Energy Highlights
A twice-monthly energy news update from MMPEI
February 15, 2008
Vol. 2 No. 3
U-M NEWS
Knee Brace Generates Electricity From Walking
Working jointly with Simon Fraser University and the University of Pittsburgh, Arthur Kuo,
U-M Associate Professor of of Mechanical Engineering, has designed an "energy-capturing knee brace that can generate enough electricity from walking to operate a portable GPS locator, a cell phone, a motorized prosthetic joint or an implanted neurotransmitter.."
ENERGY NEWS
Biofuels May Increase Global Warming
Two new studies published in Science report that clearing land for biofuels is more deleterious to the environment than gasoline or other fossil fuels. One of the studies, conducted by Princeton, Woods Hole Research Center and Iowa State University estimated that land use change resulting from producing corn-based ethanol will cause greenhouse emissions to double over 30 years and increase greenhouse gas emissions for the next 167 years. Additional information can be found here.
E Coli Fuels New Energy Research
By removing six genes, Texas A.M. chemistry professor Thomas Ward has "tweaked" E coli to enable it to use sugar to produce 140 times the hydrogen that is typically created during the glucose conversion process. Using biological methods to produce hydrogen does not require extensive heating or electricity and the hydrogen is easy to extract when it "bubbles out of the solution."
Space Magnetism May Hold Secret to Fusion Power
New discoveries about magnetic field lines and the first-ever direct observation of their reconnection in space are offering hope that scientists will learn how to unlock fusion power as an energy source in the future.
Great Lakes Wind Power
With average winds of 24 km/hr, blowing 85-90% of the time with a 90 degree west/southwest vector, the northeast corner of Lake Ontario provides a great location for wind power. The review process may take 2 to 3 years and power transmission hurdles have yet to be solved.
FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
Methane Hydrates 2008 - Due 03/17/2008, 05/1/2008
The objective of this DoE funding opportunity announcement is to assess methane hydrate exploration / production systems, technologies and methodologies, and develop tools or technologies for remote detection and characterization of deep marine hydrates and has three topic areas: Topic Area 1 – Resource Assessment and Field Testing on the Alaska North Slope (DE-PS26-08NT43260-01) due 05/01/2008, Topic Area 2 – Hydrate Production Systems Research(DE-PS26-08NT43260-02) due 03/17/2008, Topic Area 3 – Hydrate Detection and Characterization via Remote Sensing Tools (DE-PS26-08NT43260-03) due 03/17/2008.
Carbon Dioxide Capture And Separation Technology Development - Due 03/20/2008
This DoE funding opportunity is focused on developing technologies for CO2 capture and separation that can be retrofitted to existing pulverized coal (PC) power plants in the areas of post-combustion capture, oxy-combustion and chemical looping: Area of Interest 1: Membranes, Area of Interest 2: Solvents, Area of Interest 3: Solid Sorbents, Area of Interest 4: Oxy-combustion System Development, Area of Interest 5: Flue Gas Purification, Area of Interest 6: Oxy-combustion Boiler Development, Area of Interest 7: Chemical Looping Combustion.
URC Funding Opportunity in Energy Science and Technology - Due 04/14/2008
The University Research Corridor (Michigan State University, the University of Michigan, and Wayne State University), announces a funding opportunity of up to $900,000 for a maximum period of three years for full-time faculty in the above-listed URC institutions, focused on new research leading to revolutionary but feasible outcomes in alternative energy.
Additional funding opportunities are listed on the MMPEI Opportunities Page.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Practical Considerations of Alternative Fuels for Sustainable Personal Transportation
When: 12:00-1:00 Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Where: GM Conference Room, Lurie Engineering Center
A joint UMTRI-ME Research Colloquium, presented by Dr. Michael A. Tamor, Executive Technical Leader, Hybrid and Fuel Cell Vehicle Research Ford Research and Advanced Engineering.
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