WATER needed in m3

Moles of FeMoco

Application and Scalability

25 3,360,000 300 49.6 1000 Fuel Local hydrogen fueling stations in towns and cities

12.5 1,680,000 150 24.8 500 Meet commercial business needs

6.25 840,000 75 12.4 250 Provide back-up power

3.125 420,000 37.5 6.2 125 Fuel a Bus or Commercial Truck

1.5625 210,000 18.75 3.1 62.5 Power a 2000 sq. foot home with electricity

0.78125 105,000 9.375 1.55 31.25 Run a 1 kw generator, power a forklift for a day, or a car

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quantities.

While sound in principle, this process has not been attempted in commercial environments. The amount of enzymes and other chemical materials are not significant quantities to hinder our commercial objectives from a production perspective; however, as mentioned, the amount of water required depending upon the amount of hydrogen desired to be produced on a daily basis could be problematic with respect to space availability. For on-site production, the footprint required to produce our hydrogen without optimization of our hydrogen gas production methods could be significant as the table above demonstrates. As shown in our chart, using a 20 micro-molar solution to produce 1,200 kgs of hydrogen gas per day would require in our unoptimized formula approximately 194 cubic meters of water. For many existing gasoline stations, depending on the shape of the container required to permit a visible light source to excite the chemical reaction needed to produce hydrogen, may be to large a space. The same may be true for residential systems.

To solve this initial challenge, funds are needed to hire engineers and other specialists capable of designing a physical unit in which to perform our hydrogen production process suitable for commercial use by minimizing the containers footprint and to construct prototypes thereof. For example, a system could be designed and contained within a Portable Hydrogen Station using a standard ISO 20ft Container

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(b) Optimization of the Chemical Processes. During Dr. Maxwell’s doctoral research, a 2 micromolar solution was used to generate hydrogen in multiple repetitions for periods in excess of 100 hours (See Diagram above). A 200 micromolar solution also demonstrated electron transfer, so there is considerable potential for optimizing the process for longer periods (potentially 60-90 days or more) and greater hydrogen production. Additional, research is needed capable of optimizing our enzymes for the chemical reactions and processes as directed by Dr. Maxwell. The more efficient the process can be designed to produce hydrogen, the less water may be needed and the longer the chemicals may react while producing hydrogen.

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The Next Energy TransitionThe World needs and is working toward a renewable energy solution. Workable solutions will require the joint efforts of Governments, Universities, and private businesses.

When we win, the entire planet benefits.

Our goal is to partner with the best minds and resources available in order to commercialize our venture. Dr. Maxwell and her Team at Bomax Hydrogen, LLC are privileged to present a truly clean, renewable energy solution to the global marketplace. We need and desire your help. We need bright, out of the box dreamers who see solutions not problems; who are willing to be part of the future of true renewable energy for the global market. This is big.

Interested in our Company? Contact us.

CONTACT US AT: Bomax Hydrogen, LLC 3700 34th Street Suite 302 Orlando, Florida 32805

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Exhibit “A”

“Summary of Photo-activated Nanoparticles Natural product System for Hydrogen Generation”.

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Summary of Photo-activated Nanoparticle Natural product System for Hydrogen Generation by Deborah B. Maxwell, Ph.D. December 17, 2014

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Developing a catalytic system that can harness solar energy and produce an alternative fuel will be the paramount challenge of this new century. Indeed by its end the most widely used fossil fuel, petroleum, may have run dry. Many researchers have proposed the development of hydrogen as an alternative fuel or energy carrier [1]. Various approaches seek to develop a means to evolve hydrogen. In the 1970’s Fujishima and Honda demonstrated water splitting with a photo-active material, TiO2. Its drawback was that it was mainly responsive in the ultra-violet region of the electromagnetic spectrum [2]. The challenge has been to find and develop either novel materials, or to add photo-sensitizing materials to TiO2, to enable water splitting in the visible portion of incoming solar radiation [3]. The two standard reduction potential reactions shown below are pertinent for water splitting with the thermodynamic energy requirement given for each half reaction. (1) 2 H+ + 2 e- H2, E° = -0.42 V (2) O2 + 4e- + 4 H+ 2 H2O, E° = -0.82 V or written in reverse as an oxidation, 2 H2O O2 + 4 H+ + 4e- , E° = +0.82 V

Several catalytic systems have been reported in scientific literature that utilizes both natural products and man-made components. Some of the hybrid systems use hydrogenase, an enzyme that both reduces and oxidizes hydrogen in bacteria, either alone or in combination with photosystem I, coupled to platinum [4]. The goal described in this work was to develop a system that would use a smaller catalytic natural component along with a less expensive light harvesting semi-conductor rather than the metal platinum, of limited availability, combined to form a photo-active and natural enzymatic component system.

Nanoparticles also called quantum dots have fascinated researchers for decades. Their size tunable luminescence have practical application for electronic devices, bio-imaging and light harvesting products [5]. For this project the appeal was the fact that exciting nanoparticles with light causes an ejection of an electron near the thermodynamic potential for the half reaction of reducing hydrogen ions to yield hydrogen gas, -0.42 V at pH of 7.0, as shown in reaction (1) above. The key is for the electron to have adequate energy to catalyze the reduction of H+; however, the bandgap energy isn’t oxidative enough to oxidize water. In other words, the positive hole generated in the valence band of the semiconductor upon excitation of the exciton isn’t oxidative enough to oxidize the oxygen in water to form oxygen gas. This is an advantage in the present system because any generated oxygen gas would pose a risk to the integrity of the enzymatic component.

Furthermore, the use of the nanoparticle, which is described as a II-VI nanoparticle [6], and their selectivity for emitting electrons with the necessary energy to catalyze reduction of protons (H+), is an advantage over the use of TiO2 in the system. The positive holes generated with the use of TiO2 photo-active material will photo-degrade the amino acid residues in any enzymatic protein adsorbed onto their surface [7]. This is a detriment towards establishing any longevity in a hydrogen producing system using natural products such as enzymes. Additionally, the nanoparticle used in the system described here is not predisposed to photo-corrosion compared to another particularly photo-active II-VI nanoparticle.

Summary of Photo-activated Nanoparticle Natural product System for Hydrogen Generation by Deborah B. Maxwell, Ph.D. December 17, 2014

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The positive hole generated in the II-VI nanoparticle when photo-excitation occurs requires the presence of a sacrificial electron donor, which acts to serve several purposes. It initially acts as an oxygen scavenger to preserve the anaerobic atmosphere of the system. It also serves to thermodynamically push the reaction to form more H+ in the presence of water [8]. Lastly, it acts as a sacrificial electron donor to fill the positive holes generated because of exciton formation.

Nanoparticles are a photoactive material responsive to light in the visible light spectrum. The nanoparticles are synthesized by a high temperature pyrolysis with the targeted size of 2.4 to 2.7 nanometers in diameter for this project. Nanoparticles of this size demonstrate unique properties compared to bulk sized particles, and the time of the synthesis reaction can allow for size selection of the quantum dot. When synthesized they are typically in organic solvents, such as chloroform or octadecence. [5]

The use of the nanoparticles allows for photo-activated electron generation. With an adequate capping agent on the surface of the nanoparticle the electron that is generated will tend not to relax back to the ground state, but instead there will be adequate charge separation. Thus with an adsorbed species such as an enzymatic catalyst, the electron can be transferred. When the nanoparticles are excited with light energy exceeding their band gap, electrons are promoted from the valence band to the conduction band, generating excitons, electron-hole pairs. If a charge separation can be maintained, the electrons can be available for transfer to an adsorbed species on the nanoparticle surface [3].

It is also necessary to functionalize the surface of the nanoparticle to allow for its aqueous solubilization. The functionalization which can occur through ligand exchange reactions will enable complex formation between the enzymatic catalyst and the nanoparticle. [9]

Electrons that can be maintained in a charge separation are ready for electron transfer to an adsorbed enzymatic catalyst which will catalyze the reduction of H+ to form hydrogen gas. As mentioned earlier, numerous systems in the literature utilize hydrogenases. The system described here uses a powerful catalyst from the nitrogenase enzyme which catalyzes the energetically uphill reduction of nitrogen gas to form NH3. Diazotrophic bacteria perform this for all life on the earth, making nitrogen bioavailable for protein and other biomolecule synthesis. A byproduct of this reaction is hydrogen gas, and nitrogenase is known to be very active to form hydrogen when nitrogen or any other substrate is absent.

There are several advantages to using a nitrogenase over a hydrogenase enzymatic catalyst. First, yields of diazotrophic bacterial cells that yield nitrogenase catalytic products are much higher than heterologously over-expressed grown cells containing hydrogenases [1]. Second, the size of the nitrogenase catalytic product is smaller than the hydrogenase enzyme that adsorbs on the surface of the nanoparticle. The efficiency of the electron transfer from light excited nanoparticle to is all about proximity of the electron donor to acceptor [10]. The catalyst in the nitrogenase is very active towards catalyzing the reduction of H+ to form H2, in the absence of nitrogen and other substrates. The active site is known to be one of the most reductive catalysts in nature [11, 12]. The system is stable and

Summary of Photo-activated Nanoparticle Natural product System for Hydrogen Generation by Deborah B. Maxwell, Ph.D. December 17, 2014

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active in ambient temperatures. It may also be tolerant and indeed thrive in the higher temperatures of the warmer months of the year. [13]

Adding a natural component, an enzymatic catalyst, rather than incorporating a platinum catalyst that is able to split water at 150°C, is beneficial on several levels. Platinum is rare and expensive. There is a limited supply available. Platinum is subject to poisoning from side products of organic and physiologic reactions. Using natural products is a better “green” choice. The nanoparticle enzymatic catalyst system operates at ambient temperatures.

So what proof is there that the nanoparticle and the nitrogenase enzymatic product interacted? What proof is there that they formed a complex? Demonstrating that there was an interaction utilized the tryptophan fluorescence inherent within polypeptide chains. Adding the nanoparticle in aliquots demonstrated a concentration dependent quenching of the protein fluorescence when exciting the sample at 280 nm. (Figure 1). Interaction between the nanoparticle and the protein was further demonstrated by Forster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) when exciting the protein and nanoparticle samples at 280 nm and 410 nm. (Figure 2). The donor emission of protein fluorescence excited the nanoparticle which served as the acceptor. The emission at 525 nm was that verified of the nanoparticle confirmed by excitation of the sample at 410 nm and showing the same emission peak.

The nanoparticles having undergone ligand exchange to enable being solubilized in water, demonstrated their photo-activity by UV-vis absorbance of adsorbed methyl viologen on the surface of the nanoparticle. In a light driven timed experiment, the methyl viologen was reduced by electron transfer, showing concentration dependent peaks at 387 nm and at 605 nm. (Figure 3).

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Figure 1. Fluorescence quenching of protein with the addition of nanoparticle aliquots.

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Figure 2. Donor quenching and energy transfer suggest nanoparticle protein complex.

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Figure 3. Nanoparticle with adsorbed methyl viologen light driven reduction

Summary of Photo-activated Nanoparticle Natural product System for Hydrogen Generation by Deborah B. Maxwell, Ph.D. December 17, 2014

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Further proof that there was interaction between the nanoparticle and the adsorbed nitrogenase enzymatic component was provided by electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy. Samples of nanoparticle and adsorbed enzyme prepared in 2.0 mM sodium dithonite 25 mM Tris solution, pH 8.0, were made. The first set of EPR spectra showed that the nanoparticle-enzyme system was intact after its addition and adsorption to the nanoparticles. (Figure 4). The sample was thawed, subjected to ten seconds of intense illumination and then flash frozen. A second EPR was taken and showed an EPR silent state that was indicative of an electronic change. The light had driven an electron transfer to the adsorbed enzyme indicated by a change in the oxidation state; the S = 3/2 resting spin state had converted to a spin silent state. The electron could then be available for proton reduction. (Figure 5).

Hydrogen generation experiments were initially set up with various nanoparticle-enzyme ratios in 25 mM Tris, pH 8.0, 2mM sodium dithionite; but the best performing samples were shown to be 1:1. The purpose of the dithionite in excess was twofold. It served to preserve the anaerobicity of the sample and was a sacrificial electron donor to fill the electron hole generated by exciton creation by light energy. The samples were set up on a Peltier cooling device and exposed to a 500 watt hydrogen lamp. The temperature was at 28-30 °C. The headgas was drawn and injected into gas chromatograph to detect hydrogen gas generation which continued until approximately 114 hours after sample set up. In four different experimental sets under the same reaction conditions, hydrogen was produced with a rate of 105.3 moles of H2/mole of

A) iron-sulfur cluster B) iron- sulfur cluster in protein C) nano- particle and enzyme

CdSe

Figure 4 EPR samples showing catalyst intact and functioning after sample prep

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Figure 5. Nanoparticle-enzyme before and after illumination. Control oxidized sample.

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Figure 6. Hydrogen generation with visible light illumination of nanoparticle-enzyme

Summary of Photo-activated Nanoparticle Natural product System for Hydrogen Generation by Deborah B. Maxwell, Ph.D. December 17, 2014

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nanoparticle/enzyme system (Figure 6). The rate could also be expressed as 0.069 µmol H2/mg protein/hour. This is comparable to rates generated by other PSI/Pt/hydrogenase systems. [4]

The exciting thing about the nanoparticle-enzyme system, other than the fact that hydrogen gas was generated passively as a result of visible light illumination in ambient temperatures, is that it was operational for 114 hours, whereas other systems were only operational for minutes or for a few hours [10]. The nanoparticle-enzyme system shows real promise for increasing hydrogen production with optimization. There are numerous variables to work with in the optimization of this system. pH is probably the first. pH was initially at 8.0, the pH of the Tris buffer solution. The pH of the buffer could be reasonably lowered and thus provide more H+ for reduction. It appears that the system can withstand warmer temperatures and this might be important in shifting the equilibrium towards the formation of the SO2

· ·-, the radical monomer form of S2O42-, the real reactive species in the dithionite.

The more SO2· ·-, the more it will react with water to form H+ ions, thus another way to drive the

equilibrium to formation of H2. It was found that in a temperature range of 2 - 40°C, the monomer form is favored at higher temperatures. [8] Dithionite concentration could be increased. A slight over- potential could be provided if the system was hooked up to a fuel cell. Exploration of depositing the nanoparticle-enzyme system on a graphite electrode so that diffusion rates would not be a limiting factor is an option [7]. The system demonstrated a stability and longevity that could be extended.

The nanoparticle-enzyme system represents a real advance in hydrogen generation in the alternative energy industry. The hydrogen produced by the nanoparticle-enzyme system is pure and done so at ambient temperatures and pressures. Currently, the dominant method of producing hydrogen is steam reforming, which is performed at 700-1000°C. If the steam reformed hydrogen is intended for a fuel cell, than it is necessary to filter and clean the feedstock because the hydrogen is typically contaminated with H2S and CO which will poison the platinum catalyst.

In conclusion, the nanoparticle-enzyme system shows real promise and may significantly contribute to developing a hydrogen economy.

Summary of Photo-activated Nanoparticle Natural product System for Hydrogen Generation by Deborah B. Maxwell, Ph.D. December 17, 2014

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References.

1. Vincent, Kylie A.; Parkin, Alison; Armstrong, Fraser A. Investigating and exploiting the electrocatalytic properties of hydrogenases. Chemical Reviews, 2007. 107, 4366-4413.

