FIPR eyes sulfur for energy source

Bartow, Fla.-FIPR, formerly the Florida Institute of Phosphate Research, changed names and expanded its mission to become Florida Industrial and Phosphate Research when it became part of the University of South Florida Polytechnic. According to Executive Director Paul Clifford, the change, which occurred in June 2010, allows FIPR to broaden its areas of research. In addition to ongoing work on phosphate mining and processing, FIPR has begun working on using sulfur as an energy source. Clifford said the plan was to find a catalyst for the sulfur, but “we’re very close to having a system to test.” Details of the research were proprietary and were not released. FIPR was created in 1978 as an independent agency, with its own board of directors for the research agency. In 1994 it was administered by USFP, but remained an independent agency. However, that switched last year, when the state legislature approved the change. “It was an idea that had been discussed between the institute and the university. We both felt it was beneficial, and the legislature saw the benefit to the local area. There was no downside, so it happened quickly.”