Energy Conversion

Energy Conversion Research

The global demand for energy is increasing in the midst of limitations in fossil fuel supply and required reductions in pollutant emissions.  Creative, innovative solutions are needed to address current energy challenges worldwide.  Students, faculty, and staff working in the energy conversion area are carrying out research to respond to the energy issues we face.  Students gain experience solving current, real-world problems on energy conversion equipment currently in use, applying state-of-the-art research techniques and instrumentation.

The energy conversion area encompasses a wide range of activities.  These activities deal with internal combustion engines, combustion, building energy use, bio-fuels, and industrial pollution prevention.   More specific research areas include alternative fuels research, engine technology development for alternative fuels, bio-fuels development, pollutant formation and control, advanced ignition systems development, clean cook stoves for the developing world, chemical kinetics of bio-fuels, fundamental combustion studies (droplet combustion), waste heat utilization, neural networks for controlling buildings, intelligent control of networked distributed energy resources, hybrid vehicles, and thermal storage in building materials.

Research in the energy conversion area is well supported by government and industrial sponsors.  Graduate students have the opportunity to interface with sponsors, enhancing their research experience and providing potential opportunities beyond graduate school.  The research in this area is driven by a growing need for energy solutions in the marketplace.  Consequently, our graduates with advanced degrees emphasizing energy conversion are having a high impact as they move beyond graduate school into industry, government, and academia.

 

Research Areas

Research Resources