Basil Smidt

MicroCoal is a materials technology company focused on commercializing the use of microwave energy and related process technologies to transform coal and other minerals into higher quality and higher value industrial materials. Their initial target market is the coal-fired segment of the North American electrical utility industry. Coal-fired power plants currently produce nearly 50% of the electricity in the U.S.A. MicroCoal's proprietary on-site process cleans up coal at the power plant prior to combustion by reducing contaminates like sulfur and mercury and also improving fuel efficiency by removing water. This is helping to accelerate the existing trend of fuel switching to low-rank Powder River Basin (western) coals. They are building on their extensive portfolio of patents pending and proprietary know-how and see significant growth potential into new geographies and new industrial markets.

Bateman Engineering, Inc. provides engineering services, bulk materials handling systems, and equipment to convert natural resources into marketable products. The company was founded in 1982 and is headquartered in Boulder, CO.