The object
Jacqueline Quinn co-invented emulsified zero-valent iron, a manufactured iron-and-emulsion system injected to treat contaminated groundwater. The remediation hardware and material formulation made treatment of difficult pollutants more affordable and was used at contaminated sites, translating NASA environmental engineering into a commercial cleanup product.
What Jacqueline did
Co-invented emulsified zero-valent iron, a deployable material system for remediation of contaminated groundwater.
Why it matters
NASA reports that Quinn's team received both its Invention of the Year and Commercial Invention of the Year awards for the groundwater-remediation technology.
Living-status check
NASA's current person-specific profile identifies Quinn as the VIPER project manager for lunar instruments, positive present-tense evidence. Current institutional evidence in 2026.