Engineering Sustainability Student Poster Contest

Open to: All University of Maryland graduate and undergraduate students.

Topics of Interest

This year’s workshop theme is The Energy and Water Nexus. Posters should address research in areas such as clean energy generation, the environmental impacts of the energy production chain on water resources, or reduced-energy water purification systems.

Due Date of Abstract Submission

Submit the abstract by email to Kyle Todd at ktodd@umd.edu. The deadline to submit an abstract is April 11, 2013.

Decision on Acceptance

A maximum of 10 contestants will be chosen from among the submitted abstracts. Contestants selected to present a poster will be notified of the decision by April 13, 2013.

Abstract Guidelines

Author/Investigator information must include the student name, School/College affiliation, graduate vs. undergraduate standing, and name of supervising faculty. Include the title of the poster. The body of the abstract (excluding author/investigator information and title) must be limited to no more than 200 words.

Poster Guidelines

Posters must be no more than 4 feet tall and must be set up in the poster session area between 8:00 a.m. and 9 a.m. on the day of the event, and removed no earlier than 4:00 p.m. and no later than 4:30 pm on the day of the event.

Prize Money

Judging of the posters by a panel of experts from industry and academia will be based on clarity of work, merit of research, creativity, presentation skills, and overall depth of subject knowledge.

• 
Graduate Student Prize: $200.00

• Undergrad Student Prize: $150.00

Poster Contest Date and Time

April 22nd, 2013 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 pm. Winners will be announced between 3:00 pm and 3:30 p.m. on the day of the event.

Poster Contest Location

Jeong H. Kim Engineering Building (Bldg 225)
Room: Rotunda

Inquiries

For inquiries regarding information on poster contest rules or submission, please email to Kyle Todd at ktodd@umd.edu.
 

Focus 2013: The Energy and Water Nexus Focus

April 22, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Kay Boardrooms and Rotunda
Jeong H. Kim Engineering Building, College Park, MD
Co-sponsored by the Clark School of Engineering, the University of Maryland Energy Research Center, the University of Maryland Office of Sustainability, and the University of Maryland Council on the Environment

The agenda for the workshop is as follows:

Morning Session: Unified Kay Boardrooms

Afternoon Sessions: Parallel Speakers: Divided Kay Boardrooms

Kay Boardroom East

Kay Boardroom West

Afternoon Session II: Unified Kay Boardrooms

Sustainability does not happen by chance. It must be engineered.

That’s why, each year on or near Earth Day in April, the Clark School invites its own faculty members and students, interested people from other University of Maryland schools, and guest speakers from industry and government, to come together for the Clark School’s Engineering Sustainability Workshop.

Please join us on April 22, 2013 to explore this year's theme: The Energy and Water Nexus.

The goal of the workshop is to present and propose ways to maximize technology's positive impact on the long-term availability of natural resources, and to minimize its negative impact. The workshop offers presentations, demonstrations, and discussions in which all may participate. At the conclusion of the workshop, a list is made of new ideas for sustainability initiatives proposed by attendees; this list will be posted on this website for future reference and possible development and execution.

We encourage all to join us and contribute new ideas for engineering sustainability.

This event is co-sponsored by the University of Maryland Energy Research Center, the University of Maryland Council on the Environment, and the University of Maryland Office of Sustainability.

This is a free event. No registration required.

A Whiting-Turner Lecture: April 25, 2013

Biography

Warren Citrin co-founded Solipsys Corporation in March 1996. He was the CEO and a member of the Board of Solipsys from 1996 until the sale of the company to Raytheon Company in March 2003. Under his leadership, Solipsys grew to more than 200 employees with no debt or outside ownership. In May, 2003, he won the Ernst and Young award for Maryland Entrepreneur of the Year. Following the sale to Raytheon, Mr. Citrin was selected for membership to the Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems oversight committee, which directs the efforts of over 12,000 employees worldwide. He held that position and remained as President and Board member of Raytheon Solipsys until leaving the company in April 2005, to start a new venture, Gloto Corp., which specializes in mobile technology for the entertainment and sports industry. Mr. Citrin has recently established the Warren Citrin Graduate Fellowships in Global Sustainability and Entrepreneurship at the University of Maryland’s Clark School of Engineering. In May 2012, he co-founded Redox Power Systems, LLC, a company specializing in advanced fuel cell power generation systems. Mr. Citrin is the CEO of Redox. That same year, he also founded Alchemee, LLC, a web based company with a retail loyalty application set for launch in May 2013.

Prior to his founding of Solipsys, Mr. Citrin was the assistant supervisor of the Engineering Analysis Group at Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (JHU/APL). During his 18 years at JHU/APL, he contributed to the design and development of automatic signal processing and tracking systems for numerous surface and airborne combatant radar systems. From 1985 until 1996, Mr. Citrin led the design, development, and integration of what remains the U.S. Navy's premier radar network, the Cooperative Engagement Capability.

