F E AT U R E S TO R Y
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f all the challenges facing our world, perhaps none is more pressing than finding new, sustain able sources of energy to power our homes, workplaces, and global transportation systems— at a minimal cost and environmental impact. Sustainable energy technologies can not only bring economic and environmental benefits, but also improve the quality of life for billions of people. Reliable, affordable energy helps ensure the continuity of critical elements such as food, water, power, light, and medical care in regions where these everyday necessities might be lacking. Responsible energy generation ensures that human health is protected by controlling emissions, wastes, and other environmental impacts. Recognizing the critical nature of the global energy challenge, many MechE faculty are focusing on energy-
related research. Whether they are designing new power generation technologies or working toward sustain- able energy policies, their work has the potential to change our lives, as well as the lives of people in every corner of the world. Following are descriptions of the leading-edge energy innovations that are taking shape in the Department every day.
Associate Professor Jeremy Michalek is analyzing new plug-in hybrid electric vehicles that maximize energy efficiency by minimizing the weight of the battery pack. While fully electric vehicles have captured a lot of attention, their batteries tend to be expensive to produce, as well as heavy to transport. The substantial weight of the battery reduces fuel efficiency. Another shortcoming is that many large battery packs are sized for a capacity of 150 miles, which is underutilized in daily travel. By comparison, plug-in hybrid battery technologies are smaller in size, lighter in weight, and have a capacity of about 10 miles. They will add only a few thousand dollars to vehicle cost, much of which can be recovered in fuel cost savings over the vehicle’s life. Recent media coverage has focused on the challenges for the auto industry in meeting governmental goals for alternative- fuel vehicles—and plug-in hybrid vehicle technologies may provide one cost-effective answer.
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