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Energy Projects at Carnegie Mellon Help the State 'Go Green'

Article Posted On 4/27/2009



In recent years, Pennsylvania has been committed to the development of alternative, clean and renewable energy sources in the state. The goal is to strive for energy independence. This commitment has been and continues to be ongoing as stated in the 2009-2010 Pennsylvania budget: "Pennsylvania's economy is growing 'green.' Strategic investments in the alternative energy sector over the last six years have helped the commonweath become a leader in renewable energy production."

Many Carnegie Mellon faculty in ICES have been working on PITA-supported projects in the last several years that already support this commitment. These projects present multidisciplinary responses to a variety of current energy problems and needs. Cumulatively, their work touches on different key areas in the development of efficient, renewable, and greener approaches to energy in the state, the nation and the world. Some examples of these recent projects are highlighted here.

PRODUCTS

  • Creating Organic Semiconductors for Use in Energy-Saving Applications, like LEDs
    Researchers: Lisa M. Porter and Richard D. McCullough
    Industry Partners: Plextronics and the Electrical and Communications Systems Division of the National Science Foundation (NSF)

  • Designing Fuel Cell Systems for Use in Electronic Devices, Automotive Systems, and Power Plants
    Researchers: Lorenz T. Biegler and Myung S. Jhon
    Industry Partners: Fuel Cell Energy and the National Energy Technology Laboratories (NETL)

    Researchers: S.C. Yao and Jhon
    Industry Partners: Seagate Research Center, Air Products and Chemicals, and the National Energy Technology Laboratories (NETL)

PROCESS & PRACTICE

  • Improving the Production Process of Recycling Steel
    Researchers: Sridhar Seetharaman and Richard Fruehan
    Industry Partners: ArcelorMittal, Nucor Steel, Gerdau Ameristeel

  • Studying Economic Use of Gas Produced from Clean Coal Technology
    Researchers: Jay Apt and Lester Lave
    Industry Partners: Duquesne Light Company and National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL)

  • Reducing Power Consumption Used by Computer Data Centers
    Researchers: Bruno Sinopoli, Bruce Krogh, and Greg Ganger
    Industry Partners: 14 companies, including 5 that have significant activities located in Pennsylvania such as Seagate, Intel, and Network Appliance

  • Developing Web-Based Model to Help Households Track & Reduce Energy Use
    Researchers: Jennifer Mankoff and Deanna Matthews
    Industry Partners: Giant Eagle

EFFECTS OF ALTERNATIVE FUELS

  • Measuring Air Pollutant Emissions from Alternative Biofuels
    Researchers: Allen Robinson, David Archer, Neil Donahue, John Wiss
    Industry Partners: CTI Biofuels


  • Studying How Solar & Wind Plant Disturbances Affect Electric Power Grid
    Researchers: B. Erik Ydstie and Bruce Krogh
    Industry Partners: Emerson Process Management, Power and Water Solutions

EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH

  • The Summer Engineering Experience for Girls (SEE) for middle school girls fosters their interest in math, science, and engineering with hands-on activities and multidisciplinary engineering approaches to creating energy efficiency and environmentally friendly sources of energy as a way for them to explore in a specific way how they can make a difference in the world.