2. Fujishima, A.; Honda, K. Nature, 1972, 238, 37.

3. Kudo, Akihiko; Miseki, Yugo. Heterogeneous photocatalyst materials for water spitting. Chem Soc Rev, 2009, 38; 253-278.

4. Winkler, Martin; Kawelke, Steffen; Happe, Thomas. Light driven hydrogen production in protein based semi-artificial systems. Bioresource Technology, 2011, 102, 8493-8500.

5. Biju, Vasudevanpillai; Itoh, Tamitake; Anas, Abdulaziz; Sujith, Athiuanathil; Ishikawa, Mitsuru. Semiconductor quantum dots and metal nanoparticles: syntheses, optical properties, and biological applications. Anal Bioannal Chem, 2008, 391, 2469-2495.

6. Peng XG, Wickham J, Alivisatos AP. Kinetics of II-IV and III-IV colloidal semiconductor nanocrystal growth: focusing of size distributions. J Am Chem Soc, 1998, 120; 5343-4.

7. Reisner E, Powell DJ, Cavazza C, Fontecilla-Camps JC, Armstrong FA. Visible light- driven H2 production by hydrogenases attached to dye-sensitized TiO2 nanoparticles. J Am Chem Soc, 2009, 131, 18457-18466.

8. Mayhew, S. G. The redox potential of dithionite and SO-2 from equilibrium reactions with flavodoxins, methyl viologen and hydrogen plus hydrogenase. Eur J Biochem, 1978, 85, 535-547.

9. Mattoussi, Hedi; Palui, Goutam; Bin Na, Hyon. Luminescent quantum dots as platforms for probing in vitro and in vivo biological processes. Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews. 2012, 64, 138-166.

10. Brown KA, Dayal S, Ai X, Rumbles G, King PW. Controlled assembly of hydrogenase- CdTe nanocrystal hybrids for solar hydrogen production. J Am Chem Soc, 2010, 132, 9672-9680.

11. Kruse, O.; Rupprecht, J.; Mussgnug, J.H.; Dismukes, G. C.; Hankamer, B. Photsynthesis: a blueprint for solar energy capture and biohydrogen production technologies. Photochem Photbiol Sci, 2005, 4, 957-970.

12. Melnicki, Matthew R,; Bianchi, Lucia; De Philippis, Roberto; Meli, Anastasios. Hydrogen production during stationary phase in purple photosynthetic bacteria. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 2008, 33, 6525-6534.

13. Nelson, David L.; Cox, Michael L. Lehninger: Principles of Biochemistry, 4th edition. 2005, 836.

Exhibit “B” Curriculum Vitae of Dr. Deborah Maxwell, Ph.D.

Deborah Bolin Maxwell, Ph.D. DeLand, Florida 32720

Email: dmaxwell@stetson.edu Office: Sage Hall, Room 206 Phone: (386) 740-2509

EDUCATION:

University of Central Florida Doctor of Philosophy August 4, 2012 Chemistry

University of Central Florida Master of Science August 4, 2007 Industrial Chemistry

University of Central Florida Bachelor of Science May 1978 Respiratory Therapy

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE

Stetson University June 2014 to present Synthesis of CdSe nanoparticles and their surface functionalization with various thiolated compounds to enable aqueous solubility for the goal of guiding a student senior project. The purpose will be to determine the best capping agent to achieve maximum luminescence to interrogate complex formation with proteins and other biomolecules.

University of Central Florida May 2008 to July 2012 Research assistant in Dr. Robert Igarashi’s Research Lab.

Description of dissertation research project: The study of the Iron-Molybdenum cofactor (FeMo-co), in nitrogenase in two areas. First is the development of a passive system utilizing FeMo-co, nature’s most reductive catalyst, conjugated to a photo-reductive material CdSe, to produce hydrogen. There are three systems developed to achieve the goal of hydrogen production: 1) FeMo-co adsorbed onto CdSe in organic solvent, 2) NafY-FeMo-co adsorbed onto CdSe in aqueous solvent, 3) Spin coated CdSe on quartz with applied graphene conjugated to iron molybdenum protein. The second research goal was to achieve a better understanding of the FeMo-co biosynthetic pathway by investigating a necessary protein, NifEN, in turnover samples by electron paramagnetic spectroscopy.

