BIOTEMP is a biodegradable vegetable-oil-based dielectric insulating fluid used in electrical transformers. The product substantially reduces the environmental threats posed by spills of traditional transformer insulating oils. BIOTEMP was developed and patented by T. V. Oommen, Ph.D., and Clair Claiborne, Ph.D., scientists at ABB Power T&D Company’s Electric Systems Technology Institute (ETI). ETI is located on North Carolina State University’s Centennial Campus. Dubbed “The Oscars of Invention” by the Chicago Tribune, the R&D 100 Awards recognize the 100 most technologically significant new products and processes of the year. Other winners during the 100 Awards’ 37-year history have included the flashcube, the fax machine and the antilock brake. The award will be presented during a ceremony at the Chicago Field Museum of Science and Industry on Sept. 27.