Mr. Citrin received a BSEE from the University of South Carolina in 1973 and an MS in Applied Mathematics from the State University of New York at Stony Brook in 1977. He holds patents in advanced military radar networking technology and for mobile phone applications.

Abstract

Speaker: Warren Citrin, CEO of Redox Power Systems, LLC

Title: "Entrepreneurship and the Meaning of Life"

The lecture will be preceded by the dedication of the Stanley R. Zupnik Lecture Hall in the Kim Engineering Building. The reception will begin at 4:30 and the program will start at 5:00.

Register online to attend this free event

A "Transforming Energy" Lecture
by James Klausner
December 7, 2012

Abstract

It is well known that the amount of solar energy striking a 500´500 kilometer portion of the earth is sufficient to meet the current energy demand of the entire planet. As such, the U.S. National Academy of Engineering has cited the economical capture and utilization of solar energy as one of the National Grand Challenges. Making fuels from sunlight is one of the strategic goals in the Department of Energy’s report, New Science for a Secure and Sustainable Energy Future. Because solar energy is an intermittent power source and the most suitable locations for solar power collection are desert regions and generally away from urban centers, it is essential that solar energy collection be coupled with energy storage technologies to be economical. Numerous storage solutions are being pursued, but the chemical storage of solar energy as a fuel is a superior concept due to the high energy density and the existing global infrastructure for fuel transport and storage. This talk will discuss a novel dual cavity, windowless, high temperature chemical reactor that converts concentrated solar thermal energy to Syngas, which is currently under development at the University of Florida.  The cost effective, solar thermochemical production of Syngas, using an iron-based non-volatile metal oxide looping processes as a precursor for clean and carbon neutral synthetic hydrocarbon fuels such as methanol, methane, or synthetic petroleum, is the overarching project goal. The reactor uses water and recycled CO2 as the sole feed-stock and concentrated solar radiation as the sole energy source.  Thus, the solar fuel is completely renewable and carbon neutral. A 5000 sun solar simulator has been developed as an energy driver for the thermochemical reactions.  A highly reactive, high surface area iron-based porous structure has been synthesized using a magnetically stabilized bed sintering technique which has been used for coal-to-hydrogen conversion.  A hybrid reactor kinetic model has been developed and validated over a number of cycles in laboratory scale reactors.  The magnetically stabilized porous structure may also be used as a volumetric absorber and facilitate chemical storage for solar driven steam power plants.  Ongoing work involving the high temperature looping process to convert coal to hydrogen will also be considered.

Biography

Dr. James F. Klausner currently serves as a Program Director at the Advanced Research Projects Agency – Energy (ARPA-E). His main focuses include: waste heat and solar driven, low temperature desalination; solar thermal energy driven synthetic fuel synthesis; heat exchangers for spacecraft; and high heat flux cooling. In addition to his position at ARPA-E, Dr. Klausner is a Newton C. Ebaugh Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at the University of Florida.

At the University of Florida, Dr. Klausner served as the Chair of the Energy Strategic Planning Committee from 2009-2012, Interim Director for Electronic Delivery of Graduate Education from 2006-2007, and as Coordinator for the Thermal Science and Fluid Dynamics Research and Education Group in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering from 2002-2012. Within the academic engineering community, he is best known for his fundamental science contributions to thermal fluids energy transport. He is a Fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineering and the Japan Society for the Promotion of Sciences, in addition to serving on the editorial boards of the International Journal of Heat and Fluid Flow, Frontiers in Heat and Mass Transfer, and the Open Journal for Thermodynamics. He has authored more than 100 technical publications in the thermal fluid sciences and is author of eight patents or patent applications.

Dr. Klausner received a B.S. in marine systems engineering from the United States Merchant Marine Academy in 1984, and M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in mechanical engineering from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign in 1986 and 1989, respectively.