Developed proficiency in the following skills and techniques: Purification of molybdenum iron protein under strict anaerobic conditions. Use of an argon positive pressure/vacuum manifold; a nitrogen/5% hydrogen glovebox; immobilized metal affinity and ion exchange chromatography; SDS-polyacrylamide gels; Biuret assay.

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Extraction of Fe-S cluster, FeMo-co into N-methylformamide under strict anaerobic conditions; Fe assay. Management and training of students on a 100 liter industrial fermentation system with a steam generator and 30,000 RPM Sharples centrifuge to grow Azotobacter vinelandii and Klebsiella pneumonia bacterial cells.

Synthesis of the following materials: cadmium selenide quantum dots, varied synthetic strategies, capping agent exchange on cadmium selenide quantum dots for mercaptosuccinic acid to enable solubilization in aqueous solvents, vinyl benzyl isothiouronium chloride. and thiol functionalized polystyrene

Characterization of materials synthesized: UV-vis spectroscopy, fluorescence emission spectroscopy, EPR spectroscopy, NMR, sulfide and Fe assays.

Use of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) instrument to amplify DNA fragments, restriction digest and ligation reactions, agarose gel electrophoresis, and genetic sequence analysis.

Instrument use: IR, FT-IR ATR spectroscopy, NMR, gas chromatograph, EPR, spectrofluorometer, UV-vis spectroscopy Skilled with the use of liquid nitrogen, ultracentrifuge and Beckman centrifuge.

University of Central Florida May 2005 to August 2007

Research assistant in Dr. Christian Clausen and Dr. Cherie Geiger’s Research Lab. Worked in Environmental Chemistry on the following research projects:

Remediation of Polychlorobiphenyls Utilized emulsified liquid membrane and zero-valent bimetal. Developed different emulsion formulations utilizing various kinds of oil and a new type of bimetal by ball-milling zero-valent iron and nickel on graphite. Analyzed PCB degradation by use of gas chromatography.

Remediation of heavy metal contaminated sediment Used emulsified liquid membrane and zero-valent bimetal technology. Refined artificial sediment for mulations and spiking with contaminants. Developed vial studies to investigate course of percent contaminant removal throughout period of emulsion injection into sediments. Determined optimal time period of percent contaminant removal. Investigated reasons why percent contaminant removal drops after seven days of treatment. Determined emulsion capacity in treatment of heavy metal contaminated sediments. Investigated fate of zero-valent metal inside of emulsion droplet. Investigated contaminant fate within sediment structure. Analyzed heavy metal contaminant removal by Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. Used Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy Dispersive X-ray to obtain images and analysis of the bimetal.

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

Stetson University August 2013 to present

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Visiting Assistant Professor Have taught and am presently teaching CHEM 141P (General Chemistry I) with laboratory class. Taught CHEM 142P (General Chemistry II) with laboratory class. Developed and am now teaching CHEM 110P (Chemistry of Everyday Things). Developed 12 laboratory sessions for instruction in the CHEM 110P class.

Adjunct Chemistry Professor at the following institutions:

Seminole State College August 2012 to August 2013 Taught CHM 2045 (General Chemistry I) with laboratory class. Taught CHM 2046 (General Chemistry II) with laboratory class.

Valencia College August 2012 to August 2013 Taught CHM 1025 (Introduction to Chemistry) with laboratory class. Taught CHM 1020 (Chemistry in Everyday Life).

University of Central Florida January 2013 to May 2013

Taught CHM 2041(Chemistry Fundamentals IB). Class size was 341 students. Taught CHS 1440 (Fundamentals of Chemistry for Engineers). Class size was 402 students.

