New
reactor produces hydrogen
from renewable fuels
A
team of chemical
engineers led by
Regents Professor
Lanny
Schmidt has invented
a prototype reactor
capable of producing
hydrogen from a renewable
resource—ethanol—efficiently
enough to hold economic
potential. When coupled
with
a hydrogen fuel cell.
the unit—which
is small enough to
hold in your hand—could
generate one kilowatt
of power, almost enough
to supply an average-size
home.
The process converts corn-based ethanol into hydrogen,
carbon dioxide, and minor products. The technology is
poised to remove a major stumbling block to the "hydrogen
economy": no free hydrogen exists, except what
is produced at high cost from fossil fuels.
The researchers see an early use for their invention
in remote areas, where the installation of new power
lines is not feasible. People could buy ethanol and
use it to power small hydrogen fuel cells in their basements.
Its benefits include reducing carbon dioxide emissions
(the carbon dioxide produced is stored in the next year's
corn crop) and boosting rural economies.
In addition to Schmidt, the team includes scientist
Gregg Deluga and graduate student James Salge of the
chemical engineering and materials science department,
and Professor X.E. Verykios of the University of Patras,
Greece. Their findings were published tin the February
13 issue of Science.
Find
out more...
Honors
Professor Nicolai
Krylov (mathematics) received the 2004 Leroy P.
Steele Prize for Seminal Contribution to Research. He
shares the prize with Lawrence Evans of the University
of California at Berkeley. Presented annually by the
American Mathematical Society (AMS), the Steele
Prize is one of the highest distinctions in mathematics.
The AMS honored Krylov and Evans for their contributions
to the theory of nonlinear partial differential equations.
Susan Kubitschek, executive assistant in the IT Student
Affairs office, won the 2004 Advisor of the Year award
at the national conference of the International Association
for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience
(IAESTE). Students in the IAESTE program gain on-the-job
experience in technical internships with employers in
more than 80 countries. This summer, six University
students will participate in paid internships abroad.
Kubitschek has served as advisor to the University's
IAESTE
chapter since its founding in 2002. Most of the
chapter's 35 members are IT students.
Professor Karin
Musier-Forsyth (chemistry) has won the 2004 Distinguished
Women Scholars Award for Science and Engineering.
The award, established in 2001, honors two faculty members
annually—one in science and engineering and one
in humanities, social sciences, and the arts. Each scholar
is awarded $2,000 to be used for research, scholarly,
or artistic activities, or as nonrecurring salary augmentation.
The award will be presented on April 22 at the annual
Spring Celebration of University Women, sponsored by
the Office for University Women.
Events
Cargill Research Seminar Series
Spring 2004: All faculty, students,
and staff interested in learning more about the research
being conducted in the new Center for Microbial and
Plant Genomics on the St. Paul campus are invited to
attend a series of presentations. See the seminar
schedule (pdf) for more information or email gibso0043@umn.edu.
2004 ASCE Midwest Regional Conference
February 26–28: Students and
faculty from civil engineering programs in five states
and Ontario will converge on the University campus to
attend the 2004 ASCE Midwest Regional Conference. Engineers
from across the region will also attend the conference,
which includes a career fair, seminars, tours, banquet,
and a steel bridge competition. Co-sponsored by the
University's student chapter of ASCE, the Department
of Civil Engineering, and local engineering firms. Organizers
are still seeking event sponsors and volunteer judges
for the steel bridge competition. For more information
contact conference chair Jessica Mitchell at mitc0236@umn.edu,
Professor Robert Dexter at dexter@umn.edu,
or call 612-624-0063. Read
more…
Donaldson Lecture
March 3: Professor Stan
Veprek, chair of the Institute for Chemistry of
Inorganic Materials, Technical University of Munich,
Germany, will present the first Donaldson Lecture. He
will discuss recent progress in superhard nanocomposites,
including design concept, properties, deposition conditions,
impurities, and large-scale applications. 4:00 p.m.,
2-650 Moos
Tower.
Minnesota Employment Expo
March 4: U of M alumni and students
and degree-holding community members are invited to
attend the Minnesota
Employment Expo. Network with top Minnesota companies
and organizations to discuss employment and career-related
opportunities for candidates from a variety of majors
and levels of expertise. Information sessions will be
held throughout the day on such topics as "Job
Search Strategies" and "How to Work a Job
Fair." Sponsored by the UM Alumni Association,
Career Services offices on all U of M campuses, College
of Continuing Education, and Minnesota Department of
Employment and Economic Development. For more information,
employers
and job
seekers should call at 612-626-0425. 1:00 - 7:00
p.m., Radisson
Hotel Metrodome.
IT Calling Night
March 9: Learn what's happening at
the U and remind other advocates to contact their legislators
in support of our great University. If you can't participate
on March 9, please sign up for another night; calling
nights are scheduled on Tuesdays evenings in February
and March. Sign
up online or call 612-626-0913.
Looking ahead
S&T Banquet
April 14: Charles
McQueary, Under Secretary for Science and Technology,
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) , will speak at
the 2004 Science & Technology Banquet. The banquet
begins at 5:30 with a reception, followed by the program
and dinner. Preregister
for preferred seating. For more information call 612-626-1802
or email stbanquet@umn.edu.
5:30-8:30 p.m., Minneapolis Hilton.
