Sascha Welz and Daniel Ersoy, doctoral students in materials engineering, won the 2001 National Inventors Hall of Fame Collegiate Inventors Competition.

Their submission, "Conversion of Silicon Carbide to Diamond to Produce Dynamic Seals with Superior Properties," earned them a $20,000 cash prize and two $2,000 gift certificates. Faculty advisers Michael McNallan, professor of materials science, and Yury Gogotsi, associate professor of mechanical engineering, will share a $10,000 cash prize.

Their process for synthesizing nanocrystalline diamond and carbon coatings is superior to current methods.

Welz and Ersoy foresee a variety of applications, such as coated bearings in outer space, biocompatible material for artificial joints, coated seals for water pumps in cars, and cutting tools.

This is the first time UIC has won since the competition began eleven years ago. Details of their invention can be found in the May 17, 2002, issue of the journal Nature.