Dr. Mark Shiflett Awarded 50th Patent, Marking Major Milestone in Sustainable Engineering Innovation
Lawrence, Kansas — December 23, 2025 — Dr. Mark B. Shiflett, Foundation Distinguished Professor at the University of Kansas and Director of both the Wonderful Institute for Sustainable Engineering (WISE) and the NSF Engineering Research Center for Environmentally Applied Refrigerant Technology (EARTH), has reached a major career milestone: the issuance of his 50th U.S. patent. This achievement reflects decades of sustained innovation across industry and academia and underscores his contributions to advancing chemical engineering technologies with real-world impact.
Dr. Shiflett’s body of patented work spans a broad range of technologies, from hydrofluorocarbon refrigerant mixtures developed early in his career to enable reduced environmental impact, to novel processes for separations and materials in sustainable energy and chemical processes. Several of his earliest patents were granted during his 28-year tenure at DuPont’s Central Research and Development organization, where he served as a Technical Fellow and helped drive the company’s innovation in fluorochemicals and industrial processes.
At the University of Kansas, Dr. Shiflett has continued this legacy in both teaching and research, mentoring students and leading projects that translate fundamental science into practical technologies. His inventions increasingly focus on ionic-liquid-based separations, advanced purification methods, and sustainable chemical processing techniques that align with global needs for energy efficiency and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
As the Director of WISE and NSF EARTH, he collaborates with academic, industry, and government partners to advance sustainable refrigerant technologies, train the next generation of engineers, and translate research innovations into solutions that address global environmental and energy challenges.
Dr. Shiflett’s 50th patent represents not only a personal milestone, but also a testament to the long-term value of research-driven innovation and industry engagement.
The full list of Dr. Shiflett’s patents is available on the Shiflett Research Group website.
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