ST. LOUIS — The Electrical Connection is joining Missouri Energy Initiative (MEI) in honoring the best ideas in clean energy technology research and development. The organizations are saluting the winners of the 2012 Missouri Clean Energy Challenge which include Aerosol Control Technologies (ACT) and Material Mix, both based in St. Louis, and Water and Environmental Technologists, based in Columbia, Mo. ACT and Material Mix each received a $10,000 prize.

Presented by MEI, the Missouri Clean Energy Challenge is a statewide business competition for early stage companies and university students. The program is designed to accelerate the commercialization of clean technology research and development from the region’s leading universities and national labs, and to educate a new class of entrepreneurs about technology commercialization.

“We’re pleased to be part of MEI, which is helping drive Missouri’s energy future through creative programs like the Missouri Clean Energy Challenge,” said Jim Curran, executive vice president of the Electrical Connection and a member of the executive board of MEI.

MEI promotes a shared vision among Missouri’s energy leaders. It is a nonprofit association of public and private sector entities united to enhance and improve energy-related activities in the State of Missouri. The Electrical Connection is a partnership of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local One and St. Louis Chapter, National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA).

Aerosol Control Technologies (ACT) earned the Student Award. It is a team from Washington University in St. Louis who are developing an advanced diesel particulate matter (DPM) capture system to improve efficiency of diesel engines while also cleaning the air we breathe.

Material Mix is a St. Louis company which earned the Ameren Clean Energy Innovation Award. The firm is engaged in commoditizing the trade of industrial byproducts within the current waste collection industry and helping waste and recycling professionals reduce operating expenses, recover investment on inventory, and monetize the trade of their recyclables.

Water and Environmental Technologists is an entry from the University of Missouri-Columbia which won the wild card slot for the regional clean energy challenge. It is a student organization which developed a system for large-scale production of biodiesels using algae by creating an algae-based membrane bioreactor.

Electrical Connection members provide safe and reliable electrical construction, maintenance, repair and replacement services across Missouri, the nation and the world. Find a contractor near you in the Electrical Connection contractor database.

Front row (from left): Prof. Pratim Biswas, Washington University in St. Louis; Daniel Garcia, Aerosol Control Technologies; Michael Gidding, Aerosol Control Technologies; and Dr. Wei-Ning Wang, Washington University

Back row (from left): Jim Curran, Electrical Connection (Missouri Energy Initiative board); Joan Bray, Consumers Council of Missouri (Missouri Energy Initiative board); Josh Campbell, executive director, Missouri Energy Initiative; and Ken Harrington, Washington University in St. Louis Skandalaris Center.