A "Transforming Energy" Lecture
by Eric Miller
November 16, 2012

Abstract

The US Department of Energy’s (DOE) Fuel Cell Technologies Program (FCT) has made significant progress in fuel cell technology advancement and cost reduction, highlighted by reducing the cost of automotive fuel cells by more than 80% since 2002.  Research and development of enabling technologies for the widespread production of affordable renewable hydrogen, though, remains a daunting challenge. Near-term utilization of current reforming and electrolytic processes are viewed as necessary for early hydrogen markets, but there remains a critical need for transitioning to industrial-scale renewable hydrogen production for the longer term.  Photoelectrochemical (PEC) hydrogen production, using sunlight to directly split water, is one of the key promising solar-to-hydrogen technologies for large-scale production of affordable renewable hydrogen.   Although PEC water-splitting has been investigated for several decades, the research has focused mainly on titanium-dioxide or other metal-oxide based semiconductor systems which are stable in aqueous electrolytes, but which are generally limited in performance by their excessively wide bandgaps. It is well-understood today that new advanced semiconductor structures utilized in innovative reactor designs are needed for practical large-scale PEC hydrogen-production systems.  Appropriately, the primary DOE R&D efforts in this area focus on the discovery, engineering and optimization of advanced PEC materials, and on the evaluation of promising PEC system designs. In terms of PEC materials, the challenging set of requirements includes adequate light absorption over the solar spectrum, development of photo-induced potentials thermodynamically adequate to split water, high charge separation and carrier collection efficiency, stability in suitable aqueous solutions, and favorable kinetics for the gas evolution reactions. In terms of PEC systems and reactor designs, high conversion efficiency to reduce the solar collection footprint is critical to minimize capital costs.  Promising pathways under investigation in the DOE FCT R&D portfolio for achieving high PEC efficiencies and low hydrogen production costs are discussed in this talk.  Exciting recent progress, including the achievement of new solar-to-hydrogen efficiency records, will be highlighted for specific PEC materials classes, including the III-V crystalline semiconductors, copper-chalcopyrite polycrystalline semiconductors as well as new mixed-metal oxides.

Biography

Dr. Eric L. Miller currently serves as the Hydrogen Production Technology Development Manager with the Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies Program at the US DOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. Dr. Miller received his Ph.D. and M.S degrees in Electrical Engineering from the University of Hawaii at Manoa, with a graduate-level research focus on developing materials for renewable energy conversion applications. He received dual undergraduate degrees from Cornell University in Applied and Engineering Physics and Computer Science. His professional career in alternative energy R&D, with emphasis on solar energy and on hydrogen and fuel cell development, has spanned more than twenty years; including work with the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, the NASA Lewis (aka Glenn) Research Center, Sunpower Inc., and the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Dr. Miller is generally recognized as a world leader in the field of Photoelectrochemical (PEC) hydrogen production, specializing in semiconductor-based materials, devices and systems for cost-effective PEC solar water-splitting; and currently serves as leader of the PEC task for the International Energy Agency’s Hydrogen Implementing Agreement.

A "Transforming Energy" Lecture
by John E. Kelly
November 30, 2012

Abstract

The devastating earthquake and tsunami, which resulted in the accident at the
Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear plant, occurred on March 11, 2011. The Department of
Energy and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission in collaboration with national
laboratories, nuclear industry and Japanese entities recently completed an effort to
analyze the available data and observations from the Fukushima accident. Dr. Kelly’s
talk will focus on the results of this analysis to date, which attempt to explain the
major events observed in the accident such as fission product release and hydrogen
explosion.. Physics-driven computer animations will be shown which illustrate an
overview of the effects of the earthquake and tsunami as well as the specific effects on
Unit 1.

Biography

Dr. John E. Kelly was appointed Deputy Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Reactor Technologies in the Office of Nuclear Energy in October 2010. He is responsible for the Department of Energy's nuclear reactor research and development programs for Light Water Reactors, Gas Cooled Reactors, Small Modular Reactors, and advanced reactor concepts. His office is also responsible for the space and defense power systems program within DOE-NE.

Prior to joining the Department of Energy, Dr. Kelly spent 30 years at Sandia National Laboratories where he was engaged in a broad spectrum of research programs in nuclear reactor safety, advanced nuclear energy technology, and national security. In the reactor safety field, he led efforts to establish the scientific basis for assessing the risks of nuclear power plant operation and specifically those risks associated with potential accident scenarios. His research focused on core melt progression phenomena and led to an improved understanding of the Three Mile Island accident. In the advanced nuclear energy technology field, he led Sandia's efforts to develop advanced concepts for space nuclear power, Generation IV reactors, and proliferation-resistant and safe fuel cycles. These research activities explored new technologies aimed at improving the safety and affordability of nuclear power. In the national security field, he led national efforts to evaluate the safety and technical viability of tritium production technologies.

Dr. Kelly is an active member of the American Nuclear Society and has served on the Nuclear Installations Safety Division for the last 2 decades in a number of leadership positions. His committee work has focused on increasing the publication of scientific work in the nuclear safety field and in developing national positions on the safety of nuclear power.

Born in Detroit, Michigan, Dr. Kelly received his B.S. in nuclear engineering from the University of Michigan in 1976 and his Ph.D. in nuclear engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1980. Dr. Kelly is married and has three children.

