ChemNova Technologies, Inc. was established in 1999 as a partnership between Chhiu-Tsu Lin, distinguished research professorprofessor, distinguished teaching professor of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Northern Illinois University (NIU), and NIU. NIU supports University-Industry research collaboration through its Technology Transfer Office.

Lin himself is a native of Taiwan. He earned his Ph.D. at UCLA, where he received the Bronze Medallion for the top dissertation in the physical sciences. He taught in Taiwan, Singapore and Brazil before coming to NIU in 1985.

Lin is among NIU's most decorated professors. With his latest accolade – the Board of Trustees Professorship – he has won all of the university's top awards, including the Presidential Research Professorship, Presidential Teaching Professorship and Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching award. Lin has written 160 scientific papers, attracted more than $3 million in research funding and been awarded numerous distinguished fellowships and invited lectures, including to universities in Singapore, Taiwan and Brazil. NIU's invention man holds nine U.S. and three international patents. One of his innovation led to a Governor's Pollution Prevention Award in 2000. by |NIU Today|