KSE, Inc. was founded in 1977 by Dr. J. R. Kittrell, a professor of chemical engineering at the University of Massachusetts.  KSE was initially established as an engineering consulting firm serving the process industries with particular expertise in petroleum refining and petrochemicals.  The firm evolved toward research & development ultimately building our current 11,000 sq foot purpose-built laboratory facility in 1983.  KSE specializes in catalytic conversion technologies applied to biomass conversions, chemicals, and polymer synthesis.  Dr. Kittrell is recognized as an expert in industrial forensic analysis expanding the firm’s capabilities to include litigation services.

Dr. Kittrell is inventor on over 50 U.S. patents and author of over 100 technical publications.  KSE holds numerous patents on the composition, manufacture, and application of various inorganic heterogeneous catalysts used in oxidation and dehydration of organic molecules.  KSE has received SBIR Technology of the Year and two “R&D 100” awards for photocatalytic control technology and products.  KSE has received the EPA Environmental Innovator Technology Award for our superfund site remediation process.

KSE has a successful track record securing and executing over 70 Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) programs with various federal agencies including the U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Science Foundation, and the Environmental Protection Agency.