A "Transforming Energy" Lecture
by Victor R. Abate
September 28, 2012

Abstract

Victor Abate will provide an overview of the current state of the renewable energy industry today as well as challenges that lie ahead. He will also discuss how GE is celebrating 10 years of advancing wind energy and how it has become a mainstream energy source and more economical than ever.

Biography

Victor Abate is vice president of GE’s renewable energy business, a leading global provider of wind and solar energy products and services. He assumed this position in November 2005, and is based in Schenectady, New York. Prior to his current role, Abate was vice president of technology for GE ‘s power generation segment, which includes gas, steam, wind, solar and hydro-turbine generators, gasification technologies and integrated gasification combined cycle.

Abate began his GE career in 1990 and has held several management roles in engineering, services, production, and quality. In 1996, he led the large turbine generator business as the quality leader and was subsequently appointed general manager of generator technology. In 1999, Abate assumed responsibility in leading the gas turbine volume ramp up in GE’s power generation segment and in late 2000, was appointed general manager of steam turbine technology. Abate became a GE company officer in 2003.

Originally from Williamstown, Massachusetts, Abate holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, a master’s degree in mechanical engineering from Union College and an MBA from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

A Whiting-Turner Lecture: October 18, 2012

Biography

Dr. Thomas J. Fogarty is an internationally recognized cardiovascular surgeon, inventor, entrepreneur and vintner.  He has been involved with a wide spectrum of innovations in business and technology. Dr. Fogarty has served as founder/co-founder, and chairman/board member of more than 33 various business and research companies, based on medical devices designed and developed by Fogarty Engineering, Inc. During the past 40 years, he has acquired 135 surgical patents, including the “industry standard” Fogarty balloon catheter and the widely used Aneurx Stent Graft that replaces open surgery aortic aneurysm. Dr. Fogarty is the recipient of countless awards and honors; most significantly, he is the recipient of the Jacobson Innovation Award of the American College of Surgeons, the 2000 Lemelson-MIT prize for Invention and Innovation and was inducted into the Inventors Hall of Fame and the National Academy of Engineering.

Recently, Dr. Fogarty and his colleagues founded the Fogarty Institute for Innovation at El Camino Hospital. The purpose of the institute is to create an environment where innovation in medicine is encouraged, supported and nurtured.

Dr. Fogarty was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, and received his undergraduate education at Xavier University and his medical degree from the University of Cincinnati. He completed his residency at the University of Oregon and later served as medical staff president at Stanford Medical Center from 1973-1975. After 13 years directing the Cardiovascular Surgery Program at Sequoia Hospital, Redwood City, Calif., he returned to academic life at Stanford University School of Medicine in July 1993, as professor of surgery. Dr. Fogarty now spends his time creating new medical devices with Fogarty Engineering and the Institute for Innovation.

Abstract

The field of medicine is not always friendly to innovation. The Hippocratic Oath states, “Do no harm,” and so we teach, particularly in surgery, “Do the same things, the same way, to the same people.” The “standard of care” in the legal arena is another factor weighing against innovation; if you do not adhere to the standard of care and your patient develops a complication, you will likely be sued and lose the suit. However, while consistently applying proven approaches is important, and standards have their place, there are significant differences among patients that we must recognize and treat, and new technologies whose promise we must explore. This is where innovation comes in. Innovation means that the new must displace the old—not only old technologies, old concepts and old relationships, but old perspectives. To displace the old, the new must prevail or we must make the old new again. This is the plight of the innovator.

A Whiting-Turner Lecture: October 4, 2012

Biography

Alex Mehr '03 (@alexmehr) is the co-founder and co-CEO of Zoosk, the romantic social network with 15 million monthly active users from 70 countries. Zoosk's 2011 revenue surpassed $97 million -- doubling year over year. Alex co-founded Zoosk in 2007 alongside Shayan Zadeh, while attending the MBA program at the University of California, Berkeley. To date, the company has raised over $40M in venture funding. Alex holds a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from the Clark School. Prior to starting Zoosk, he worked as an engineer for NASA and collaborated on several manned and unmanned space flights. In his spare time, Alex is a motorcycle enthusiast and enjoys hiking with his dog 'Lexi,' an adorable Rottweiler mix.

Abstract

Are you constantly coming up with ideas for new businesses but you've never actually pursued any of them? Have you ever wondered what it takes to build one of those ideas into a new company? In this talk, I'll share my approach to evaluating new ideas and business models—knowing how to assess the viability of a new idea is particularly important when you're still on the fence about starting a new company. I'll give you some practical tips on execution and rapid iteration once you've settled on an idea. Finally, I'll share my experience as a "student-preneur" and why, as a student, you are at the best point in your life to take on the risks involved in starting a company. This lecture is based on what I’ve learned building my own company, as well as advising other early-stage entrepreneurs. You can’t find this stuff in your grandma’s entrepreneurship class.