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There are two groups on which we are building expanded research. The first group works on alternative energy sources, including solar cells, thermoelectric materials and biobased sources. We are very strong here. The second group focuses on transportation, aspects of which have had a long, successful history in the college. Near-term growth will occur in composite vehicles, ‘field-to-wheels’ studies for powertrain design, and hybrid vehicles.

MSU Energy Research Focuses on Thermoelectrics, Biofuels, and Battery Technologies

Listen to Walt Sorg of 1320 WILS radio interview Satish Udpa, dean of the College of Engineering. (Click here - will open as a web page.)

MSU is the lead institution in a new $12.5 million U.S. Department of Energy–sponsored Energy Frontier Research Center focusing on the study of thermoelectric energy conversion. Led by Donald Morelli, professor of chemical engineering and materials science, the team is developing methods to convert heat to electricity. Applications range from waste heat recovery from automobiles to solar thermal energy conversion.

See an interview with Donald Morelli on YouTube:

Bruce Dale, professor of chemical engineering and materials science and associate director of MSU’s Office of Biobased Technologies, is a member of the $125 million, five-year U.S. Department of Energy–funded Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center. Dale invented a unique process to help convert plant materials into fuels. He is now focused on eliminating the “food vs. fuel” dilemma of biofuels by coproducing animal feeds and biofuels.

See an interview with Bruce Dale on YouTube:

MSU College of Engineering researchers have secured about $4 million in funding from multiple federal, state, and commercial organizations to develop the next generation of advanced battery and capacitor technology. Under the leadership of Jeff Sakamoto and Lawrence T. Drzal, professors of chemical engineering and materials science, new nanomaterials, nanomaterial architectures, processing techniques, and electrode designs are being developed to produce high-energy batteries and high-power super capacitors for the personal, transportation, and infrastructure sectors for both U.S. Department of Defense and civilian applications.

See an interview with Jeff Sakamoto on YouTube:

See an interview with Lawrence Drzal on YouTube:

 

MSU Energy Research Takes on the Challenge of Developing Materials for Low-Cost Fuel Cells

Scott Calabrese Barton, associate professor of chemical engineering and materials science, is addressing the challenge of finding catalysts for fuel cells that can achieve the job of producing power from fuel cells but have lower cost. His research focuses on the development and characterization of materials for fuel cells, particularly direct methanol fuel cells and biofuel cells. These materials will have a strong impact on future energy devices that possess the particular characteristic of minimal environmental impact.
 
See an interview with Scott Calabrese Barton on YouTube:

 

MSU Receives $2.5 Million DOE Award to Build Advanced Hybrid Engine

MSU received a $2.5 million federal stimulus grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to build a prototype new engine and generator technology that can dramatically improve efficiencies and reduce costs of electric hybrid vehicles. Led by Norbert Mueller, assistant professor of mechanical engineering, the team will work toward producing a vehicle-size engine/generator known as a wave disk generator during the next two years.

See an interview with Norbert Mueller on YouTube: