| Feb 2 , 2009 | Vol. 3. No.2 |
IN THIS ISSUE: MMPEI IN THE NEWS, U-M IN THE NEWS, ENERGY NEWS, FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES, AND UPCOMING EVENTS
MMPEI IN THE NEWS
Energy institute to host workshop
On March 12, MMPEI will host the U-M Energy Workshop: Forging Alliances, Positioning for Opportunity. The workshop will consist of external speakers providing their perspectives about the national funding landscape, brief presentations by faculty about their energy research and a roundtable discussion aimed at shaping strategies for upcoming opportunities. There will also be a proposal competition open to all faculty for creating alliances and partnerships to prepare for research opportunities. Visit http://www.energy.umich.edu/news/workshop09.html
MMPEI welcomes two new faculty fellows
MMPEI welcomes two new faculty fellows, Ian Hiskens and Kimberlee Kearfott. Hiskens' primary research interests lie in the analysis and control of power systems. Current projects include large-scale integration of wind generation, grid controllability, system integration of PHEVs, dynamics and control of microgrids, and the development of methods for analyzing the impact of uncertainty on system dynamic performance. Kearfott's work includes radiation safety for nuclear power; environmental radioactivity; and detection of illicit radioactive and special nuclear materials for homeland security. MMPEI Faculty Fellows program represents the most active faculty in energy research and education at the University of Michigan.
U-M scientist to create global maps of CO2 using Orbiting Carbon Observatory data
The first global maps of atmospheric carbon dioxide levels based on data from NASA's Orbiting Carbon Observatory will be created by a University of Michigan researcher and her colleagues. The team will use sophisticated mathematical techniques to fill information gaps between the satellite's direct measurements, the closest of which will be 93 miles apart at the equator. Leading the carbon cartographers is Anna Michalak, an assistant professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and the Department of Atmospheric, Oceanic and Space Sciences and is a MMPEI faculty fellow.
U-M IN THE NEWS
Video: Running on empty; electric cars at the Auto Show
UMTRI's Bruce Belzowski .
For lithium car batteries, Bolivia Is in the driver's seat
At Detroit's International Auto Show this month, the excitement surrounding the Big Three's announcements that they're shifting from gasoline to voltage has been tempered by another realization: most of the lithium used to make the batteries for those cars is found in Bolivia. ...What Bolivia is after is a largely, if not purely, state-run lithium industry from mining to industrialization, which might even include actual manufacturing of the coveted lithium-ion batteries...... Last week, General Motors Chairman and CEO Rick Wagoner insisted that "the supply, design and construction of [electric-car] batteries must be a core competency of GM." GM plans to build a plant soon, as well as a battery research center, along with the University of Michigan.
Michigan bets on battery development as it races against Asian advances
Michigan, buoyed by the auto industry's rush into electric vehicles, is hitching a big piece of its economic development hopes to the promise of lithium-ion battery production. The state's automotive heritage - albeit hamstrung by the economic crisis - and its strong research universities are poised to give the state a significant edge in the race to develop advanced auto battery capabilities.
ENERGY NEWS
Top 100 stories of 2008 - #1: The post-oil era begins
Electricity may be what fuels our future—electricity from renewables, nuclear, and even from burning biomass.
The future of nuclear power
The U.S.--and the world--is gearing up to build a potentially massive fleet of new nuclear reactors, in part to fight climate change. But can nuclear power handle the load?
Biofuel carbon footprint smaller than feared, MSU research says
Publications ranging from the journal Science to Time magazine have blasted biofuels for significantly contributing to greenhouse gas emissions, calling into question the environmental benefits of making fuel from plant material. But a new analysis by Michigan State University scientists says these dire predictions are based on a set of assumptions that may not be correct.
PBS Nova's The Big Energy Gamble - including podcast on energy's future with Secretary of Energy, Steven Chu
FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
The University of Michigan - Fraunhofer Alternative Energy Technologies for Transportation Program (AETT Program)
Special Funding from the University of Michigan, from Fraunhofer Germany and from Fraunhofer USA will be used to support collaborative research projects that involve co-investigators from Fraunhofer and from the University. The Seed Phase, installed for two years, will identify topics for a joint research agenda in the field of alternative energy technologies for transportation with the goal to provide a basis for joint proposals for external support. Proposals are solicited, addressing both areas of alternative energy technologies for transportation and associated best manufacturing practice minimizing production costs. Fraunhofer and University of Michigan intend to award a number of grants, with a maximum annual funding of up to $ 200,000 per project, divided between the University of Michigan and Fraunhofer participants.
20% Wind by 2030 - Due 03/03/09
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced the issuance of a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) for up to $6 million over two years (FY09-FY10) to address wind development technical challenges and market acceptance barriers as outlined in the "20% Wind Energy by 2030" report. The announcement will address six topic areas: (1) turbine research, development and testing; (2) distributed wind technologies; (3) market acceptance efforts; (4) environmental research and sitting strategies; (5) transmission analysis, planning and assessments; and (6) workforce development.
Clean Cities Transportation Sector Petroleum Reduction Technologies - Due 02/27/09
The U.S. Department of Energy ( DOE) National Energy Technology Laboratory ( NETL), on behalf of the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy ( EERE) Vehicle Technologies is seeking applications for projects covering a range of commercial technology deployment and educational activities under the Clean Cities Transportation Sector Petroleum Reduction Technologies Program. Areas of interest include refueling infrastructure for alternative fuels, costs of alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs) and education & outreach for petroleum reduction fuels and technologies.
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Nuclear Education Grant - Due 02/25/09
Faculty Development Grants Program recognizes the need to attract, recruit or retain highly-qualified individuals in academic teaching careers. Funding under this announcement is intended to support faculty in the nuclear-related fields of Nuclear Engineering, Health Physics, Radiochemistry and related disciplines as determined by the NRC. The grants specifically target probationary, tenure-track faculty in these academic areas during the first 6 years of their career. Grants may include support for developing applications for research and small amounts for initiating or continuing research projects in their areas of expertise. Other areas might include course development, equipment stipends, participation in professional society meetings, preparation of papers, travel, and support for graduate assistants, and associated expenses as related to research projects or an institution’s faculty development plan. Twenty (20) grants totaling 8M will be awarded. Funding Opportunity Number: HR-FN-1008-EDU3
Environmental Sustainability - Due 03/01/09
The Environmental Sustainability program supports engineering research with the goal of promoting sustainable engineered systems that support human well-being and that are also compatible with sustaining natural (environmental) systems. This program supports engineering research that seeks to balance society's need to provide ecological protection and maintain stable economic conditions. There are four principal general research areas which are supported: Industrial Ecology Green Engineering Ecological Engineering Earth Systems Engineering Topics of interest in Industrial Ecology include advancements in modeling such as life cycle assessment, materials flow analysis, input/output economic models, and novel metrics for measuring sustainable systems. Funding Opportunity Number: PD-09-7643
Sopogy Solar Power Applications (SopoApps) Design Skills Competition for students, faculty and engineers
Sopogy, Inc. (www.Sopogy.com), a US based Concentrating Solar Power Company is sponsoring a design skills contest for engineers and engineering students called Solar Power Applications (SopoApps). Sopogy is looking for the best engineers and engineering students to participate and design projects using Sopogy's MicroCSP technologies to help speed up adoption of these systems and bring CSP technologies to applicable markets. Sopogy invites University of Michigan Engineering faculty and students (current and former) to participate in SopoApps. In addition to the $50,000 in cash prizes, Sopogy is interested in awarding internships or other possible employment opportunities. Also visit: http://sopoapps.sopogy.com/
Visit http://www.energy.umich.edu/info/funding.html for additional funding opportunities.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Call for Papers for the 5th IEEE International Vehicle Power and Propulsion Conference - Due 03/01/09
The 2009 IEEE Vehicle Power and Propulsion Conference (VPPC09) will be held in Dearborn, Michigan from Sept 7 -11, 2009. This year the conference will feature the theme of sustainability: hybrid, plug-in, fuel cell and battery technology. UM - Dearborn and MMPEI's fellow Chris Mi is the general chair. Visit http://www.vppc09.org/ and http://ewh.ieee.org/conf/vppc/cfp.pdf for additional details regarding submission of papers.
RESEARCH AND FACULTY POSITIONS
Visit http://www.energy.umich.edu/careers/facultypositions.html for information on University of Michigan open faculty positions exploring energy storage and social science and energy.
www.energy.umich.edu Subscribe to Energy Highlights Unsubscribe top