University of Central Florida January 2008 to May 2012

Graduate Teaching Assistant for six semesters of Organic Chemistry laboratory (CHM 2211L) three times as the Instructor of Record, two times under Dr. Andrew Frazer, once under Dr. E. Kluger Graduate Teaching Assistant for two semesters of General Chemistry laboratory (CHM 2046L) under Dr. Donovan Dixon

Valencia Community College August – December 2007 Professor – Taught two General Chemistry classes and laboratory classes. Taught Introduction to Chemistry class and laboratory class.

Stetson University April 2007 Filled a temporary adjunct position through the end of the second semester of Organic Chemistry. The professor had missed numerous classes because of illness and was unable to finish instructing the course. Four crucial chapters in six daytime class periods that were listed in the syllabus were covered to enable students to be prepared for ACS or MCAT exams. Evening help sessions were offered since so much material necessitated being covered.

University of Central Florida August – December 2006 Graduate Teaching Assistant for Organic Chemistry I class. Assisted the professor with classroom management and grading. Substitute taught for professor.

University of Central Florida August 2005 – April 2006 Graduate Teaching Assistant for Analytical Chemistry Lab Instructed students in proper laboratory techniques. Duties included ensuring that supplies and chemicals were ordered and available, and preparation of unknown samples. Students were required to report their quantified results and were graded on relative error. Was responsible for grading the lab reports.

Gold Medal Honors Academy August 2000 – May 2004

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Taught high school science classes in a private school including Physical Science, Chemistry and Physics. Was responsible for classroom and laboratory instruction. Wrote the exams and quizzes and graded them. Instructed students in preparation of science fair projects. Helped prepare those who qualified for the regional fair and thereafter assisted those who competed in the state fair.

West Volusia Memorial Hospital 1982 – 1984 In-service instructor for the Cardiopulmonary Department. Provided the staff therapists with instruction in current technology and new treatments. Prepared the therapists to take their Registry exams.

Daytona Beach Community College 1980 Clinical instructor for the Cardiopulmonary Department. A rotating group of students arrived in Ormond Beach Memorial Hospital each week for instruction in patient care. Instruction included treating patients in ICU and in regular care. Students were taught how to analyze diagnostic tests that would enable them to communicate with physicians to develop the best treatment plan.

PRESENTATIONS/PUBLICATIONS Patent Pending – Filed February 13, 2013 Photo-activated Hydrogen Generation by A CdSe·FeMo-co System and Methods of Making and Using Same

Preparation of a manuscript to be submitted in early 2015: “Development of a photo-driven catalyst for the purpose of electron transfer: a CdSe-FeMo-co hybrid system.”

UCF Biochemistry Meeting, March 3, 2011. Presentation. Nanoparticle based photo-reduction of the iron-molybdenum cofactor .

Florida Inorganic and Materials Symposium, October 1-2, 2010, Gainesville, Florida - Platform Presentation. Nanoparticle based photo-reduction of the iron-molybdenum cofactor.

Deborah Maxwell; Robert DeVor; Brian Aitken; Rachel Calabro; Michael Hampton; Cherie Geiger; Christian A. Clausen; (University of Central Florida); Kristen Milum, (University of Texas); Jacqueline Quinn, (NASA). Application of emulsified liquid membrane technology to remediate heavy metals in soils and sediments. Proceedings of the Fourth International Conference on Remediation of Contaminated Sediments, ISBN 978-1-57477-159-6, Savannah, GA, 2007.

Fourth International Conference on Remediation of Contaminated Sediments, Savannah, GA , January 2007 – Poster Presentation - Heavy Metal Remediation of Soil and Sediments by Application of Emulsified Liquid Membrane Technology

Florida Academy of Science 70th Annual Meeting - March 2006 – Platform Presentation Emulsified Microscale and Nanoscale Metal Particles for Environmental Remediation of Heavy Metals

AWARDS UCF Chemistry Department Graduate Teaching Assistant Award - 2006-2007

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