Innovations

Norman Haber was a visionary man with an uncanny ability to look at things in new and surprising ways. This capacity, coupled with an extensive knowledge of chemistry and general scientific talent, led him to some revolutionary discoveries and innovations.

The roster of developments listed below is not exhaustive. It does include many of Haber's primary scientific and technological contributions however.

Electromolecular Propulsion (EMP)

As a Doctoral student in the 60s, Norman Haber found himself growing ever more frustrated with inconsistent research results when using electrophoresis (a standard method for molecular analysis). Recognizing the need for a more reliable technology, he began working on an alternative. The answer: Electromolecular Propulsion (EMP) – an electrochemical process allowing for very quick, high-resolution molecular separations.

Electromolecular Propulsion is a revolutionary development. On the surface it shares characteristics with electrophoresis. At its core however, it not only relies on fundamentally different principles, but operates under conditions that the conventional wisdom has always denied as being possible. Because EMP bears a superficial resemblance to electrophoresis yet works in such a surprising way, Haber struggled for years to try and convince patent offices that the technology was both genuine and novel. His tenacity did pay off though, and Electromolecular Propulsion eventually earned patents throughout the world. EMP was also further legitimized in 1982 when the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences published "Chemoelectronic mobilization of chemical species in low-conductivity fluids: New electrokinetic effect" – a paper Haber wrote to explain the technology.

For more on Electromolecular Propulsion, click Here.

The Haber Gold Process (HGP)

Developed by Norman in the mid 70s, the Haber Gold Process (HGP) is an environmentally-friendly process for extracting Gold from ore. HGP offers an alternative to conventional methods that are notorious for polluting the environment with highly toxic substances such as Cyanide and Mercury. Today, after decades of experimentation and refinement, HGP is not only a green technology, but it brings additional processing and economic advantages to the industry as well. A number of outside agencies have analyzed and evaluated HGP, all of which have independently confirmed the effectiveness of the process.

For more on the Haber Gold Process, click Here.

The Alpha Process

In the early 1980s, Norman worked in conjunction with Dr. John Lee (senior Haber, Inc. scientist at the time) to develop the Alpha Process. This process provides an economical way to extract – with high purity – Silver and Manganese from ore.

Cardiovascular Table

A diagnostic table designed to isolate patients from environmental vibrations. The Cardiovascular Table allowed medical instruments to detect minute pulse variations that would normally be obscured by extraneous disturbances. Norman developed the table for use in state of the art cardiovascular clinics he spearheaded back in the 80s.

Blendex

A high-speed blender with a wide variety of research and industrial applications. Blendex was unique in that its operating principle was not based on cutting, but rather, very high-velocity impact. The blender was commercially available back in the 70s. Units ranged in size from smaller laboratory models to larger industrial versions.

Ceramic Formulation

Norman worked in collaboration with one of his colleagues – Dr. Rochvar – to develop a ceramic formulation that could be used to permanently encapsulate nuclear waste. The synthetic ceramic was designed to take on many of the impervious characteristics of Basalt, a type of volcanic rock.