Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/297333
Faces of Technology Joseph Megy JDCPhosphate Inc. | www.JDCPhosphate.com Chief Technology Officer Education: B.A. in Mathematics and minor in Chemistry, Oregon State University; Ph.D. in Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Oregon State University; Advanced Studies degree in Metallurgy, and Research and Development Management, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Company: Located in Fort Meade, JDCPhosphate is a research and development company that commercializes new technology in phosphoric acid production from phosphate ores. What will it take to feed the world? While scientists search for the an- swer, one critical component is the production of phosphoric acid from phosphate ores. Phosphate, a naturally occurring element, is used in fertilizer to sup- port food growth. Large deposits of phosphate rock located in the Corri- dor region provide about 75 percent of the nation's phosphate supply and about 25 percent of the world supply. The industry depends on local phosphate rock to create fertilizer; however, a diminishing supply calls for new technology to satisfy the demand. Joseph Megy, chief technology officer at JDCPhosphate, is answer- ing the call. The Fort Meade re- search and development company is changing the chemistry process that creates the final product which allows for more pure and environmentally friendly fertilizers. The new process varies the kind of phosphate rock that is used in production and alleviates the depletion of existing deposits. It also nearly eliminates the slightly radioactive emissions from byproduct created by the current process. Megy began research in 1965, but his love for science started long be- fore. His high school days were spent enjoying rocketry and creating home- made gunpowder to shoot projectiles. Today, Megy builds on almost 50 years of research for transformative technol- ogy in metallurgical processes. "After serious work on a project, my greatest satisfaction is under- standing technology in a way that has never been understood before," said Megy. "You have to spend a lot of time thinking very carefully about things in order to have new technol- ogy insight." After contributing to an initial breakthrough while working with a private company and continuing research with his own company, Megy moved to Florida to be located within the hub for the phosphate industry. He began the precursor company JDC Inc. in 1995 as a research company, and formed JDC- Phosphate Inc. in 2008, moving to Florida the same year without a clear idea of how he was going to commercialize the research. Upon arrival, he found a community that had deep experience in phosphoric acid production and was willing to work with him to bring his research to the marketplace. Truly appreciating the commitment and capabilities of those he met, Megy continues to grow his company in the Corridor. JDC opened a new semi-commer- cial demonstration plant with annual production capacity of 12,000 tons per year of high-quality and high-concentration phosphoric acid – a project that attracted millions of dollars in investment and stands to radically change the industry. Along with industry, the fight against world hunger could change from developments made in the Corridor. florida.HIGH.TECH 2014 09